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.
Wow, I didn’t know you can make kahlua at home. Thank you so much for sharing, I will use your recipe!
There is nothing better than homemade kahlua. This looks delicious and it looks easy to make too.
Brilliant, yummy, and so much cheaper than buying it at the store!
My measuring cup is worn off and so instead of 6 cups of water I used eight. What amount of sugar vanilla coffee and vodka should I use to make this work out
Did you add the 2 cups to the coffee mixture? If not, you will be fine.
I have been searching for this recipe for ever. My mom and I used to make this together ❤ and we would have great fun enjoying it. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Sometimes I think we enjoyed it a little too much.
aw! These kinds of comments are always my favorite! Thank you for letting me know that it brought back such good memories for you!
Hello, my husband is a firefighter and asked me if would make homemade kahlua for all of his firehouse buddies for the holidays. I recall making a batch over a decade ago and it called for Madagascar vanilla beans but this one says just vanilla. I noticed in the comments you said “Mexican vanilla.” I would like to try yours as written but am I looking for Mexican vanilla syrup or extract? Can you share a link to a recommended Mexican vanilla?
Thanks!
Hi, Michelle! What a great gift it is! Please thank your husband for his service. I buy mine at the Mexican grocery store here in Omaha, but this one here on Amazon is the same brand: (affiliate link) https://amzn.to/3e3vBkb. Hope you love it!
after you mix it do you just let it sit out or put in the frig for a week,also in the dark or not?
I wouldn’t put it in direct sunlight or anything. I typically just put it in my pantry for a week. 🙂
Can you substitute regular coffee instead of instant? If so, how much, 2 cups?
So the instant coffee is the granules themselves. Not diluted. Using regular prepared coffee may dilute the recipe too much.