Dalgona Whipped Coffee

This whipped coffee — often called Dalgona — has been a viral sensation for good reason. It’s creamy, luscious, and surprisingly simple to make. If you enjoy coffee that feels like a dessert and a cup of joe at once, this is a must-try.

Dalgona whipped coffee is made with four basic ingredients that most kitchens already have: instant coffee, hot water, sugar (or a sweetener if you prefer), and milk. The sugar helps the coffee foam up and stay fluffy longer, but you can skip or replace it if needed.

Four simple ingredients to delicious coffee

For an iced version, add ice to your milk. For a hot version, warm the milk before pouring. I often use almond milk for a slightly nutty, creamy flavor, but skim, whole, oat, or any preferred milk works well.

The name and appearance come from a Korean candy called dalgona, which is light and spongy, similar in color to the whipped coffee topping. “Dalgona” is derived from a Korean word meaning “sweet.” The drink surged in popularity in spring 2020 and remains a favorite for its fun texture and dessert-like quality.

You can whisk the coffee manually, but a hand mixer or stand mixer makes the process faster and easier. Start with a mixer and finish with the whisk by hand to check the texture if you like. In just a few minutes you’ll have a silky, creamy whipped layer ready to top your milk.

Dalgona Whipped Coffee — Recipe Overview

Yields 1–2 servings

Ingredients

• Instant coffee (must be instant — brewed coffee will not whip)
• Hot water (just off the boil)
• Granulated sugar or a granulated sweetener (optional, but helps create and stabilize the foam)
• Milk of choice — served cold with ice for iced coffee, or warmed for a hot drink
• See the recipe card below for exact amounts.

How to Make Dalgona Whipped Coffee

Directions

1. Prepare a large, completely dry mixing bowl.
2. Combine the instant coffee and sugar in the bowl.
3. Add the hot water (just off the boil) to the coffee and sugar.
4. Use a hand mixer or stand mixer to whip the mixture until it doubles in size and becomes thick and fluffy, about 2–3 minutes with a mixer. Whisking by hand will take longer.
5. Fill one or two glasses with milk. Add ice if serving cold, or pour in hot milk for a warm drink.
6. Spoon or dollop the whipped coffee on top of the milk. Stir before drinking or enjoy layered for photography and presentation.

*Best enjoyed within an hour for optimal texture.

Optional Additions and Serving Ideas

Dalgona whipped coffee can resemble coffee ice cream or coffee whipped cream. Try these variations:

• Sprinkle pumpkin spice in the milk or on top of the whipped layer for autumn flavor.
• Stir with a cinnamon stick or dust the top with ground cinnamon for warmth and aroma.
• Use the whipped coffee as a topping for desserts like brownies, pound cake, or layered between sponge cake and ladyfingers.
• Swap milk types — almond, oat, dairy — to find your preferred flavor profile.

Printable Recipe Card

Thanks for reading — enjoy this creamy, easy-to-make coffee treat. Try different milks and spices to make it your own.