Handmade Gifts with Heart
Christmas always seems to sneak up faster than we expect. Before the rush begins, it’s worth slowing down and thinking about the gifts that truly mean something. Store-bought presents are convenient — but there’s nothing quite like giving something you made yourself, especially when it’s infused with real vanilla and a whole lot of love.
At Dadora Vanilla, we believe the best gifts are the ones that connect you back to the source. Whether you’re baking cookies for friends, creating homemade vanilla extract for your favorite baker, or stirring up a cozy vanilla cocktail, real Ecuadorian vanilla transforms every recipe into something extraordinary.
🎁 Why Homemade Vanilla Kahlúa Is the Perfect Gift
Handmade Kahlúa (coffee liqueur) is a crowd-pleaser — rich, sweet, and smooth, with warm vanilla undertones that make every sip feel festive. It’s easy to prepare, looks beautiful in a glass bottle, and tastes better than most store brands.
Plus, when you use single-origin Ecuadorian vanilla beans, your homemade Kahlúa develops a more complex flavor: floral, caramel, and slightly smoky — the kind of depth only real Tahitensis vanilla can create.
Bring it to your next holiday party, gift it to friends who love coffee, or keep one bottle for yourself (trust us, you’ll want to).
☕️ Homemade Vanilla Kahlúa Recipe
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Infusion Time: 2–3 weeks
Total Time: About 14 days
Yields: 6 (12.5 oz) bottles
Ingredients
4 cups water
1 ½ cups instant coffee crystals
8 cups sugar
4 ½ cups 100-proof vodka
2 Dadora Vanilla Beans (split lengthwise)
Instructions
Combine the base.
In a large saucepan, mix water, sugar, and coffee crystals. Heat over medium until sugar dissolves completely.
Cool and add the vodka.
Remove from heat and let the mixture cool to room temperature. Stir in the vodka until fully blended.
Bottle it up.
Pour the mixture into six clean 12.5 oz glass bottles. Cut each vanilla bean into thirds and drop them into the bottles. Cap tightly.
Let it rest.
Store in a cool, dark place for 2–3 weeks. This allows the vanilla to infuse and deepen the flavor.
Strain and enjoy.
Once infused, remove the beans and rebottle your homemade Kahlúa. (Optional: save the spent beans for vanilla sugar or coffee syrup.)
✨ Gifting Tips
Presentation makes all the difference. Pour your finished Kahlúa into decorative bottles, tie with a ribbon, and add a handwritten tag — something like “Made with real Dadora Vanilla from Ecuador — enjoy!”
Add it to a gift basket with homemade cookies, a bag of coffee, or one of our Dadora Vanilla Beans so your recipient can make their own next time.
Pro tip: If you want to take your gift to the next level, pair your bottle with a vanilla bean bundle — it’s the perfect “extra” touch that turns a handmade present into something unforgettable.
🌺 Why Dadora Vanilla Makes All the Difference
Our single-origin Ecuadorian Tahitensis vanilla is grown in the coastal region of Esmeraldas and cured in the Andean highlands near Quito. Every bean is hand-pollinated, sun-cured, and packed with rich oils and natural sweetness — no additives, no artificial flavors.
Using Dadora Vanilla means:
You’re supporting ethical, sustainable farming practices.
You’re tasting real, complex vanilla — not a synthetic extract.
Your homemade creations (like this Kahlúa) will actually taste like vanilla.
🛒 Shop the Essentials for This Recipe
👉 Grade A Vanilla Beans – 10 Pack
👉 Ground Vanilla Powder – 1 oz
👉 Limited Edition Tahitian Vanilla Extract – 8.5 oz
🌟 Final Thoughts
This holiday season, skip the big-brand bottles and give something truly personal. A batch of homemade vanilla Kahlúa made with real Ecuadorian vanilla beans shows time, care, and heart — and it tastes like it, too.
From our farm in Ecuador to your kitchen — happy holidays from Dadora Vanilla.