Whether you enjoy it as a sipper on the rocks or as part of a decadent cocktail, Kahlua’s rich flavor is surprisingly versatile. But its flavor is deeper and more nuanced when you make the coffee liqueur at home. Our homemade Kahlua recipe is less syrupy than the name brand, with a sweet (but not too sweet) character, some notes of vanilla and a buttery, caramelized flavor from dark rum. It’s one of the best food gift ideas when the holidays roll around.
Some coffee liqueur recipes require several weeks of steeping, or call for shortcut ingredients like instant coffee. Our easy Kahlua recipe falls somewhere in between. We start with real brewed coffee from our favorite coffee brands for the purest coffee flavor. But instead of steeping, we turn the brew into coffee syrup so the liqueur is ready to drink as soon as the syrup cools. Of course, the flavors really round out if you can wait a week (or longer), so feel free to let it age before enjoying it.
What Is Kahlua?
Kahlua is a brand of coffee liqueur founded in 1936 in Veracruz, Mexico, by four friends who wanted to infuse rum with coffee (specifically, Arabica coffee). Years later, the liqueur was used to create the black Russian cocktail (and later, the lighter and creamier white Russian). Its name derives from an Arabic slang word for “coffee.”
The key to crafting a truly great homemade Kahlua comes down to the quality of the ingredients used. You can make it with instant coffee granules, but we prefer to make our homemade coffee liqueur the old-fashioned way: with fresh-brewed espresso, sugar, vanilla and rum. The liqueur shines in everything from classic cocktails to desserts and boozy milkshakes like mudslides.
Homemade Kahlua Ingredients
- Brewed espresso: Espresso has a stronger roasted character than coffee, so we use it to make this coffee liqueur robust. If you don’t have an espresso maker, you can make easy espresso in a coffee pot by using a ratio of 1/2 cup of ground coffee for every 1-1/2 cups of water.
- Sugar: Granulated white sugar is used to create the coffee syrup. Feel free to swap in brown sugar to add extra caramel and toffee notes.
- Rum: The original Kahlua is made with rum. We’ve tried this recipe with white and dark rum, and we think dark rum is the winner. It’s warmer and richer, creating a coffee liqueur that tastes pretty close to the original recipe.
- Vanilla extract: Vanilla rounds out the sweetness and adds a creamy element.
Directions
Step 1: Make the coffee simple syrup
In a large saucepan, bring the espresso and sugar to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer, uncovered, for five minutes. Remove the syrup from the heat and allow it to cool completely.
Step 2: Combine all of the ingredients
Stir the rum and vanilla into the cooled espresso mixture until they’re combined.
Step 3: Store the homemade Kahlua
Pour the homemade Kahlua into glass bottles and seal them tightly. Store the Kahlua in a cool, dry place. Shake the bottles before serving.
Homemade Kahlua Variations
- Use cold brew coffee: For a smoother flavor, use cold brew coffee instead of brewed espresso.
- Make Kahlua with instant coffee: Mix together 4 cups of water and 1/2 to 1 cup of instant coffee, depending on how strong you like it. Then, prepare the coffee simple syrup as directed.
- Try another liquor: You can make homemade Kahlua with white or spiced rum instead of dark rum. You can even use other types of alcohol, like bourbon, vodka or grain alcohol.
- Deepen the vanilla flavor: Try making Kahlua with a whole vanilla bean instead of vanilla extract. Split the vanilla bean lengthwise (like you would when making homemade vanilla extract) and add it to the Kahlua alongside the rum. Age the Kahlua for one week to one month. Strain out the vanilla bean, and transfer the coffee liqueur to individual bottles.
- Add spice: You can add spices to the coffee simple syrup and strain them out before adding the rum. Try cinnamon sticks, hazelnuts or star anise.
How to Store Homemade Kahlua
Store Kahlua in a large jar with a tightly fitted lid, or transfer it to smaller glass bottles for gifting. Either way, it doesn’t have to be refrigerated, but it’s best to keep it in a cool, dry place.
How long does homemade Kahlua last?
If stored properly, homemade Kahlua will maintain its flavor and potency for three to four years. Kahlua that has gone bad will smell off and have a watered-down taste.
Homemade Kahlua Tips
What liquor should you use to make homemade Kahlua?
We make our homemade Kahlua recipe with rum, but you can make this coffee liqueur with almost any spirit base. Rum has a nice sweetness and produces a sweeter Kahlua than recipes made with vodka or grain alcohol (aka Everclear). You can even use whiskey, bourbon or rye to give yours a unique spin.
How do you use homemade Kahlua?
Sip homemade Kahlua on the rocks, add it to coffee or shaken espresso, or use it to make mixed drinks and desserts. Try it in your favorite Kahlua drinks like white Russians or espresso martinis, or use it instead of sugar cubes for a fun twist on the old-fashioned cocktail. You can also use it to make desserts like Kahlua dream bars or Kahlua fudge.
