Here are a couple of recipes for Kahlua. The first one calls for coffee flavored brandy, which seems to defeat the purpose of making your own to save money, but maybe it tastes so much better it's worth it. There are tons of recipes out there, and they are all over the place - use the best vodka, use the cheapest vodka, use a vanilla bean or not, etc.

Reading these makes me want to go buy a gallon of vodka.

Fancier Kahlua

3 c. sugar
1 1/2 c. water
1/4 c. instant coffee
1 vanilla bean or pure vanilla equals 2 tbsp.
1/5th everclear or vodka
1/5th coffee flavored brandy

Bring sugar and water to a boil; simmer 5 minutes, then let cool.
To put instant coffee in, mix in hot cup of water or 1/2 cup. Then add to mixture. Put in vanilla, then the two 5ths. Put into bottles on sides, store in dark place for 3 weeks and shake every day.



1 1/2 c. firmly packed brown sugar
1 c. granulated sugar
2 c. water
1/2 c. instant coffee granules
2 tbsp. vanilla
3 c. vodka
Combine brown sugar, granulated sugar and water. Stir in water. Bring to a boil; boil 5 minutes, stirring often.
Remove from heat and gradually add coffee.

Cool for ten minutes. Add vanilla and vodka. Mix thoroughly.

Cover and let stand for 3 weeks.

Note: A vanilla bean may be added during the 5 minutes of boiling. It can be left to steep in the mixture during the 3 weeks of mellowing.

Kahlua 2

3 c. sugar
1 qt. water
10 to 12 tsp. instant coffee
3 c. vodka (buy most inexpensive)
3 tsp. vanilla
Simmer sugar, water and coffee for 1 1/2 hours. Cool and add vodka and vanilla. Put in bottle. Ready to drink, but will get better with age.

I've never tried making amaretto - doesn't sound too hard, does it?

Amaretto

1 cup water
1 cup white sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
2 cups vodka
2 tablespoons almond extract
2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Combine water and sugars in a saucepan over medium heat. Heat until the mixture is boiling, and all of the sugar is dissolved. Remove the pan from the heat and let the mixture cool for 10 minutes. Stir vodka, almond extract and vanilla extract into the mixture. Store in a sealed bottle.

This Irish Cream recipe uses a little bit of Kahlua. Since it has dairy products in it, I would keep it in the refrigerator, not trusting the alcohol to preserve it.

Irish Cream

2 c. half and half
1 can sweetened condensed milk
1 1/2 - 2 c. inexpensive, no-brand whiskey
2 oz. Kahlua or its substitute
1 tsp. instant chocolate or 1 tsp. instant coffee
Mix all ingredients well in a blender and chill. Makes about 1 1/2 quarts.