Many of us rely on the caffeine in coffee for a morning pick-me-up, but not all drinkers are seeking a caffeine rush at night, so they may wonder if the coffee liqueur in their evening cocktail contains caffeine. The general answer is simple, but the more complex answer depends on brand names and how each liqueur is made.

Real coffee is usually involved in making coffee liqueur, meaning it contains caffeine. This liqueur can even be made at home by pulsing coffee beans, covering them with liquor, then heating it up with sugar; commercial brands may take a similar approach, but caffeine content can vary and is more diluted than in a cup of coffee.

For example, a standard 1.5-ounce drink of Kahlúa has 5 milligrams of caffeine, whereas an 8-ounce cup of brewed coffee contains up to 200 milligrams. There are also a few brands, such as Richardo's, that make decaf coffee liqueur for those who cannot have caffeine, but make sure to check labels thoroughly if you have issues.