Kahlúa
Bold, playful and proudly Mexican, Kahlúa is the world’s leading coffee liqueur.1
Originating from Mexico in the 1930s, Kahlúa has been the world’s leading coffee liqueur for three decades.1 Selling 2 million 9-litre cases across 140 markets globally1, Kahlúa inspired the creation of the iconic Espresso Martini in a 1980s London Soho bar and is perfect for popular cocktails such as the Mudslide and White Russian. The ‘Kahlúa Ladies’, a women-only management team, began promoting the “original coffee liqueur” internationally in the 1960s, and today, Kahlúa Original is made from 100 per cent Arabica coffee beans sourced in Mexico.
Leaning on its Mexican heritage, Kahlúa is a playful, bold and over-the-top spirits brand that aims to “stir up” the everyday. It wants to turn ordinary moments into something fun and memorable. From launching Kahlúa Chocolate Sips to championing the Espresso Martini on St Patrick’s Day, Kahlúa is disrupting the coffee liqueur category. It has also collaborated with well-known brands and global pop stars to develop playful treat innovations, expanding Kahlúa’s reach and appeal.
Sustainability
Since 2016, Kahlúa has been working with local NGO Fondo Para La Paz in farming communities in the mountains of Veracruz, Mexico. Together, through the Coffee for Good project, they have invested in improving living and working conditions for coffee farmers, establishing good agricultural practices, and protecting the region’s biodiversity. The initiative has also improved living standards by providing access to clean water and sanitation in villages within Veracruz. Today, Kahlúa sources 400 tonnes of top-grade, fairly-priced green coffee every year from farmers involved in the project for its original coffee liqueur.
Heritage
Although Kahlúa’s ingredients originated in Mexico, the inspiration for its name may be elsewhere. In the 1930s, Mexican rum producer Señor Blanco and the Alvarez brothers, coffee farmers, created the authentic Mexican recipe for Kahlúa. Crafted from coffee beans in Veracruz, Mexico, the drink is said to have ties to ancient Arabic and to be slang for coffee. Kahlúa was first exported to the US in the 1940s and began to gain international recognition during the 1960s, inspired by Kahlúa’s all-female management team, led by Miss Maria del Pilar Guiterrez Sesma.
Timeline
1936
Kahlúa established in Mexico by Señor Blanco, Montalvo Lara and the Alvarez Brothers.
1940
Kahlúa sold to José Junco Blanco who starts exporting Kahlúa to the US.
1948
A bartender in Brussels created a signature cocktail, the black Russian.
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.
1983
Espresso Martini was created by London bartender upon the unusual request of a famous top model.
2002
2005
Acquisition of Kahlúa by Pernod Ricard.
2010
2014
Release of short film by Kahlúa Productions honouring the classic cocktail “The White Russian”.
2015
2016
2017
2018
2020
2024
Kahlúa unveils a refreshed label design reinforcing its Mexican heritage and retaining its iconic yellow and red wording all with a playful modern twist.
2024
Kahlúa launches Kahlúa Chocolate Sips in the US and Canada, in a collaboration with pop star Cardi B’s Whipshots®.
2025
Actress and director, Salma Hayek Pinault, fronts the Kahlúa® and Dunkin’® campaign for the new Kahlúa Dunkin’ Caramel Swirl Cream Liqueur available in the US.
1 IWSR 2024
Want more Kahlúa? Visit the official website for more about our products, all the exciting flavors, and drink recipes for a good time.