Dalgona Coffee

Dalgona Coffee, the popular whipped coffee recipe, is made with a tall glass of ice-cold milk and finished with a velvety smooth and sweet coffee foam on top. The infamous iced latte is easily whipped together in a matter of minutes!

An Instant Iced Latte

One of my favorite morning rituals is waking up and enjoying a hot cup of coffee while I begin my workday. It powers me through my morning!

But when the afternoon slump occasionally comes around, I never feel like brewing another pot of coffee. Plus, I always want something a bit more indulgent, like a latte or cappuccino.

That's when my girls introduced me to Dalgona Coffee. They happened to come across it on Tik Tok, so we decided to try it out. Now, I simply can't get enough!

All I have to do is whip together 3 ingredients - hot water, instant coffee and sugar, then dollop the velvety smooth, light-as-air whipped coffee over a tall glass of ice-cold milk.

The end result is a sweet, strong, coffee-forward drink that's incredibly creamy and decadent. It's an instant iced latte at it's finest. One sip and I can power through the afternoon!

What Is Dalgona Coffee?

Dalgona coffee is a beverage made by whipping equal parts hot water, instant coffee and sugar together until it becomes light and frothy, then spooning it on top of a glass or mug of cold (or warm) milk.

It can occasionally be garnished with coffee powder, cocoa, crumbled biscuits or honey.

Where Did Dalgona Coffee Come From?

The drink itself has origins in India, Pakistan and Macau, where it is also known as beaten coffee or whipped coffee.

However, it is inspired by the popular Korean street candy known as dalgona or ppopgi - a honeycomb toffee that is served on a stick. When whipped, the coffee foam takes on a toffee-like consistency and color much like the candy for which it's named.

Only 3-Ingredients

This easy coffee beverage is made with 3 key ingredients - hot water, instant coffee and sugar, then poured over a glass filled with low-fat milk and ice cubes.

Ingredient Variations

• Coffee: It is important to use instant coffee or fine ground espresso (regular or decaf, depending on preference). My preferred brands are Nescafe Gold or Bru. Ground drip coffee will not work in this recipe and the grounds are too large to whip to the right texture.
• Milk: I prefer 2% low-fat milk, but this is more about personal preference. Feel free to use whole, 1% or skim. Milk alternatives, such as almond, cashew, or oat milk, would be a wonderful flavor contrast and would make the recipe Vegan and Dairy Free! To make the coffee drink less milky, feel free to replace a few tablespoons of the milk with water instead.
• Ice Cubes: Whenever I have leftover brewed coffee, I freeze it in an ice cube trays to add to iced coffee drinks. Use the coffee ice cubes in replace of ice for a stronger coffee beverage!

How To Make Whipped Coffee Recipe

This light and frothy whipped coffee beverage is easily whisked together in just a few minutes!

• Add hot water, sugar and coffee to a mug or a bowl. (Pics 1-3)
• Using a whisk, start whipping. Whip in a circular fast motion until the mixture becomes thick. (pics 4-5)
• The consistency will be similar to whipped cream with semi-stiff peaks (Pic 6).
• Add 1 cup of milk and ½ cup of ice in a tall glass or mug. Top with half the mix. Stir and enjoy!

Beaten Coffee - Indian Style Cappuccino

In India, this popular drink is called Beaten Coffee, but it is also known as Soft Coffee, hand-beaten Indian Cappuccino, Indian Coffee, Desi Coffee or Whipped Coffee.

Whipped Indian coffee uses the same recipe and process for whipping coffee and sugar, but pours it in hot steaming milk instead of cold. I cannot tell you how many cups of that deliciousness I've had growing up in India!

During the colder months or those days when I want a hot coffee beverage, I prefer the Indian version. It's even more comforting when sprinkled with a bit of cocoa powder or cinnamon.

Can I Make It Without Instant Coffee?

Unfortunately, no. Instant coffee provides the foaming agent This is because:

1. It's water-soluble. This allows it to easily dissolve and create a viscous liquid that can trap air.
2. It contains emulsifiers. These emulsifiers (added to prevent the natural oils from separating) encourage you to whip it to a sturdier texture.

Can I Make It Without Sugar?

Yes and no. Although dalgona coffee without sugar does whip up in the same amount of time, it does not stay that way for long. The sugar version will stay fluffy for hours, whereas the unsweetened version will fluff up and then begin to turn back to liquid in about 2 minutes.

Keep in mind, the sugar is needed for texture, but for sweetness, too! It's a very strong, unsweetened coffee mixture without it. If you do decide to omit the sugar, I recommend making it right before you are going to add it to the milk.

Note: I have seen keto-friendly versions of this recipe, but I have not tested this myself.

According to Gimme Delicious, all you have to do is replace the sugar with a 1:1 ratio of a granulated, keto-friendly sweetener such as erythritol, allulose or swerve. Stevia will not work here as the coffee needs a granulated ingredient to whip up to a light and fluffy texture.

How Long Does Whipped Coffee Take To Make?

This light and fluffy whipped coffee will take about 5-8 minutes to whip by hand. It's a fantastic arm workout, too! 😉

But to save on time and energy, you can also use a milk frother or an electric stand or hand mixer set on medium-high speed, which should take about 3-4 minutes.

You want to whip it until stiff peaks form. You know it's ready when the mixture turns a light golden brown and it resembles whipped peanut butter.

Whipped Coffee Variations

Even though the original is my favorite, I like to change up the flavor profile on occasion. Just before you start whisking, also add:

• Chocolate: 1 Tablespoon cocoa powder
• Vanilla: 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Almond: ¼ -½ teaspoon almond extract (use almond milk for best results)
• Spiced: ¼- ½ teaspoon cinnamon or pumpkin spice powder

Storage Instructions

I like to make a large batch of this wonderful whipped coffee so it ready and waiting any time the craving strikes. Simply double or triple the recipe and store in:

• Fridge: Place in an airtight container, seal tight and refrigerate for up to 1 week.

Recipe Tips:

• Use almost boiling water. It is important the water is hot, but not boiling, to properly dissolve the coffee and whip to the right texture. I boil the water, then allow it to cool for 3-5 minutes. Cold or tepid tap water will simply not work.
• Make sure to use instant coffee or ground espresso. Traditional ground coffee will not work in this recipe.
• For the right consistency, make sure to whisk in a sharp, quick "figure 8" motion, instead of only large circles and use a whisk, not a spoon. For added insurance and to incorporate even more air, mix it in a large bowl.
• Use a milk frother or electric stand or hand mixer to save time and energy. Whisking by hand will take at least 3-4 minutes to whip up to a light and fluffy texture. Feel free to use a milk frother or an electric mixer set on medium-high speed instead.
• This recipe can be broken down into a 1:1:1 ratio. If you want to make a single serving, simply use 1 Tablespoon hot water, 1 Tablespoon instant coffee and 1 Tablespoon sugar to 1 cup milk. As always, adjust the taste to your liking. More whipped coffee will yield a stronger coffee flavor whereas more milk will yield a lighter coffee flavor.

Another Chilled Drink Recipe From My Kitchen

If you're looking for another chilled, refreshing drink recipe, try out Mango Lassi! This sweet, tropical Indian yogurt drink can be made in the blender with a few simple ingredients in under 5 minutes!

📖 Recipe