11 Refreshing Coffee Liqueur Recipes: Get Bougie and Boozy (2024)

FAQs

What is the alcohol content of coffee liqueur? ›

Coffee liqueur is a drink which is categorized under the beans liqueurs. The alcohol percentage is always around the 20 percent. The liqueur is made out of 96% alcohol, sugar, coffee beans and other ingredients.

So, while most brands, such as Kahlúa or Mr. Black, use actual coffee to make their liqueur, the amount of caffeine is minimal when compared to straight-up coffee and shouldn't keep you up all night. If you cannot have caffeine, though, maybe this is a liqueur you should skip.

Kahlúa contains about 100 ppm caffeine, which means about 100ml/ litre of product. So, for a standard 1.5 oz drink of Kahlúa there would be about 5 mg of caffeine. Just to put it in perspective, an 8 oz brewed coffee can contain up to about 200mg of caffeine. How do you drink Kahlúa?

Coffee liqueur is well suited to a co*cktail. The most obvious option is a White Russian, made famous by the layabout Dude in The Big Lebowski. Coffee liqueur, cream and vodka are combined and mixed with ice.

Originating in Mexico in 1936, Kahlúa is a rum and coffee liqueur loved all around the world. Used in a range of different drinks—from coffees to co*cktails—it goes hand in hand with many occasions.

Traditional Baileys is not a coffee liqueur like Kahlua. It's a liqueur made from a unique blend of Irish cream with a subtle hint of cocoa and vanilla. However, Baileys' product line includes a coffee-flavored Irish cream made with espresso.

Whether you should refrigerate coffee liqueur mostly depends on its ingredients. Generally, most commercially produced coffee liqueurs like Kahlúa do not require refrigeration and can be stored at room temperature. These liqueurs have a high sugar content and alcohol content, which act as preservatives.

A sweet spirit, coffee liqueur is easy to sip straight or on the rocks, or you can mix it into drinks. If you like a boozy coffee, you can add a little bit to your cup of joe or cold brew to add some slight sweetness.

Other traditional nightcaps include brown liquor like brandy or bourbon, and cream-based liqueurs such as Irish cream. Wine, especially fortified, can also function as a nightcap. Since some nightcaps are made of amaro, a digestif, they are believed to also make settling into bed easier by promoting digestion.

If you want to store Kahlua for longer, put it in the refrigerator. Refrigerating it will keep its taste fresh for a long time, but don't freeze it because that can damage the quality of the beverage.

Can Kahlua keep you awake at night? ›

My family usually serves eggnog with rum. This year I've add coffee liqueur to make it more exciting. Kahlua has very little caffeine- meaning you don't have to worry about drinking it late at night.

Still, your bottle of Kahlúa or homemade coffee liqueur recipe begins to deteriorate after six months after opening, even when kept in the refrigerator. So, even though it may not be as urgent or time-sensitive as other items on the list, refrigerate in the interest of getting the most out of every bottle you buy.

Kahlua is a dark liquid without the creaminess of Baileys. They both taste of coffee but kahlua is much stonger. If you want one to add to coffee I'd suggest Kahlua, but if you want one to sip alongside your coffee I'd suggest Baileys.

In co*cktails: Coffee liqueur can be used in various co*cktails, such as a White Russian, Espresso Martini, or even a simple coffee liqueur and vodka. In desserts: Coffee liqueur can be used to make a variety of desserts, such as tiramisu, coffee ice cream, or even a coffee liqueur cake.

In 2021 Kahlúa introduced a new bottle design for the United Kingdom market. It also reduced the alcohol content to 16% "to address 'evolving' consumer trends towards conscious drinking and lower-alcohol options." For the United States market, Kahlúa retains the more traditional bottle design and alcohol content.

Kahlua is 20% ABV (alcohol by volume), so it is relatively low in alcohol. Compare it to 40% ABV like whiskey, rum, vodka and gin.

Originally in Jamaica using Jamaican coffee beans, but now made in Italy. The main ingredients are coffee beans, Jamaican rum, vanilla, and sugar, blended to an alcoholic content of 20%. Tia Maria's inspiration dates to the 17th century, when a young Spanish aristocrat fled the turmoil of colonial war in Jamaica.