How to Drink Kahlua

Co-authored by Tom Blake

Last Updated: September 24, 2023 References

Kahlua is a delicious liqueur that adds dash of sweetness to anything you add it to. You can try this drink in a variety of classic cocktails, including a White Russian, Black Russian, or an indulgent Mudslide. Kahlua is also a key ingredient in many popular shooters, making it a great party staple. Adding Kahlua to other drinks can take them up a notch, particularly if you include whipped cream and chocolate in the mix!

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Mixing Cocktails with Kahlua

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Fill a rocks glass with ice cubes. Fill the glass halfway with Kahlua. Using a stir stick or spoon, gently stir the ice to cool the Kahlua. Add a sliver of orange zest to the glass to jazz up this standby drink.^{[1]
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To make this classic cocktail, fill a tumbler glass with ice cubes. Pour 2 oz. (4 tbsp.) of vodka and 1 oz. (2 tbsp.) of Kahlua over the ice. Stir the drink gently to mix it, and enjoy!^{[2]
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Make a White Russian. To prepare this delicious drink, fill a tumbler glass with ice cubes. Pour 1 oz. (2 tbsp.) of Kahlua, 1 oz. (2 tbsp.) of vodka, and 1 oz. (2 tbsp.) of table cream over the ice. Stir the drink lightly to mix it.^{[3]
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- For a lighter version of this drink, use an equal amount of milk instead of cream.
To mix a cocktail that tastes like dessert, use a shaker filled with ice. Pour in 1.5 oz. (3 tbsp.) of Kahlua, 1.5 oz. (3 tbsp.) of vodka, and 1.5 oz. (3 tbsp.) of Irish cream liqueur. Shake the ingredients together, then pour the drink into a tumbler glass filled with ice.^{[4]
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To make something both strong and refreshing, fill a tumbler glass with ice. Pour in 1 oz. (2 tbsp.) of Kahlua, followed by 2 oz. (4 tbsp.) of vodka and 2 oz. (4 tbsp.) of club soda. For a cool look, avoid mixing the drink and let three layers sit on top of each other.^{[5]
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To make a drink with a bit of a buzz to it, fill a shaker with ice. Pour in 2 oz. (4 tbsp.) of vodka, 1 oz. (2 tbsp.) of Kahlua, and 1 oz. of chocolate liqueur. Shake them together vigorously and pour the drink into a martini glass. If you wish, top the martini with espresso beans or chocolate flakes.^{[6]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Making Shooters with Kahlua

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B-52 shots are a party favorite largely because of their cool presentation. When poured correctly, the alcohols layer on top of each other in three distinct rows. In a standard 1-1.5 oz. shot glass, pour approximately 0.3 oz. (0.6 tbsp) of Kahlua, followed by 0.3 oz. (0.6 tbsp.) of a cream liqueur (e.g., Baileys) and then 0.3 oz. (0.6 tbsp) of orange liqueur (e.g., Grand Marnier).^{[7]
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Despite its crude name, the Blow Job shot is incredibly popular. In a shot glass, pour 0.5 oz. (1 tbsp.) of Irish cream and 0.5 oz. (1 tbsp.) of Kahlua. Top the shot with a large dollop of whipped cream.
For a shot that's a sweet treat, pour 0.3 oz. (0.6 tbsp.) of Kahlua into a shot glass. Slowly add 0.3 oz. (0.6 tbsp.) of peppermint Schnapps, then 0.3 oz. (0.6 tbsp.) of Irish cream liqueur. The three layers should sit on top of each other for a fun effect.
For a simple shot with a lot of kick, try mixing Kahlua and tequila. In a shot glass pour 0.5 oz. (1 tbsp.) of Kahlua and 0.5 oz. (1 tbsp.) tequila. For a variation on this shot, add a dash of cream.^{[8]
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Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Adding Kahlua to Other Beverages

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To add some excitement to your cocoa, pour 1.5 oz. (3 tbsp.) of Kahlua into a mug of hot chocolate. Stir with a spoon until the liquor is mixed in. Add a dollop of whipped cream to the top of the beverage if desired.^{[9]
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Add Kahlua to decaffeinated coffee. Add 1 oz. (2 tbsp.) of Kahlua and 1 oz. of milk or cream to a coffee mug. Pour in decaffeinated coffee and stir. Add sugar or sweetener to taste.
- Don't consume alcohol and caffeine at the same time. If you mix the two, you are likely to feel less intoxicated than you actually are. This will put you at a higher risk for alcohol poisoning and drinking-related accidents. ^{[10]
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For an indulgent treat, make a milkshake and add a kick of Kahlua to it. In a blender, put 3 scoops of vanilla or chocolate ice cream and 4 oz. ( ½ a cup ) of milk or cream. Add in 2 oz. (4 tbsp.) of Kahlua and blend everything together. Pour the milkshake into a glass and top with whipped cream or chocolate syrup if you wish.^{[11]
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Expert Q&A

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Can you mix Kahlua with Red Bull?

Tom Blake
Professional Bartender
Tom Blake is a Bartending Expert and the creator of the Crafty Bartending website. He has over 10 years of experience in the industry as a professional bartender, bar manager, and traveling bartender. Throughout his career, he’s worked in all sorts of venues & positions, and notably traveled his way through Europe, the UK, South-East Asia and Australia, all while bartending. He is the author of “The Bartender’s Field Manual”, which covers a myriad of topics, including bartending as a profession, the composition of alcohol and spirits, and craft cocktail recipes.

Tom Blake

Professional Bartender

Expert Answer

Yes, you could potentially mix Kahlua with Red Bull - I don’t know how good it would taste though!

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Can I drink Kahlua straight?

Community Answer

Yes. It tastes like a sweet coffee syrup. It can be drunk straight up, chilled or on the rocks (over ice) on its own.

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Can Kahlua be mixed in with just milk like an iced coffee?

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Yes, but it'll be strong and very bitter. I would suggest adding a small amount of vanilla extract for a strong but mellow flavor.

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