Dalgona Coffee: The Ultimate Homemade Whipped Coffee Guide
If you’re craving a café-style treat from your own kitchen, Dalgona coffee delivers. With only four ingredients and no fancy equipment required, this whipped coffee recipe caught the world’s attention in 2020—and it’s easy to see why. Below, you’ll find everything you need to know to master Dalgona coffee, from ingredients to technique, creative twists, and the story behind its surge to stardom.
What Is Dalgona Coffee?
Dalgona coffee is a creamy, whipped coffee drink that blends instant coffee, sugar, and hot water to form a cloud-like foam, which is then layered over milk. The contrast between the robust, airy foam and cold or warm milk provides a memorable experience both visually and in taste. Anyone can make it with basic pantry staples, no expert skills needed.
Ingredients: The Essentials for Whipped Coffee
The magic of Dalgona coffee lies in its simplicity. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Instant Coffee: Choose a plain, unsweetened instant coffee. The freeze-dried granules dissolve quickly and whip into an impressive foam. Brands like Nescafe or Starbucks VIA work well. Decaffeinated instant coffee also produces excellent results.
- Sugar: Plain granulated sugar yields the sturdiest and fluffiest foam. You can substitute with brown, raw, or coconut sugar for subtle flavor differences, but structure may vary.
- Hot Water: The water should be hot—not just warm. Boiling water speeds up the foam’s formation and ensures the sugar and coffee dissolve completely.
- Milk: Use dairy or any plant-based milk that suits your taste. Whole milk creates a rich foundation, while alternatives like soy, almond, or oat keep it light and vegan-friendly.
Keep proportions simple for perfect foam: equal parts instant coffee, sugar, and hot water.
Tools You’ll Need
Most kitchens already have what’s required:
– Medium mixing bowl
– Hand whisk or electric mixer (handheld or stand)
– Spoon or spatula
– Tall glass
If you’re making this by hand, prepare for a little workout, but the results are no less delightful.
Step-By-Step Dalgona Coffee Recipe
1. Measure Ingredients
Here’s a standard serving ratio:
| Ingredient | Amount (per serving) |
|---|---|
| Instant coffee | 2 tablespoons |
| Sugar | 2 tablespoons |
| Hot water | 2 tablespoons |
| Milk | 1 cup (hot or cold) |
| Ice (optional) | As desired |
2. Whip Coffee Mixture
- Place the instant coffee, sugar, and hot water in a mixing bowl.
- By hand: Use a whisk and beat vigorously for about 8–10 minutes. Whisk in quick, back-and-forth motions for best results.
- By electric mixer: Use the lowest setting first, then move to medium. In 2–4 minutes, the mixture turns pale, thick, and holds soft peaks.
The consistency should resemble thick whipped cream, not runny or stiff like meringue.
3. Assemble The Drink
- Fill a tall glass with milk. Add ice if making an iced version.
- Spoon the whipped coffee foam on top. Swirl gently with a spoon or leave it as a layered creation.
- For a hot version, use warmed milk and skip the ice.
4. Serve and Enjoy
Take a moment to admire the swirling, golden foam perched above the milk before you stir and sip.
Troubleshooting and Tips
Every kitchen trick has its secrets. Here’s how to get your Dalgona coffee just right:
- Coffee Strength: Stick with instant coffee for stable foam. Ground or brewed coffee won’t whip the same due to their different structure.
- Sugar Type Matters: Sugar stabilizes the foam. Skip it, and the foam will collapse soon after whisking. If you use less sugar or alternative sweeteners, the texture may be looser.
- Water Temperature: Only boiling-hot water guarantees complete melting and airiness. Lukewarm water takes longer and may leave granules.
- Persistence Pays Off: Whipping by hand is slow at first but accelerates after a few minutes. Keep going—a creamy result appears suddenly.
- Chill Your Tools: A cold bowl and whisk can help if you’re whipping by hand on a warm day.
- Make It Ahead: Store leftover coffee foam in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It keeps for up to three days and can be refreshed with a quick whisk.
Dalgona Variations and Customizations
The classic recipe stands tall, but Dalgona coffee is also a blank canvas.
Creative Twists
- Mocha Dalgona: Add a teaspoon of cocoa powder to the coffee mixture.
- Vanilla Infusion: Stir a few drops of vanilla extract into the milk before topping.
- Caramel Drizzle: Swirl caramel or syrup at the bottom of the glass, then add milk and foam.
- Plant-Based Options: Use coconut milk for a tropical twist, or oat milk for extra sweetness.
- Spiced Dalgona: Dust the foam with cinnamon or nutmeg for added warmth.
Serving Suggestions
- Double the foam for a dessert-like treat on brownies, ice cream, or fruit.
- Layer over iced milk for a perfect summer beverage.
- Top hot milk for a cozy winter version.
The Science Behind Fluffy Coffee
Why does instant coffee whip into peaks when beaten with sugar and water? Instant coffee contains emulsifiers and stabilizers left from processing. When whisked with sugar, these proteins help trap air bubbles, giving the mixture its signature cloud texture. Without instant coffee’s unique properties, ground coffee simply won’t work.
The Origins and Global Appeal
Dalgona coffee may have gone viral thanks to South Korean social media, but whipped coffee isn’t new. In India and Pakistan, it’s “phenti hui coffee” or “beaten coffee,” prepared in a similar way. Greeks enjoy “frappé,” a shaken variation of whipped instant coffee. Dalgona’s modern name comes from a nostalgic South Korean honeycomb candy: light, airy, and sweet. Actor Jung Il-Woo compared the drink’s flavor and look to this treat, giving it a new identity.
The trend soared during the early months of global lockdowns. When cafés closed their doors, millions picked up whisks in their kitchens, sharing results on platforms like TikTok and Instagram using #dalgonacoffee. The drink became a symbol of simple comfort and daily ritual.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why Doesn’t Ground Coffee Work?
Only instant coffee contains the chemical structure needed to whip with water and hold air. Ground coffee, even if strong, will not foam.
Can I Use Less Sugar?
Yes, but remember that sugar supports the foam’s structure. Using less may result in a softer, less stable cream.
How Do I Store Leftover Foam?
Keep it in a covered container in the fridge for up to three days. Stir before use; if it deflates, re-whisk for a few seconds.
Can I Make Dalgona Coffee Without a Mixer?
Yes. With some patience and a sturdy whisk, you can achieve fluffy coffee by hand. Whisk vigorously in a zigzag pattern for about 8–10 minutes. Take turns if possible.
Nutritional Information
A typical serving contains:
| Component | Approximate Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 130–180 (varies by milk and sugar) |
| Sugar | 12–16g |
| Caffeine | 60–80mg |
| Protein | 4–8g |
For lower sugar, reduce the amount or use a sugar substitute designed for baking.
Final Thoughts: Making Dalgona Coffee Your Way
Dalgona coffee isn’t just a drink; it’s an experience. From the moment you begin to whip the ingredients to the first creamy sip, it invites you to play and create. Enjoy it iced or warm, decadent or light. Customize the foam, explore new flavors, or keep it traditional. No matter your style, Dalgona coffee brings the café to your home—one frothy glass at a time.
Dalgona Coffee
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Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons boiling water
- 2 tablespoons instant coffee
- 1 cup whole milk
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
Instructions
- Whisk together boiling water, instant coffee, and sugar with an electric mixer at medium speed until the mixture is thick and forms stiff peaks, about 2 to 3 minutes. Scrape the bottom and sides of the bowl occasionally while whipping.
- Pour the milk into a tall glass, leaving 2 inches of room on top. Spoon the Dalgona froth on top of the milk. Stir vigorously and enjoy!