How to Make Dalgona Coffee — Whipped Coffee Over Iced Milk

What you need

• Mixing bowl
• Electric mixer or hand whisk
• Spoon
• Drinking glass

Method

1. Combine 2 tablespoons instant coffee, 2 tablespoons sugar, and 2 tablespoons hot water in a bowl

   Equal parts of each ingredient.

2. Whip the mixture until it becomes thick, sticky, and smooth

   An electric mixer is fastest, but you can whip by hand if you do not have one.

   Expert tipKeep going until the foam holds its shape and turns pale and creamy.

3. Fill a glass about three-quarters full with ice and milk

4. Spoon the whipped coffee on top of the iced milk

5. Stir well to combine, then drink

Why this works

Whipping instant coffee, sugar, and hot water incorporates air while the dissolved coffee solids and sugar stabilize the foam, so it holds a fluffy, spoonable structure. The equal 1:1:1 ratio gives enough sugar to support the bubbles and enough coffee for bold flavor. Layering it over iced milk keeps the foam intact until you stir it in.

Where beginners go wrong

1. 1

   Foam won't thicken

   Keep whipping; the mixture needs sustained beating to trap air. Whipping by hand simply takes longer than using an electric mixer.

2. 2

   Mixture stays runny

   Use equal parts coffee, sugar, and water, and don't add extra water; too much liquid prevents the foam from setting up.

3. 3

   Foam sinks into the milk

   Spoon the whipped coffee gently on top of well-chilled iced milk rather than stirring it in immediately.

What you should taste

A good Dalgona coffee has a thick, mousse-like coffee crown that is sweet and intensely coffee-flavored, sitting over cold, milky liquid; stirred together it becomes a smooth, lightly sweet iced coffee.

FAQ