Save The first time I made dalgona coffee, I'd just scrolled past a video at midnight and thought, "How hard could that be?" Five minutes later, my arm was sore, my kitchen smelled like a café, and I was staring at this impossibly fluffy cloud of coffee suspended over cold milk like something from a dream. It became my instant go-to whenever I wanted to feel fancy without actually leaving the house.
I made this for my friend Sarah on a random Tuesday morning, and watching her face light up when she saw that caramel-colored foam sitting on top of her milk made me realize it wasn't just about the taste anymore. Now whenever she visits, she requests it before she even sits down, and somehow that makes it taste even better.
Ingredients
- Instant coffee granules: Use a brand you actually enjoy drinking straight, because that's what this becomes. I learned the hard way that budget instant coffee doesn't magically transform into something better when whipped.
- Granulated sugar: This is what creates the structure and that silky texture. Regular white sugar works perfectly, and it sweetens the whole drink beautifully.
- Hot water: Just enough to dissolve everything and create the base for whipping. The heat matters more than the amount.
- Milk: Cold milk, hot milk, oat milk, almond milk—whatever you reach for in the morning works. The choice here doesn't really change the magic.
- Ice cubes: Optional, but they make the cold version feel more like a café experience.
Instructions
- Mix your base:
- Pour instant coffee, sugar, and hot water into a bowl. The water should be hot enough to help everything dissolve quickly, but honestly, it doesn't need to be boiling.
- Whip it into magic:
- Start whisking and don't stop. You're looking for the mixture to go from dark and liquid to pale, thick, and fluffy with stiff peaks—usually two to four minutes depending on how much elbow grease you give it. An electric mixer or milk frother speeds this up, but a hand whisk works just fine if you're patient.
- Prepare your glasses:
- Pour cold or hot milk into two glasses, add ice if you want that café-iced-drink feeling. This is the canvas for your masterpiece.
- Crown your drink:
- Spoon the whipped coffee generously over the milk, watching it sit on top like a cloud before you stir it in. The first sip should mix the fluff with the milk for that perfect coffee flavor.
Save There's something almost meditative about standing in your kitchen, whisking coffee and sugar together, watching it transform into something completely different. It feels like you're in on a secret that everyone on the internet discovered at the same time.
Hot or Cold?
The beauty of dalgona coffee is that it works with both hot and cold milk, and the choice genuinely changes the experience. Cold milk gives you that iced-café feeling with refreshment, while hot milk makes it feel like a sophisticated cappuccino moment. I tend to go cold on warm days and hot when I need comfort, but honestly, there's no wrong answer here.
Customizing Your Cup
Once you nail the basic whipped coffee, playing with toppings becomes the fun part. A light dusting of cocoa powder adds a chocolatey note, cinnamon brings warmth, and an extra sprinkle of instant coffee granules deepens the flavor. I've even tried a pinch of sea salt on top once, and it honestly made the sweetness pop in a surprising way.
Making It Your Own
If you find the standard version too sweet, cutting the sugar to one tablespoon creates a more balanced drink that tastes more like actual coffee and less like dessert. For a dairy-free version, oat milk, almond milk, and soy milk all work beautifully and don't change the whipped coffee experience at all. This drink really does adapt to whatever you have on hand.
- Make sure to whip until you see stiff peaks, or it won't have that signature fluffy texture.
- Serve immediately after assembly for the best visual impact and fluffiness.
- A milk frother is the secret tool that makes this effortless, but a whisk proves you're committed.
Save Dalgona coffee taught me that sometimes the most satisfying treats are the ones that feel like you've created something special in minutes. It's become my answer whenever someone asks what I'm making that looks this fancy.
Kitchen Guide
- → What type of coffee is best for whipping?
Instant coffee granules work best as they dissolve quickly and create a stable frothy texture when whipped.
- → Can I use plant-based milk for this drink?
Yes, oat, almond, soy, or other plant-based milks are great alternatives to dairy and maintain a smooth taste.
- → How long should I whisk the coffee mixture?
Whisk vigorously for about 2–4 minutes until the mixture becomes thick, pale, and forms stiff peaks.
- → Can I make this drink less sweet?
Reducing the sugar to 1 tablespoon or adjusting to taste will decrease the sweetness without compromising texture.
- → Is it better served hot or cold?
Both hot and cold milk works well. Add ice cubes for a refreshing cold version or use warm milk for a cozy treat.