Homemade coffee liqueur is a great gift for the holidays, and makes for pretty tasty cocktails. We’ve spiced ours up a bit with cinnamon and clove for extra festive flavor!
Like any good thing, it does take time (3 weeks for this recipe), so get started now to be ready in time for gift giving season.
White Russian
1.5 oz Icy Strait Vodka
1 oz Coffee liqueur
Half & Half or non-dairy substitute
Pour Vodka, coffee liqueur over ice and top with half & half.
Coffee Liqueur
2 Cups Water
2 Cups Caster sugar
200g Coffee beans (we use an espresso roast!)
1 Vanilla bean, split and scraped
700 mL Vodka (we use Icy Strait, of course!)
3 Cinnamon sticks
15 Cloves
In a large jar: Combine vodka, coffee beans, vanilla, cinnamon and cloves. Allow to infuse for one week, shaking occasionally.
Strain the mixture through a sieve into a clean jar. Don’t let the coffee beans and spices go to waste, let them dry and use for decoration in little jars or bowls.
Add the sugar and water to a saucepan and stir over high heat until sugar is dissolved. When cool, add to the jar with the strained vodka.
Seal the lid tightly and store in a cool dark place for at least 2 weeks before drinking. This allows the sugar and water to blend with the vodka and spices.