It’s easy to pick up a bottle or two at your local grocery store, but making your own Kahlua allows you to control the alcohol and sugar content. It’s also less syrupy and tastes even better than the name brand! Plus, homemade Kahlua makes the perfect food gift idea for when the holidays roll around.
What Is Kahlua?
Kahlua is a brand of coffee-flavored liqueur that was founded in 1936 by four friends in Mexico. The liqueur is made by combining arabica coffee with sugar, vanilla and rum, and is used in classic cocktails like the white Russian, espresso martini and mudslide.
The key to a truly delicious homemade Kahlua comes down to the quality of ingredients used. Be sure to use fresh-brewed coffee (here are our favorite coffee brands) and a decent spirit brand for a rich liqueur that’s full of flavor.
What Liquor Is in Homemade Kahlua?
Homemade Kahlua is made with white rum, but you can substitute it with another spirit if you like. Vodka works, but the taste will be slightly different. No matter what spirit you use, choose a good brand—here are some of the best rums for cocktails, sipping and making recipes like homemade Kahlua.
How to Make Homemade Kahlua
TMB studio
This recipe comes from New York Community Cook, Sue Stetzel, and makes approximately 2 quarts of Kahlua.
Ingredients
- 4 cups strong brewed coffee
- 4 cups sugar
- 3 tablespoons vanilla extract
- 4 cups good quality white rum
Directions
Step 1: Make the coffee simple syrup
In a saucepan, bring the coffee and sugar to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer for 10 minutes. Remove the syrup from the heat and allow it to cool completely.
Step 2: Combine all of the ingredients
Stir the vanilla extract and alcohol of your choice into the cooled coffee simple syrup until combined.
Step 3: Store
Pour your homemade Kahlua into clean clear glass bottles, cap tightly and store in a cool, dry place.
Homemade Kahlua FAQ
How do you use homemade Kahlua?
Use your homemade Kahlua just as you would the store-bought brand. It’s great for any of these Kahlua drinks, like a chocolate-caramel rum coffee or black Russian.
You can also add it to desserts, like these Kahlua dream bars and mocha java pie with Kahlua cream Or just add it to a cup of coffee for a quick pick-me-up!
Can Kahlua go bad?
If stored properly, homemade Kahlua will maintain its flavor and potency for about three to four years. Kahlua that has gone bad will smell off and have a watered-down taste.
Use Your Homemade Kahlua for Drinks :
Pumpkin Spice White RussianThis pumpkin spice
White Russian is a quick and easy twist on the classic drink. The pumpkin mixes well with vodka and Kahlua. —James Schend,
Taste of Home Deputy Editor
Chocolate-Caramel Rum CoffeeThis decadent coffee drink can stand alone as a final course or as a delightful complement to any chocolate or caramel dessert. Our family loves it after a special dinner or just for sipping in front of the fireplace. —Joyce Conway, Westerville, Ohio
Sweet Kahlua CoffeeI have this beverage brewing in my slow cooker at my annual Christmas open house. I set out the whipped cream and grated chocolate in festive dishes so guests can help themselves to as much Kahlua-flavored coffee as they'd like.—Ruth Gruchow, Yorba Linda, California
Black RussianHere are no-fuss black Russians that are smooth as silk. Perfect for those who aren't sure what they want. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Orange and Chili Coffee Old-Fashioned
We don't want to ruin iced coffee for you, but you might never be the same after trying this recipe.
Emily at Gastronomista has some wicked tricks up her sleeve, combining Kahlua with
Grand Marnier, bitters and chili pepper for a drink that is coffee, citrus, spice...and everything
but just "nice." Looking for more ways to wet your whistle? These
two-ingredient cocktails are so easy to put together.
White RussianWhen it comes to Kahlua cocktails, White Russians are perhaps the most iconic. This creamy coffee-flavored drink is a star at any occasion and perfect for any season. A White Russian is equally appropriate before or after dinner. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Spanish CoffeeYou’ll look forward to dessert even more when this warm and welcoming after-dinner drink is on the menu. —Sharon Tipton, Orlando, Florida
Coconut White Russian
Dairy-free?Â
This spin on the White Russian from Simply Recipes is perfect for vegan and lactose-intolerant drinkers. Garrett McCord recommends a splash of ginger or cinnamon during the holidays to take your recipe to the next level.
Kahlua Bushwacker
Beware this cocktail—it goes down easy, but these ingredients don't mess around. Whether it's summer or the dead of winter, this drink from
Tessa Arias at Handle the Heat is like a day at the beach blended and poured for your enjoyment. Even if you're not by the water, it's easy to pretend with these
poolside drink recipes.
Espresso Martini
An
espresso martini is essentially a rallying cry in a glass.
Emma at A Beautiful Mess uses only three ingredients: vodka, espresso and Kahlua. The result is picture-perfect and will keep the party going well into the night.
B-52
Looking for a conversation starter that is as pretty as it is sweet? This little shooter from
Mix That Drink is traditionally made with Kahlua, Bailey's Irish Cream and Grand Marnier. When properly made, the layers separate because of their differing densities, forming colorful bands inside the glass. While tricky to get just right, they're still delicious even if the presentation fails.
Thor's Coffee
Sure, there's coffee and Kahlua. But why settle for mortality when you could drink like the gods, or at least one in Marvel's universe. This playful recipe from
The Drink Blog takes the basic structure of a White Russian but uses mead instead of vodka, much more fitting for a Norwegian thunder god.
Kahlua Hot Chocolate
Nothing whisks those winter blues away faster than a big mug of hot chocolate, and you can make it all the more festive with just a splash of magical Kahlua. Chungah Rhee's delicious
Kahlua hot chocolate recipe uses Dutch-processed cocoa powder, cinnamon, nutmeg and of course Kahlua. Why not top it off one of these Kahlua drinks with mini marshmallows and a drizzle of salted caramel and chocolate syrup? Check out these decadent
hot chocolate recipes.
Coffee & Cream MartiniWith Kahlua, Irish cream liquor and chocolate sandwich cookies, this martini is almost like a dessert. It's an after-dinner drink that's easy to mix.
—Clara Coulston Minney, Washington Court House, Ohio
White Chocolate Mudslide
On top of being totally scrumptious, this
White Chocolate Mudslide recipe is also incredibly versatile—refreshing in the summer or festive in the winter. Jocelyn at Grandbaby Cakes recommends melting white chocolate into the milk before blending it with ice cream, Irish cream and Kahlua for a decadent treat. She adds a raspberry as a garnish, so you can go ahead and pretend it's nutritious as well. Why not pair it with this
easy white chocolate fudge?
Up Next: The
Best Coffee Liqueur + 9 More Liqueurs to Bake With
Up Next: The Best Coffee Liqueur + 9 More Liqueurs to Bake With
