Recipe: Homemade Coffee Liquor {Kahlua}

My mom passed down my grandmother's version of homemade coffee liquor (also known as Kahlua). Just after John and I married my mother passed my grandmother's recipe onto us and we've made it a few times. A couple of weeks ago when John and I were making our version of infused vodka it reminded us about the homemade coffee liquor recipe.  We made up a batch and I've been looking forward to sharing it here. This coffee liquor recipe seems to be a pretty standard recipe.  You let it sit for a couple of weeks which is sort of fun to wait and let your creation come to life.  The liquor turns out sweet, almost rich, and it packs a little punch. You don't need to add much to it - maybe a little milk or cream for a White Russian or enjoy it on its own chilled over ice.  It was thinking it would be fun to experiment with strong coffee brews - let me know if you make this recipe or have another version of this recipe - we'd love to try it out.

Ingredients:
3 3/4 cups water
4 cups sugar
3/4 cup instant espresso
26 oz. vodka
1 pint of brandy
1/2 vanilla bean split

Process:
Boil water and sugar for five minutes. Remove from heat and add espresso. Bring to boil again. Remove from heat to add vodka and brandy. Pour this mixture into a large bottle (we used a mason jar) with the vanilla bean. Let it sit in a cool dark spot (do not refrigerate) for about two weeks.  Enjoy!

Images: Rebecca Tollefsen