How to Make Coffee Liquor Drinks

Famous drinks like Kahlua and Baileys are examples of coffee liqueur, a combination of sweet booze and coffee that can be enjoyed on its own or mixed into cocktails. There are many styles of coffee liqueur, from big brands that keep their palate simple to craft distilleries who make the spirit with more complex ingredients for a more layered profile. Consider whether you want the spirit to be sippable or mixable as well as how much of a caffeine hit you’d like, which can be important for those who are sensitive to the effects of coffee.

With a lower proof than many other spirits, a good quality coffee liqueur can easily be mixed into cocktails. Try mixing it with vodka for a Black Russian or White Russian, or as part of an espresso martini, or even to add depth and a little sweetness to your favorite whiskey cocktail. A craft option, from Chicago’s Rhine Hall distillery, is based on the flavors of New Orleans coffee, and made with chicory root, vanilla extract, Yirgacheffe beans, and demerara sugar.

You can also use coffee liqueur in a range of dessert recipes, from a simple affogato to a rich tiramisu or even as the base spirit for a creme brulee. The possibilities are endless — just don’t forget to enjoy your homemade coffee liqueur responsibly and in moderation!