Dalgona Coffee Recipe | Korean Whipped Coffee

Dalgona Coffee, also known as Whipped Coffee, is made by whipping instant coffee, sugar and hot water until thick, creamy and fluffy. The whipped coffee mixture is then spooned over hot or cold milk. This easy Dalgona Coffee recipe has a balanced coffee flavor and is not overly strong or bitter. You can make it with a whisk, hand mixer, blender or mixer grinder.

My Dalgona Coffee Recipe

Dalgona is a Korean sugar candy, also known as ppopgi, made with melted sugar and baking soda. The whipped coffee was named Dalgona Coffee because its color and appearance resemble this traditional candy. The coffee itself does not contain dalgona candy.

The original whipped coffee recipe usually uses equal quantities of instant coffee, sugar and hot water. I found that proportion too strong and bitter for my taste, so I adjusted the quantities to make a milder and more balanced drink.

For this recipe, I use the following proportion by volume:

1:2:3 – instant coffee: hot water: sugar

You can use equal quantities if you enjoy a stronger coffee flavor. You can also adjust the sweetness slightly, but do not reduce the sugar too much as it helps the coffee whip into a stable foam.

Ingredients & Whipping Tips

1. Instant Coffee: Use only instant coffee powder or granules. Ground coffee, Filter Coffee decoction or brewed coffee will not whip in the same way.
2. Sugar: Granulated white sugar works best and helps the coffee mixture become thick and foamy. You can also use granulated raw sugar or cane sugar. Avoid powdered sugar and liquid sweeteners such as honey, maple syrup or date syrup. Do not reduce the sugar too much, as this can affect the volume and stability of the whipped coffee.
3. Hot Water: Use very hot water and add only the quantity listed in the recipe. Extra water can make the mixture thin and prevent it from whipping properly.
4. Milk: I use chilled milk for a cold Dalgona Coffee. For a hot version, replace it with hot milk.
5. Whipping: While whipping the coffee mixture by hand, first beat it in clockwise circular motions and then use quick vertical zigzag motions. Keep alternating between the two until the mixture becomes pale, thick and fluffy.
6. Equipment: To make Dalgona Coffee by hand, you only need a bowl and a wired whisk. Whipping takes some time, so you can pause briefly if your hand gets tired and then continue. For a quicker method, use an electric hand mixer, mixer grinder or small blender.

For a vegan Dalgona Coffee, use almond milk, cashew milk, soy milk or oat milk. I have tried it with Almond Milk, and it works well.

For a regular café-style drink without the whipped topping, try my Hot Coffee recipe. You can also make my Cold Coffee and Coffee Milkshake recipes.

If you enjoy Korean drinks, you may also like the fruity Banana Milk and refreshing Strawberry Milk.

How to make Dalgona Coffee (Stepwise)

Whip Coffee Mixture With Wired Whisk

1. In a small to medium size mixing bowl, take 1 tablespoon instant coffee and 3 tablespoons sugar.

2. Pour 2 tablespoons of boiling water in the bowl.

3. Mix and then begin to beat the coffee.

4. Use two ways of beating the coffee. First beat clockwise and then use vertical zig-zag motions. Alternate between the two. If the bowl is small, then slightly tilt the bowl and beat.

5. The coffee consistency after a total of 5 minutes.

6. After continuing to beat for further 3 minutes, this is the coffee consistency.

7. The final consistency after beating further for 5 minutes, which is like whipped cream. You will see that the color has also lightened.

To get this foamy whipped consistency, beat for a total of 10 to 12 minutes.

Whip Coffee Mixture In A Blender

8. A quicker option, add the coffee, hot water and sugar in a small blender or mixer-grinder jar. Blend till you get the desired consistency.

Make Dalgona Coffee

9. Take 2 to 3 ice cubes (optional) in two mugs or glasses. Divide 1½ cups milk between both the glasses.

Ice cubes can be skipped if using chilled or cold milk.

10. Spoon the creamy whipped coffee on top.

11. Sprinkle some cocoa powder on top and serve. Stir and then sip!

Recipe Tips

1. Use instant coffee: Instant coffee powder or granules work best for Dalgona Coffee. They dissolve easily and whip into the thick, creamy and frothy texture needed for this recipe. Ground coffee, brewed coffee and Filter Coffee decoction will not give the same result.
2. Adjust the sweetness carefully: You can adjust the sugar slightly according to your taste. Do not reduce it too much, as sugar helps the coffee mixture become thick and hold its foamy texture.
3. Make it hot: For hot Dalgona Coffee, use hot milk instead of chilled milk. Spoon the whipped coffee over the milk just before serving.
4. Add more flavor: Add a few drops of vanilla extract or a small amount of cocoa powder while whipping the coffee mixture. Avoid adding too much liquid, as it can make the foam thinner.
5. Whip patiently: Do not rush the whipping process. Continue beating until the mixture becomes pale, fluffy and thick enough to hold soft or stiff peaks.
6. Choose the right bowl: Use a medium-sized bowl that gives you enough room to whisk while keeping the coffee mixture together. A very large bowl can make a small quantity more difficult to whip.
7. Serve immediately: Spoon the whipped coffee over the milk soon after preparing it. Mix the thick coffee foam into the milk before drinking so that the flavors combine evenly.

Step by Step Photo Guide Above

Dalgona Coffee Recipe (Korean Whipped Coffee)

Author: Dassana Amit

5 from 11 votes

Dalgona Coffee is a creamy whipped coffee made by beating instant coffee, sugar and hot water until thick and fluffy. The whipped coffee is spooned over chilled or hot milk and stirred before drinking. My recipe uses a balanced proportion for a milder coffee flavor that is not overly bitter. Make it by hand with a wired whisk or use an electric hand mixer for quicker results.

Print SaveSaved! Rate

Prep Time: 12 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 0 minutes minutes

Total Time: 12 minutes minutes

Servings2

CourseBeverages

DietVegetarian

CuisineKorean, World

Ingredients

For Whipping

• ▢ 1 tablespoon instant coffee
• ▢ 3 tablespoons sugar
• ▢ 2 tablespoons hot boiling water

Other Ingredients

• ▢ 1½ cups milk – at room temperature or chilled
• ▢ ice cubes – as required, optional

For Topping

• ▢ ¼ teaspoon cocoa powder – optional

Instructions

Whipping Coffee Mixture

• Take coffee, sugar and hot boiling water in a mixing bowl.
• Using a small whisk begin to whip and beat till the mixture is creamy and thick.
• Use two ways of beating the coffee. First beat clockwise and then use vertical zig-zag motions. Alternate between the two. If the bowl is small, then slightly tilt the bowl and beat.
• To whip, can also use a small blender or mixer-grinder or a hand-held mixer (which is used for whipping cream or making cake batter).

Making Dalgona Coffee

• Add 2 to 3 ice cubes in a mug or glass.
• Divide 1.5 cups of milk between both the glasses.
• Now divide the whipped coffee equally in the two glasses.
• Sprinkle some cocoa powder on the coffee (optional). Serve.

Dassana’s Notes

• Use instant coffee only. 
• To make hot whipped coffee, swap the cold milk with hot milk. 
• You can add more sugar if you prefer. 

Nutrition

Calories: 192kcal | Carbohydrates: 29g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 18mg | Sodium: 81mg | Potassium: 330mg | Sugar: 27g | Vitamin A: 296IU | Vitamin B1 (Thiamine): 1mg | Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin): 1mg | Vitamin B3 (Niacin): 1mg | Vitamin B6: 1mg | Vitamin B12: 1µg | Vitamin D: 2µg | Vitamin E: 1mg | Vitamin K: 1µg | Calcium: 207mg | Vitamin B9 (Folate): 9µg | Iron: 1mg | Magnesium: 26mg | Phosphorus: 161mg | Zinc: 1mg

Dalgona Coffee recipe from the archives was first published on May 2020.