Homemade Kahlua is very easy to make with only 5 ingredients. You can use it to make your favorite Kahlua cocktails. Homemade Kahlua also makes a great food gift or hostess gift for Christmas.
Place the granulated coffee, water, sugar, and one split vanilla bean into a large pot, heat on low until the sugar dissolves. Increase heat and bring to a low boil. Stir occasionally until the coffee crystals have dissolved.
Remove the pot from the heat and allow to cool to room temperature. Once the mixture is cool scoop as much as possible of the foam from the top of the coffee syrup. Discard the foam in the trash or wash it down the sink. Pour the vodka into a large glass jar.
Split the two remaining vanilla beans and add them to the glass jar with the vodka. Pour the coffee syrup into the jar and gently stir. Place the jar in a cool dark cabinet and steep for 4 to 6 weeks before using. After steeping, strain through a coffee filter.
Once any small bits of vanilla bean or undissolved crystals are removed, bottle the homemade kahlua in gift bottles or return the strained Kahlua to the larger jar for storage.