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    Home » Homemade Kahlua ( Coffee Liqueur Recipe )

    July 17, 2018 Cocktails

    Homemade Kahlua ( Coffee Liqueur Recipe )

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    Y'all know I LOVE a good cocktail, but sometimes I just can't make it to the liquor store to get everything I need! So what's a girl to do when she's dying for a post-dinner Chocolate White Russian but there's no Kahlua in the house? Make this Homemade Kahlua recipe and save the day!

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    Homemade Kahlua from scratch
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    Guys, I have tried a TON of Homemade Kahlua recipes, looking for that coffee liqueur recipe to turn out JUST right. And to be honest, I've struggled.

    A lot.

    Mixing homemade kahlua

    How to Make Kahlua??

    Turns out, it's not as straight forward as I expected.  My preference for homemade liquor recipes is almost always to use grain alcohol or vodka, and I did try a vodka homemade Kahlua recipe.

    And it just wasn't ... right.

    Brewed coffee mixed with sugar for homemade kahlua

    It all comes down to ... What is in Kahlua?

    To put it simply: Kahlua is made with Coffee, Rum, Sugar, and Vanilla... which is why my grain and vodka based recipes didn't taste just right.

    So this is a RUM based Kahlua recipe!

    homemade kahlua going into jar

    What are some good Kahlua drink recipes?

      • Chocolate White Russian ( y'all I LIVE for this drink! )
      • Espresso Martini( A classic! )
      • The Revolver ( for Whiskey lovers )

    This coffee liqueur recipe is a great substitute for Kahlua and really should be made with rum, just like the original, but if you don't have rum available, you CAN make this recipe for Kahlua with vodka, but know that it will taste a little different and the texture doesn't get quite as thick, so you'll want to reduce the coffee down to more of an espresso strength.

    Homemade Kahlua

    Homemade Kahlua ( Coffee Liqueur Recipe )

    Easy homemade Kahlua recipe that makes an excellent White Russian.
    3.79 from 28 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Liqueur
    Cuisine: Alcohol
    Prep Time: 10 minutes
    Total Time: 10 minutes
    Servings: 3 cups
    Author: Basil and Bubbly

    Ingredients

    • 1 ¼ cups hot strong brewed coffee
    • 2 cups sugar
    • 1 cups white rum
    • 2 tablespoons vanilla bean paste can substitute vanilla extract if absolutely necessary

    Instructions

    • In a large container, stir the sugar into the hot coffee until combined and completely dissolved. Stir in the vanilla bean paste ( or extract.)
    • Let the coffee mixture come to room temperature, then stir in the white rum. Let sit overnight for the best flavor, but it can be used immediately if you have in the middle of a Kahlua crisis and need it right now!
    Tried this recipe?Mention @basilandbubbly or tag #basilandbubbly!

     

    Quick Homemade Kahlua Recipe with Rum
    « Fried Green Tomatoes Recipe
    Félix ( Brunch ) »

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Kahula crave says

      July 19, 2022 at 5:17 pm

      5 stars
      Thank you! I wanted the real thing and this is it. It took me a long time to sort all the knockoff recipes.

      Reply
    2. Peter says

      September 18, 2020 at 12:32 pm

      5 stars
      This is the correct recipe. To quote a connoisseur that I gifted a bottle to, "This is really good. Stronger high notes than Kahlua"

      Reply
    3. Marcia Snover says

      December 04, 2019 at 5:09 pm

      One I made was to add instant coffee.
      I dont have a coffee pot
      Help

      Reply
      • Marianne says

        December 04, 2019 at 8:15 pm

        You can make a strong cup of instant coffee and use that instead of brewed coffee

        Reply
    4. Ginny Monsma says

      October 13, 2018 at 8:09 pm

      If you simmer on low, the sugar and coffee on stove stirring, it will start to thicken like syrup.
      Let cool completely before adding rum and vanilla.

      Reply
    5. Nancy LeDoux says

      October 06, 2018 at 1:20 am

      Hello...
      Id like to make a kahlua that is thicker/like syrup. I've had no luck so far. Does your recipe get thicker?
      This is for Christmas gifts..
      Nancy

      Reply
      • basilandbubbly says

        October 11, 2018 at 12:56 pm

        This recipe is still slightly thinner than the store bought version. I do think a small amount of Xanthan gum might be able to thicken it up a little, but as that's not something I usually have on hand, I didn't include it here. I suppose it's funny to put it this way ( since alcohol is of course not being picked off of a Booze Tree), but I also like keeping this recipe free of anything "odd" or too unnatural. If you find a thickening agent you like that works well, please let me know!

        Reply
        • Becca says

          October 20, 2018 at 8:43 am

          It will be naturally thickened if you boil down your liquid and sugar mixture to make simple syrup.

          Reply

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    My name is Marianne, and I'm two parts food, one part booze, and a dash of snark. I live in Atlanta, GA with my two cats. My personal motto: Champagne and stretchy pants. Sign up for my mailing list to keep up with the new and seasonal recipes!

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