✔ Updated · clearer 1:1:1 ratio, mixer, whisk and blender methods, sugar-free notes and a fuller card
Dalgona coffee is instant coffee, sugar and hot water whipped into a thick caramel cloud, then spooned over cold milk.
At a glance
The one tip that matters: Use instant coffee only. Ground or brewed coffee will not whip, no matter how long you beat it.
It tastes like a coffee milkshake, and I'll show you how to make it at home with a mixer, a whisk or a blender.
Why You'll Love This Whipped Coffee
- Three pantry ingredients, plus whatever milk is in the fridge.
- Café look, kitchen effort, with that gorgeous two-layer glass in about 5 minutes.
- Works with any tool, from a hand mixer to a plain whisk or a blender.
What Is Dalgona Coffee?
Dalgona coffee is whipped coffee: equal parts instant coffee, sugar and hot water beaten until thick and fluffy, then spooned over milk. It went viral in South Korea in early 2020, when everyone was home with time to whip.
The name comes from dalgona, a Korean honeycomb toffee with the same golden color. The taste is sweet, bold and creamy, a bit like coffee ice cream melting into milk, and I happily stir mine up on slow afternoons.
Step-by-Step Photos
Here's how it comes together. Exact amounts, times and temperatures are in the recipe card below.
Mixer, Whisk or Blender: Which Works Best?
| Tool | Time | Batch size | My verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hand mixer | 2 to 4 min | 1 or more glasses | Fastest, thickest foam |
| Stand mixer (whisk) | 3 to 5 min | Double batch or more | Great for a crowd |
| Milk frother | 2 to 3 min | 1 glass | Easy for a single serving |
| Blender | 1 to 2 min | Double batch or more | Works if it reaches the blades |
| Whisk by hand | 8 to 12 min | 1 glass | Totally doable, arm workout |
| Shaken in a jar | 3 to 4 min | 1 glass | Looser foam, still tasty |
Tips for Success
- Keep the 1:1:1 ratio. Equal parts instant coffee, sugar and hot water is what makes the foam stable. I double everything for two glasses rather than eyeballing it.
- Hot water whips faster. Just-boiled water dissolves the coffee and sugar completely, and the foam comes together a good minute sooner than with warm tap water.
- Watch the color, not the clock. It's ready when it turns from dark espresso brown to a pale, glossy caramel and holds a peak. If it still looks shiny and runny, keep going.
- Going sugar-free? The foam without sugar is thinner and much more bitter. A granulated sweetener like erythritol whips up reasonably well; liquid sweeteners and stevia drops don't.
- Stir before you sip. The layers look beautiful, but straight foam is strong stuff. Give it a good stir so the coffee mellows into the milk.
Dalgona Coffee (Whipped Coffee)
1
drink5
minutes0
minutes230
kcal5
minutesFluffy dalgona coffee made by whipping equal parts instant coffee, sugar and hot water into a thick, glossy foam, then spooning it over cold or warm milk. Ready in 5 minutes with a hand mixer, a whisk or a blender.
Ingredients
- For the Whipped Coffee
2 tablespoons instant coffee granules or powder (not ground coffee)
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
2 tablespoons very hot water
- To Serve
1 cup cold milk (dairy, oat or almond)
4 ice cubes (for iced dalgona)
pinch of cinnamon or cocoa, optional
Directions
- Whip the Coffee
- Add the instant coffee, sugar and hot water to a medium bowl. Use a bowl with some depth so the foam has room to grow.
- Beat with a hand mixer on high for 2 to 4 minutes. The mix goes from dark and thin to frothy tan, then pale caramel and thick.
- Stop when the foam holds stiff, glossy peaks and stays put when you lift the beaters. By hand with a whisk this takes 8 to 12 minutes; in a blender, use a double batch and blend on high for 1 to 2 minutes.
- Assemble
- Fill a tall glass with ice and pour in the cold milk, leaving about 2 inches of room at the top. For a hot version, warm the milk and skip the ice.
- Spoon the whipped coffee on top of the milk and dust with a pinch of cinnamon or cocoa if you like. Stir the foam into the milk before drinking.
Like this recipe?
Follow us @recipefairy on Pinterest
Easy Variations
- Hot dalgona: warm the milk to steaming, then spoon the foam on top. The foam melts in faster, so drink it right away.
- Mocha: stir 1 tablespoon cocoa powder into the milk, or whip a teaspoon into the coffee mix.
- Dairy-free: oat milk is my pick; it's creamy and lets the coffee flavor shine. Almond and soy work too.
- Decaf: decaf instant coffee whips up exactly the same.
- Dessert style: spoon the foam over vanilla ice cream for a quick affogato-style treat.
More Coffee Drinks to Make at Home
If you love a café drink in your own kitchen, try my Starbucks iced coffee copycat, a copycat caramel macchiato or a McDonald's caramel frappe copycat. Curious about the basics? Here's black coffee vs espresso, and you'll find dozens more in our Starbucks copycat recipes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you make whipped coffee in a blender?
Yes. A blender works if there is enough mixture to reach the blades, so make a double or triple batch (4 to 6 tablespoons each of coffee, sugar and hot water) and blend on high for 1 to 2 minutes until thick. For a single glass, a handheld milk frother is the easier tool.
How do I make dalgona coffee by hand?
Use a balloon whisk and a wide bowl, tilt the bowl slightly and whisk fast in a back-and-forth motion. It takes 8 to 12 minutes and a tired arm, so switch hands. Shaking the mixture hard in a sealed jar for 3 to 4 minutes also gives a decent foam.
Can I use ground coffee or espresso?
No. Ground coffee doesn't dissolve, and brewed coffee or espresso doesn't have the right dried coffee solids to hold air, so it won't whip into peaks. Instant coffee granules or powder, regular or decaf, are what make dalgona work.
Can I store leftover whipped coffee?
Yes. Keep it in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 3 days. It may deflate slightly, so give it a quick re-whip before spooning it over milk. You can also freeze dollops and drop them into iced milk.
Can kids drink dalgona coffee?
Regular dalgona packs a lot of caffeine: 2 tablespoons of instant coffee is roughly two to three cups' worth, so it's not one for kids. Decaf instant coffee whips up just as well if you want a caffeine-free glass later in the day.
){kind=link}
I love this. I drank it before I could take a picture.
DELICIOUS
I sometimes put cinnamon in my hot coffee, will have to give this a try
Looks tasty
I’m all about trying new coffee recipes.. Scrumptious!!
Absolutely delicious! 🙂
Love this!!
This looks yummy, gonna have to try it!
Well worth trying Dale.
About 2weeks ago I learned of Dalgona coffee and now everywhere I turn I’m see it. Looks delicious. I’d love to try.
Looks tasty but I’m not a fan of flavored coffee.
Oh yes! That is looking good.
Looks good, need a change from my regular coffee
I rate this with 4 stars!!
Looks Yummy 🙂
<3
delicious, not have to go to starbucks
love my coffee 🙂
This sounds fantastic!
Sounds so good!
I love coffee and never tried this. It looks good!
Hubby love good coffee recipes thanks for sharing
I have tried hot and cold and both are fast to make and extremely delicious…
I use decaf and can’t tell the difference…👍👍👍
Looks lovely but I’m not a fan of whipped coffee.
Looks good, need a change from my regular coffee
This looks so delicious
I am going to give the Dalgona Coffee a try. It looks delicious and I have an espresso machine to whip the cream.
This sounds like it would be really good
ty for sharing looks good
Not a huge coffee fan but looks interesting
Hello
The recipe looks great 🙂
Haven’t tried it yet but sounds good.
There hasn’t been a coffee I didn’t like.
Will give this a try…..
i am addicted
I just made this coffee this morning and OMG! This will be my everyday ‘cuppa’. Thanks for the recipe!
This is definitely at 4 star rating for me!!! Love this treat!!!
Delicious & simple Recipe! I definitely try to make dalgona coffee at home. The process you used looks quicker. Thank you for sharing the recipe of a popular beverage.
This is just an outstanding and honestly 5-star recipe. Thanks for sharing.