Tia Maria is a delicious coffee liqueur. Delicious over ice, with coffee, as Spanish coffee, and as an ingredient for a cocktail. This liqueur has a deep coffee taste, combined with a hint of caramel and vanilla. And it's super easy to make (it just takes a little time).
Homemade Tia Maria
Tia Maria, literally translated as Aunt Maria, is a coffee liqueur that originates from Jamaica.
The myth goes that a Spanish lady had to flee from a plantation after a conflict and took some jewelry, a servant, and the family recipe for coffee liqueur. Because the servant had helped her flee, she gave this drink her name (source: Wikipedia).
It could of course be a marketing campaign, but still, it remains a nice story. I like to make my Tia Maria myself because then I have exactly the right ratio of all the flavors in hand. It's not exactly the same because Tia Maria is made from Jamaican coffee beans, but I take that slight difference in taste for granted.
This Tia Maria is very tasty and the alcohol percentage is slightly higher (around 30%, with the one from the store being 20%).
What do you need to make Copycat Tia Maria
To prepare this coffee liqueur you need the following ingredients (you can find the correct amounts in the recipe card at the bottom of the blog):
- Coffee beans - If you want to get closest to the taste of Tia Maria, use Jamaican coffee beans. Otherwise a coffee bean with a medium or dark roast is the best.
- Vodka - Use vodka for this Tia Maria recipe. You can also replace this with gin or white rum.
- Brown rock sugar - This candy gives a nice brown color and a hint of caramel. If you really can't get this, use brown sugar.
- Vanilla Sugar - For the touch of vanilla.
How do you make this Coffee Liqueur?
A recipe with extensive steps, the right amount of ingredients, and which you can also easily print can be found at the bottom of the blog.
- Rock Sugar - Take a large jar and fill it with the Vodka. Add the brown rock sugar.
- Coffee beans - For the coffee taste, add coffee beans.
- Vanilla - Also mix in the vanilla and screw on the cap. Shake well. Place the jar in a dark place at room temperature. The big wait is about to begin.
- Take your time - Turn the jar daily for 6 weeks. After that, the Tia Maria is ready. Pour into bottles. You can take out (or leave) the coffee beans by sieving.
Serve
Drink this Tia Maria with or without ice. Or try these tips:
- Spanish or Jamaican Coffee - Hot coffee with a dash of Tia Maria in a pretty glass (about ⅔ full). A few tablespoons of whipped cream on top.
- Espresso Martini - A tasty liqueur with vodka, powdered sugar, espresso, and Tia Maria. Here is the recipe for Espresso Martini.
- Dutch Spicy Egg Nog - With eggnog, Kahlua (or Tia Maria), whiskey, rum, and spices. Make the Dutch Spicy EggNog yourself!
- Chocolate Tiramisu - Add the Tia Maria in a delicious dessert. This chocolate tiramisu is even better with a splash of coffee liqueur.
Did you make this recipe? Tag #byandreajanssen via Instagram. I enjoy seeing what your creation looks like. Video recipes can be found on my YouTube channel. And don't forget to save the recipes on Pinterest so you can easily find them next time!
📖 Recipe
Equipment
- glass jar with lid
Ingredients
- 4 cups vodka
- 3 oz. vanilla sugar
- 1 pound brown rock sugar
- 160 coffee beans
Ingredients you need per step are listed below the step in Italic
Instructions
- Make sure the glass jar is clean.
- Put the gin, vanilla sugar, candy sugar, and coffee beans in the pot. Twist the lid on and shake it up and down. Put in a dark cool place.4 cups vodka, 3 oz. vanilla sugar, 1 pound brown rock sugar, 160 coffee beans
- Turn the jar once every day for the next six weeks.
- Pour the Tia Maria into clean bottles. Strain the coffee beans out if you prefer.
Notes
- Spanish or Jamaican Coffee - Hot coffee with a dash of Tia Maria in a pretty glass (about full). A few tablespoons of whipped cream on top.
- Espresso Martini - A tasty liqueur with vodka, powdered sugar, espresso, and Tia Maria. Here is the recipe for Espresso Martini.
- Dutch Spicy Egg Nog - With eggnog, Kahlùa (or Tia Maria), whiskey, rum, and spices. Make the Dutch Spicy EggNog yourself!
- Chocolate Tiramisu - Process the Tia Maria in a delicious dessert. This chocolate tiramisu is even better with a splash of coffee liqueur.
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