Homemade Kahlua

Every year for the past several Christmases I've intended to make kahlua using my great grandma's recipe. This year I finally did it in time! Homemade kahlua takes a month to "season" in order to get the richest vanilla flavor, so if you want the drink to be ready for consumption when you give the gift, you've got to prepare ahead of time.

Want to make your own? Here is Grandma Ina's recipe!

4 c. beet sugar

4 c. + 1/2 c. water

3 c. decaf instant coffee crystals

1/5 of your choice of liquor (gin, whiskey, bourbon, vodka or brandy)

1 whole vanilla bean

Step 1: Bring the sugar and 4 c. of water to a boil and let simmer for 5 minutes.

Step 2: Combine the 3 cups of instant coffee crystals to the 1/2 cup of water.

Step 3: Break the vanilla bean into 1/2 inch pieces and add to the sugar water.

Step 4: Combine the coffee with the water/sugar/vanilla bean mixture and let it cool.

Step 5: Add the 1/5 of whatever liquor you chose.

Step 6: Pour into bottles or jars (make sure to include a couple of pieces of vanilla bean in each container) and sit in a cool, dark place. *Note: You can purchase mason jars or glass bottles, but we try to reuse as much as possible-- so you're looking at an assortment of re-purposed wine bottles and various glass jars (like from the Pizza Friday marinara sauce) in the photo above.  

Shake the containers a little each day for at least a month.

Add a cute fabric top and a fun holiday label. Enjoy!