Liqueurs and coffee are two things that have become an essential part of almost everyone’s daily life. Combine these two favorites, and you’ve got coffee liqueur.
There are many different coffee liqueur brands available, but we’ll be taking you through a look at two of the best.
Here’s a breakdown of Kahlua vs. Baileys, giving you all the information concerning the differences between these two popular favorites.
Kahlúa Vs. Baileys Comparison
| Kahlúa | Baileys | |
|---|---|---|
| Origin | Brussels, 1948 - Invented In Veracruz, Mexico | London, 1973 |
| Ingredients | 100% Arabica Coffee Beans, Roasted Chestnut, High Fructose Corn Syrup/Sugar, Grain Spirit, Coffee Extract (Made From Rum, Sugar, Water And Caramel), Neutral Grain Spirit, Water, Wine | Irish Whisky, Glanbia Cream, Cocoa, Sugar, Herbs, Spices |
| Flavor | Bold Coffee, Mildly Alcoholic, Hints Of Rum, Notes Of Chestnut, Caramel & Vanilla | Creamy Strong Coffee, Mildly Alcoholic, Hint Of Vanilla |
| Color | Deep, Dark Caramel Color | Creamy Strong Coffee, Mildly Alcoholic, Hint Of Vanilla |
| Texture | Highly Pourable, Thick, Silky Syrup | Thick And Creamy |
| Alcohol Volume | 16% ABV | 17% ABV |
| Serving Suggestion | Over Ice, Cocktails, Shooters - White Russian, Black Russian, Espresso Martini Recommended | Over Ice, Cocktails, Shooters, Desserts |
| Affordability | 50Ml - $8.68, 750Ml - $22.99, 1L - $33.99, 1.75L - $45.99 | 750Ml - $25.00, 1L - $30.99, 1.75L - $42.99 |
| Product Range | Kahlúa Coffee Liqueur, Kahlúa Mint Mocha, Kahlúa Vanilla Coffee Liqueur, Kahlúa Blonde Roast Style, Kahlúa Chili Chocolate, Kahlúa Salted Caramel, Kahlúa Especial. | Baileys Original Irish Cream, Baileys Almande, Baileys Chocolat Luxe, Baileys Salted Caramel, Bailey's Strawberries & Cream, Baileys Espresso Crème, Bailey Red Velvet Cupcake, Baileys Pumpkin Spice, Baileys Minis and Baileys Iced Coffee Latte. |
| Substitutes | Tia Maria, Sheridan's Coffee Liqueur, Crème De Cacao, Most General Coffee Liqueurs | Amarula, Arran Gold, Guappa, Panama Jack Cream Liqueur, Magnum Cream Liqueur, Stroh Cream, 50-Proof Hard Chaw Strong Irish Whiskey Cream |
Kahlua vs Baileys
If you’ve ever been hunting down a good coffee liqueur, then these two popular choices surely must have come to mind.
We’ll be taking you through a comprehensive comparison of Kahlúa Vs. Baileys Original Coffee Cream so that you know what suits your personal taste and drink or dessert preferences best.
Kahlúa
Back in 1948, Kahlúa was used for the first time in bars in Brussels. Today, the liqueur has come a long way.
Kahlúa was named the best coffee liqueur back in 1980 and continues to remain one of the most popular brands in its category.
Here’s a breakdown of what makes Kahlúa a leading favorite.
Origin
Initially, Kahlúa started as an idea thought up by a man by the name of Senior Blanco in Veracruz, Mexico.
The Arabica coffee needed to try out the invention was offered by two Alvarez brothers while a chemist called Montalvo Lara brewed up the very first incarnation of Kahlúa coffee liqueur.
Later that same year, Kahlúa was produced and bottled by Pedro Domecq until the company was acquired by Allied Domecq, situated in the United Kingdom. In 1940, Kahlúa crossed shores to the US for the first time.
Ingredients
Kahlúa contains 100% Arabica coffee beans, rum manufactured specifically for Kahlúa from sugarcane grown in Mexico, roasted chestnut, high fructose corn syrup/sugar, grain spirit, coffee extract (made from rum, sugar, water, and caramel), neutral grain spirit, water, and wine.
Flavor
Expect a mildly alcoholic bold coffee taste with a slight sweetness and hints of a light, clear rum. The lingering taste of coffee is offset by undertones of chestnut, caramel, and vanilla.
Color
The original Kahlúa coffee liqueur has a deep, dark caramel color. It’s an intense coffee-colored brown that is completely unbroken by other colors/shades.
Texture
Kahlúa coffee liqueur has a thick, silky, syrupy consistency with fast-flowing pourability. Expect a denser consistency than similar liqueurs like Baileys and absolutely no creaminess.
Alcohol Volume
Up until recently, Kahlúa coffee liqueur contained 20% alcohol, but the recipe was recently reworked, and it now only has a 16% alcohol concentration.
Serving Suggestion
Try Kahlúa by itself over ice. Simply fill a glass halfway with ice cubes and stir in Kahlúa to enjoy it in the simplest manner, on the rocks.
Another prime serving suggestion is the Black Russian cocktail. All this takes is two ounces of vodka to one ounce of Kahlúa over ice.
For a White Russian, simply add cream to the blend.
Another highly popular cocktail is an espresso martini containing vodka, espresso, and Kahlúa.
There are tons of tasty cocktails and drink possibilities. Kahlúa even tastes great in regular coffee. Be sure to experiment to discover new favorites of your own.
Affordability
Kahlúa Original comes in various sizes.
The 50 ml retails for around $8.68, whereas the 750 ml costs $22.99 on average.
A larger 1 L sells at $33.99, and the 1.75L retails for approximately $45.99.
Product Range
There are seven products in the Kahlúa range, namely Coffee Liqueur, Mint Mocha, Vanilla Coffee Liqueur, Blonde Roast Style, Chili Chocolate, Salted Caramel, and Kahlúa Especial.
Substitutes
When substituting another alcohol for Kahlúa, it’s best to go with a liqueur that carries a strong coffee flavor without cream. Leading alternatives to Kahlúa include Tia Maria, Sheridan’s Coffee Liqueur, and Crème De Cacao, but any leading coffee liqueur should make for a suitable replacement.
Baileys Original Irish Cream
Baileys has a long industry under its belt and has been around since 1973. It was first invented in London and is a flavorful spirit
Contrary to usual belief, Baileys is not an Irish beverage, and ever since the launch, they have launched over eighty million bottles. Baileys are readily available in more than 180 countries.
Baileys also has a cream product known as original Irish cream. The cream is made with a combination of Irish whiskey and dairy cream.
Origin
Baileys Original Irish Cream was the creation of Gilbeys of Ireland in 1973. The team responsible for the world-famous liqueur was run by famous liquor executive Tom Jago who also invented Malibu flavored rum and Johnnie Walker Blue Label.
Ingredients
Baileys Irish Cream contains cream and Irish whiskey, which are homogenized with the aid of refined vegetable oil as an emulsifier. This is blended with a top-secret cocoa extract recipe as well as a range of unknown herbs and sugar.
The cream is supplied exclusively from the Irish dairy company Glanbia which has been supplying Baileys for over 30 years.
Flavor
Expect a milky taste that’s mildly alcoholic with hints of sweetness and vanilla, blanketing the prevailing chocolate-milk flavor.
Color
Bailey’s is best described as a midway between beige and a pale brown.
Texture
Bailey’s liqueur is very thick and creamy. It has a consistency that’s comparable to a pourable heavy cream.
Alcohol Volume
Baileys Original Irish Cream is 17% alcohol by volume.
Serving Suggestion
Bailey’s is most often enjoyed on the rocks. It’s also a must-have in Irish coffee for many.
As a creamy liqueur, Bailey’s is versatile enough to be used in alcoholic shooters and cocktails, and it can be used over desserts like hot chocolate, milkshakes, ice cream, and parfaits.
Even cheesecake and brownies come out great with Bailey’s as a core ingredient.
It’s one of the most versatile liqueurs for desserts available.
Affordability
The standard 750 ml bottle of Baileys Irish Cream Original sells for an average of $25.99 while the 1L retails at $30.99 and the 1.75L goes for around $42.99.
Product Range
There are no less than ten products in the Baileys range, namely Baileys Original Irish Cream, Baileys Almande, Baileys Chocolat Luxe, Baileys Salted Caramel, Bailey’s Strawberries & Cream, Baileys Espresso Crème, Bailey Red Velvet Cupcake, Baileys Pumpkin Spice, Baileys Minis and Baileys Iced Coffee Latte.
Substitutes
The best substitutes for Baileys will be coffee liqueurs with a creamy quality like Amarula, Arran Gold, Guappa, Panama Jack Cream Liqueur, Magnum Cream Liqueur, and Stroh Cream.
The highest proof alternative to Baileys that comes the closest in flavor and consistency is 50-proof Hard Chaw Strong Irish Whiskey Cream.
What Is The Difference Between Kahlua Vs. Baileys?
Essentially, Baileys Original Irish Cream is a coffee cream liqueur whereas Kahlúa is strictly a coffee liqueur.
Kahlúa also has a more prominent coffee flavor. Baileys carries both the taste of coffee and light hints of chocolate.
Both are excellent liqueurs with roughly the same alcohol by volume and a similarly strong taste of alcohol pervading.
Kahlúa Vs. Baileys, Which Is The Best?
It’s exceedingly hard to pick a winner between Kahlúa Vs. Baileys as both are outstanding liqueurs that each appeals to a uniquely different palette.
The base flavor of both may be coffee, but Kahlúa is a liqueur that is completely lacking cream, whereas Baileys grants the creaminess that certain tastes (and drinks) will prefer.
We suggest trying them both out and keeping a bottle of each on hand so that you’ve always got the perfect flavor accompaniment to whatever you may be feeling like or making.