Coffee Liqueur is an easy, affordable liqueur you can make at home! Perfect for after dinner sipping, cocktails and gifts!
There were two homemade liqueurs I grew up with my mother making: Crème de Menthe and Coffee Liqueur (we knew it as ‘Kahlua’ which is the name brand).
Large batches would reside in the liquor cabinet for years and be given as gifts.
Once I was of drinking age, I totally understood why. Homemade Coffee Liqueur is very easy to make, affordable and lasts indefinitely.
There are many ways to use it and it’s a perfect DIY gift idea!
What is Coffee Liqueur?
If you’ve ever had Kalua this is a homemade Kahlua recipe!
A liqueur is a strong, sweet liquor usually consumed by itself after a meal or in a sweeter cocktail.
Coffee liqueur has a sweet coffee flavor and is perfect to drink by itself on the rocks or in many popular cocktails.
Recipe Ingredients + Notes
Sugar. Both white granulated sugar and brown sugar are used in this recipe. The combination give great rich flavor to complement the coffee taste.
Instant Coffee. Regular instant coffee is used; not powdered espresso.
Vodka. Vodka is the liquor base for the recipe. Notes on the type of vodka are shared below.
Vanilla Beans. Vanilla beans are used over extract for the flavor infusion. The beans are slit lengthwise exposing the insides to the liquor mixture.
The warm vanilla flavor from the beans makes a big difference and continues to infuse as the liqueur sits.
Use Good Quality Instant Coffee
My original handwritten recipe card has a notation of ‘good coffee’ next to the instant coffee ingredients!
Since the quality of the coffee determines the ultimate flavor of the coffee liqueur choose a good quality brand for this recipe!
Use Medium-Grade Vodka
The note on my original recipe card suggests using ‘cheap vodka’ for making coffee liqueur; I actually don’t recommend that!
What I’ve learned from talking to distillers is the quality of the ingredients determines the outcome of the liquor.
My recommendation is not to use the most expensive, high end brand but a medium-grade neutral-flavored (not flavored) vodka to create a delicious homemade coffee liqueur.
How to Make Coffee Liqueur – Step by Step:
This recipe could not be eaiser or faster to make!
- Combine the white sugar, brown sugar and water and bring to a boil on the stove top. Boil up to five minutes, stirring occasionally, to allow the sugar to dissolve.
- Add the instant coffee and stir to dissolve.Allow the mixture to cool.
- Pour the mixture into a 1-gallon glass storage container with lid. Add the vodka and split vanilla beans.
- Allow to sit in a cool, dark place for 2 weeks before drinking so the flavor can fully develop.
How to Use Coffee Liqueur
My first experience drinking Kahlua was after a large meal when I had to order something to drink since I was at a club.
A friend suggested ordering it on the rocks. It was perfect.
Just the right amount of sweetness and easy to drink.
How to Store it
To store it long terms store in a cool dark area (a pantry is perfect) in a sealed jar or bottle. It will stay good indefinitely.
Bottle Ideas for Gifting
Homemade liqueurs are a perfect and affordable gift idea! They are inexpensive for you to make.
Your recipient also doesn’t have to buy the liqueur at the store.
For a more decorative option to give the homemade Kahlua for gifts select a bottle that seals securely.
Also selecting a bottle that is more narrow toward the top is easier to pour from.
Here are a number of great choices of homemade liqueur bottles on Amazon.com.
Coffee Liqueur Cocktails
There are many delicious cocktails using coffee liqueur too.
The most popular cocktails are probably a White Russian cocktail and a Black Russian cocktail.
White Russian Cocktail Recipe
- In an Old Fashioned glass with ice,
- add 2-ounces vodka, and
- 1-ounce coffee liqueur
- Finish with a splash of heavy cream and stir.
Black Russian Cocktail Recipe
A Black Russian is a White Russian without the cream!
- Combine 2-ounces Vodka, with
- 1-ounce Coffee Liqueur
- Strain into an Old Fashioned glass with ice.
More Coffee Liqueur Cocktail Ideas
Colorado Bulldog (a version of a White Russian with a fizzy twist!)
Gingerbread Brandy Milk Punch (cold weather spices make this cocktail delicious for the winter)
Eggnog and Coffee Liqueur: Combine prepared Eggnog and coffee liqueur in a 50/50 ratio. Pop in a cinnamon stick for good measure.
More Homemade Liqueurs and Infusions You’ll Love!
If you’ve made this Coffee Liqueur recipe please RATE THE RECIPE below!
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Recipe
Homemade Coffee Liqueur
Ingredients
- 3 ½ cups white sugar
- 1/2 cup light brown sugar
- 4 cups water
- 2 ounces powdered instant coffee ‘good coffee’
- 750 ml vodka
- 2 vanilla beans split lengthwise
Instructions
- Combine white sugar, brown sugar and water in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Bring to a boil and boil for 5 minutes. Stir occasionally and do not allow to boil over (reduce heat if needed).
- Add instant coffee to sugar syrup while syrup is still hot. Stir to dissolve. Let cool.
- Pour liquid into glass storage jug or container. Add vodka and vanilla beans. Let stand in a cool, dark location for 2 weeks before drinking.
Nutrition
Originally published: November 7, 2011
Kate Smith says
Thanks Toni, This was such an amazing Liqueur. I made it in September last year and waited til Christmas to drink. Absolutely fantastic flavour. I used our Perculater ground coffee powder as we love its flavour. I did have to filter it twice but it was truly worth it. I have a little bench top Still which we make our own Vodka in and we found this was the best use for our plain spirit. I popped a Vanilla Bean in each bottle as well. Going to try same recipe using Cocoa powder and have it ready for Easter as long as I can keep the lid on the bottle til then. We have some bottles of Dark Rum which I might use as the alcohol base this time round. Should be great.
Cheers Kate
Toni Dash says
Yay! I’m so glad to hear this. I keep a bottle in my pantry all the time and have not bought coffee liqueur for years! Have you made my Creme de Menthe recipe yet? That needs to be your next project!
Tom Jenner says
A good friend of mine showed me how to make this coffee liqueur many yrs ago. It was fantastic, the funny thing is I was talking to someone a couple of weeks ago about making this but for the life of me. I couldnt remember the whole process. After reading your article tonight. I feel like it was just the other day I had made it. The directions all came back to me. Thank you so very much. I’m also going to try some of your other recipes.
Tom Jenner
Boston
Toni Dash says
This is one of those tried and true recipes that has stood the test of time I think Tom. I remember my mom making it when I was a child and I make it the same way. Chances are it’s the same way you made it too!
Another fun one is homemade Creme de Menthe if you haven’t tried that. It lasts forever and you can use it in cocktails or recipes like Grasshopper Pie!
Londi Harmon says
Is the instant coffee weight or volume?
Toni Dash says
Weight. I have purchased 2-ounce containers of Instant Coffee to use.
Carey says
Thanks so much for sharing this recipe! I’m curious about the types of bottles (and quantity in each) that you use when gifting this coffee liqueur.
Toni Dash says
Hi Carey! I have added a section about bottle ideas with an Amazon link to some different types. I’ve even given it in Mason jars lol. I think it’s really up to you how much you want to gift. And there are bottles for any amount. The volume the recipe makes is included in the recipe card so that should help you consider how many gifts you want to give and how much a batch will make.
If you need more ideas leave me another comment. Happy to help!
Wendy says
i alwasys like looking at other recipe for kahlua, this is very similar to the one i have been using for the last 40 yrs with an exception…. added gylcerin as an emollent adds a touch of smoothness and not so watery
Toni Dash says
Do you notice any side effects from the glycerin Wendy? You probably know this but ingesting glycerin can have a number of side effects.here is an excerpt from a medical website summarizing some: ‘When ingested, vegetable glycerin may cause headaches, dizziness, nausea, vomiting and excessive thirst in some people. Since glycerin is a form of sugar alcohol that your body cannot fully absorb, consuming too much — either alone or through foods — may also lead to gas and diarrhea.’
Max Turner says
I would like to make this using honey. should I reduce the amount of sugar?
Toni Dash says
Unfortunately Max I’ve only made this longtime family recipe as written, with sugar. So I’m unsure how or if it would work with honey.
Beth says
Looks great! If I lowered the sugar by 1 cup would I need to change the amount of water?
Toni Dash says
Hi Beth. The recipe is ingredient balanced to create the liqueur so I couldn’t advise on changing ingredient amounts to ensure the same result.
Rosanne says
Would you recommend a dark or medium roast coffee for this liqueur? Thanks!
Toni Dash says
It just needs to be a good quality instant coffee.
Ashlee says
Hi! Have you ever made this using vanilla extract instead of vanilla beans? If there’s not much difference in outcome I’d rather use the vanilla extract I have before spending $15 on the beans. Thank you!
Toni Dash says
No. The richness of flavor from the actual vanilla beans makes a difference. By slitting them and exposing the insides it gives the liqueur a wonderful flavor.
You could look at it this way: the affordability of making the coffee liqueur yourself especially for the volume you’ll make, is so much better than buying this liqueur, the cost of the vanilla beans is a small price to pay lol. There’s my pitch.
Kempshark says
I was looking for a recipe using high quality roasted coffee beans and not instant coffee. I will keep looking for that, but was wondering if you had ever made your own by infusing it with crushed coffee beans instead of the instant coffee?
Toni Dash says
I have not! This is a family recipe my mother and grandmother each made and it’s delicious so I’ve stuck with it.