Like many others, my mother and I have made Kahula several times over the years past. After being able to buy good quality madagascar vanilla beans, I decided I would start to make it again.Here is the standard recipe that you can find on the www and in books and my comments beside it:
1 oz instant coffee (I use 2)
3 cups of sugar
1 1/2 cups of boiling water (I use tap water and then boil with above)
1 vanilla bean (1? - you are kidding right?)
3 cups inexpensive brandy or vodka (I use vodka)
Mix instant coffee and sugar together. Pour water over, stir and bring to a slight boil on stove, stirring constantly to dissolve coffee/sugar.
Remove from heat.
Split a vanilla bean (ok 2) and put in dissolved coffee/sugar mixture. Stir.
After cooling a bit, pour liquor of choice in mixture. Stir.
Bottle/jar in glass and store in a dark place for 30 days.
(be sure to have a gallon jar or a few quart canning containers available. I make 2 batches at a time due to the amount of time it "stews".)
Pour into decorative bottles and gift for the holidays! Be as creative as you want to be on labeling and decorating!
