Posted by Maria Wojciechowski on 08.26.26
DISCLAIMER: The content provided on this blog—including all cocktail and alcohol recipes—is for informational and entertainment purposes only. All recipes involving alcoholic beverages are intended exclusively for adults of legal drinking age in their respective country, state, or jurisdiction. By viewing these recipes, you confirm that you are of legal drinking age. Please drink responsibly and in moderation. Never drink and drive or operate machinery after consuming alcohol. Do not consume alcohol if you are pregnant, nursing, under the legal age, or have a health condition affected by alcohol consumption. The author and publisher of this blog assume no responsibility or liability for any personal injury, property damage, or adverse reactions resulting from the preparation, handling, or consumption of the recipes or ingredients featured on this site.
Rich, smooth, and infused with the bold flavor of Italian coffee, homemade coffee liqueur is an easy way to turn your favorite brew into something special.
Whether you're mixing it into an espresso martini, pouring it over vanilla gelato, or enjoying a small glass after dinner, this homemade coffee liqueur brings together the deep flavor of coffee, the warmth of vanilla, and just the right amount of sweetness.
And for a coffee liqueur worth savoring, the coffee you use makes all the difference.
That's why we recommend starting with Caffè Borbone coffee or Caffè Borbone espresso beans.
Our coffee is rooted in the Neapolitan tradition, where espresso is known for its rich body, intense aroma, and unmistakable Italian character. Those qualities make it an especially delicious foundation for a homemade Italian coffee liqueur.
Why Caffè Borbone Makes a Great Italian Espresso Liqueur
Coffee is the star of this coffee liqueur recipe, so this isn't the place to use bland or weak brew.
Caffè Borbone's bold Italian coffee and espresso bring depth and intensity to the liqueur, complementing the sweetness of the sugar and the warmth of the vanilla.
For the best results, we recommend using your favorite blend of Caffè Borbone coffee and brewing it strong before incorporating it into the recipe.
The result is a coffee liqueur with a rich coffee aroma and a deeper, more complex flavor than you get from instant coffee.
DIY Coffee Liqueur Ingredients
-
- 2 cups water
- 1 cup Caffè Borbone coffee, brewed strong
- 2 cups white sugar
- 750 mL vodka
- 2 tablespoons vanilla extract
Optional additions
Want to give your coffee liqueur even more character?
Try adding:
-
- ⅓ of a fresh vanilla bean or vanilla pod
- 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste
- 1 cinnamon stick
- Brown or raw sugar instead of white sugar
These small additions can give your finished liqueur additional warmth and depth.
How to Make Coffee Liqueur
RECIPE FOR HOMEMADE COFFEE LIQUEUR
1. Brew Your Coffee
Start by brewing 1 cup of strong Caffè Borbone coffee or espresso.
Because coffee is the foundation of this recipe, choose a blend with the flavor profile you enjoy. A bold, full-bodied espresso-style coffee works particularly well.
Allow the coffee to cool slightly before moving on to the next step.
2. Make the Coffee Syrup
Add the brewed coffee, water, and sugar to a large saucepan.
Warm the mixture over medium heat, stirring until the sugar has completely dissolved.
You don't need to bring it to a rolling boil. The goal is simply to create a smooth, sweet coffee syrup.
Remove from the heat and allow the mixture to cool completely.
3. Add the Vanilla
Once the coffee mixture has cooled, stir in the vanilla extract.
If you're using a vanilla bean, add it at this stage and allow its flavor to infuse into the mixture.
For an extra layer of spice, you can also add a cinnamon stick.
4. Add the Vodka
Once the coffee syrup is completely cool, stir in the vodka.
Mix thoroughly until everything is combined.
5. Bottle and Rest
Pour the espresso coffee liqueur into clean, airtight bottles or jars.
Seal and refrigerate.
For the best flavor, let the liqueur rest for several days before serving. This gives the coffee, vanilla, sweetness, and vodka time to come together.
Give the bottle a gentle shake before serving.
How to Serve Homemade Coffee Liqueur
Now comes the fun part.
Espresso Martini
Use your homemade coffee liqueur for espresso martini as the coffee-forward component of the cocktail. Combine it with vodka and freshly brewed espresso, then shake vigorously with ice.
Finish with a few coffee beans for a classic presentation.
Affogato
Pour a small amount of your Italian espresso coffee liqueur over a scoop of vanilla gelato or ice cream.
The combination of cold, creamy gelato and rich Italian coffee flavor is hard to beat.
After-Dinner Digestif
Serve a small glass chilled after dinner for an Italian-inspired ending to the meal.
Coffee Cocktail
Add a splash to your favorite coffee cocktail for extra depth and sweetness.
Or simply add a little to an iced coffee when you're looking for something more indulgent.
Choose the Right Coffee
The biggest secret to great homemade coffee liqueur is simple:
Start with coffee you actually love drinking.
A coffee liqueur made with weak or flat coffee will taste weak and flat. Using a flavorful, bold coffee gives the finished liqueur a much more pronounced coffee character.
Caffè Borbone is a natural choice for this recipe or other cafe liqueur recipes because its Neapolitan-inspired blends are made to deliver a bold, aromatic cup.
Whether you prefer a rich and intense blend or something smoother and more balanced, choose the Caffè Borbone coffee that matches your taste to create your own espresso coffee liqueur from Italy... without leaving your home!
A Little Italian Inspiration for Your Bar Cart
Coffee has always been about more than the cup.
It's the morning ritual, the pause in the afternoon, the conversation after dinner—and sometimes, the perfect foundation for something a little more indulgent.
With bold Caffè Borbone coffee, a touch of vanilla, and your favorite vodka, you can bring that Italian coffeehouse spirit to your own bar cart.
Brew it. Infuse it. Pour it.
And most importantly, savor it.
Ready to Make Your Own?
Explore Caffè Borbone's selection of Italian ground coffee and choose the blend you'll use for your homemade coffee liqueur.
MORE GREAT COFFEE RECIPES FROM THE BORBONE BLOG
All recipes involving alcoholic beverages are intended exclusively for adults of legal drinking age in their respective country, state, or jurisdiction. By viewing these recipes, you confirm that you are of legal drinking age. Please drink responsibly and in moderation. Never drink and drive or operate machinery after consuming alcohol. Do not consume alcohol if you are pregnant, nursing, under the legal age, or have a health condition affected by alcohol consumption. The author and publisher of this blog assume no responsibility or liability for any personal injury, property damage, or adverse reactions resulting from the preparation, handling, or consumption of the recipes or ingredients featured on this site.
Rich, smooth, and infused with the bold flavor of Italian coffee, homemade coffee liqueur is an easy way to turn your favorite brew into something special.
Whether you're mixing it into an espresso martini, pouring it over vanilla gelato, or enjoying a small glass after dinner, this homemade coffee liqueur brings together the deep flavor of coffee, the warmth of vanilla, and just the right amount of sweetness.
And for a coffee liqueur worth savoring, the coffee you use makes all the difference.
That's why we recommend starting with Caffè Borbone coffee or Caffè Borbone espresso beans.
Our coffee is rooted in the Neapolitan tradition, where espresso is known for its rich body, intense aroma, and unmistakable Italian character. Those qualities make it an especially delicious foundation for a homemade Italian coffee liqueur.
Why Caffè Borbone Makes a Great Italian Espresso Liqueur
Coffee is the star of this coffee liqueur recipe, so this isn't the place to use bland or weak brew.
Caffè Borbone's bold Italian coffee and espresso bring depth and intensity to the liqueur, complementing the sweetness of the sugar and the warmth of the vanilla.
For the best results, we recommend using your favorite blend of Caffè Borbone coffee and brewing it strong before incorporating it into the recipe.
The result is a coffee liqueur with a rich coffee aroma and a deeper, more complex flavor than you get from instant coffee.
DIY Coffee Liqueur Ingredients
-
- 2 cups water
- 1 cup Caffè Borbone coffee, brewed strong
- 2 cups white sugar
- 750 mL vodka
- 2 tablespoons vanilla extract
Optional additions
Want to give your coffee liqueur even more character?
Try adding:
-
- ⅓ of a fresh vanilla bean or vanilla pod
- 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste
- 1 cinnamon stick
- Brown or raw sugar instead of white sugar
These small additions can give your finished liqueur additional warmth and depth.
How to Make Coffee Liqueur
RECIPE FOR HOMEMADE COFFEE LIQUEUR
1. Brew Your Coffee
Start by brewing 1 cup of strong Caffè Borbone coffee or espresso.
Because coffee is the foundation of this recipe, choose a blend with the flavor profile you enjoy. A bold, full-bodied espresso-style coffee works particularly well.
Allow the coffee to cool slightly before moving on to the next step.
2. Make the Coffee Syrup
Add the brewed coffee, water, and sugar to a large saucepan.
Warm the mixture over medium heat, stirring until the sugar has completely dissolved.
You don't need to bring it to a rolling boil. The goal is simply to create a smooth, sweet coffee syrup.
Remove from the heat and allow the mixture to cool completely.
3. Add the Vanilla
Once the coffee mixture has cooled, stir in the vanilla extract.
If you're using a vanilla bean, add it at this stage and allow its flavor to infuse into the mixture.
For an extra layer of spice, you can also add a cinnamon stick.
4. Add the Vodka
Once the coffee syrup is completely cool, stir in the vodka.
Mix thoroughly until everything is combined.
5. Bottle and Rest
Pour the espresso coffee liqueur into clean, airtight bottles or jars.
Seal and refrigerate.
For the best flavor, let the liqueur rest for several days before serving. This gives the coffee, vanilla, sweetness, and vodka time to come together.
Give the bottle a gentle shake before serving.
How to Serve Homemade Coffee Liqueur
Now comes the fun part.
Espresso Martini
Use your homemade coffee liqueur for espresso martini as the coffee-forward component of the cocktail. Combine it with vodka and freshly brewed espresso, then shake vigorously with ice.
Finish with a few coffee beans for a classic presentation.
Affogato
Pour a small amount of your Italian espresso coffee liqueur over a scoop of vanilla gelato or ice cream.
The combination of cold, creamy gelato and rich Italian coffee flavor is hard to beat.
After-Dinner Digestif
Serve a small glass chilled after dinner for an Italian-inspired ending to the meal.
Coffee Cocktail
Add a splash to your favorite coffee cocktail for extra depth and sweetness.
Or simply add a little to an iced coffee when you're looking for something more indulgent.
Choose the Right Coffee
The biggest secret to great homemade coffee liqueur is simple:
Start with coffee you actually love drinking.
A coffee liqueur made with weak or flat coffee will taste weak and flat. Using a flavorful, bold coffee gives the finished liqueur a much more pronounced coffee character.
Caffè Borbone is a natural choice for this recipe or other cafe liqueur recipes because its Neapolitan-inspired blends are made to deliver a bold, aromatic cup.
Whether you prefer a rich and intense blend or something smoother and more balanced, choose the Caffè Borbone coffee that matches your taste to create your own espresso coffee liqueur from Italy... without leaving your home!
A Little Italian Inspiration for Your Bar Cart
Coffee has always been about more than the cup.
It's the morning ritual, the pause in the afternoon, the conversation after dinner—and sometimes, the perfect foundation for something a little more indulgent.
With bold Caffè Borbone coffee, a touch of vanilla, and your favorite vodka, you can bring that Italian coffeehouse spirit to your own bar cart.
Brew it. Infuse it. Pour it.
And most importantly, savor it.
Ready to Make Your Own?
Explore Caffè Borbone's selection of Italian ground coffee and choose the blend you'll use for your homemade coffee liqueur.
MORE GREAT COFFEE RECIPES FROM THE BORBONE BLOG
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