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    Home » Cocktails » Infusions

    How to Make Homemade Coffee Liqueur

    LAST UPDATED: December 9, 2019 PUBLISHED: October 24, 2019 By Pam Greer 29 Comments As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    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!  

    Bottle of dark brown liquid with a tag reading Homemade Coffee Liqueur.

    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! 

    Water, sugar, espresso powder, vodka, and vanilla bean for making homemade kahlua.

    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. 

    Bottle with a strainer and a bowl of coffee liqueur.

    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!

    Two tall glasses with coffee liqueur in them.

    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

    Bottle of homemade coffee liqueur.
    Print Pin Save Saved!
    5 from 31 votes

    Homemade Coffee Liqueur

    Sure you can coffee liqueur, but it's so much fun to make your own and it tastes so good! 
    Course Drinks
    Cuisine American
    Prep Time 5 minutes minutes
    Cook Time 1 hour hour
    Steeping 14 days days
    Total Time 1 hour hour 5 minutes minutes
    Servings 40
    Calories 96kcal
    Author Pam

    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

    This ages for 2 weeks before serving.  It gets better and better the longer it ages.  
    This will keep indefinitely because of all the alcohol, however for optimal flavor, I suggest your drink it within a year (shouldn't be hard to do!)
    Espresso Instant Coffee and Espresso Powder are not the same thing.  For this recipe you want espresso instant coffee (I accidentally typed espresso powder on my photo!)  Espresso powder is used for baking and will not dissolve as easily as instant espresso coffee.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 96kcal | Carbohydrates: 10g | Sodium: 1mg | Potassium: 19mg | Sugar: 9g | Calcium: 2mg

    This post was originally published in 2014 and has been updated for 2019. 

     

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Emma says

      December 03, 2022 at 6:38 am

      Does the bottle/jar have to be sterilized in the oven or with boiling water?

      Reply
      • Pam Greer says

        December 05, 2022 at 9:10 am

        Either way will work.

        Reply
    2. Kristen Ruiz says

      January 24, 2021 at 5:39 am

      Can I use coffee extract in place of espresso

      Reply
      • Pam Greer says

        January 24, 2021 at 3:36 pm

        I don't think it would work as good as strongly brewed coffee.

        Reply
    3. Marta Davis says

      August 05, 2020 at 7:52 pm

      Hi! Does this need to be refrigerated? Thank you!

      Reply
      • Pam Greer says

        August 06, 2020 at 1:19 pm

        No. You can refrigerate it, but it doesn't have to be. The alcohol acts as a preservative.

        Reply
    4. wilhelmina says

      October 24, 2019 at 4:12 pm

      5 stars
      This stuff is absolutely addictive! Love it!

      Reply
    5. Jennifer says

      October 24, 2019 at 3:48 pm

      5 stars
      I love this homemade version! Thanks for the recipe!

      Reply
    6. Pete Sloan says

      January 25, 2019 at 7:09 am

      5 stars
      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.

      Reply
    7. Michelle @ Oblogoff says

      June 07, 2016 at 4:12 pm

      I better get started so I can use it in the ice cream! Love it!
      Thanks!
      Michelle

      Reply
    8. Cheryl Kohan says

      April 22, 2015 at 4:47 pm

      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!

      Reply
      • Pam Greer says

        April 23, 2015 at 10:56 am

        Once you make homemade, you'll never buy store bought again, and you'll start finding all kinds of ways to use it!

        Reply
    9. Kimberly Ann @ Bake Love Give says

      March 06, 2015 at 1:07 am

      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. 🙂

      Reply
    10. Laura @MotherWouldKnow says

      March 05, 2015 at 11:01 pm

      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.

      Reply
    11. Joanie @ ZagLeft says

      March 05, 2015 at 8:48 am

      With such few ingredients, this recipe sounds so easy to make. Bookmarking this to work on this weekend.

      Reply
    12. Lisa @ Garnish with Lemon says

      March 05, 2015 at 7:21 am

      Ooh, this sounds fabulous! Perfect to go with my coffee tonight!

      Reply
    13. Angela {Mind Over Batter} says

      February 03, 2015 at 10:03 pm

      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...

      Reply
    14. Heather / girlichef says

      February 03, 2015 at 6:31 pm

      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 :).

      Reply
      • Tara Moseder says

        September 06, 2017 at 7:15 pm

        How do you make this with regular coffee instead of instant?

        Reply
        • Patti says

          October 29, 2019 at 4:08 am

          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.

    15. Kristen @ A Mind Full Mom says

      February 03, 2015 at 10:25 am

      Pinned! this is such a great money saving recipe!! LOVE!!

      Reply
    16. Miranda @ Cookie Dough & Oven Mitt says

      February 03, 2015 at 9:56 am

      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.

      Reply
    17. Lisa says

      January 31, 2015 at 12:00 pm

      I really need to try this!! Perfect for this time of year! Pinning so I don't forget! 🙂

      Reply
    18. grace says

      April 21, 2014 at 7:40 pm

      oooh, i like this! i like my alcohol to taste like anything except alcohol, and coffee will do quite nicely.

      Reply
    19. Jessica J says

      April 20, 2014 at 12:57 pm

      Oh my gosh, DONE! I will be making this for sure! I love flavored liqueurs 🙂

      Reply
    20. Marjie says

      April 18, 2014 at 6:21 pm

      I like that you specified "cheap" vodka. That's pretty funny.

      Happy Easter, Pam and Mr. S.S.

      Reply
    21. Barbara says

      April 18, 2014 at 3:33 pm

      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. 🙂

      Reply
    22. Joanne says

      April 18, 2014 at 10:42 am

      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.

      Reply
    23. Melynda Brown says

      April 18, 2014 at 12:44 pm

      This looks like something to add to the list of weekend "cooking" that we do, thanks.

      Reply

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