Rum-Based Coffee Liqueur

• If you enjoy White Russians or mudslides, you are familiar with rum-based coffee liqueurs. Rum-based coffee liqueurs usually contain sugar or another sweetener, such as corn syrup. Vanilla is a familiar ingredient in rum-based liqueurs as well. Some brands, such as Kahlua, produce several varieties of coffee liqueur, such as mocha-flavored or hazelnut-flavored liqueurs. The alcohol content of rum-based liqueur is generally pretty low. Most rum-based coffee liqueurs contain 20 percent alcohol because they are designed to be mixed with another spirit, although some brands produce varieties with more alcohol, some as high as 40 percent.

Tequila Liqueur

• Some coffee liqueurs replace the rum base with tequila. Like rum-based liqueurs, some tequila liqueurs contain added sugar. Liqueurs without added sugar usually have a more intense coffee flavor. The coffee in unsweetened liqueurs may help boost the flavor of the tequila. Tequila liqueurs often have a bit more alcohol by volume than rum liqueurs. The alcohol content is usually about 30 percent or 35 percent. Tequila-based coffee liqueurs can be used in place of rum liqueurs in drinks such as an espresso martini. The liqueur is also suitable for drinking on its own.

Other Spirit Bases

• Vodka does not have much of a taste on its own, making it a suitable base for coffee liqueur. Many brands of liqueur, such as Starbucks and Copa de Oro, use vodka as the base spirit. Vodka-based coffee liqueur should not be confused with coffee- or espresso-flavored vodka, which usually has a higher alcohol content. You can use vodka-based liqueur as a substitute for rum-based liqueur in drinks such as a White Russian.

  A few brands of coffee liqueur use brandy as the base. Brandy-based liqueurs can be strong in flavor, especially if there is no added sugar. Some have a higher alcohol content than rum- or vodka-based liqueurs and may not taste right if mixed with another spirit.

Homemade Coffee Liqueur

• An adventurous person can try to make coffee liqueur at home, even if he does not have experience distilling spirits. To make the liqueur, mix equal parts water and sugar together and bring to a boil, stirring until sugar dissolves. Add ground coffee to the sugar syrup after cooling it, then combine with either rum or vodka in a bottle. Close the bottle and shake, then set it in a dark spot for several weeks. Shake the bottle daily to distribute the coffee grounds. After three weeks, strain the grounds.