How to Make Kahlua Coffee

Kahlua coffee works anytime! Use it as a pick-me-up for a morning brunch or top it with whipped cream for a boozy dessert.

Kahlua is a sweet, coffee-flavored liqueur that is at its best in a cup of joe, and it works at any time of the day. Add it to morning coffee for a brunch pick-me-up, or serve it as a dessert drink topped with whipped cream like an Irish coffee. Anything goes! Add a hint of cream or just serve it black. It’s delicious in whatever variation you choose.

What you’ll need

Kahlua coffee is hot coffee spiked with a shot of Kahlua liqueur. You can add a drizzle of cream if you like, or top it with whipped cream if you’re serving it after a meal. Serve it as a brunch drink as an alternative to the mimosa or Bloody Mary, or it’s perfect as a dessert drink for a sweet ending to a meal.

The ingredients for Kahlua coffee are:

• Kahlua
• Coffee, brewed using any method
• Cream (or oat milk)
• Whipped cream (or dairy-free whipped cream)

Coffee brewing methods

The better the coffee, the better the Kahlua coffee! Use your favorite coffee brewing method for this drink. Of course, run-of-the-mill coffee beans won’t taste nearly as good as high-quality coffee, and pour-over will taste better than a coffee maker. Use the best coffee and tools you can! Here are a few coffee-making options:

• Chemex (pour over): This is my top choice for a great cup of coffee. There’s a bit of equipment involved, but it’s my preferred method for daily coffees.
• Americano (espresso): Kahlua coffee is fantastic with a good Americano. You’ll need an espresso maker for this one.
• Aeropress: The Aeropress makes a great cup with a quick and easy method.

Cream options (for all diets)

There are a few options for Kahlua coffee, depending on how you want to serve it! You don’t have to add dairy, but it adds a nice touch. Here’s what to know:

• Black: Serve this Kahlua coffee straight up with no cream. It’s still tasty!
• Cream or half-and-half: Add a drizzle of cream to make it taste a little richer. It’s not necessary, but I like the look of it, especially that swirl!. You could also add whole milk or your dairy or non-dairy creamer of choice.
• Whipped cream: Top with a little whipped cream to turn this into a dessert drink. Homemade tastes infinitely better than store-bought. Try my homemade whipped cream, or for dairy-free, make vegan whipped cream with coconut milk.

More about Kahlua

Kahlua is a type of coffee liqueur, the most popular brand, in fact! This coffee liqueur is made in Mexico using rum, sugar, and coffee. Contrary to what you might think, there’s no dairy at all! Kahlua is naturally dark brown in color, so many of the drinks made with it have cream or other dairy added. Here are a few more fast facts:

• Kahlua does have caffeine, but it’s only about 25% as much as the same volume of coffee.
• Kahlua costs about $15 to $20 for a large 750 ml bottle.
• If you’re worried about using the whole bottle, don’t! Try the popular Mudslide, B-52, Bushwacker, Mind Eraser, or Colorado Bulldog.

More coffee cocktails

Are you a coffee lover? (I assume so!) There are so many coffee-flavored cocktails to try. Once you’re done with this Kahlua coffee, line these up in your queue:

• Try a White Russian, Baileys White Russian, or Black Russian! The Black Russian was the original with Kahlua and vodka; the White variation adds a splash of cream.
• Opt for the Espresso Martini or a Baileys Espresso Martini, made with coffee, Kahlua, and vodka.
• Go for Amaretto Coffee, a spiked hot drink that’s part cocktail, part dessert.
• Make Spanish Coffee, a showy after-dinner drink that features Kahlua, rum, orange liqueur, and a caramelized sugar rim.
• Go for Mexican Coffee, a spin on Irish coffee with tequila, Kahlua, and triple sec.
• Make Baileys Coffee with Baileys Irish Cream as a creamy, mellow drink.
• Try the Carajillo. The mix of bitter coffee and sweet vanilla notes of Licor 43 is perfection.

01

White Russian

02

Espresso Martini

03

Mexican Coffee

04

Spanish Coffee

When to serve Kahlua coffee

Kahlua coffee is sweet and creamy! It works for brunch, after dinner, or anytime in between. Serve it as a:

• Brunch drink
• Happy hour drink
• Afternoon cocktail
• Late night drinks drink
• Girls’ or guys’ night drink
• Cocktail hour drink

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