Drinks & liquids · Wines & spirits
Coffee liqueur
Sweet coffee-flavoured spirit used in tiramisu, cocktails such as the White Russian and desserts. Contains caffeine.
Also called: kahlúa, kahlua, tia maria
What it is
A liqueur made by infusing roasted coffee in rum or neutral spirit with sugar and often vanilla. It is dark, syrupy and much sweeter and lower in alcohol than straight spirits. Its coffee flavour is milder than espresso.
How it’s used
- Tiramisu
- White Russians and espresso martinis
- Drizzled over ice cream
- Chocolate desserts, truffles and cakes
Characteristics
- Taste
- Sweet, coffee, vanilla and caramel.
- Texture
- Syrupy.
- Appearance
- Dark brown.
- Sold as
- liquid
- Cooking uses
- Usually eaten raw, Suitable for baking
- Common in
- Mexican, Italian, International
Storage
Cool, dry and dark. Keeps well sealed away from heat and light.
Diet, allergens and safety
No major allergens in typical versions.
- Vegetarian
- Vegan
- Dairy-free
- Egg-free
- Gluten-free
- Nut-free
- Soy-free
- Caffeine-free
- Contains alcohol and some caffeine. High in sugar.
Nutrition per 100 g
- Energy
- 336 kcal
- Protein
- 0.1 g
- Carbohydrate
- 46.8 g
- Fat
- 0.3 g
- Fibre
- 0 g
- Sugars
- 38.3 g
USDA FoodData Central: Alcoholic beverage, liqueur, coffee, 53 proof.
Substitutes
Optional — what works if you don’t have it, and how it changes the dish.
Related ingredients
Recipes with coffee liqueur
Italian · 5 min · 137 kcal · 
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