Recipe: How to Make Homemade Kahlua Coffee Liqueur

2.5 cups sugar

1 cup corn syrup

3-4 Tbsp instant coffee

4 Tbsp vanilla extract

3 cups boiling water

1 fifth of vodka (750ml bottle)

1/4 tsp ground nutmeg (optional)

Dissolve the sugar in 2 cups of boiling water, then add corn syrup and stir. Dissolve instant coffee in remaining 1 cup boiling water and stir. Add ground nutmeg, if you wish. Pour this mixture into a gallon jug and let it cool (2-3 hours in fridge should be plenty, but longer won't hurt). When cold, add vanilla extract and the bottle of vodka, and mix well. For best results, let mixture mature 4-5 weeks.

I added the nutmeg (optional) to the recipe because I've made this several times and always thought something was missing. I was right-- It was the nutmeg. Of course, if you use the nutmeg, be prepared to see little floaty things that look like tiny bits of cork swimming around in your bottle of kahlua.

I use 4 Tbsp of the instant coffee because I find 3 to leave the mixture too watery. I like a robust cup of coffee and a robust coffee liqueur.

I skip the gallon jug and just use a large mixing bowl with a lip for pouring and put that in the fridge, because I like to use these pretty bottles from World Market. This recipe fills 2 of the smaller bottles and one large one, as shown. (The missing kahlua is because we enjoyed a couple of tasty beverages before I took this picture). Clearly, it is drinkable as soon as you finish making it, but yes, it does taste better if you plan to sip it by itself at the 4-5 week mark, for sure!

Use a funnel to pour this mixture into whatever bottle you use. Really, you'll be a much happier person for not having to clean tons of syrupy sticky kahlua off your countertop, cabinets, floor, and hands that you could be drinking, for cryin' out loud!! Yes, I am helping you learn from my mistakes :)

If you like eggnog, you will LOVE this mixed with it. With sprinkles of ground nutmeg on top.

Please enjoy this beverage and all alcoholic beverages responsibly.

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