A coffee-based liquor (like Kahlua) that you make yourself can make a special holiday gift or a great party drink. Who knows the Kahlua you make is much tastier than the one you buy at the store. To create a distinctive taste, Kahlua will need to be stored for a few weeks, but if you don't have much time, there is an instant method you can follow to make Kahlua. You need to know that even the best bartenders create their own concoctions. So, if they can do it, why don't you try it?
Ingredients
Using Instant Coffee
- 200 grams of instant ground coffee (not instant coffee beans)
- 350 grams of sugar
- 470 milliliters of water
- 470 milliliters of rum (40% alcohol)
-
1 vanilla stick
Using Ground Coffee
- 600 milliliters of bitter ground coffee steeping
- 400 grams of sugar
- 600 milliliters vodka
- 1 vanilla bean, cut into three parts
Making Kahlua Ready to Use
- 470 water military
- 150 grams of instant coffee crystals
- 600 milliliters of vodka
- 400 grams of sugar
- 2 and a half teaspoons vanilla extract
One recipe yields about 1 liter of Kahlua. You can increase or decrease the amount, depending on how many Kahlua you want to make.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Using Instant Coffee
Step 1. Make a sweet coffee base mixture
Bring 470 milliliters of water to a boil. After boiling, add 200 grams of instant ground coffee and 350 grams of sugar. Mix well.
If you are on a diet program that prohibits you from consuming granulated sugar, you can replace granulated sugar with palm sugar or other low-calorie sugars. Look for some other Kahlua recipes that use different types of sugar
Step 2. Use a kitchen thermometer to measure the temperature of the coffee mixture
Since alcohol boils at 78 degrees Celsius, wait until the temperature of the mixture is below the boiling point of the alcohol before adding the rum. Do not add rum while the temperature of the mixture is still above 78 degrees Celsius as this can spoil the taste of the Kahlua.
If you don't have a kitchen thermometer, you can wait 15 to 20 minutes for the coffee mixture to cool. It is better to wait longer for the coffee mixture to cool completely if the mixture seems too hot to add rum
Step 3. Add 470 milliliters of rum
Stir the mixture until smooth. You are free to choose the type of rum you want to use. In general, use the type of rum you normally use for cooking so you don't have to use expensive rum to make Kahlua and you won't end up with a Kahlua that tastes bad.
Kahlua's next recipe contains vodka. If you're a big fan of vodka, you can stick with this recipe or maybe replace the rum with vodka. And if you have enough time and ingredients, why don't you try both and find out which one you prefer?
Step 4. Pour your Kahlua into a 1 liter glass bottle
Put the vanilla sticks in the bottle, close the lid, then store in the refrigerator for about 30 days to strengthen the taste of Kahlua. To get the right taste of Kahlua, Kahlua needs to be allowed to stand first. You'll find out how to make Kahlua that you can use right away in the third recipe, but the taste it produces will be different from Kahlua that you let sit for a long time.
You can substitute vanilla sticks for vanilla extract, but keep in mind that your Kahlua may not have a rich flavor
Step 5. Label the bottle
The affixed label must contain information regarding the contents and the date of manufacture so that others do not think that the content is not Kahlua. This label is also useful for alerting you if your Kahlua has been stored for more than 30 days.
Method 2 of 3: Using Ground Coffee
Step 1. Grind quality coffee beans and brew
You need a good coffee solution to get a rich Kahlua. This coffee brew must be strong because if the coffee is not strong enough, the resulting taste may not be to your liking. Once brewed, the coffee should be used immediately.
If you're not very good at brewing coffee (because it's not as easy as you might think), you can ask a coffee expert to brew your coffee
Step 2. Prepare 400 grams of sugar
Once the brewing process is complete, transfer the brewed coffee to a large bowl. Add 400 grams of sugar to the coffee and stir until the sugar dissolves in the coffee.
You can replace granulated sugar with palm sugar according to taste. Please note that the use of different ingredients will affect the taste
Step 3. Prepare the vodka
Once the brewing temperature is at room temperature and the sugar has completely dissolved, add the vodka and stir until evenly distributed.
Some bartenders use to combine vodka and rum (or even different types of vodka with different types of rum) in Kahlua recipes to create a richer taste. If you have these ingredients (vodka and rum) you can try combining them
Step 4. Prepare three bottles of approximately 400 milliliters or larger
Cut the vanilla stems into three pieces and put one piece in each bottle. Close your bottle tightly. Your Kahlua has been created.
You can also add cinnamon sticks, roasted cocoa beans, or grated orange zest according to your taste. These ingredients can create a distinctive and unique taste
Step 5. Put the bottles in a dry and cool place for 2-3 weeks
It takes a long time for the aroma and flavor of the vanilla to blend into the coffee. After 2-3 weeks, strain your Kahlua then pour it back into the bottle.
The best place to store your Kahlua is in the cellar or wine cellar, but you can also store it in a closed box that you place in a dark room (or you can put it under your bed). Make sure that you label the box in case you forget the contents of the box
Method 3 of 3: Making Kahlua Ready
Step 1. Prepare a large pot
Mix 470 milliliters of water with 400 grams of sugar and 150 grams of instant coffee crystals and cook over medium heat. Keep stirring until all the ingredients are well mixed and a mixture of the right consistency is formed.
You can add roasted cocoa beans for added flavor if you're not sure the Kahlua you're making will give you the flavor you want
Step 2. After all the ingredients are well mixed, turn off the heat and remove the pan from the stove
Let the mixture sit for about 15-20 minutes until it is at room temperature. Use a kitchen thermometer to check the temperature or you can check it yourself by tasting a small amount of the mixture.
Step 3. Once cool enough, add 600 milliliters of vodka and 2 and a half teaspoons of vanilla extract
Stir well and your Kahlua is ready to serve.
You can store your Kahlua in a bottle (it is recommended to use three bottles measuring about 400 milliliters). This recipe makes ready-to-use Kahlua that doesn't require long-term storage, so you can enjoy it as soon as it's ready to serve
Tips
- If you want to make Kahlua for Christmas, you'll need to start making it in early November.
- You can add a little glycerin to thicken the Kahlua and create a unique sensation in your mouth.
- As an alternative to storage, you can use a standard size (750 milliliter) wine bottle to store your drinks. Remove the wine label and cap the bottle with a special airtight bottle (available at convenience stores).
Warning
- Do not use instant coffee beans that have been dried.
- Pay attention to the cleanliness of the cooking utensils when making Kahlua.
