Kahlúa
Originating from Mexico and made from 100 per cent Arabica coffee beans, Kahlúa is perfect for iconic cocktails like the Espresso Martini or the Mudslide. Today, Kahlúa is the world’s leading coffee liqueur, inspired by the famous Kahlúa Ladies, the women-only management team who began to spread the word of this rich-tasting drink to the US and beyond in the 1960s.
Every bean of coffee used to make Kahlúa is grown in shade plantations of four remote farming communities in the coastal region of Veracruz and handpicked. It’s a relationship we have nurtured and continue to do so, working closely with farmers to help them adopt more sustainable farming methods and improve their living conditions. Today, the 300 tons of premium-grade green coffee we use every year for Kahlúa, is sustainably sourced and fairly priced.
Kahlúa is perfect for iconic cocktails like the Espresso Martini or the Mudslide
While the ingredients for Kahlúa originated in Mexico, the inspiration for its name may have come from the other side of the world. When Mexican rum producer Señor Blanco and coffee farmers, the Alvarez brothers got together in the 1930s to conjure the authentic Mexican recipe for Kahlúa, folklore would have it that they named it after an ancient Arabic word that is said to be slang for coffee. It’s why the yellow label for coffee-flavoured liqueur on its short-necked bottle depicted a sitting Arab, rather than a sitting Mexican, which did not appear until the 1960s.
Not everyone buys this story, they believe the name’s origin is more likely derived from the indigenous Aztec populations who were early inhabitants of eastern Mexico. For them, Kahlúa translated means House of the Acolhua People. Whoever you believe and whatever the origins of its name, Kahlúa is certainly synonymous with a premium coffee liqueur.
Every bean of coffee used to make Kahlúa is grown in shade plantations of four remote Mexican farming communities
Wake up and smell Kahlúa:
It’s National Kahlúa Day!
National Kahlúa Day is our annual tribute to the world’s leading coffee liqueur – linking back to Mexico’s Veracruz Carnival – a celebration of traditional music, dancing and costumes enjoyed by around a million people in the run-up to Easter – and rivalled only by Rio de Janeiro’s Carnival.
For us, this joy-filled February day is all about getting together with friends and raising a glass of our favourite Kahlúa cocktails; a light-hearted celebration of our delicious coffee liqueur, which has been livening up cocktails since 1936. From Espresso Martinis to Milkshakes, a splash in your afternoon coffee or a kick to your regular ice cream, Kahlúa offers consumers something a little different all year round – but especially on National Kahlúa Day!
- Timeline
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1936
Kahlúa established in Mexico by Señor Blanco, Montalvo Lara and the Alvarez Brothers.
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1940
Kahlúa sold to José Junco Blanco who starts exporting Kahlúa to the US.
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1948
A bartender in Brussels created a signature cocktail, the black Russian.
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1967
Maria del Pilar Gutierrez Sesma was appointed General manager and Operations manager in the mid-1960s and started the Kahlúa ladies’ reign – the entire executive team at Kahlúa was made up of women.
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1983
Espresso Martini was created by London bartender upon the unusual request of a famous top model.
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2002
Kahlúa especial -
2005
Acquisition of Kahlúa by Pernod Ricard.
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2010
Kahlúa Mint Mocha -
2014
Release of short film by Kahlúa Productions honouring the classic cocktail “The White Russian”.
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2015
Kahlúa Salted Caramel -
2016
Kahlúa Chili Chocolate -
2016
Launch of the Coffee for Good programme in Veracruz, Mexico.
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2017
Kahlúa Vanilla -
2018
Espresso Martini RTD Can -
2020
Kahlúa Blonde Roast Style -
2024
New label
Coffee for Good: making an impact
Arabica coffee is a key ingredient in Kahlúa and the majority of it comes from just four local communities in the mountains of Veracruz, Mexico – and in 2016, we committed to invest in these communities to help improve the livelihoods of many farmers.
100%
of Kahlúa’s key ingredient, Arabica coffee, has full traceability and is solely sourced from four remote Mexican farming communities
300
tons of premium-grade green coffee we use every year for Kahlúa, is sustainably sourced and fairly priced
7
the number of years it takes to produce a bottle of Kahlúa from growing the coffee to distilling the rum
6
the number of women that made up Kahlúa’s entire executive leadership team in the 1960s – dubbed “Thee Kahlúa ladies”, they were led by Maria del Pilar Gutierrez Sesma
Want more Kahlúa? Visit the official website for more about our products, all the exciting flavors, and drink recipes for a good time.