Dalgona iced coffee brings a unique twist to your home barista experience! Discover how this once relatively unknown frothy coffee beverage has become an internet sensation, and how to make it at home.
What is Dalgona coffee?
Dalgona coffee is a whipped, frothy hot or iced coffee drink made with instant coffee, sugar, water, and milk. Also known as "whipped coffee", "frothy coffee", "Korean coffee", or "foamy coffee", a Dalgona coffee has two distinct layers made from coffee whipped cream sitting on top of hot or iced milk.
Dalgona coffee drinks started way back in South Korea in the 1960s, but the internet and the Pandemic brought a resurgence of popularity when Korean actor Jung Il-woo, enjoyed the drink during one of his TV shows.
The popular Dalgona coffee brought something new, different, and interesting to make at home during the Pandemic.
Why You Will Love This Recipe
This Korean iced coffee treat is all the rage right now, and it's no wonder why. Thanks to its simple ingredients and minimal prep required, anyone can whip up this creamy dreamy delight in just five minutes or less.
Not only that - one sip of your cool caffeinated beverage and you'll understand exactly why everyone has been talking about it lately.
So stay caffeinated while keeping things interesting - read on to learn how to make an amazing Dalgona iced coffee at home!
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Ingredients
This trendy, delicious iced Dalgona coffee recipe is so very easy to make. It's a new twist on iced coffee, and only requires only four simple ingredients - sugar, hot water, instant coffee crystals and cold milk - making it super convenient to whip up in your own kitchen.
Let's learn how to make this delectable Korean iced coffee drink together!
- Instant coffee powder or crystals - any brand, but don't get bold as it can make a bitter whipped coffee cream. Cheaper brands of instant coffee foam up better than the expensive brands.
- Sugar - granulated. If you want sugar free, the coffee peaks will take a little longer. You can also use Monkfruit or Allulose sweeteners to taste.
- Water - Hot to dissolve the coffee powder or crystals.
- Milk - Whole milk or plant based. If following a Low Carb or Keto plan, you can use half & half or cream.
- Ice - To fill the glasses ½ full with.
- Ice Cream - totally optional, but oh so FUN! Add with or in lieu of ice cubes if you opt for ice cream.
- Garnish - Garnish with a dusting of cocoa, coffee crystals, or chocolate jimmies or shavings.
Full ingredient amounts and preparation instructions are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
How to Make a Dalgona Iced Coffee
This delicious and easy-to-make Dalgona iced coffee has made its way around the internet since it first originated in South Korea. With its light hint of sweetness, creamy body and unbeatable presentation, you'll be reaching to make it every chance you get!
You’ll be surprised at how easy it is to create that perfectly blonded top layer of frothy coffee foam also!
Make the Coffee Whipped Cream
Depending on how much you want to make, use an electric milk frother and a small bowl, a stick blender that has a whisk attachment and whipping container, or a regular household blender.
The ratio is 1 part instant coffee, 1 part water, and 1 part sugar. The sugar ensures you get nice stiff peaks of frothy coffee, but if you prefer a sugar free whipped coffee cream, you can use some monkfruit or no sugar at all.
Once stiff peaks form, set the whipped coffee cream aside to prepare your glasses.
- Mix the hot water, sugar, and instant coffee together in a frothing container or bowl, and mix to dissolve.
- Use a wire whisk by hand, or an electric milk frother to build up a frothy coffee cream.
Add Ice to Glasses
Typically, you would add ice cubes to a glass. However, if you want you make this more of a Dalgona ice cream coffee, and add scoops of vanilla ice cream, dairy based or non dairy based instead of ice.
What a terrific twist huh? The ice cream makes this foamy coffee topped Korean iced coffee beverage more of a milkshake type of beverage. These will make a big hit with your children (maybe use decaf instant coffee though, so they don't bounce off your walls)!
- Add ice cubes, or scoops of vanilla ice cream, to a tall beverage glass.
Add the Milk to the Glasses
- Pour enough milk over the ice cubes (or the ice cream) ¾'s up the glass. You can use whole milk, or if you prefer a plant based milk, use that.
Top with Coffee Whipped Cream
- Using a spoon, top off each glass of milk and ice (or milk and ice cream) with spoonfuls of the thick, frothy coffee whipped topping.
- Garnish with a sprinkle of either cocoa powder or instant coffee powder. Serve immediately.
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Serving Suggestions
Trust us when we say this smooth and delicious beverage will quickly become one of your favorite iced coffee drinks! Stop spending your hard-earned money on expensive cafe drinks when it's so easy and customizable to make at them at home!
Not only delicious and satisfying, Dalgona coffee can be enjoyed by either hot or cold drink lovers alike!
For other popular coffeehouse beverages, see our Pumpkin Spice Chai Latte and Green Matcha Latte.
Full ingredient amounts and preparation instructions are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Substitutions
Substitute the whole milk in this Korean iced coffee recipe for any plant based milk. If you are following a low carb or Keto diet, you can also use cream or Half & Half.
For a sweeter, thicker, and more milkshake type of iced Dalgona coffee drink, substitute ice cream, dairy or non dairy, for some or all of the ice cubes!
Variations
Try some additional Dalgona coffee recipes:
- Dalgona Latte - Add the ice cubes to a glass, then pour in the whipped coffee foam. Next, pour in the milk or ice cream. You can make a hot Dalgona latte by pouring hot milk on top of the whipped coffee cream.
Garnish with whipped cream and powdered cocoa or coffee powder. - Hot Dalgona Coffee - Instead of using ice cubes, warm up the milk and pour it into mugs ¾'s full. Top with the frothy coffee topping and garnish.
- Vegan Dalgona Coffee - Use plant based milk and ice cream options for the dairy versions in this Dalgona iced coffee recipe.
- Dalgona Ice Cream Coffee - Use any combination of Vanilla, Coffee, Chocolate, or Chocolate chip ice cream to make a milk shake type of Dalgona ice cream coffee!
- Low Carb or Keto Dalgona Coffee - whether hot or cold, use cream or half & half instead of the regular milk. This will keep the fat high and carbs low.
Equipment
Equipment can have a big impact on how a recipe turns out. You will need a blender, electric frother, or stick blender with a wire whisk attachment:\
- Electric milk frother - perfect for individual mugs of iced Dalgona coffee.
- Stick blender with whisk attachment - Make enough frothy coffee foam for 2 - 4 mugs of Korean iced coffee.
- Blender - Handle the demands of a party with a large blender. Make enough coffee whip cream for about 8 mugs of iced dalgona coffees.
Storage
Barista style beverages don't really store long term, they are made to be enjoyed in the moment. You can however freeze any left over whipped Dalgona coffee foam in an ice cube tray. Drop a few cubes of the frozen foamy coffee in your next glass of sparkling or water for a kick of flavor.
Tips for Success
- Cheaper brands of instant coffee, foam up better than the expensive brands.
- You can use monkfruit instead of sugar if you want a Sugar Free iced Dalgona coffee.
- Instant coffee also whips without the addition of sugar or sweetener at all, though it will take longer to get the thick texture and peaks.
- Powdered instant milk also whips into a froth with equal parts water. You can swirl the instant coffee with whipped instant milk for an artistic look.
Frequently Asked Questions
Cheap Instant coffee works best. Don't use Freeze dried. And, make sure it's not a dark or bold roast as the whipped coffee cream may come out too bitter.
Instant coffee is made by either Spray Drying or Freeze Drying. Freeze dried coffee preserves more of the oily aromatics, making a more full bodied brew when reconstituted.
Spray Dried coffee is cheaper and has far less oily aromatics, allowing it to emulsify and stabilize with sugar and water, much like egg white meringue.
Brewed coffee has residual oils. That tiny bit of coffee oil prevents the emulsification of the coffee and sugar, just like a speck of egg yolk will prevent egg white meringue from forming.
Also, while you can whip egg whites without sugar, it takes longer and they collapse faster. The same goes with whipping instant coffee. The sugar helps create a longer lasting whipped coffee cream.
Dalgona is a type of South Korean sweet made from sugar and bicarbonate of soda, making a sort of 'brittle' or 'honeycomb' type of confection. It's a popular street candy. The actual Korean pronunciation of Dalgona is more 'Talgona' due to the sounds of the Korean language.
Depending on the ingredients you use (whole milk, almond milk, or ice cream) an Iced Dalgona Coffee averages around 300 calories per serving.
Food Safety
- Do not use the same utensils on cooked food, that previously touched raw meat
- Wash hands after touching raw meat
- Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
- Never leave cooking food unattended
- Use oils with high smoking point to avoid harmful compounds
- Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove
See more guidelines at USDA.gov.
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📖 Recipe
Dalgona Iced Coffee
Ingredients
- 4 tablespoon Instant coffee not freeze dried
- 4 tablespoon sugar granulated
- 4 tablespoon water hot
- 10 oz milk any variety, dairy or non dairy based.
- 1 cup ice cubes
- 4 scoops vanilla ice cream OPTIONAL only
Instructions
- Mix the hot water, sugar, and instant coffee together in a frothing container or bowl, and mix to dissolve.4 tablespoon Instant coffee, 4 tablespoon sugar, 4 tablespoon water
- Use a wire whisk by hand, or an electric milk frother to build up a frothy coffee cream. Set aside while you prepare your glasses.
- Add ice cubes to a glass. However, if you want to make this more of a Dalgona ice cream coffee, add scoops of vanilla ice cream, dairy based or non dairy based instead of ice.1 cup ice cubes, 4 scoops vanilla ice cream
- Pour enough milk over the ice cubes (or the ice cream) ¾'s up the glass. You can use whole milk, or if you prefer a plant based milk, use that.10 oz milk
- Using a spoon, top off each glass of milk and ice (or milk and ice cream) with spoonfuls of the thick, frothy coffee topping. Dust with a sprinkle of either cocoa powder or instant coffee powder. Serve immediately.
Notes
- Cheaper brands of instant coffee, foam up better than the expensive brands.
- You can use monkfruit instead of sugar if you want a Sugar Free iced Dalona coffee.
- Instant coffee also whips without the addition of sugar or sweetener at all, though it will take longer to get the thick texture and peaks.
- Powdered instant milk also whips into a froth with equal parts water. You can swirl the instant coffee with whipped instant milk for an artistic look.
- Nutrition information was calculated as a No ice cream Iced Dalgona coffee.
Dahn says
That looks so good. The frothy foam makes it look so decadent and rich.