Homemade Kahlua and Irish Cream

These two delicious liquors are easier to make than you would think.  Much easier than the limoncello I made last year.  I made a couple of batches of each and gave several bottles away at Christmas.
So, here are the recipes I used:

Homemade Kahlua

4 cups water

2 1/2 cups sugar

3 Tbsp instant coffee

1 Tbsp vanilla extract

2 1/2 cups vodka

Blend the water, sugar and instant coffee together in a saucepan.  Just as it boils, lower the heat to medium low and simmer for a couple of hours -- stirring occasionally.  Let the resulting syrup cool completely then add the vanilla and the vodka.  Enjoy!  

Homemade Irish Cream

1 cup heavy cream

1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk

1 2/3 cups Irish whiskey

1 tsp instant coffee

2 Tbsp chocolate syrup

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 tsp almond extract (I skipped this ingredient)

Put everything in a blender and blend on high for 30 seconds.  Store, refrigerated, in a tightly sealed container.  Shake well before serving.  Use within a couple of months.

Both recipes are awesome and oh-so-easy to make!  They are so much less expensive than the store-bought versions too.