Dalgona coffee went viral in 2020 and for good reason: it looks spectacular and takes 5 minutes to make. It's essentially a reverse latte — instead of espresso poured into milk, a thick foam of whipped instant coffee floats on top of cold (or hot) milk. When you drink it, the foam and milk combine with each cup.
The Recipe (Serves 1)
Instant Coffee
2 tbsp
Level tablespoons
Sugar
2 tbsp
White or brown
Hot Water
2 tbsp
Boiling
Milk
200ml
Cold, over ice
Method
- Combine instant coffee, sugar, and hot water in a medium bowl. The equal-parts ratio is important — don't adjust it.
- Whip with a hand mixer or electric whisk for 3–5 minutes until the mixture triples in volume and forms stiff, glossy peaks. You can do this by hand with a fork, but it takes 10–15 minutes.
- Fill a glass with ice, then pour in cold milk.
- Spoon the whipped coffee foam on top. Serve immediately.
- Stir before drinking (or don't — drinking through the layers is half the experience).
The key ingredient: Instant coffee only. The whipping effect works because instant coffee is freeze-dried and contains the right structure to hold air when whipped with sugar and water. Ground coffee will not foam. This is one recipe where instant coffee is the correct choice.
Tips for Better Foam
- Use level tablespoon measures — the ratio matters for foam stability
- Use boiling water, not just hot — it helps dissolve everything fully
- Whip until stiff peaks form — under-whipped foam will collapse quickly into the milk
- Use good instant coffee — the flavour comes entirely from the instant coffee, so use a decent brand. Nescafé Gold or similar works well.
Hot Version
Pour warm milk into a mug instead of cold milk over ice, then spoon the foam on top. The foam will begin to melt as you drink — less dramatic but equally good on a cold morning.