How to Make Dalgona Coffee

Have you ever wondered how to make Dalgona coffee? If visiting your favourite local coffee shop isn’t an option right now, don’t worry — you can still enjoy café-style beverages from the comfort of your own kitchen.

We’ll guide you through the perfect Dalgona coffee recipe, explain what makes this frothy, flavorful drink so special, and share some expert tips to help you get it just right. Whether you’re whipping up a quick treat or impressing guests, Dalgona coffee is a delicious and creative way to elevate your at-home brew routine.

And don’t forget: if you’re in need of high-quality ingredients, we stock a full range of coffee beans online — all packed fresh to order right here at our Kent-based factory.

What is Dalgona Coffee?

Dalgona Coffee (달고나 커피) is a Korean creation involving Coffee, milk, sugar and hot water that has been whipped into a delicious froth. It is an unmistakably modern infusion, one that gained prominence in South Korea in January 2020.

Actor Jung Il-woo tried Dalgona Coffee on the country’s television show, Stars’ Top Recipe at Fun-Staurant. Since then, it has become a social media phenomenon.

In other cultures, similar whipped coffee drinks exist. It’s known as Beaten Coffee in India and a form of Frappe in Greece. Reactions to its taste and characteristics have often been broadcast to viewers around the world — with most responses overwhelmingly positive to this Asian coffee.

But is it worth all the fuss? And what does Dalgona Coffee taste like, anyway?

What Does Dalgona Coffee Taste Like?

“Dalgona” in Dalgona Coffee derives from a Korean honeycomb toffee sweet of the same name. This is due to the similarities it shares with the candy, including the flavour and appearance.

When done right, it should, initially, have a slightly bitter note from the Coffee beans, followed by a sweet aftertaste. It is the soft and velvety texture of Dalgona Coffee, though, that seems to most appeal.

Indeed, the smoothness of this beverage is unparalleled, going above and beyond to impress casual drinkers and connoisseurs alike. The foam it produces, meanwhile, boasts a butterscotch hue that entices the palate even before you’ve taken your first sip.

It sounds great, doesn’t it? So what will you need to make it? Will you require any utensils or simply the ingredients?

Preparing to Make Dalgona Coffee

On the surface, making Dalgona Coffee looks complicated and challenging. It is, after all, essentially like making a cappuccino turned on its head, which usually requires fancy machinery.

Few of us have these kinds of Coffee makers, nor do those outside the barrister world have adequate training. However, with Dalgona Coffee, you have little to worry about.

If you’re looking to make a cuppa, all you’ll need are three ingredients plus some hot water and ice. These are Coffee (of course), sugar and milk. Some people might consider topping it off with Coffee powder, cocoa, crumbled biscuits or honey, too, although this is down to personal preference.

In terms of utensils, have a medium mixing bowl and an electric hand-held mixer close to hand. A stand mixer works even better, and for those without one, be prepared to whisk vigorously by hand. Milk frothers tend to be inconsistent.

Dalgona Coffee Recipe

1, Start with Coffee, Sugar and Water.

Grab your medium bowl and add ½ tbsp of sugar, 2 tbsp of granulated Coffee and 2 tbsp of hot water. If you want a sweeter drink, you might want to add up to 2 additional tbsp of sugar.

Be sure to use granulated sugar, as it plays a critical role in foam stability. Sugar substitutes like monkfruit or stevia may whip up initially but tend to collapse within minutes.

For the best results, use your favourite mixed coffee blend or single origin drip coffee or instant coffee — not instant espresso coffee, as espresso powder doesn’t dissolve or foam properly.

Coconut sugar, raw sugar, or brown sugar can work, but avoid powdered sugar and syrups, which interfere with the foam formation.

2, Whisk Vigorously.

Your best bet is to use an electric hand-held mixer. However, if you have a particularly powerful arm, or you fancy a challenge, then a regular one would suffice.

Whisk the ingredients until the mixture becomes silky-smooth and shiny, then continue until it thickens and holds as foam. If you are, indeed, whisking by hand, it’ll take around 8-12 minutes.

Use a large bowl to help incorporate enough air, and whisk in a zig-zag (side-to-side) motion rather than circular stirring to speed things up.

3, Get the Milk Ready.

Fill a glass most of the way with milk or milk alternative for coffee and ice. You can use either hot or cold milk depending on your preference. For a hot version, simply heat the milk before pouring — it won’t affect the foam’s structure.
4, Combine the Ingredients.

The time has come to dollop and swirl the Coffee mixture on top of the milk. It is probably best to mix it further at this point to ensure you get the best taste from start to finish.

<p><p>In theory, your beverage is ready to drink, although you might want to consider topping it off with additions such as Coffee powder, cocoa, crumbled biscuits or honey.

You can also make the foam in advance — it stays stable for up to three days in the fridge when made with instant coffee and sugar.
Note: If you used drip coffee, it tends to separate after 24 hours.

Bonus Tip: Whipped coffee isn’t just for drinking. Use it as a topping for brownies, pavlova, or banana bread, or freeze it into a rich coffee ice cream. Its smooth, airy texture makes it a versatile treat.

An Alternative is Fresh Coffee

Sometimes, simple is best. If you’d prefer to go down a more traditional route, you can count on The Kent and Sussex Tea and Coffee Company.

We take pride in packing every Coffee Beans we stock, every type of Tea we stock, and every type of Tisane we stock fresh to order.

While drip coffee can also be used to make Dalgona, it requires a very concentrated brew — around 3.5 tablespoons of grounds to 5 tablespoons of water — and much longer whipping (up to 13 minutes) to achieve a foam. Though less stable, it can yield a deeper flavor. So feel free to reach for your favourite Ethiopian coffee or Arabica coffee.

Why not make your own trend with us today? You won’t be disappointed by all we have to offer.

Frequently Asked Questions