No need to buy coffee liqueur when it is so easy to make your own at home with this easy Coffee Liqueur Recipe! This coffee liqueur is so delicious and tastes so much better than store bought, plus you know all the ingredients that go into it!
Why Make Your Own Coffee Flavored Liqueur
You may be wondering why you should make your own coffee liqueur. Well, for one thing it's fun and easy. You can make as much or as little as you need.
The most important reason is that you know exactly what's in it. It is not a coffee flavoring liqueur - yes, I checked at the liquor store and one of the liqueurs had coffee flavoring added. Coffee flavoring?
Who needs or wants coffee flavoring when you can make you own homemade Kahlua at home!
Ingredients to Make Homemade Coffee Liqueur
- Water - use filtered if your tap has strong flavors.
- Sugar - white sugar is fine. If you wanted a deeper more molasses flavor to your liqueur, you could use brown sugar.
- Espresso Instant Coffee - this is the brand that I use: espresso instant coffee - espresso powder does not dissolve as well as espresso instant coffee.
- Vodka - you don't need a high end, but one that would still enjoy drinking.
- Vanilla Bean - I just pulled one from my vanilla extract.
How to Make Homemade Kahlua
In a large saucepan combine the water, sugar, and instant coffee. Bring to a high simmer (just right before a boil.) Cover and let it simmer for 1 hour. Check it to make sure that it's simmering and not coming to a boil. Adjust the heat if necessary.
After the hour is up, remove from the heat and let cool. Add the vodka and stir to combine.
Place the vanilla bean in your jar and then pour in the coffee liqueur. Put a lid on the jar and let it sit in a cool dark place for about 2 weeks before serving.
That's all there is to this coffee liqueur recipe - so easy!
The Best Homemade Coffee Liqueur!
This is so good! We love it straight (in my great vintage glasses that I found at the World's Largest Yardsale!) or to use it in cocktails.
Recipes With Coffee Liqueur:
Take Vietnamese Iced Coffee to a whole new level with this Boozy Iced Coffee!
One of the simplest and best desserts ever is an Affogato with Coffee Liqueur!
These Chocolate Coffee Dessert Shots are a favorite at our house, so easy and everyone loves getting their own shot glass!
If you want to drink your dessert, then you will love this Chocolate Coffee Martini!
Homemade Liqueurs Make the Best Gifts!
You can make this homemade liqueur for yourself, and I urge you to, but it also makes a great gift! You may have noticed that I have been republishing and remaking all my liqueurs. That's because it's that time of the year! Check out all of my Infusion Recipes, I'm sure you'll find something to make for someone!
If you make this be sure and tag me so I can see your lovely liqueur. I would love it if you would follow me on Pinterest | Instagram | Facebook
Homemade Coffee Liqueur
Ingredients
- 4 cups water
- 2 cups sugar
- 4 ½ tablespoons instant coffee espresso
- 4 cups vodka
- 2 vanilla beans
Instructions
- Combine the water, sugar, and instant coffee in a large saucepan and bring to a high simmer, but not a boil. Cover and cook for 1 hour, taking care that it continues to simmer without coming to a boil.
- Let the mixture cool and add the vodka, stirring to combine. Transfer to a bottle or jar, add the vanilla beans, screw on the lid, and keep in a cool, dark place for at least 2 weeks before serving (though it will taste even better as time passes).
Notes
Nutrition
This post was originally published in 2014 and has been updated for 2019.
Emma says
Does the bottle/jar have to be sterilized in the oven or with boiling water?
Pam Greer says
Either way will work.
Kristen Ruiz says
Can I use coffee extract in place of espresso
Pam Greer says
I don't think it would work as good as strongly brewed coffee.
Marta Davis says
Hi! Does this need to be refrigerated? Thank you!
Pam Greer says
No. You can refrigerate it, but it doesn't have to be. The alcohol acts as a preservative.
wilhelmina says
This stuff is absolutely addictive! Love it!
Jennifer says
I love this homemade version! Thanks for the recipe!
Pete Sloan says
I love everything coffee. I found a post for coffee bourbon. It used crushed coffee beans.
I like to add a few slices of Granny Smith apple to my infusions a few weeks into the steep
It a mellows the bite.
Michelle @ Oblogoff says
I better get started so I can use it in the ice cream! Love it!
Thanks!
Michelle
Cheryl Kohan says
I'm going to make this! I love White Russians but Black Russians would be way healthier, right? Not all that cream, y'know. 🙂 So I will definitely want homemade coffee liqueur. Thanks!
Pam Greer says
Once you make homemade, you'll never buy store bought again, and you'll start finding all kinds of ways to use it!
Kimberly Ann @ Bake Love Give says
What a fabulously simple recipe! We've been having fun making our own coffee syrups as of late. I should definitely add some alcohol to the fun. 🙂
Laura @MotherWouldKnow says
Fabulous idea! I've made homemade limoncello (lemon liqueur) and homemade vanilla extract, so this is a natural next step. Plus I adore anything with coffee in it. Going to try it with instant espresso.
Joanie @ ZagLeft says
With such few ingredients, this recipe sounds so easy to make. Bookmarking this to work on this weekend.
Lisa @ Garnish with Lemon says
Ooh, this sounds fabulous! Perfect to go with my coffee tonight!
Angela {Mind Over Batter} says
Giiiiirl - I made a batch of chocolate liqueur once, forgot about it for a year, and never shared it on my blog. So... You're good. Love this! Think I could get away with spiking my coffee at work? Hmm...
Heather / girlichef says
I've made coffee liqueur before, but I used whole ground beans. I like the idea of using instant coffee SO much better - I think it'd be much less expensive. I'll be trying this next time, thanks Pam :).
Tara Moseder says
How do you make this with regular coffee instead of instant?
Patti says
The depth of flavor comes from a really strong brew. Make 3 cups of super-strong coffee and add in 1 1/2c of simple syrup. Start by tripling the regular amount of coffee grounds for 3 cups cold water, mix and chill it for at least 24 hours and then run it thru a filter. Add 1 1/2c simple syrup, vanilla, and vodka. Note: don't add anything to water and coffee before filtering it or it won't extract the coffee favor from the grounds. It's a chemical thing.
Kristen @ A Mind Full Mom says
Pinned! this is such a great money saving recipe!! LOVE!!
Miranda @ Cookie Dough & Oven Mitt says
This is brilliant! I have got to pin this little gem of a recipe. I also sometimes don't end up posting recipes until months later.
Lisa says
I really need to try this!! Perfect for this time of year! Pinning so I don't forget! 🙂
grace says
oooh, i like this! i like my alcohol to taste like anything except alcohol, and coffee will do quite nicely.
Jessica J says
Oh my gosh, DONE! I will be making this for sure! I love flavored liqueurs 🙂
Marjie says
I like that you specified "cheap" vodka. That's pretty funny.
Happy Easter, Pam and Mr. S.S.
Barbara says
Playing catch up here....
Really must have that Donna Hay cookbook...sounds wonderful. I have to STOP buying cookbooks!!! Help!
And if I drank coffee...I'd be drinking this. Thanks for small favors. 🙂
Joanne says
Who's going to be sneaking this into all her morning coffee from now on?!? I don't think you even need to answer that.
Melynda Brown says
This looks like something to add to the list of weekend "cooking" that we do, thanks.