# Is Kahlua worth the markup compared to alternative coffee liqueurs? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** liquor-alcohol\ **Created:** [December 17, 2005, 1:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-kahlua-worth-the-markup-compared-to-alternative-coffee-liqueurs/336003 "2005-12-17T01:07:24Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Lemur866](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lemur866/32/434_2.png) [@Lemur866](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lemur866)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2005, 1:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-kahlua-worth-the-markup-compared-to-alternative-coffee-liqueurs/336003/1 "2005-12-17T01:07:24Z")
I’m starting to enjoy drinking a white russian now and again. At the liquor store a bottle of Kahlua is typically 20%-50% more expensive than the other brands of coffee liqueur available. Obviously part of this is because Kahlua’s brand is synonymous with coffee liqueur. But perhaps they deserve to be. I’m not willing to buy 5-6 bottles of coffee liqueur and perform a blind taste test, and a bottle is likely to last 6 months or more. I haven’t tried enough brands to compare and contrast them, but maybe you drunks–I mean connoisseurs–have. What say you? Is name-brand Kahlua worth the 50% markup? Why or why not? If not Kahlua, what other brands are recommended, and what ones do you recommend against? Now to make myself an off-brand white russian and wonder what I’m missing, if anything… ---
**Author:** ![15\_noon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/1/ea5d25/32.png) [@15\_noon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/15_noon)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2005, 1:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-kahlua-worth-the-markup-compared-to-alternative-coffee-liqueurs/336003/2 "2005-12-17T01:12:47Z")
If you mix these specialty drinks, then the cheaper brand is fine. In fact it might be the same thing you’d get with a mixed drink in a bar. As individual shots, though they would definitely taste different. But then Coke tastes different than Pepsi and they are the same quality. ---
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/21906_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2005, 1:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-kahlua-worth-the-markup-compared-to-alternative-coffee-liqueurs/336003/3 "2005-12-17T01:13:58Z")
I’m a fan of Toasted Almond, and I make it with generic Kahlua and generic amaretto and it works just fine. Now, I don’t have a discrimination palate, but I can usually detect something that’s off, and neither of the non-name brands seemed to be off. For what it’s worth… ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2005, 1:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-kahlua-worth-the-markup-compared-to-alternative-coffee-liqueurs/336003/4 "2005-12-17T01:16:30Z")
Make [your own](http://www.liqueurweb.com/coffee.htm) and save! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![jnglmassiv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f07891/32.png) [@jnglmassiv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jnglmassiv)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2005, 2:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-kahlua-worth-the-markup-compared-to-alternative-coffee-liqueurs/336003/5 "2005-12-17T02:33:13Z")
For a higher octane treat, try Patron’s XO Cafe coffee tequila. It’s a potent 70 proof but very sweet and coffee-y. It’s also on sale near me (Binnys - Chicagoland) for $8/btl. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2005, 2:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-kahlua-worth-the-markup-compared-to-alternative-coffee-liqueurs/336003/6 "2005-12-17T02:54:49Z")
From your link: [http://www.absinthe.bz/index.html?mv\_pc=M-Liqueurweb3](http://www.absinthe.bz/index.html?mv_pc=M-Liqueurweb3) Holy cow. ---
**Author:** ![AuntiePam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f19dbf/32.png) [@AuntiePam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AuntiePam)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2005, 4:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-kahlua-worth-the-markup-compared-to-alternative-coffee-liqueurs/336003/7 "2005-12-17T04:30:13Z")
My mom used to buy the off brands, and I thought they left a sharp, bitter taste, and not as much flavor. They weren’t as smooth. The new Starbuck’s liqueur is excellent, and I think it’s a bit cheaper than Kahlua. It takes me a year to go through a big bottle, so I’m okay with spending a bit more. ---
**Author:** ![Nic2004](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/4491bb/32.png) [@Nic2004](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nic2004)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2005, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-kahlua-worth-the-markup-compared-to-alternative-coffee-liqueurs/336003/8 "2005-12-27T21:41:23Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > Make [your own](http://www.liqueurweb.com/coffee.htm) and save! 😃 **silenus** are you still following this? ---
**Author:** ![First\_Amongst\_Daves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/4491bb/32.png) [@First\_Amongst\_Daves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/First_Amongst_Daves)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2005, 3:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-kahlua-worth-the-markup-compared-to-alternative-coffee-liqueurs/336003/9 "2005-12-28T03:42:06Z")
> [@Lemur866](#): > > I’m starting to enjoy drinking a white russian now and again. Kahlua works better than other coffee flavoured liqueurs IMHO for black russians. Its more subtle than other brands, whcih can be too tangy. (PS I used to be a cocktail bartender in an earlier epoch of my existence, but do not drink coffee which is why I probably like Kahlua’s milder taste). ---
**Author:** ![Hail\_Ants](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/dc4da7/32.png) [@Hail\_Ants](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hail_Ants)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2005, 4:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-kahlua-worth-the-markup-compared-to-alternative-coffee-liqueurs/336003/10 "2005-12-28T04:23:04Z")
To me its not a White Russian without Kahlua[sup]®[/sup] (and Kettle One[sup]®[/sup] for that matter). In fact we even had a name for a non-Kahlua White Russian, a Dirty Mother. :eek: I can tolerate cheaper vodka in one (barely) but not gross, sickly-sweet, almondy or chocolatey lesser liqueurs. Especially since, like the OP says, a bottle lasts for months… ---
**Author:** ![chique](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/4491bb/32.png) [@chique](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chique)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2005, 1:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-kahlua-worth-the-markup-compared-to-alternative-coffee-liqueurs/336003/11 "2005-12-28T13:10:30Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > Make [your own](http://www.liqueurweb.com/coffee.htm) and save! 😃 _twitch_ My first real drunk (complete with blackout!) was off of homemade white russians. They used Everclear instead of vodka. _twitch_ ---
**Author:** ![Lemur866](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lemur866/32/434_2.png) [@Lemur866](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lemur866)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2005, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-kahlua-worth-the-markup-compared-to-alternative-coffee-liqueurs/336003/12 "2005-12-28T18:22:31Z")
Yeah, if I go through a bottle every 4 months, I’ll save $12 a year by getting a cheaper brand. But there’s the principle of the thing. If Kahlua really is superior I’ll pay the markup. If it’s all branding then I can’t do it. I know also that tastes differ, so there can be no definitive answer, but it’s worth asking for opinions. ---
**Author:** ![BMalion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e274bd/32.png) [@BMalion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BMalion)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2005, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-kahlua-worth-the-markup-compared-to-alternative-coffee-liqueurs/336003/13 "2005-12-28T18:47:30Z")
> [@Lemur866](#): > > I’m starting to enjoy drinking a white russian now and again. … I trust that when you go to the store to buy the cream you write a check for the $1.87 and wear your bathrobe. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Lemur866](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lemur866/32/434_2.png) [@Lemur866](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lemur866)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2005, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-kahlua-worth-the-markup-compared-to-alternative-coffee-liqueurs/336003/14 "2005-12-28T20:52:51Z")
The game is, every time The Dude drinks a white russian, you drink a white russian. I’m not sure how many that’s gonna be, but you’re gonna be on your ass by the end of the movie. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2005, 5:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-kahlua-worth-the-markup-compared-to-alternative-coffee-liqueurs/336003/15 "2005-12-29T05:04:25Z")
Home-made coffee liqueur can be delicious, and you can tailor it to your tastes. I make mine with a bit of honey for a smoother flavor. ---
**Author:** ![Nic2004](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/4491bb/32.png) [@Nic2004](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nic2004)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2005, 5:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-kahlua-worth-the-markup-compared-to-alternative-coffee-liqueurs/336003/16 "2005-12-29T05:13:28Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > Home-made coffee liqueur can be delicious, and you can tailor it to your tastes. I make mine with a bit of honey for a smoother flavor. Thanks. We are just beginning to experiment with one… the “regular coffee” type listed in your link. It is aging in the cabinet now but it seems really bitter so far. Think the honey may help? Any tips or ways to customize? We like Kaulua (sp?) but this isn’t relly like that so much. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2005, 5:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-kahlua-worth-the-markup-compared-to-alternative-coffee-liqueurs/336003/17 "2005-12-29T05:45:06Z")
A little aging and a little honey can really take the edges off. Use your favorite coffee, brewed normally. The last batch we made used…Yuban, I think. I’ll have to ask the wife. ---
**Author:** ![Nic2004](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/4491bb/32.png) [@Nic2004](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nic2004)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2005, 5:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-kahlua-worth-the-markup-compared-to-alternative-coffee-liqueurs/336003/18 "2005-12-29T05:51:38Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > A little aging and a little honey can really take the edges off. Use your favorite coffee, brewed normally. The last batch we made used…Yuban, I think. I’ll have to ask the wife. Uh-oh. I used fresh ground coffee but made it extra strong because the recipies said “Don’t use american coffee it’s too weak”. Also, they said to strain it after two weeks. Strain it? Is there going to be something growing in there? After boiling? With a cup and a half of vodka? ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2005, 6:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-kahlua-worth-the-markup-compared-to-alternative-coffee-liqueurs/336003/19 "2005-12-29T06:08:51Z")
Strain it to remove any grounds that might have gotten into the liqueur. If you are careful, it isn’t really necessary. You may have made the coffee too strong. You can dilute it a bit, and add honey to taste. Next time, you can modify the procedure to fit. Good luck! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Quartz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quartz/32/267_2.png) [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2005, 11:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-kahlua-worth-the-markup-compared-to-alternative-coffee-liqueurs/336003/20 "2005-12-29T11:02:00Z")
Instead of liqueur, try a tot of Calvados. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-kahlua-worth-the-markup-compared-to-alternative-coffee-liqueurs/336003.md?page=2)