How to Make Kahlua

If you are looking for a tasty homemade gift, a lower-cost version of the brand-name liqueur or just a fun cooking project, try making your own Kahlua at home. This easy to follow recipe produces a rich, velvety coffee-flavored elixir that is the main ingredient of drinks such as White Russians, Mudslides and Chunky Monkeys. Kahlua is also a delicious "on the rocks" drink, whether straight over ice or topped off with a little half-and-half cream. Read on to learn how to make Kahlua.

Difficulty:

Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• 2 cups water
• 1 ½ cup dark brown sugar
• 1 ½ cup granulated sugar
• ½ cup instant coffee
• 1.75 liters high quality vodka
• 2 tsp. pure vanilla extract
• 1 whole vanilla bean

1. Combine the brown sugar, granulated sugar and water in a small sauce pan. Simmer for 10 to 15 minutes until sugar is dissolved.

2. Remove from the heat. Stir in the coffee. Allow to cool completely.

3. Pour into a large plastic container with a lid. Add the vodka, vanilla flavoring and vanilla bean.

4. Cover and let stand for two to three weeks or until fully aged. Kahlua, when properly stored, can last safely for up to a few years.

Tips & Warnings

• To make a Chunky Monkey, use three fingers Kahlua, two squirts of chocolate syrup and 1/4 cup cottage cheese. First shake up the chocolate syrup and Kahlua, and then mix in the cottage cheese. Serve very cold in a hurricane glass.

• To make a White Russian, use two shots vodka, one shot Kahlua and one shot light cream. Combine the vodka and Kahlua over ice cubes in an old-fashioned glass. Top off with the light cream and serve cold.

• To make a Mudslide, use one shot of vodka, one shot of Kahlua, one shot of Irish cream (such as Bailey's brand) and one shot of cream. Combine all ingredients in a shaker with ice and shake vigorously. Serve cold in an old-fashioned glass.