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.
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.
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 liqueur.
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 moms original recipe that is written on scratch paper – it is a bit dirty and I cherish it.
Do You Have To Use a Vanilla Bean to Make Homemade Kahlua?
You don’t have to but it gives an aged quality and 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 1/2 gallons!
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.
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?
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.
They just seem too special for everyday snacks. That sweetened coffee rum liqueur really puts that treat over the top.
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.
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Want to make some Homemade Kahlua?
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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.
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 set for 2 to 3 weeks in a cool place.
- Strain, remove beans and bottle.
- or
- If you are using the vanilla extract then stir in and it is ready. It won't have quite the depth of flavor but it is good.
Nutrition
Ginny McMeans says
August 20, 2019 at 11:20 amI am thinking you mean with no alcohol. Not really. It is an alcoholic drink that needs to age a bit. If you mean an alcohol besides rum then yes you can use vodka or everclear.
Joshua Howard says
August 20, 2019 at 11:15 amHi! Thank you for the recipe! Can it be made without rum?
Ginny McMeans says
August 11, 2019 at 3:03 pmYou are so adventurous Joanne! All three versions sound like they’ll be good. I’m mostly curious about the brandy. I will absolutely try you club soda and fresh lime recipe. Thanks so much for your kind words. Your neighbohood is going to love you.
Joanne Carley says
August 11, 2019 at 1:19 pmI just made this recipe to try out for this year’s neighborhood Christmas gift giving. I doubled the recipe then broke it into three batches. One with vodka, one rum, and one brandy. I will let you in a few weeks which we like the best, but just by a few “samples” this recipe is a keeper. I know most people like kahlua on the rocks or with milk/cream but you should try this lighter version that is perfect in the summer time. Kahlua, club soda and a generous squeeze of lime.. It is yummy. Thanks for sharing this recipe.
Joanne
Ginny McMeans says
April 6, 2019 at 5:13 pmYou are so welcome Polly. It really is basically my mother’s recipe so this makes me very happy. ❤️
Polly says
April 5, 2019 at 10:02 pmGinny, thank you for sharing this! I have made this so many times. Everyone that tries it, loves it!
Ginny McMeans says
March 25, 2019 at 10:51 amA glass jar or decanter Julie. Not plastic. They have glass jars with screw lids at Target that I use for many things.
Julie says
March 25, 2019 at 8:52 amWhat do you store it in while it’s sitting for a couple of weeks?