Perfect Dalgona Coffee (Whipped Coffee Recipe)

This recipe for Dalgona Coffee is the only one you’ll ever need. You’ll get a delicious, whipped coffee that has the most incredible flavor and a fluffy, creamy texture.

If you’ve seen pictures of it on social media and always wondered how to make it, then you’re in the right place! This post will answer all your burning questions on Dalgona Coffee to give you perfect results every single time.

Made using just 4 ingredients, this frothy coffee is everything you can imagine. The perfect coffee taste with the smoothest consistency ever!

What is Dalgona Coffee?

Dalgona coffee is a frothy, whipped coffee drink that layer of whipped coffee cream on top of chilled, icy cold milk. This gives it its distinctive layers and beautiful look.

Other names for this coffee are frothy coffee, fluffy coffee, whipped coffee, Korean coffee, and also tiktok coffee.

This coffee gained popularity during the pandemic as people started sharing different recipes and ideas on how to make coffee at home to replace their coffee shop routines.

Where Did Dalgona Coffee Originate From?

A former Macanese shipwright Leong Kam Hon is credited with inventing this recipe back in 1997 for a tourist couple that had requested it at his café called Hon Kee.

Later in 2004, a famous Hong Kong actor and singer Chow Yun-fat visited his café and Hon served it to him. Yun-fat loved it so much that his praise garnered a lot of attention for this delicious coffee drink.

At the time it started to be known as ‘Chow Yun-fat coffee’ or ‘hand beaten coffee’.

Similar versions of this recipe originate from Greece where it is known as frappe. Another similar kind of coffee recipe is known as ‘phenti hui’ coffee or beaten coffee in India and Pakistan.

Why Is It Called ‘Dalgona’ Coffee?

The credit for the name Dalgona coffee primarily goes to a South Korean actor Jung Il-woo. He tried the coffee while on a popular Korean television show on TV while visiting Leong Kam Hon’s Hon Kee café in Macau.

While trying it, he mentioned that it reminded him of a South Korean honeycomb toffee candy called Dalgona candy, thus giving this coffee that name.

Shortly after the show aired, the coffee went viral and became a common menu item in coffee shops not only in Korea but around the world.

What You Need to Make Dalgona Coffee

All you need are some simple ingredients to make this delicious, Instagram-worthy coffee at home. Here’s what you’ll need:

Instant coffee: You’ll need some instant coffee to make this delicious coffee. You can go for the regular kind of decaf as I have used here. Alternatively, you can also use instant espresso but since it’s really strong in flavor you might need to adjust the proportions.

Sugar: It’s important to use granulated sugar for this recipe, but I would suggest going for a finer texture.

Hot water: Water will help mix everything together for the right consistency that you can beat or whisk up.

Milk: Once we’ve whipped up our coffee cream, we’ll then add it on top of milk for the most delicious Dalgona coffee ever. You can go for either cold or hot milk.

How to Make Dalgona Coffee Step by Step

Making this deliciously perfect Dalgona coffee is easier than you think. Here’s how to make it step by step:

In a bowl, add all the ingredients and whisk them well to dissolve the sugar. It’s best to use fine sugar.

Beat the ingredients by hand mixer for 6 to 7 minutes. Scrape the sides of the bowl from time to time to incorporate it all.

The color and thickness will gradually start to change and you’ll get stiff peaks. This is when you’ll know it’s ready for the next step.

You can make the whipped coffee thick or smoother in texture depending on you. For smoother Dalgona coffee whip or beat for 3 to 4 minutes.

Fill a cup ¾ way with ice cubes and pour enough milk to fill ¾ of the cup. Top the glass with the whipped coffee cream.

Stir with a spoon or straw and enjoy this refreshing drink.

You can also use hot milk if you wish.

FAQs for How to Make the Best Dalgona Coffee

This delicious coffee is incredibly easy to make, but I know a lot of you have some questions you’re hoping to get the answers to. Don’t worry, this post will answer all of them. If you have any other questions, feel free to comment down below!

What Kind of Sugar Can You Use to Make Dalgona Coffee?

The texture of the sugar is the most important element and you’re going for fine, granulated sugar. Otherwise, you can use many different kinds including white sugar, brown sugar, raw sugar, and coconut sugar.

Can I Use Artificial Sweeteners Instead of Sugar?

Yes, you can! The only important thing is to make sure that it is granulated yet fine so that it works for this recipe.

Can I Use Decaffeinated Coffee to Make This Whipped Coffee?

Yes, this works with decaffeinated instant coffee. In fact, that’s what I’ve used to make for the pictures and video you see so it definitely works!

Can I Use Hot Milk Instead?

Absolutely! You can use either hot or cold milk and it all comes down to personal preference. Just heat up your milk and skip the ice if you’re following my recipe but want to use hot milk instead.

What Type of Mixer Do I Need to Make Dalgona Coffee?

You can whip it by hand with a hand whisk, use a coffee or milk frother, or even a stand mixer to make this. Regardless of what you use, you’ll get delicious and perfect results every single time.

Why Does This Only Work with Instant Coffee?

As you might have guessed, this recipe doesn’t work with ground coffee from coffee beans or pre-ground coffee bags.

You specifically need instant coffee to make this delicious recipe because of the emulsifiers they have, soy lecithin in particular.

This gives the coffee the beautiful, frothy, and fluffy texture it's known for!

Recipe Variations Ideas for Dalgona Coffee

This Dalgona coffee recipe is absolutely perfect on its own, but if you’re looking to change things up here are a few variation ideas:

Vegan variations: You can make this delicious coffee drink with other types of milk too including soy milk, oat milk, almond milk, or even coconut milk.

Try syrups: You can flavor Dalgona coffee with different syrups like caramel or vanilla to change things up.

Turn it into ice cream: You can freeze large batches of it to make homemade dalgona coffee ice cream!

Add warm spices: You can add some cinnamon or nutmeg to it for a comforting coffee drink.

Make a mocha version: Another idea is to add some cocoa powder for a mocha version of this popular coffee drink!

Top it off on baked goods: This whipped coffee cream goes incredibly well on top of baked goods such as cakes, brownies, loaves, and even cookies!

How to Store Dalgona Coffee

This delicious Dalgona coffee foam stays fluffy and thick even after storing it in the fridge! If you want to make more whipped coffee to use the second day, then store the extra whipped coffee in an airtight container and mix it a little before using it later.

You can store it for up to 1 week in the fridge or even freeze it for up to 3 weeks in the freezer.

More Drinks You Should Try

Golden Milk Recipe.

Strawberry Lemonade.

Pumpkin Spice Latte.