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Home » Coffee-Rum Sauce

Coffee Sauce

July 24, 2024 by Debi 7 Comments

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This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase through links on our site, we may earn a commission.

This Coffee Sauce is a delicious no cook sweet dessert sauce that’s made with just 3 ingredients and takes just 5 minutes to make. Serve it over ice cream, cake, swirl it in a coffee drink, or anywhere you want a great coffee flavor boost!

I originally shared this recipe in 2011, but it was time for an update. So, I’ve updated the photos and the information, as well as the recipe itself. I hope you try this easy to make creamy sauce for yourself, it’s so good on so many things!

a glass jar with coffee sauce in it next to a spoon with the sauce flowing out of it.

We appreciate your support

Please let me know if you have any questions about this recipe. I read all the comments myself and I try to help as soon as I can. I have readers from all levels of comfort and experience in the kitchen on my site, and I’ve tried to answer some of your questions already in the post. But if I’ve missed anything, please feel free to leave a comment and ask.

Coffee Rum Sauce - just 3 ingredients and you have a delicious sauce
one of the original photos of this deliciously easy sauce!

Coffee rum sauce

The original recipe called for 2 tablespoons of dark rum in the sauce instead of the brewed coffee.

I think the most common question I get on the blog is how to leave the alcohol out of a recipe. And, besides, I don’t drink any longer, so it just made sense for me to leave the rum out.

Now, you can certainly use rum in this like in the original recipe. It’s just 2 tablespoons. Rum and coffee are a match made in heaven.

But you could also switch it up and use bourbon for a rich coffee bourbon sauce. Or try Bailey’s Irish Cream. Gran Marnier or cognac would be delicious as well. Really, any liquor or liqueur will work in this recipe.

But I decided to go with 2 tablespoons of brewed coffee for the liquid in the recipe. It makes a delicious coffee sauce that you can enjoy throughout the day.

a black cat looking at bowls and a can of sweetened evaporated milk.
Even your furry friends will be interested in this! But I don’t think this is one you want to share with them.

How to make

This quick no cook recipe has a rich espresso coffee flavor, and with just 3 ingredients, it’s perfect for summer.

No heavy cream, corn syrup, or butter needed, and no need for a heavy sauce pan and standing over a hot stove. You don’t need any fancy gadgets just a bowl and a whisk or fork.

three ingredients on left and coffee in a bowl on right.

Grab your 3 ingredients

Instant espresso powder, coffee powder, or instant coffee granules: any brand will work here. I find that instant espresso powder has a richer flavor than instant coffee granules, but use your favorite. You can see my favorite brand in the photos; here’s an Amazon affiliate link to buy some instant espresso powder.

Brewed coffee or your favorite liquor. And, use your favorite brewing method of making the coffee. Drip, French press, pour over, espresso, etc… Anything will work here. And it’s fine of the coffee is hot, room temperature, or cold.

And a can of sweetened condensed milk. Be sure not to use evaporated milk. The sweetened condensed milk adds the sweetener and the thick rich flavor to this sauce.

Pour the three ingredients into a bowl and stir or whisk to combine. That’s it!

stirring the sauce in a glass bowl.

How to store

It’ll store well in a covered container, like a glass jar, in the fridge for about a week. You may need to give it a stir before serving. It’s a great sauce for making ahead too.

The sauce also freezes surprisingly well. Just store it in an airtight container and pop it in the freezer for up to two months. Place it in the fridge to defrost before serving. Or try eating it like a popsicle!

How to use

coffee sauce over vanilla ice cream in a white bowl.
It’s great over vanilla ice cream!

What is this coffee sauce used for?

This decadent smooth flavored sauce is perfect for drizzling over ice cream, cake, angel food cake, cheesecake, pudding, frozen yogurt, or pound cake. Try it over banana bread or zucchini bread. Or drizzle over your holiday apple pie to add a festive and fancy twist to your holidays.

Add it to your morning coffee to make an amazing beverage and the ultimate coffee experience.

And, it’s delicious served hot or cold. You can heat it gently on the stove if you want a warm sauce. Simply pour it in a small saucepan and heat over medium-low heat. Or pop it in the microwave until warm.

It makes a great hostess gift when poured into a little jar and topped with a pretty ribbon.

Want another great easy to make coffee sweet, try my Coffee Walnut Bars.

a glass of iced coffee topped with cold foam with a cloth napkin in the background.
I’ve drizzled the coffee sauce in the glass and served it with iced coffee topped with cold foam

Changes to the recipe

With such a simple recipe you’ll be surprised at all the flavor variations you can do.

Change the flavor by using rum for a rum sauce. Or bourbon for bourbon coffee sauce.

Use Orange juice or Gran Marnier for a coffee orange sauce.

Add a pinch of salt if desired or a dash of vanilla extract for a flavor boost.

Stir in a little cocoa powder for a mocha sauce.

Can I make this vegan?

Yes, this sauce is easily made vegan or dairy free by simply substituting your preferred dairy-free alternative.

There are lots of plant-based versions, like {affiliate links} sweetened condensed oatmilk or Sweetened condensed coconut cream. Also, you can make a homemade vegan sweetened condensed milk.

Looking for more outstanding coffee desserts?

Do you like coffee? Do you like rich creamy ice cream? If you said yes to those questions (and I’m guessing you did!), then this is the dessert treat recipe for you!
Coffee ice cream

Salted Caramel Coffee Truffles and a giveaway! | Life Currents https://lifecurrentsblog.com
Salted caramel coffee truffles

Homemade Coffee Ice Cream Drumsticks
Coffee Ice Cream Drumsticks

coffee gelatin squares on a white background.
Coffee Squares

What is the difference between coffee sauce and coffee syrup?

One question I’ve been asked about is the difference between coffee sauce and coffee syrup.

Though both can be used in coffee drinks and on top of desserts, there are some key differences, with consistency standing out as the major difference.

Coffee Sauce

Sauces tend to be thicker and heavier, richer with more texture. Sauces are often drizzled on top of something to finish and garnish it.

Coffee syrup 

While coffee syrup tends to be thinner, more fluid, with less body and might be sweeter.

Syrups are often mixed into a drink. They tend to mix in better, and don’t require any heat to dissolve into the drink.

a white bowl with vanilla ice cream and sauce on top with the jar in the background.

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a spoon with dark brown dessert sauce in it on top of a jar of the sauce.
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Recipe

a glass jar filled with coffee sauce and some has spilled over the side, there's a spoon to the right.

Coffee Sauce

Debi
This Coffee Sauce is a delicious no cook sweet dessert sauce that’s made with just 3 ingredients and takes just 5 minutes to make. Serve it over ice cream, cake, swirl it in a coffee drink, or anywhere you want a great coffee flavor boost!
5 from 7 votes
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Prevent your screen from going to sleep.
Prep Time 10 minutes mins
Cook Time 0 minutes mins
Total Time 10 minutes mins
Course Dessert, Sauce
Cuisine American
Servings 14 servings
Calories 100 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 3 tablespoons instant coffee or espresso
  • 2 tablespoons strong brewed coffee, dark rum, bourbon, or other liquor
  • 14 ounce can sweetened condensed milk

Instructions
 

  • In a medium bowl, whisk coffee granules and brewed coffee or liquor until the coffee is mostly dissolved (some flecks will remain). Whisk in sweetened condensed milk until well combined.

Notes

Makes about 1 & 1/3 cups sauce.
Sauce can be stored, covered, in the fridge for up to 1 week. For longer storage, place in airtight container in the freezer for up to 2 months.

Nutrition

Calories: 100kcalCarbohydrates: 16gProtein: 2gFat: 2gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 10mgSodium: 36mgPotassium: 143mgSugar: 15gVitamin A: 76IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 82mgIron: 1mg

Nutritional information is based on third-party calculations, and should be considered estimates. Actual nutritional content will vary based on brands used, measuring methods, portion sizes, and more.

Keyword coffee, ice cream topping, rum
Tried this recipe?Mention @LifeCurrents or tag #LifeCurrents!

horizontal crop of a glass jar filled with sauce and a spoon to the right.
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Filed Under: Desserts, Gifts, Sauces, Condiments, & Preserves Tagged With: Coffee, Cooking, desserts, DIY, Food, Gifts, gluten-free, preserves, recipe, rum, sauce, vegetarian

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about debi

ABOUT DEBI

Hello! I’m Debi, the girl behind Life Currents where I write about mainly healthy vegetarian dishes. My husband eats meat, so occasionally I share some of his dishes as well. And, I’ll share tasty treats and projects that we do. Read more...

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Grace

    December 15, 2011 at 3:29 pm

    5 stars
    Yum…yes, this would make a wonderful gift. It was so easy to make too.

  2. Shema George

    November 13, 2012 at 9:19 am

    5 stars
    such a great idea and so flavorful. We loved it over vanilla ice cream. And maybe just ate a spoonful or two by itself.

  3. Helga

    July 19, 2013 at 4:26 pm

    5 stars
    Oh yum! This is delicious! I poured it over a croissant for a decadent treat.

  4. Debi

    July 23, 2024 at 1:31 pm

    5 stars
    This sauce is so easy to make and super easy to customize. I hope you give it a try and love it as much as we do! May favorite way to enjoy it is stirred into my coffee. ~ Debi, author, Life Currents

  5. Debi

    July 26, 2024 at 12:35 pm

    5 stars
    So easy to make and so good. My favorite way to use it is in a coffee drink. How can I get more coffee flavor into my coffee! ~ Debi, author, Life Currents

  6. Lynn

    August 12, 2024 at 4:21 am

    5 stars
    As a huge coffee fan, I wanted something to put on my coffee cheesecake, and this was a HIT! Thanks so much!

  7. jim harkness

    January 3, 2025 at 4:09 pm

    In the 1960s, Howard Johnson’s menu, conceived by Julia’s Child’s good friend and famous French chef whose name I can’t remember, listed a coffee brandy soda. It was delicious. All my college buddies loved it. My guess is that your recipe might benefit from the addition of brandy, or brandy flavouring. When I make it, that will be my approach.

5 from 7 votes (1 rating without comment)

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Hi! I’m Debi, the girl behind Life Currents, where I write about mainly healthy vegetarian dishes with some great desserts and other goodies mixed in! Read More >>>

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