Homemade Kahlua
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Making Kahlua at Home
I have been making this recipe for years! Every year at the holidays I make up a batch to enjoy and to share, it’s a perfect handmade gift, to give those who like a little “toot” now and then (as my Mother-in-law would say….)
Gifting Homemade Kahlua
Making Kahlua from scratch
Making homemade Kahlua from scratch is actually very easy. My recipe is made with vodka. You can treat it just like you enjoy your coffee. Do you want a lighter or darker, sweeter or more bitter Kahlua? You take control by adding more or less of the coffee. You can even use flavored coffee to switch it up! I would recommend that you try the original recipe first, though, before tweaking it.
Ingredients in Homemade Kahlua
The ingredients are simple. All you need to make Kahlua from scratch is some vodka, sugar, water, vanilla, and your choice of instant coffee. Nowadays, you can find a variety of instant coffees to choose from. So that means if you want a darker or a lighter brew then you have options.
Aging and blending the coffee syrup smoothly with the vodka takes about a week of storage. So if you are planning a party with black or white Russians on the horizon, plan ahead. It’s so worth waiting to make one week Kahlua, it tastes so much better and way less expensive to make.
Step by Step Kahlua Instructions
- Dissolve sugar in 6 cups water in a saucepan on the stove. Bring to a boil and boil for 8 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Combine coffee in 2 cups water, add to boiled sugar mixture. Cool.
- Add vanilla and vodka.
- Pour into a gallon-sized container. Age for one week before drinking.
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How Long Does Homemade Kahlua Last?
Since it is stored in alcohol, as long as you have a good container, with a tight cap, it will keep fine. In fact, as it ages it just gets better as the infusion brings the alcohol and syrup together. Make sure to store it in a cool dark place, out of direct sunlight. You can actually store it for about four or five years.
Just make sure the container you store it in is properly cleaned and sanitized first.
Does it need to be refrigerated?
You can store it in the fridge, but it isn’t necessary. The alcohol content is still high enough to prevent any bacterial growth. Make sure the lid gets twisted down tightly.
Recipes that use homemade Kahlua
Of course, Kahlua is most popular for White Russian Cocktails. (Just ask Lebowski) and you can use it to make an adult style Kahlua milkshake by blending a shot, or two… with some vanilla ice cream. Be careful though, those go down pretty darn easy and you won’t realize until it is too late if you drank too much.
Kahlua Crinkle Cookies are a reader favorite, here at An Affair from the Heart!
Let’s get to the quick and easy recipe for the BEST Homemade Kahlua! 
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Homemade Kahlua
Ingredients
- 6 cups water
- 6 cups sugar
- 3/4 cup instant coffee
- 2 cups water
- 3 Tablespoons vanilla
- 1 quart vodka
Instructions
- Dissolve sugar in 6 cups water in a saucepan on the stove. Bring to a boil and boil for 8 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Combine coffee in 2 cups water, add to boiled sugar mixture. Cool.
- Add vanilla and vodka.
- Pour into a gallon sized container. (even a milk jug works)
- Age for one week.
Nutrition
This recipe was originally posted on December 4, 2020. It was updated to improve user experience and re-shared on December 15, 2020.
I’ve always wanted to make Kahlua, my very favorite alcohol! I think I need to go find some bottles!
I saved some bottles from other alcohols, I even had just some glass bottles from teas. I would imagine even a wine bottle and cork would work?? OR you could just keep the whole milk jug for yourself! 😉 Let me know what you think!!
Oh my goodness! I know so many Kahlua lovers – how awesome! Found you on Pinterest and now I’m following!
Welcome!! Glad you found a useful recipe!! Let me know if you try it!
Made it on Saturday and its is now “curing”. Very easy and much cheaper than Kahlua. Tasted it when it was fully cooled and while it still had the vodka bite you could tell it will be awesome once it has that time to infuse. I might be taste-tasting again tonight! 😉 That will be one white elephant gift everyone will be fighting over, lol.
We had it with our Christmas blend coffee last night!! Yum!! So glad that you like it!! 🙂
I have to make this for my brother-in-law. He lowes Kahlua. 🙂
It’s good stuff!!
It’s good stuff!!
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Is there an instant coffee brand you recommend, and vodka brand? I usually buy costco brand vodka
Nope— whatever you have on hand is just fine. We just had this in our coffee today! 🙂 so good!
this recipe tells you to dissolve the sugar into water, but does not tell you how much sugar to use.
would love to make this.
Peggy – I am so sorry!! I did an update to my recipe card and some of my really old recipes didn’t transfer like they were supposed to. The recipe is corrected, and I hope you enjoy it! Thanks for pointing this out!!
I never knew you could make your own Kahlua. This is awesome!
hi what form of vanilla are you using ?
regards , barry
Hi, Barry! I always buy Mexican vanilla either from Mexico when I am able or our Mexican grocery store.
I’ve been making home kahlua for over 40 years from a recipe given to me by a work buddy. In mine, you use a clean, old knee hi stocking and put 1 pound of ground coffee into it and bring it to a boil, reduce to simmer in a big pot. You also use grain alcohol/moonshine and not vodka and 2 whole vanilla beans. Make the sugar into simple syrup and let cool.After coffee is cool, combine all other ingredients and run through several layers of cheesecloth to filter out any sediment, vanilla beans, etc. I know it is extra work, but so worth it. I think I get 4-5 bottles out of it.
Thanks for sharing your way, Michelle!
Hi I came across your blog and this recipe i will definitely be trying this memorial day! I’ve made homemade kahlua several times and always try different things… I’ve made it with flavored vodka, rums, everclear and added things like chocolate syrup, caramels etc. So far my favorite has been to use everclear, and also half white sugar half brown sugar. I think when i try your recipe I’m going to use everclear, do half brown sugar and add some butterscotch sauce. ?
I can’t wait to hear what you think!
This was easy to make but I’m curious – when you dissolve the coffee into 2 cups of water, is it 2 additional cups of water to the 6 with sugar? I wasn’t sure if you take out 2 cups of sugar water for the coffee or use 2 more. Thank you for sharing!
Yes — there is a total of 8 cups. 🙂 Happy you liked it!
My mother-in-law used to make homemade Kahlua & it was delicious so I was happy when I came across your recipe. I will definitely make this. Thank you!
Fantastic! I am so happy you found it. I hope you visit often. 🙂
I never would have thought to make my own, but this looks really simple. I can’t wait to try it.
How fun is it to make my own kahlua! Love this recipe, can’t wait to make and give away as Christmas gifts.
I’ve always wanted to make my own Kahlua! I’ll have to try this out! THANK YOU!!!!!
I’ve never thought about making my own but I’m such a fan of kahlua and this sounds like so much fun to try! Homemade must be so good!!
Kahlua is a must at Christmas time, but I never would have thought to make my own. This looks pretty simple too.
Wow, this recipe is the bomb. A perfect idea would have never occurred to me to make it like that. It is so simple!