5 Tempting Homemade Coffee Liqueur Recipes That Will Get You Bent

Are you having one of those days where a shot of caffeine just isn’t enough? And a glass of your favourite booze isn’t doing it either?

Here’s a handy tip from someone who’s been there – why not combine the two?

Because almost every problem in life can be solved by caffeinated alcohol, here are five homemade coffee liqueur recipes to cure whatever it is that ails you.

1. The Original: Homemade Kahlua

Introduced way back in 1936, this popular Mexican offering is the most well known coffee liqueur. Traditionally made from four simple ingredients – rum, coffee, sugar and vanilla bean – this tasty beverage is surprisingly easy to replicate at home.

Once you’ve made this you have an important baseline ingredient to make most coffee cocktails, so your world will open up.

What You Need

• 4 cups boiling water
• 2 cups dark brown sugar
• 2 cups white sugar
• ½ cup instant coffee
• 1 vanilla bean
• 3 cups vodka

How To Make It

1. Mix the two sugars in a bowl and pour over the boiling water. Stir until the sugars dissolve, add the coffee, then let the mixture cool.
2. Slice open the vanilla bean, scrape out the creamy insides and add them to the cooled mixture in the bowl.
3. Add the vodka to the mixture and stir gently.
4. Pour the liqueur into sterilized jars and seal.

Once you’ve made this, you’ll easily be able to create some amazing kahlua coffee, or even better, an espresso martini.

2.  Chocolate Espresso Liqueur

Original Kahlua just not cutting it? Crank it up a level with this recipe.

This homemade coffee liqueur replaces coffee with espresso (rarely a bad idea!) and adds a few shots of chocolate liqueur to really get the taste buds jumping.

Try pairing it with vodka and chocolate milk for a little happiness in a glass.

What You Need

• 4 cups water
• 2 cups dark brown sugar
• 2 cups White sugar
• ¼ cup dried espresso
• 2 vanilla beans, split and scraped
• 3 cups vodka
• 2 shots of chocolate liqueur

How To Make It

1. Add the water, the two types of sugar and the espresso to a saucepan and heat over medium-high heat.
2. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer for an hour until a syrupy consistency is reached.
3. Remove from heat and allow to cool before adding the vanilla, vodka and chocolate liqueur.
4. Put the mixture into a storage container and allow to age for 3 – 4 weeks. Stir it occasionally during this time.
5. Pour the liqueur into sterilized jars and seal.

3. Spiced Vodka Coffee Liqueur

Turn your coffee liqueur into the perfect winter warmer with the addition of a few choice spices.

Adding cinnamon and cloves to the already cosy flavours along with some fiery vodka makes this an ideal cold-weather treat or a perfect homemade Christmas gift.

For some serious luxury, try it poured over a mud cake or stirred into hot chocolate.

Best enjoyed in front of a roaring fire.

What You Need

• 2 cups water
• 2 cups caster sugar
• 200 g coffee beans
• 1 vanilla bean, split and scraped
• 700 ml vodka
• 3 cinnamon sticks
• 15 cloves

How To Make It

1. Add the vodka, coffee beans, vanilla, cinnamon and cloves to a sealed container and allow to infuse for one week. Shake occasionally during this time.
2. Strain the mixture through a sieve. You can reserve the coffee beans and spices for decorative purposes if you’d like.
3. Add the sugar and water to a saucepan and stir over high heat.
4. Bring the sugar-water to a boil, add the strained vodka, remove from the heat and allow to cool.
5. Pour the liqueur into sterilized jars and seal.

4. Irish Cream Coffee Liqueur

From the muggy heat of Mexico to the cold damp of Ireland – coffee liqueurs are truly a global treat.

This recipe pairs Irish whiskey with heavy cream and sweetened condensed milk for a seriously rich base.

Add to that a little coffee, some cocoa and a hint of vanilla, and you’ve got something deliciously close to an adult milkshake. Throw it into your Irish coffee recipe if you dare!

What You Need

• 1 cup Heavy cream
• 1 tsp cocoa powder (can substitute with 2 tsp chocolate syrup if you wish)
• 1 ½ tsp Instant coffee granules
• 1 cup to 1 ½ cups Irish whiskey
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 415 ml sweetened condensed milk
• An Aeropress

How To Make It

1. Whisk together the cocoa powder, instant coffee, and a tablespoon of cream until everything has dissolved.
2. Slowly stir in the rest of the cream.
3. Add the whiskey, vanilla, and condensed milk and whisk until completely combined.
4. Pour the mixture into an airtight container and store in the fridge. It will keep for about 2 weeks.

5. Coffee Infused Vodka

Do all of the above just sound like finicky ways to dilute and cover up your precious coffee and booze?

Then this might be the perfect coffee liqueur recipe for you.

If you can even call a two ingredient infusion a recipe.

Soak coffee beans in vodka, and maybe soak yourself in a warm bath while you’re at it, and feel all your cares melt away.

What You Need

• 3 cups vodka
• 1 cup espresso beans

How To Make It

1. Mix the coffee beans and vodka in a clean glass container and let sit for four days, shaking occasionally during this time.
2. Strain out the coffee beans and enjoy!

Final Thoughts

And there you have it, five different ways to take two independently delicious things and combine them into more than the sum of their parts.

Take this as a starting point and get even more creative (1) with additives. I know what I’ll be up to during the next rainy weekend!

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We’d love to read your feedback and your own favourite homemade coffee liqueur recipes in the comments below!