Homemade Kahlua has a simple and perfect balance of sweetness that is shared with coffee and rum. Doesn't it sound good already? Aged for 2 to 3 weeks.
Homemade Kahlua takes a little effort and the rewards are huge. All you do is put 4 ingredients together and then let it age for about two to three weeks.
The result? A perfect coffee-flavored liqueur that is excellent for sipping or mixing in many recipes that call for a celebration.
It makes a wonderful sipping cocktail.
The holidays are coming up and if you get this Homemade Kahlua recipe going on time you could pour it into beautiful small bottles and give it as gifts.
You could even tell them that it has to stay bottled another week or so for the aging to complete.
What Liquor Can I use to Make Kahlua?
- Rum is the tradition and you can use dark rum or white rum. I like dark rum as I think it gives it more warmth.
- Sometimes vodka is used and that makes a nice Kahlua too. It is easier on some people and doesn't smell as strong. It makes a good cocktail.
- There's a liquor called Everclear. It's powerful stuff and often used in creating liqueurs.
- Brandy has also been used but that one needs to age about a month.
Homemade Kahlua brings back warm memories for me. Not that I got to drink it but I got to share the time with my mom while she made it.
Well, don't get me wrong. I did get a sip and even at 16, I knew Kahlua was a special drink.
I have mom's original recipe that is written on scratch paper - it is a bit dirty and I cherish it.
That recipe is now this recipe for everyone to have. Believe me, it's been tried and tested many many times.
For about 50 years. It's that good and a real family tradition.
Do You Have To Use a Vanilla Bean to Make Homemade Kahlua?
- You don't have to but it gives an aged quality but you only have to use an inch of the whole bean.
- They are usually 5" to 6" long so that means you can make a lot of Kahlua with one bean. That's at least 2 gallons!
- So the vanilla bean doesn't sound so expensive when you look at it that way.
- You can use a super good organic vanilla extract instead. The plus on this is that you can have instant gratification.
- The Kahlua will still improve with a little time though but the vanilla bean recipe really makes it great.
Go ahead and double or triple the recipe for even more gift-giving. Or heck, for your own cupboard.
Keep this liqueur sealed tight and it will stay good three to four years. I kid you not.
Of course, it wouldn't last even a year in my house. Maybe a season?
Ingredients for Homemade Kahlua!
- Strong and hot fresh brewed coffee - gives a depth to the sweetened rum
- Organic sugar - is the perfect addition to sweeten the alcohol
- Rum - is my favorite for Kahlua. Some people use Vodka.
- Vanilla bean - is a necessity but vanilla extract may be used. See the notes above if you use vanilla extract.
This Kahlua can also be used in any of your dessert recipes that call for Kahlua.
If the word Kahlua is in the title of a dessert it just sounds like something special. One recipe I have on the blog is called Kahlua Truffles.
You can tell I really like Kahlua. In fact, I really like making homemade liqueurs too.
I mentioned the holidays so my Copycat Baileys Irish Cream Whisky recipe could be a recipe you'd like to try too.
You've probably heard of the cocktail, a White Russian. That is made with one-ounce of Kahlua and a splash of cream. In our case dairy-free cream.
It's that easy and is very very popular too.
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No freezing is necessary. It will keep -almost forever- meaning until you drink it all.
Joking aside it keeps about 3 years.
What Do You Think?
If you take a photo of your beautiful deep rich Kahlua, follow me over on Instagram and tag me on your photo @vegan_in_the_freezer. I'd love to see it!
And if you'd like to leave a star rating along with a comment for this recipe, it would really be appreciated.
Homemade Kahlua
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cups strong and hot fresh brewed coffee
- 4 cups sugar - organic
- 2 1/4 cups rum
- 1 inch vanilla bean - cut in half lengthwise for aged quality or 1 tablespoon of a good quality vanilla extract for instant gratification
Instructions
- Stir sugar into hot coffee and stir until the sugar is dissolved. Let cool.
- Add the rum and vanilla pieces, stir.
- Cover and let sit for 2 to 3 weeks in a cool place.
- Strain, remove beans and bottle.
- If you are using vanilla extract then stir in and it is ready. It won't have quite the depth of flavor but it is good.
Brenda
Hi, planning on making a huge amount for holiday gifts . Have you ever tried it with cold brew coffee?
Ginny McMeans
I haven't Brenda but I think it should work. It has to be hot when the sugar is added though so that the sugar dissolves. Just make sure it's a strong flavor coffee that you like when you drink it.
dm
quick question! are those old fashioned glasses, or double old fashioned glasses?
thanks!
Ginny McMeans
Well, I think they might be double old fashioned glasses as the glass holds six to eight ounces. The glasses are buried at the moment so I can't check if it's 6 or 8 ounces
Bill
Say I have some homemade vanilla with an entire vanilla bean in it. Would that be a good substitute for the vanilla bean?
Ginny McMeans
Yes, that would work Bil!. For the measurements use 1 tablespoon.
Trish
Hi there!
I just want to know if I can use muscovado sugar in this Kahlua recipe? 😄
Thanks,
TrishRish
Ginny McMeans
Yes, I think it would work fine. The taste would change a bit though - more like brown sugar/maple but I think it would be delicious.
Sue sue
What about vanilla paste? Can you use? And can you store in corked bottles?
Ginny McMeans
I have not done that Sue sue but I think it should work just fine.
Jim
I found this while combing the internet for the Kahlua recipe we made during college, which wasn't quite as interesting as this. It was 2 qts water, 1 bottle of French Vanilla Taster's Choice, some vanilla extra, 6 cups of sugar, and grain alcohol. At the time, it was good, but this sounds intriguing with the fresh vanilla bean and rum.
Thanks for posting. Can't wait to try.
Abott
My family begs me each year now to make this. I start it before thanksgiving and it’s ready by Christmas
Debbie McIntosh
May I use Stevia instead of sugar, or 1/2 Stevia and 1/2 sugar?
Ginny McMeans
I am not sure how Stevia is subbed for sugar in measurements. You can if you get the right measurement. I know liquid is different than the powder. But no matter how you substitute it will not taste just like Kahlua. It will have that Stevia taste. I can really tell the difference but if you don't mind it you can sub for sure.
Ozzy Taylor
Prepared exactly according to the recipe, with turbinado sugar, Don Q Cristal rum (smooth flavor compared to most rums), and pure vanilla extract. I found that the sugar would not dissolve easily so I gently heated the mixture on the stove while stirring. The results are SPECTACULAR. It's truly amazing how bad store-bought kahlua tastes compared to homemade. Yes, including the original "Kahlua". Best white Russian I've ever had. And I saved at least $20 because this recipe filled two 750 ml bottles to the top. Well done and thanks!
Maria S
I originally used this recipe to get rid of some horrible black rum that I had. Now I wouldn't make homemade Kahlua any other way. This is perfect! Thank you.
Trish Hansford
I made this the other night but I only used half the sugar your recipe called for. I am wondering now if I made a mistake. I do not like syrupy drinks. Your thoughts?
When I make limoncello, I always half the sugar and have been very pleased with the results.
Ginny McMeans
I really don't know how it would be changed like that Trish. It tastes just like Kahlua as is. If you leave it the way it is and you still like it I would love to know.