Homemade Kahlua... Nothing Could Be More Simple

For the last (I don't know how many) years I've been giving pretty much the same thing to everyone, every year, for Christmas. One glass jar of peach jam and one glass jar of my hot chow-chow. This is the year I finally decided to *change things up*, for which I'm sure the recipients will appreciate the upgrade. Anything gets boring after monotony, right?

Although I hadn't planned on making the Chow-Chow this year, a friend dropped dozens of green tomatoes in my lap, so I have a sufficient amount of that for the Christmas *goodie bag*. However, I didn't make Peach Jam this year so I decided I'd make Kahlua and present them in really gorgeous blue glass bottles. When I ran out of those I used some old Grolsch beer bottles that I'd been saving for just this project (who knew?). They also had the same kind of closures, which is perfect.

I found the blue glass bottles with tops on line at Quality Wine & Ale Supply for approximately $4.50 each (when buying a case, including shipping costs). Of course, it's like trying solve a Rubik's cube puzzle getting the hardware on the bottle properly but I did eventually figure it out (a no-brainer really - duh).

Anyhoo, here is the easiest ever recipe for making your own Kahlua at home:

INGREDIENTS:

3-1/2 cups of sugar

1/2 cup instant coffee

3 cups water


1/4 teaspoon salt


2-1/2 cups of 100 proof vodka (or 80 proof if you prefer)


2 vanilla beans (slit to expose the seeds) or 1 tablespoon of real vanilla extract


Directions:

1. In a 3-4 quart saucepan, stir sugar and coffee. 

2. Add water and salt, heating over a high heat until sugar dissolves.

3. Bring to a boil.


4. Reduce heat and boil gently for 1 hour.


5. Remove from heat.


6. Allow to cool for at least an hour.

7. Stir in vodka and vanilla, then bottle.



Give to friends and family and enjoy the compliments. One of my favorites ways to serve my Kahlua to guests is to pour it over homemade (or not) vanilla ice cream...