Homemade Kahlua
The Homemade Kahlua is a light vodka hot drink, sweet on the palate. Made ahead and served in a highball glass.
- 30 min
- Highball glass
- Made ahead
Flavor profile
- Sweet
- 92 out of 100
- Bitter
- 13 out of 100
- Creamy
- 22 out of 100
- Boozy
- 2 out of 100
How to make a Homemade Kahlua
To make a Homemade Kahlua, make ahead, rest, then serve from a highball glass: 20 oz sugar, 8 oz corn syrup, 1½ oz coffee, 2 oz vanilla extract, 24 oz water and 1 oz vodka.
You'll need
- Sugar20 oz
- Corn syrup8 oz
- Coffee1½ oz
- Vanilla extract2 oz
- Water24 oz
- Vodka1 oz
Pairs well with: Simple syrup · All syrups
Instructions
- 1
This is a homemade recipe, not a drink to mix to order: make it ahead.
- 2
Combine sugar, corn syrup, coffee, vanilla extract, water and vodka in a clean jar.
- 3
Seal it in a clean jar or bottle and let it rest somewhere cool and dark for at least a week (longer is smoother), shaking it now and then.
- 4
Strain out any solids.
- 5
Serve it chilled, over ice or in cocktails.
Why wait? Resting gives the flavors time to blend into the spirit.
Homemade Kahlua questions
What does a Homemade Kahlua taste like?
Mostly sweet. It's a light drink at about 1% ABV once mixed.
How strong is a Homemade Kahlua?
About 1% ABV after mixing, closer to a beer or glass of wine.
What's the difference between a Homemade Kahlua and a Coffee-Vodka?
Both use sugar, coffee, vanilla extract and vodka. The Homemade Kahlua adds corn syrup, while the Coffee-Vodka uses caramel coloring. The Homemade Kahlua is built in the glass and served in a highball glass; the Coffee-Vodka is shaken and served in a highball glass. The Coffee-Vodka is the stronger of the two.
What glass do you serve a Homemade Kahlua in?
A highball glass.