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Homemade Kahlua

Published , Last updated by Stef
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This homemade Kahlua recipe is so easy to make! You probably have the necessary ingredients sitting around your house, especially if you’re a coffee lover.

Making it yourself means that you can choose which coffee you would like; since you make it with brewed coffee, the flavor of your favorite beans ends up being the star of your drink.

homemade Kahlua on the rocks

I can guarantee that you will impress your friends when you show up to a gathering with a bottle of this liqueur rather than a six pack of beer. The only thing that might be more impressive would be bringing a bottle of homemade Baileys Irish Cream as well!

a bottle of homemade Kahlua in the foreground with two cocktails made using it in the background

Searching for Kahlua recipes will reveal that there are several different ways to make the liqueur at home.

Many of the recipes call for instant coffee. I rejected those because I wanted to be able to use high-quality, freshly-ground coffee beans. Other recipes call for letting the drink steep for several weeks; I rejected those because I don’t have the patience.

I ended up using a variation of a recipe that I found on a forum about Orchids. The end result is blissful. It has a sweet yet strong coffee flavor and goes down super smooth.

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Ingredients

To make this recipe, you’ll need coffee, vodka, light brown sugar, and vanilla extract.

How It’s Made

To make homemade Kahlua, start by brewing coffee. As soon as it’s done brewing, pour it into a large glass vessel that you can use to mix it.

pouring coffee in a jug to make homemade Kahlua

While the coffee is still hot, mix in brown sugar. Allow to cool to room temperature.

adding sugar to coffee in a jug to make homemade Kahlua

Once it’s cooled off, mix in vanilla extract.

adding vanilla extract to sweetened coffee in a jug to make homemade Kahlua

Then, mix in vodka.

adding vodka to sweetened coffee in a jug to make homemade Kahlua

That’s it.

Expert Tips and FAQs

two cocktails made with homemade Kahlua and a bottle of homemade Kahlua in the foreground
How do I store it?

Store Kahlua at room temperature for a few days or in the refrigerator for up to two months.

How should I use it?

Serve over ice, in mixed drinks like a mudslide or a White Russian, or use in baking.

glass with a White Russian cocktail made with homemade Kahlua
White Russian cocktail: 2 parts vodka, 1 part homemade Kahlua, and a splash of heavy cream
Did you make this recipe? Leave a review!
homemade Kahlua on the rocks
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4.36 from 17 votes

Homemade Kahlua

Making this homemade recipe for Kahlua is easy and gives you the flexibility to choose which coffee you would like to use.
Course Drinks
Cuisine American
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Servings 50 servings
Calories 60kcal
Author Stefani

Ingredients

  • 6 cups brewed coffee use your favorite kind
  • 1 pound light brown sugar
  • 3 1/2 tablespoons vanilla extract
  • 1/2 liter vodka If you have access to a pure grain alcohol like Everclear, you may want to use that.
US Customary – Metric

Instructions

  • Brew coffee. While the coffee is still hot, mix in the brown sugar.
  • Cool to room temperature.
  • Mix in vanilla extract and vodka.
  • Serve over ice, in mixed drinks like a frozen mudslide or a White Russian, or use in baking.

Notes

Yields 1.5 liters.
Homemade Kahlua may be kept out at room temperature for a few days but should be refrigerated for longer storage. It can be refrigerated for two months.

Nutrition

Calories: 60kcal | Carbohydrates: 9g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 3mg | Potassium: 27mg | Sugar: 9g | Calcium: 8mg | Iron: 1mg
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