Kahlua Coffee (2025)

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

Does Kahlua go in coffee? We’re glad you asked. This sweet coffee-flavored liqueur is at its best in a cup of joe, and it works 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, here! Add a hint of cream or just serve it black: it’s delicious whatever variation you choose.

What’s Kahlua coffee?

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 after a meal. Serve it as a brunch drink as an alternative to the mimosa or Bloody Mary, or it’s perfect as adessert 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 our top choice for a great cup of coffee. There’s a bit of equipment involved, but it’s our preferred method we’ve been making daily for years. Go toHow to Use a Chemex to Make Coffee.
• Americano (espresso): Kahlua coffee is fantastic with a good Americano. You’ll need an espresso maker for this one. Go to How to Make an Americano.
• Aeropress:The Aeropress makes a great cup with a quick and easy method. Go toHow to Use an Aeropress

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 tasty.
• Cream or half and half: Add a drizzle of cream to make it taste a little richer. It’s not necessary, but we 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: Serving this as a dessert drink like an Irish coffee? Top it with homemade whipped cream! Homemade tastes infinitely better than store-bought. Try our 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; many of the drinks made with it have cream or other dairy added.

• Does Kahlua have caffeine? Yes. Kahlua does have caffeine, but it’s only about 25% as much as the same volume of coffee.
• How much does Kahlua cost?It costs about $15 to $20 for a large 750 ml bottle.
• Want to try other Kahlua drinks? Try the popular White Russian, Mudslide, B-52, Bushwacker, Mind Eraser, Colorado Bulldog, or more top Kahlua drinks.

More coffee cocktails

Are you a coffee lover? (We 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, orBlack Russian! The Black Russian was the original with Kahlua and vodka; the White variation adds a slash of cream.
• Opt for the Espresso Martini or Baileys Espresso Martini, a modern classic cocktail 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 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.

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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