Kahlua is a sweet coffee liqueur made from rum, sugar, arabica coffee and vanilla, and CBC Liquors in Westford carries it. This guide covers how it tastes, how strong it is, how to drink it, what to mix it with and how to get a bottle from us. That includes the cold-weather drinks December calls for.
What is Kahlua liqueur, and does CBC Liquors in Westford carry it?
Kahlua is a coffee liqueur that began in Veracruz, Mexico, in the 1930s. It is made from rum, sugar, arabica coffee and vanilla, and it comes out dark and syrupy. CBC Liquors at 142 Littleton Rd in Westford carries it, and you can see the full range on our Kahlua brand page.
A liqueur is a spirit that has been sweetened and flavored. Kahlua's base is rum, and the flavor comes from coffee and vanilla. That is why it pours thicker than vodka or whiskey. It works more like a sweetener and a flavoring than a spirit you would build a whole glass around.
If you are browsing for it in our liquor store or online, it sits with the other sweet and flavored bottles in our liqueur section.
What is Kahlua made from, and what does it taste like?
The coffee in Kahlua comes from arabica coffee beans, which are roasted and combined with rum, sugar and vanilla. The first impression is sweet and smooth. You get roasted coffee, brown sugar and vanilla, with a little caramel underneath. It is not bitter the way a fresh espresso is. The coffee note is there, but the sugar and the rum soften it.
The rum base gives it a warm, round finish. The vanilla keeps the coffee from tasting sharp. Think of it as the dessert end of the coffee world: dark, sweet and a little toasty.
That balance is why it pairs so well with cream, chocolate and caramel flavors. It also stands up to cold drinks and hot ones.
Kahlua we stock
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How strong is Kahlua, and what is its alcohol content?
The original bottling is about 20 percent alcohol by volume, which is 40 proof. That is well below a standard 80 proof spirit. On its own it is gentler than a straight pour of vodka or whiskey. A drink made with it is also lighter than one made purely from spirits.
Flavored and limited bottlings can differ from the original. Read the label on the bottle you pick up. As with any alcoholic beverages, measure your pours so you know what is in the glass.
How do you drink Kahlua?
The simplest way is over ice in a short glass. Because it is sweet, a small pour goes a long way. Add a splash of cream or milk if you want something softer and more dessert-like.
You can also use it as one part of a longer drink. A jigger or measuring cup keeps each glass the same and the sweetness in balance, especially when you are making several for a gathering.
On a cold evening, stir a measure into hot brewed coffee or hot chocolate. In December that is the version we would reach for. You can also pour a little over vanilla ice cream for dessert. Coffee liqueur is also a common ingredient in baking and desserts, such as tiramisu and chocolate cakes.
Which Kahlua bottles does CBC Liquors carry?
The core bottle is Kahlua Rum & Coffee Liqueur, the original coffee liqueur that most recipes call for. If a recipe says only "coffee liqueur", this is the bottle that fits.
Beyond the original, we carry flavored Kahlua products too. Kahlua Chocolate Sips and Kahlua White Chocolate Sips lean toward chocolate. Kahlua Dunkin Caramel Swirl is a caramel version with the Dunkin name on it.
Our range changes from day to day, so the Kahlua brand page is the place to see what we list before you drive over. Across the whole shop we have more than 4,500 products from more than 1,800 brands on our shelves, so a recipe's other ingredients are usually in the same trip.
What cocktails can you make with Kahlua?
The classic is the White Russian: vodka, Kahlua and cream over ice. Leave out the cream and you have a Black Russian, which is just vodka and coffee liqueur. You will want a bottle of vodka alongside it, since almost every classic Kahlua drink starts there.
The espresso martini is the other well-known one. It uses vodka, coffee liqueur and freshly made espresso, shaken hard with ice so the top forms a light foam. The coffee liqueur brings the sweetness, so the espresso covers the bitter side.
For something dessert-like, a Mudslide combines vodka, coffee liqueur and an Irish cream liqueur, served over ice or blended. For December gatherings, a hot chocolate with a measure of Kahlua or a chocolate-leaning bottle gives you a warm drink to hand round.
If you want cream, soda or other non-alcoholic beverages and supporting ingredients, our mixers section covers that side.
How should you store an opened bottle of Kahlua?
An unopened bottle keeps well in a cool, dark cupboard. Once it is open, keep the cap tight and store it away from heat and sunlight. Sugar and alcohol make it stable, but the flavor does slowly fade over a long time. There is little reason to buy more than you will use.
A drink that has had cream added is a different matter. Mix those fresh and finish them, rather than storing a cream-based mix.
How is coffee liqueur different from Irish cream and other liqueurs?
Liqueurs are defined by their flavoring: orange, herbs, nuts, cream, coffee. Coffee liqueur is the one you reach for when you want roast and sweetness together. It pairs naturally with vodka, with rum and with dairy or chocolate flavors.
It is also different from an Irish cream, which is a cream-based liqueur, usually whiskey with cream and flavoring. Irish cream is sweet and soft. Coffee liqueur has a darker, more roasted character. Many dessert cocktails use both together.
If you are not sure which bottle suits a recipe, ask at the shop on Littleton Rd and we can point you to the right one. Our store is rated above 4.5 out of 5 from more than 300 Google reviews.
How do you get Kahlua from CBC Liquors if you live outside Westford?
You can walk in at 142 Littleton Rd, or use pickup, delivery or shipping. The store is open Sunday 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM, Monday to Thursday 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM, and Friday and Saturday 9:00 AM to 10:00 PM. Pickup runs Sunday 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM, Monday to Thursday 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM, and Friday and Saturday 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM.
Delivery hours run a little shorter: Sunday 10:00 AM to 7:30 PM, Monday to Thursday 10:00 AM to 8:30 PM, and Friday and Saturday 10:00 AM to 9:30 PM.
We also serve customers in nearby towns. If you are in Chelmsford, Acton, Littleton, Lowell, Billerica, Carlisle, Tyngsborough, Boxborough or Dunstable, your town has its own page with the details.
The full list of areas is on our delivery areas page.
Common questions
What is Kahlua liqueur?
Kahlua is a coffee liqueur from Veracruz, Mexico, made from rum, sugar, arabica coffee and vanilla. It is dark, sweet and syrupy.
How strong is Kahlua?
The original bottling is about 20 percent alcohol by volume, or 40 proof. Flavored and limited bottlings can differ, so check the label.
How do you drink Kahlua?
Pour a small measure over ice, add cream or milk, mix it into a cocktail like a White Russian or espresso martini, or stir it into hot brewed coffee or hot chocolate.
Does CBC Liquors in Westford carry Kahlua?
Yes. We carry Kahlua Rum & Coffee Liqueur and flavored Kahlua products. The Kahlua brand page on our site shows the range.
How do you store an opened bottle of Kahlua?
Keep the cap tight and store it in a cool, dark place away from heat and sunlight. Finish any drink that has cream in it rather than storing it.
Can I get Kahlua from CBC Liquors without coming into the store?
We offer pickup, delivery and shipping as well as walk-in shopping at 142 Littleton Rd in Westford.
