Dalgona Coffee Recipe: The Viral Whipped Coffee That Took Over Quarantine

Dalgona Coffee became THE drink of 2020 quarantine, taking over social media feeds worldwide. This Korean-inspired whipped coffee creates a cloud of sweet, frothy coffee that sits atop milk like edible art. The best part? You only need three ingredients and a whisk (or a lot of arm strength).

What is Dalgona Coffee?

Dalgona Coffee gets its name from dalgona, a Korean honeycomb toffee candy it resembles. The drink consists of equal parts instant coffee, sugar, and hot water, whipped into fluffy peaks, then served over cold or hot milk.

Why it went massively viral:

Visually stunning: The contrast between dark foam and white milk is Instagram gold
Incredibly simple: Three ingredients, one bowl, five minutes
Quarantine timing: People had time to whip coffee during lockdowns
ASMR satisfaction: The whipping process is mesmerizing
Accessible: No special equipment required
Customizable: Adjust sweetness, make it iced or hot

The recipe became a global phenomenon, with millions attempting the arm workout required to achieve those stiff peaks.

Classic Dalgona Coffee Recipe

Ingredients (Makes 1 large serving)

For the whipped coffee:

2 tbsp instant coffee (any brand)
2 tbsp granulated sugar
2 tbsp hot water

For serving:

1 cup milk (any kind - dairy or non-dairy)
Ice cubes (for iced version)
Optional: cocoa powder, cinnamon, or vanilla extract for garnish

Instructions

Step 1: Combine Ingredients

In a medium bowl, combine instant coffee, sugar, and hot water
The ratio is 1:1:1 - equal parts all three ingredients
Make sure the water is hot (helps dissolve faster)

Step 2: Whip, Whip, Whip

By hand (the workout):

Use a whisk and beat vigorously
Keep going even when your arm gets tired
It takes 400-500 strokes
Plan on 5-10 minutes of continuous whipping
You'll know it's done when stiff peaks form and color lightens

With electric mixer:

Use hand mixer on high speed
Takes about 2-3 minutes
Much easier on your arms
Same stiff peak result

With milk frother:

Takes 3-5 minutes
Not quite as fluffy as other methods
But still works in a pinch

Step 3: Prepare the Milk

For iced:

Fill glass with ice
Pour in cold milk
Leave room at top for coffee foam

For hot:

Warm milk (don't boil)
Pour into mug
Leave room for foam

Step 4: Assemble and Serve

Spoon whipped coffee on top of milk
Create swirls or pile it high
Optional: dust with cocoa powder or cinnamon
Stir before drinking to combine
Enjoy immediately

Pro Tips for Perfect Dalgona Coffee

Instant Coffee is Essential

Must use instant coffee: Regular ground coffee won't work. It needs to dissolve completely.

Any brand works: Folgers, Nescafe, store brand - all fine.

Instant espresso powder: Makes it extra strong and delicious.

Don't substitute: Brewed coffee, cold brew, or espresso won't whip. The chemistry requires instant.

The Ratio is Sacred

Always 1:1:1: Equal parts coffee, sugar, and hot water.

Scale up or down: Want more? Use 3 tbsp each. The ratio stays the same.

Don't reduce sugar: It's not just for sweetness - sugar helps create structure. Less sugar = less fluffy.

Hot water matters: Cold water won't dissolve properly and makes whipping harder.

Achieving Stiff Peaks

Color change: Mixture lightens from dark brown to caramel-colored when ready.

Texture test: Stiff peaks should stand up straight when you lift the whisk.

Don't give up: It takes longer than you think. Keep going past when you think you're done.

Bigger bowl: Easier to whip in a larger bowl with room to move.

Serving Tips

Stir before drinking: Drinking pure whipped coffee is intense. Mix it with milk first.

Use clear glass: Show off those beautiful layers in a clear cup.

Drink relatively quickly: The foam starts to deflate after 15-20 minutes.

Temperature preference: Iced is more popular, but hot works beautifully too.

Delicious Variations

Dalgona Matcha

Replace instant coffee with:

2 tbsp matcha powder
Use same ratio with sugar and water
Whip until fluffy
Beautiful green color

Dalgona Hot Chocolate

Instead of coffee:

2 tbsp cocoa powder
2 tbsp sugar
2 tbsp hot water
Whip and serve over milk

Kid-friendly: No caffeine!

Mocha Dalgona

Mix it up:

1 tbsp instant coffee
1 tbsp cocoa powder
2 tbsp sugar
2 tbsp hot water

Result: Best of both worlds.

Cinnamon Dalgona

Add to basic recipe:

1/2 tsp cinnamon in the whip
Cinnamon stick for garnish
Serve over vanilla-flavored milk

Vanilla Dalgona

Enhance with vanilla:

Add 1/4 tsp vanilla extract to whip
Use vanilla oat milk
Top with vanilla bean flecks

Pumpkin Spice Dalgona

Fall version:

Add 1/2 tsp pumpkin spice to whip
Serve over warm milk
Top with whipped cream and more spice

For more quick and easy drink ideas, pair with quick breakfast ideas.

Making It Less Sweet

The traditional recipe is quite sweet. To reduce:

Cut the sugar:

Use 1-1.5 tbsp sugar instead of 2
Won't be quite as fluffy but still works
Adjust to taste

Alternative sweeteners:

Honey works (use slightly less)
Maple syrup (reduce water slightly)
Stevia or monk fruit (use conversion chart)
Coconut sugar for caramel notes

Unsweetened milk:

Use unsweetened almond, oat, or soy milk
The whipped coffee is sweet enough

Milk Options

Any milk works - find your favorite:

Dairy milk:

Whole milk: Creamiest
2%: Good balance
Skim: Lightest
Oat milk: Popular dairy-free choice, naturally sweet
Almond milk: Light, nutty
Soy milk: Creamy alternative
Coconut milk: Rich, tropical
Cashew milk: Smooth, mild

Pro tip: Frothed milk takes it to the next level. Use a milk frother before adding whipped coffee.

Batch Making

Make enough for the week:

Large batch whipped coffee:

1/2 cup instant coffee
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup hot water
Whip until fluffy
Store in airtight container in fridge
Lasts 1 week
Scoop out servings as needed

Texture changes: Refrigerated whipped coffee becomes firmer but still delicious.

Equipment Options

Best Tools for Whipping

Hand mixer: Easiest and fastest option

Stand mixer: Works perfectly, very hands-off

Milk frother: Decent results, less fluffy

Whisk by hand: Traditional workout method

What doesn't work well:

Blender (doesn't incorporate enough air)
Fork (takes forever and results are poor)
Spoon (just no)

Serving Vessels

Best glasses:

Clear glass to show layers
Wide mouth for easy stirring
Tall glass for iced
Coffee mug for hot

The Arm Workout Reality

If whipping by hand:

Minute 1: This is easy!

Minute 3: When will this be done?

Minute 5: My arm hurts

Minute 7: Is it fluffy yet?

Minute 10: FINALLY

Reality: It's a genuine workout. Your arm will be tired. But the result is worth it, and you can brag about the effort.

Pro tip: Switch arms halfway through to share the workout.

Common Questions

Can I make it without instant coffee?

No. Instant coffee is essential. Regular coffee won't whip no matter how long you try.

How many calories are in Dalgona coffee?

About 150-200 calories total (mostly from sugar and milk). The whipped coffee itself is about 100 calories.

Can I make it less caffeinated?

Use decaf instant coffee. Same whipping process, less buzz.

Why won't mine whip?

Make sure you're using instant coffee (not regular), and your bowl/whisk are completely clean and dry. Any fat prevents whipping.

Can kids have this?

The caffeine content is significant (similar to a cup of coffee). Make chocolate or matcha versions for kids instead.

Health Considerations

Caffeine content: One serving has about 65mg caffeine (similar to a cup of coffee).

Sugar content: Quite high in the traditional recipe. Reduce if concerned.

Dairy-free: Easily made vegan with plant milk and no other changes needed.

Sweetener alternatives: Work well for those avoiding sugar.

The Cultural Context

While Dalgona Coffee became a global phenomenon in 2020, the concept of whipped coffee has existed in various cultures:

Korean dalgona: The namesake candy Indian beaten coffee: A similar traditional preparation Greek frappé: Cold coffee drink with foam

The viral version brought this concept to mainstream awareness worldwide.

Why It Took Over Quarantine

The timing was perfect:

Lockdown life: People were home with time to experiment

Coffee shop closures: DIY fancy coffee filled the gap

Social media: Everyone sharing their attempts created FOMO

Simple but impressive: Success felt achievable and share-worthy

Arm workout: Became a fitness challenge joke

Aesthetics: Made everyone feel like a barista

Beyond the Basics

Once you master Dalgona coffee:

Dalgona coffee desserts: Use as topping for ice cream, cakes, or brownies

Dalgona coffee frosting: Mix into buttercream for coffee-flavored frosting

Dalgona affogato: Spoon over vanilla ice cream

Dalgona coffee shake: Blend with ice cream and milk

Dalgona tiramisu: Layer with ladyfingers for twist on classic dessert

For more creative recipe ideas, check easy dinner ideas.

The Verdict

Dalgona Coffee is more than just a trend - it's a genuinely delicious drink that's fun to make and beautiful to serve. While the novelty may have worn off for some, the recipe itself remains solid.

Is it life-changing? No. Is it a fun, tasty coffee drink that's easy to make and looks impressive? Absolutely.

Whether you're discovering Dalgona Coffee for the first time or returning to it years after the trend peaked, it's worth whipping up (pun intended).

Now grab that instant coffee and get ready for an arm workout. Your frothy, photo-worthy coffee awaits.

Happy whipping!