Homemade Coffee Liqueur

A quick and easy after-meal drink

There’s something undeniably comforting about the rich aroma of coffee. Whether it’s the first cup of the morning or a late-night indulgence, coffee holds a special place in many cultures, including Italian! But what happens when you combine this beloved beverage with the warmth of alcohol? The result is a truly delightful concoction: coffee liqueur. This post explores the fascinating history of coffee, the emergence of coffee liqueurs, and the many ways you can enjoy this versatile drink, all while leading you to create your own with Bean’s delicious Homemade Coffee Liqueur recipe.

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The Origin of Coffee Liqueur

My first introduction to this unique combination was through “Caffè corretto”. It’s a very popular drink order in Italy where a shot of espresso is mixed with a drop of liquor. Before my gastritis diagnosis back in 2015, I loved coffee but I had never really enjoyed the heat and burn that came with the addition of the liquor. But if you ask my dad, he’ll 100% vouch for the joy of adding a bit of Grappa in his coffee after lunch, like a true Italian.

Try The Cheeky Green Bean favourite Extra Virgin Olive Oil!

So pairing coffee with a spirit it’s not a novelty. But to fully understand how we got here we need to look at coffee first!

The story of coffee begins in the highlands of Ethiopia, where legend has it that a goat herder noticed his goats becoming unusually energetic after nibbling on the berries of a certain tree. This discovery, sometime around the 9th century, marked the beginning of coffee’s journey from wild shrub to global phenomenon.

From Ethiopia, coffee cultivation spread to Yemen in the 15th century, where Sufi mystics used it to stay awake during religious ceremonies. Coffee houses, known as “qahveh khaneh,” began to appear, becoming centres of social and intellectual life. These coffee houses quickly spread throughout the Ottoman Empire, reaching Constantinople (now Istanbul) in the 16th century.

By the 17th century, coffee had made its way to Europe, initially met with scepticism but soon embraced by the elite. Coffee houses sprang up in major European cities, becoming hubs for artists, writers, and philosophers. From Europe, coffee cultivation spread to the Americas and other parts of the world, solidifying its place as a global commodity.

Coffee Liqueurs develop

While the exact origins are murky, the concept of infusing alcohol with coffee likely arose soon after coffee became popular in Europe. Early versions may have involved simply adding coffee to brandy or other spirits. As distillation techniques improved and sugar became more readily available, more refined coffee liqueurs began to emerge.

The 18th and 19th centuries saw the development of various methods for creating coffee liqueurs, including maceration (soaking coffee beans in alcohol) and percolation (similar to making coffee but with alcohol instead of water). These methods allowed for greater control over the flavour and strength of the final product.

Famous Coffee Liqueurs and Their Influence:

Several iconic coffee liqueurs have shaped the landscape of this delightful category:

Kahlúa: Perhaps the most recognizable name in coffee liqueur, Kahlúa originated in Mexico in the 1930s. Its rich, sweet coffee flavour makes it a staple in cocktails like the White Russian and the Espresso Martini.
Tia Maria: Another well-known coffee liqueur with Jamaican roots, Tia Maria is often enjoyed on its own or in coffee-based cocktails. It is rumoured to have a history dating back to the 17th century.
Irish Cream: While not solely a coffee liqueur, Irish cream liqueurs like Baileys often feature coffee as a prominent flavour alongside cream and Irish whiskey. These creamy liqueurs are incredibly popular, especially around the holidays. 🎄

These famous examples have inspired countless variations and homemade recipes, demonstrating the enduring appeal of the coffee-alcohol combination!

Enjoying Your Homemade Coffee Liqueur:

The beauty of coffee liqueur lies in its versatility. Here are just a few ways to savour its rich flavour:

Neat or on the rocks: Enjoy it straight, either at room temperature or over ice, as a digestif after a meal.
In coffee: Embrace the Italian way! Add a splash to your morning or evening coffee for a delightful kick. This is a fantastic way to elevate a simple cup of joe.
In cocktails: Coffee liqueur is a key ingredient in many classic cocktails, adding depth and complexity to the mix.
Over ice cream: Drizzle it over vanilla or chocolate ice cream for a decadent dessert topping.
In baking: Incorporate it into cakes, brownies, or other baked goods for a subtle coffee flavour boost.

Making your own coffee liqueur is a rewarding experience. It allows you to customize the flavour to your liking, adjusting the sweetness, and coffee strength, and even adding other flavourings like vanilla, spices, or citrus zest.

Sources: ncausa.org, diffordsguide.com, Wikipedia.org

Ready to embark on your own coffee liqueur adventure? Check out this delicious and easy-to-follow Homemade Coffee Liqueur recipe and start brewing your own bliss!

Cheeky Ingredient Swaps

Heavy Cream: If you prefer your liqueur to be a nice thick Irish Cream kind of spirit, then use half of the water quantities and for the other half use heavy cream. You can add more or less cream to adjust to your taste. 😊
Chocolate: When I could still have coffee, I loved Pocket Coffee chocolates. If you do like this flavour profile, you should add a couple of tbsp of cocoa powder to your coffee liqueur! Make sure to fully dissolve them in water before adding the other ingredients.
Vanilla: Add a splash of vanilla extract to make it even sweeter and smoother!
Decaff Coffee: If you are not a fan of the caffeine effect on you or you like me suffer from digestive issues that make caffeine impossible to have, try swapping instant coffee with instant decaffeinated coffee 😉.

WARNING: This is not a GERD-friendly recipe.

Homemade Coffee Liqueur

Bean

For all my coffee lovers out there, whip up your own batch of smooth coffee liqueur with this simple homemade recipe! perfect for any occasion!

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Prep Time 15

Cook Time 10

Total Time 25

Course Drinks

Cuisine European, Italian

Servings 4 250 ml Bottles

Equipment

1 Large saucepan
1 Silicon or wooden spoon
4 Airtight Bottles of 250ml each
1 Funnel

Ingredients

600 ml Water
500 gr Brown cane sugar
300 ml Vodka or 90% alcohol
4½ tbsp Instant coffee

Instructions

Make the coffee syrup in a medium pot by heating the water and the sugar up. Bring to a gentle boil. Stir continuously, making sure the sugar fully melts. Keep on medium heat for at least 5 minutes until the syrup is formed. Remove from heat.
Once the syrup has cooled down for 5-10 minutes, add the instant coffee one spoon at a time, making sure each spoonful is fully dissolved before adding more. Thoroughly mix the coffee in until the syrup reaches a creamier consistency and it's fully amalgamated. Set aside to cool down to room temperature.
Add the vodka, mix thoroughly and decant the coffee liqueur into your 4 airtight bottles previously cleaned and dried.
Enjoy cold or at room temperature!
Store in a cool dark place for up to 12 months.