Homemade Kahlúa

This homemade Kahlúa recipe is a coffee-based liqueur easily made with coffee, brown sugar, vanilla, and grain alcohol for a tasty holiday cocktail.

• Preparation Time: 10 mins
• Cooking Time: 3 hr
• Total Time: 3 hr 10 mins
• Calories: 187 Calories

Ingredients

• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2 cups light brown sugar
• 4 cups water
• 1 cup instant coffee crystals (such as Folgers® Classic Roast)
• 2 cups lightly packed dark brown sugar
• 1 (750 milliliter) bottle 190 proof grain alcohol (such as Everclear®)
• 1 vanilla bean, split lengthwise and halved

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Gather all ingredients.

Step 2

Combine water and instant coffee in a medium pot; bring to a boil.

Step 3

Pour coffee mixture into a clean, large glass jar. Add grain alcohol, vanilla extract, and vanilla bean. Cover with a tight-fitting lid.

Step 4

Stir both brown sugars into coffee and reduce the heat to low. Simmer, stirring every 15 minutes, until slightly thickened, about 3 hours. Remove from the heat and cool completely.

Step 5

Let sit in a cool, dark place, shaking occasionally, for 4 weeks. Divide into bottles, leaving a piece of vanilla bean in each.