Homemade Tia Maria Recipe

Homemade liqueurs like this Tia Maria recipe became very popular in the late 1970s, at least in northern Canada where I grew up. Friends and neighbours often made their own versions and gave bottles as Christmas gifts. This homemade coffee liqueur is one of those old favourite recipes. It is easy to make, tastes delicious, and needs about six weeks to mature for the best flavour.

The original recipe makes three 26 oz bottles using a full bottle of brandy. I have also included a smaller version so you can try it before making a large batch. If you are making homemade Tia Maria for Christmas gifts, the three-bottle recipe is a handy size.

Homemade Tia Maria Recipe for One 26 oz Bottle

You only need very basic equipment for this recipe. Besides the ingredients, you will need a clean 26 oz bottle with a secure cap. An empty liquor bottle works well, or you can use a similar sized bottle from the dollar store. A small funnel is also helpful for pouring the Tia Maria into the bottle without spilling.

Ingredients

Instructions

1. Dissolve the 3 tablespoons of instant coffee in 1/3 cup boiling water. Set aside to cool.
2. Dissolve 1 1/3 cups sugar in the remaining 1 cup boiling water, stirring until the sugar is completely dissolved.
3. Cut 1/3 of a vanilla bean lengthwise into thin slivers and place them in the bottom of a clean 26 oz bottle.
4. Combine the cooled coffee mixture, sugar syrup, and about 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons brandy or rye in a large bowl or pitcher. Stir well to combine.
5. Using a funnel, pour the mixture into the bottle. If needed, add up to 1/3 cup cold water to top up the bottle.
6. Seal the bottle and store it in a cool, dark place for six weeks before serving. The vanilla bean can be removed after six weeks or left in until you are ready to serve the Tia Maria.

Printable Tia Maria Labels

You can print out the simple Tia Maria labels to dress up your bottle, especially if you are making this homemade liqueur as a Christmas gift. I attached mine with double-sided tape so the label is easy to position and remove later.

Homemade Tia Maria Recipe for Three 26 oz Bottles

This is the original recipe. It makes three 26 oz bottles, so it is a good batch to make for Christmas gifts or to keep a couple of bottles on hand for the holidays.

Ingredients for Three Bottles

Instructions for Three Bottles

1. Dissolve the instant coffee in 1 cup boiling water. Set aside to cool.
2. Dissolve the 4 cups granulated sugar in the remaining 3 cups boiling water, stirring until the sugar is completely dissolved.
3. Cut the vanilla bean lengthwise into slivers and divide them between three clean 26 oz bottles.
4. Combine the cooled coffee mixture, sugar syrup, and 26 oz bottle of brandy or rye in a large bowl or pitcher. Stir well to combine.
5. Using a funnel, divide the mixture evenly between the three bottles. If needed, add up to 1 cup of cold water to top up the bottles.
6. Seal the bottles and store them in a cool, dark place for six weeks before serving. The vanilla bean can be removed after six weeks or left in until you are ready to serve the Tia Maria.

Homemade Tia Maria Recipe

This homemade Tia Maria recipe makes one 26 oz bottle of rich coffee liqueur with brandy or rye, instant coffee, vanilla, and sugar. Let it age for six weeks for the best flavour. For the original three bottle Christmas batch, see the recipe in the post above.

Print Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Aging Time 42 days d

Total Time 42 days d 15 minutes mins

Ingredients

  

• 1 ⅛ cups brandy or rye about 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons
• 3 level tablespoons instant coffee
• ⅓ vanilla bean
• 1 ⅓ cups boiling water
• 1 ⅓ cups granulated sugar
• Up to ⅓ cup cold water optional to top up bottle

Instructions

 

• Dissolve the 3 tablespoons of instant coffee in 1/3 cup boiling water. Set aside to cool.
• Dissolve 1 1/3 cups sugar in the remaining 1 cup boiling water, stirring until the sugar is completely dissolved.
• Cut 1/3 of a vanilla bean lengthwise into thin slivers and place them in the bottom of a clean 26 oz bottle.
• Combine the cooled coffee mixture, sugar syrup, and about 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons brandy or rye. Using a funnel, pour the mixture into the bottle.
• If needed, add up to 1/3 cup cold water to top up the bottle.
• Seal the bottle and store it in a cool, dark place for six weeks before serving. The vanilla bean can be removed after six weeks or left in until you are ready to serve the Tia Maria.

Notes

• Seal the bottle and store it in a cool, dark place for six weeks before serving.
• The vanilla bean can be removed after six weeks or left in until you are ready to serve the Tia Maria.
• Let the Tia Maria age in a cool, dark place for at least six weeks before serving.
• The vanilla bean can be removed after six weeks or left in until you are ready to serve it.
• Add up to 1/3 cup cold water only if needed to top up the bottle.
• Brandy or rye can be used. For the original three-bottle batch, see the full recipe in the post above.

Drinks with Tia Maria

Tia Maria is a very versatile coffee liqueur. Its rich coffee and vanilla flavours work well with everything from milk and coffee to cola and vodka, so it can be used in simple two-ingredient drinks as well as classic cocktails.

Tia Maria has Jamaican roots and was created commercially in 1947. The original liqueur became known for its combination of coffee, rum, vanilla, and sugar, which explains why it works so well in both creamy drinks and stronger cocktails.

Here are some of our favourite ways to enjoy it:

Brown Cow Cocktail

Pour 2 oz of Tia Maria into a glass, add two ice cubes, and fill with milk.

Tia Maria Martini

This Tia Maria Martini is strong, but delicious. Combine 2 parts Tia Maria with 1 part vodka and serve chilled. For a little extra flair, I like to serve mine in a sugar-rimmed glass.

Other Homemade Liqueur Recipes

If you enjoy making homemade liqueurs for the holidays, you may also like my Homemade Irish Cream Recipe and Homemade Advocaat Recipe. Along with this homemade Tia Maria, they make a lovely trio for Christmas entertaining or homemade gifts.