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Homemade Kahlua Liqueur
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- #17086
Broaden your culinary horizons with this fun and boozy kitchen experiment. Vanilla, sugar, and coffee turn ordinary vodka into an absolute treat.
serves/makes:
ready in:
over 5 hrs
over 5 hrs
11 reviews
7 comments
ingredients
4 cups sugar
4 cups water
1/2 cup instant coffee granules
1 quart vodka
1 vanilla bean, chopped in 1-inch pieces
directions
Combine the sugar and water in a large saucepan over high heat. Bring to a boil and let simmer for 10 minutes or until it begins to thicken.
Stir the instant coffee into the sugar mixture and mix well. Remove from the heat.
Add the vodka and vanilla bean to the coffee mixture. Mix well then let cool to room temperature.
Transfer the kahlua to bottles and seal well. Let the mixture sit for 3 weeks before using. Turn the bottles daily to make sure the coffee has dissolved and no sediment forms. Strain the kahlua into other bottles and use like commercial kahlua.
nutrition data
525 calories, 0 grams fat, 82 grams carbohydrates, 1 grams protein per serving. This recipe is low in sodium. This recipe is low in fat.
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The name, vodka, comes from the Russian phrase zhiznennaia voda, or "water of life". It can be made from everything from potatoes to beets. It's considered to be fairly flavorless which makes it a great liquor for mixed drinks.
reviews & comments
June 17, 2015
Delicious! I also put parts of sliced beans in each bottle, and I used more vodka. I like it better when it is not so thick, so this was a great recipe for my friends and me.
February 27, 2014
Place it in dark glass bottles and store in dark closet , the longer the better
November 1, 2013
I made one quart of this. I didn't have instant coffee so I used brewed coffee in place of the water + instant coffee and mixed that with the sugar. It turned out fairly close to real kahlua. I would maybe suggest simmering a vanilla bean in the sugar mixture instead of extract for a deeper flavor.
October 22, 2013
I used the suggestion of adding more vodka. It tastes just like store bought. Will make nice gifts.
Does this need to sit once bottled or can it be used immediately?
July 2, 2013
To get the real kahlua consistency you need to make sure the sugar gets good and syrupy so it's thicker. The flavor is excellent (use a good instant coffee helps too).
April 19, 2013
I don't like instant coffee so I substituted 3 cups of strong brewed coffee for the water and instant coffee. Having lived for a time in Nicaragua I became quite fond of Flor de Caña (an excellent Nicaraguan rum) so I used Flor de Caña Grand Reserve instead of vodka in my second batch. PERFECTION!!!
another way to thicken the kahlua without glycerin is to reduce (simmer down) the water/sugar to approx. 80% of original. I also add a cinnamon stick while i do this
I made Kahlua this way many years ago and lost the recipe but i don't remember using so much vanilla. I think it might not be that much. Vanilla boils away so should be put in last and not be even low boiled. Maybe thats why the recipe calls for so much.
Good recipe, but I used vanilla flavored instant coffee and added 2 teaspoons of liquid glycerine to thicken. Very yummy!
November 15, 2008
I made lots of this Kahlua last year for gifts and it was a big hit. I use 100 proof vodka, the cheapest I can find. Cut vanilla beans in 1/2 or 1/4 and put into your vodka to help pull the oils out of the bean. I leave part of a vanilla bean into each bottle and leave to age with the Kahlua. I recommend not making a batch less than serving for 10, the sugar-coffee doesn't mix as well.
How much food grade glycerin do you use?
June 22, 2007
This is a simple recipe and the taste is fabulous. I would recommend using a coffee basket as the strainer rather than cheese cloth, plus you just wash the basket out and reuse. Straining is much faster this way and more efficient. Overall this is a great recipe. Thanks!!
Those of you that wish your Kahlua to have a thick body should try purchasing a bottle of food grade glycerin. You can find it easily from any home brewing company online. Cheers! MagicDave
January 18, 2007
I made this recipe today! It turned out very good...but I suggest 1 more cup of vodka (80 proof) and 2 more tbls of vanilla...otherwise delicious!!!
December 2, 2006
Last year I made a homeade kahula for christmas, and I handed it out to friends and family and we all loved it. how silly of me to loose the recipe. Im glad i found this one online, and especially easy to find made a difference! Thank you.
September 17, 2006
I thought this was a wonderful recipe. It was my first attempt at making kahlua, and it was pretty easy. Very tasty but doesn't thicken unless you put in to the freezer. Thanks
I made some homemade kahlua last year using a receipe from another site. Everyone loved it. In trying out a few different ones over the next couple years, in search of the perfect one.... This one is the "2005" batch. I'll post following the holidays to let you know how it passed the scrutinizing tastebuds of my fellow bartender friends and co-workers. Til then....Good luck!