If coffee is your flavor, Kahlua is a unique blend of coffee and liquor that can warm you up nicely in a cup of coffee or cool your taste buds in a mixed drink. With its storied history and unique processing, it’s not hard to imagine why they are the most popular coffee liqueur drink on the market.
Kahlua is not vegan. While the ingredients in Kahlua make one believe that it’s vegan, the sugar used to make the rum is not. According to their website, Kahlua Original, Kahlua Flavors, and Kahlua Ready-to-Drink are NOT acceptable for a vegan diet. The best vegan alternatives to Kahlua include Kamora, Koval Coffee Liqueur, and Mr. Black Cold Brew Coffee Liqueur.
Let’s start off by talking about the popularity of coffee liqueurs, the history of Kahlua, and how it’s made. Then we’ll touch on the sugar controversy, as well as nutrition facts about Kahlua. Finally, we will offer some vegan alternatives. Let’s get started!
Contents
Coffee Liqueurs
As coffee is one of the most popular beverages on earth, coffee liqueurs are popular as well. Liqueur coffee beverages can be cocktails or digestifs, which are often had after a meal to help you digest your food. The most popular alcohols to add to coffee are vodka, rum, bourbon, and whiskey.
While it is easy to add one of these alcohols to your coffee, manufacturers have made a fine art of developing fine liqueurs to either pour over ice, add to your hot (or cold) coffee, or create delicious cocktails.
The ingredients vary and are often not disclosed on the bottle or website except in vague terms. They most always use coffee, some sort of spirit, and sugar.
History of Kahlua
Kahlua was first made in Veracruz, Mexico, in 1936. Two friends decided to combine two local ingredients – coffee and rum. The word Kahlua stems from an ancient Arabic word that was slang for coffee. Soon after its inception, Kahlua was brought to the US. Over the years, Kahlua has gained popularity for its use in mixed drinks such as the Black Russian, White Russian, B-52, and Mudslide. It is the #1 coffee liqueur made in the world today.
How Kahlua is made
Part of Kahlua’s unique taste comes from its coffee beans. The coffee cherries are grown in the shade, and this takes up to six years to develop. Once they are ripe, the cherries are ripped apart, and the precious coffee bean is placed in burlap bags for six months to dry and rest.
After this is done, the beans are roasted and added to rum spirits distilled from sugarcane. The two flavors meld together for about four weeks before it is bottled.
The whole process to make Kahlua can take up to 7 years.
A Word about Sugar
Sugar itself comes from sugar beets or sugar cane. Kahlua uses cane sugar. During the manufacturing process, cane sugar is often filtered with bone char – which is the burnt bones of cattle. It refines the sugar, giving it its white, pristine color.
While Kahlua does not use animal derivatives in its process, one of its sugar suppliers uses a process that is not vegan-friendly. They, therefore, do not claim Kahlua is suitable for a vegan diet.
One source did say that they have plans to make some of their products vegan-friendly in the future.
Kahlua Nutritional Information
Ingredients in Kahlua:
- 100% Arabica coffee beans
- Rum
- Sugar
Varieties:
- Original
- Mint Mocha
- Vanilla Coffee Liqueur
- Blonde Roast Style
- Chili Chocolate
- Salted Caramel
- Kahlua Especial
- Espresso Martini in a Can
- Other Ready to Drink cocktails
Original Kahlua
Made with Coffee and Rum, this is vegan. It is the base for many of the popular mixed drinks. It has flavors of black coffee, roasted chestnut, and sweet butter.
Nutrition Facts (per 2.5 fl oz):
- 7g Alcohol
- 200 Calories
- 0g Fat
- 7g Carbohydrates (all Sugars)
- 0g Proteins
Kahlua Mint Mocha
Original Kahlua made with hints of mint and chocolate. The ingredients list is not available.
Nutrition Facts (per 2.5 fl oz):
- 7g Alcohol
- 225 Calories
- 0g Fat
- 6g Carbohydrates (all Sugars)
- 0g Proteins
Kahlua Blonde Roast Style
Original Kahlua made with hints of caramel, toffee, and citrus notes. The ingredients list is not available. This is 20% alcohol by volume.
Nutrition Facts (per 2.5 fl oz):
- 7g Alcohol
- 171 Calories
- 0g Fat
- 3g Carbohydrates (all Sugars)
- 0g Proteins
Kahlua Especial
Stronger and bolder flavors, it has a more robust espresso coffee flavor. The actual ingredients are not listed, but coffee liqueur and rum are suggested. This is 35% alcohol by volume.
Nutrition Facts (per 2.5 fl oz):
- 1g Alcohol
- 143 Calories
- 0g Fat
- 4g Carbohydrates (all Sugars)
- 0g Proteins
Alternatives to Kahlua
There are several alternatives when looking for a vegan alternative to Kahlua. While Kahlua has a distinct taste and smoothness, these will provide the coffee flavor and a liqueur taste.
By the way, I also noticed coffee-flavored tequila and many other coffee liqueurs on the market. With proprietary recipes, it’s challenging to ascertain ingredients and nutrition facts. If you find a new liqueur on the market that you want to try, check out their website or contact the producer to verify gluten-free.
As always, drink responsibly based on gluten and alcohol content.
Kamora
Kamora has a touch of vanilla, chocolate, and caramel flavors. It is the #2 selling brand of coffee-flavored liqueur in the United States behind Kahlua. It is less sweet than Kahlua but goes well in mixed drinks. It’s produced in Mexico using freshly brewed coffee.
The company confirms that it is vegan.
Kamora is 53 proof, or 26.5% Alcohol by Volume, which is higher than Original Kahlua.
Nutrition Facts (per 1 oz):
- 103 Calories
- 0g Fat
- 11g Carbohydrates (10.9g Sugars)
- 5g Alcohol
Koval Coffee Liqueur
Out of Chicago, they are certified Kosher, which means they cannot use animal products in their processing. They use single-origin beans, which gives this a vanilla cream flavor. Dark chocolate adds lighter notes on top. Designed as an after-dinner drink, in desserts, or added to coffee. It’s small-batch and organic—40 proof.
Ingredients and Nutrition Facts are not available on their bottle or website.
Mr. Black Cold Brew Coffee Liqueur
Mr. Black is based in Australia. The coffee is ethically sourced. They use no animal-derived products in their production process. It is certified gluten-free. It is also Kosher. The liqueur is made by hand.
Ingredients:
- Specialty Coffee
- Water
- Vodka
- Sugar
Nutrition Facts (per 1 oz):
- 86 Calories
- .5g Protein
- Less than .1g Fat
- 9g Carbohydrates (25.1g Sugars)
- Less than 5mg Sodium
Aber Falls Coffee & Dark Chocolate Liquor
Hailing from the United Kingdom and at 20.6%, Alcohol by Volume is more on par with Kahlua’s alcohol content. The Espresso Martini inspired their recipe. The company confirmed they do not use any animal derivatives in their products.
Ingredients and Nutrition Facts are not available on their website.
Jagermeister Cold Brew Coffee Liqueur
The company claims that it is gluten-free and vegan-friendly. The ingredients are a secret but are natural ingredients (roots, herbs, spices).
Ingredients and Nutrition Facts are not available on their website.
Allen Coffee Flavored Brandy
While a brandy and not a liqueur, Allen’s will still give you that coffee flavor taste. Allen’s has a proud heritage in Maine. It is made with authentic imported coffee bean extract. It’s perfectly mixed with other ingredients – liquors and creams.
M.S Walker, their parent company, confirms no animal ingredients and their suitability for all vegans. Keep in mind that while Allen Coffee Flavored Brandy is vegan on its own, this can change depending on what you mix it with.
It’s 60 proof, or 30% alcohol by volume.
Nutrition Facts (per 1 oz serving):
- 103 Calories
- 0g Fat
- 11g Carbohydrate (10.9g Sugar)
- 0mg Sodium
- 0g Protein
Popular Drinks Made with Coffee Liqueurs (and how to make them vegan)
Black Russian
- 1 part Coffee Liqueur
- Two parts Vodka
Serve over ice.
White Russian
- I part Coffee Liqueur
- 1 part Vodka
- 1 part Heavy Cream (substitute vegan heavy cream)
Serve over ice.
B-52
- 1 part coffee liqueur
- 1 part cream liqueur, such as Bailey’s Irish Cream (they have a flavor made with Almond Milk)
- 1 part orange liqueur
Layer the three liqueurs in a shot glass.
Mudslide
- Water
- 2 tbsp non-dairy milk powder (original or chocolate)
- Vegan chocolate syrup, to taste
- ¼ to 1/3 cup coffee liqueur
- Ice
Mix in a blender.
Homemade Kahlua
While there are several mock Kahlua recipes, here is a vegan one.
- 1 ½ cups water, vanilla, and coffee (brewed)
- 1 cup rum (or vodka)
- ¼ cup agave nectar
- ¼ cup maple syrup
Mix it all up and serve immediately or let it sit for a few days.
Related Questions
Is Kahlua Gluten-Free?
Kahlua is generally accepted for a gluten-free diet. The processes of distillation should eliminate cereal proteins. No gluten ingredients are added in the process.
Is Kahlua Kosher?
No, Kahlua is not kosher certified.
Does Kahlua contain Allergens?
No allergens are listed on the Kahlua website. There are no nuts used. Kahlua Original, Espresso Martini, and Nitro Cold Brews do not contain dairy products. Other ready-to-drink cocktails do contain milk or milk proteins.
How Much Alcohol is in Kahlua?
20% to 36% alcohol by volume depending on the variety.