Dalgona Coffee
Use instant coffee, not ground beans.
2 iced whipped-coffee glasses
Allow 9 minutes; brewing strength and ingredient temperature may change the active time slightly. One tablespoon = 15 ml; one teaspoon = 5 ml.
About Dalgona Coffee
Equal-volume whipped coffee mixtures vary in sweetness; this small batch uses weighed coffee and sugar with a controlled water quantity. The stable foam is sweet and strong, so stir it into the milk before drinking.
Kitchen testing has not been documented for this recipe. Cooking times are estimates and vary with the stove, cookware and batch size. Follow the doneness checks in the method.
Make it work for your kitchen
Original quantities serve 2. Cooking times, pan size and frying-oil depth do not scale, cook in extra batches instead.
Before you start
Measure the ingredients
Measure the ingredient list for your selected servings: instant coffee, sugar, hot water, cold milk, ice cubes. Keep separately listed cooking, soaking and dilution liquids separate.
Before startingPrepare the key ingredients
Use a clean mixing bowl with room for the foam to expand and a suitable whisk.
Follow the ingredient preparation notesSet up the equipment
Measuring jug; Kitchen scale; Measuring spoons; Clean mixing jug; Serving glasses or cups. Stop electric equipment before scraping or handling its blades.
Clean workspaceCheck allergens and plan service
Milk; use a suitable pasteurized dairy alternative only after checking its texture and label. Have clean serving vessels ready. Keep chilled ingredients refrigerated until their step, and serve the finished drink at the temperature stated in the method.
Before serving
Step-by-step cooking method
1 Measure the topping
Measure instant coffee, sugar and hot water into separate containers.
2 Choose the bowl
Use a clean mixing bowl with room for the foam to expand and a suitable whisk.
3 Combine the foam ingredients
Put instant coffee, sugar and hot water in the bowl.
4 Whisk until thick
Whisk for 4–7 minutes, preferably electrically, until thick ribbons hold briefly.
5 Prepare the glasses
Divide the measured ice evenly between clean serving glasses.
6 Add cold milk
Divide the cold milk over the ice, leaving room above for the coffee topping.
7 Spoon on the foam
Share the whipped coffee topping evenly between the glasses.
8 Serve with spoons
Serve immediately with spoons so the topping can be mixed fully into the milk before drinking.
Chef’s tips
- Use instant coffee, not ground beans.
Common mistakes & quick fixes
- Foam will not thicken
- Check that the coffee is soluble and the water was measured; excess liquid weakens the foam.
Variations & serving ideas
Sweetness: The listed sweetener is a starting point. Reduce it in a later batch if the chosen dairy or branded product is already sweetened; retain the liquid ratios.
Perfect result check
| Finished drink | Soft peaks that sit on milk, not an impossibly dry or grainy paste. |
|---|---|
| Serving | Divide the measured batch evenly; serve at its intended temperature rather than leaving it standing. |
Storage & reheating
| Covered in the refrigerator | Use within 24 hours; immediate serving gives best texture | Use clean untouched portions only. Keep at 4°C or colder; cool heated mixtures promptly in shallow containers. Assembled soda, slush and ice-cream drinks are best mixed only at serving. |
|---|
Know when to change the heat
| Stage | Heat | What to look for |
|---|---|---|
| Measure the topping | No heat | Measure instant coffee, sugar and hot water into separate containers. |
| Choose the bowl | No heat | Use a clean mixing bowl with room for the foam to expand and a suitable whisk. |
| Combine the foam ingredients | No heat | Put instant coffee, sugar and hot water in the bowl. |
| Whisk until thick | No heat | Whisk for 4–7 minutes, preferably electrically, until thick ribbons hold briefly. |
| Prepare the glasses | No heat | Divide the measured ice evenly between clean serving glasses. |
| Add cold milk | No heat | Divide the cold milk over the ice, leaving room above for the coffee topping. |
| Spoon on the foam | No heat | Share the whipped coffee topping evenly between the glasses. |
| Serve with spoons | No heat | Serve immediately with spoons so the topping can be mixed fully into the milk before drinking. |
Helpful answers before you cook
How firm should the foam be?
Soft peaks that sit on milk, not an impossibly dry or grainy paste.
Can I remove all sugar?
Sugar supports this foam; an unsweetened version requires a different formulation.
Should it be layered?
Layer for serving, then mix to avoid a mouthful of concentrated foam.
