Dalgona coffee is a frothy and indulgent beverage that became a sensation across the world during the pandemic. This whipped coffee drink, with its velvety foam sitting atop cold or hot milk, offers a luxurious café experience at home. Despite its elegant appearance, making Dalgona coffee is surprisingly simple, requiring only a few basic ingredients. Whether you’re a coffee aficionado or a casual drinker, this unique drink can easily become part of your daily routine.
What Is Dalgona Coffee?
Originating from South Korea, Dalgona coffee mimics the flavor of a Korean street candy known as “Dalgona.” The candy is made with caramelized sugar and baking soda, and while the coffee doesn’t use these ingredients, it replicates the toasty sweetness. The hallmark of this drink is its creamy, whipped coffee layer that creates a delightful contrast to the smooth milk base below. When stirred, these layers blend to create a rich and harmonious mixture.
The Origins of the Dalgona Craze
The popularity of Dalgona coffee exploded during global lockdowns in 2020. With cafes closed, people sought ways to recreate gourmet drinks at home, and Dalgona coffee emerged as a social media phenomenon. Videos of the frothy drink dominated TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube, sparking a worldwide trend. Its visual appeal and minimal ingredients made it accessible, and its distinctive taste kept people coming back for more.
Ingredients You’ll Need
One of the most appealing aspects of Dalgona coffee is its simplicity. You only need four primary ingredients:
- Instant Coffee: The instant variety works best because of its soluble nature, allowing for the quick formation of foam.
- Sugar: Granulated sugar is typically used, though you can substitute with alternatives like coconut sugar or erythritol for a healthier twist.
- Hot Water: The water needs to be hot to dissolve the coffee and sugar, ensuring a smooth and stable foam.
- Milk: Use your preferred type—whole milk, almond milk, oat milk, or soy milk all work wonderfully.
The proportion for the whipped coffee mixture is always equal parts coffee, sugar, and water. Most recipes use 2 tablespoons of each ingredient, but you can adjust according to your taste preference.
How to Make Simple Dalgona Coffee
Step 1: Whisk the Coffee Mixture
Start by adding the instant coffee, sugar, and hot water into a bowl. Using either a hand whisk or an electric mixer, whisk vigorously until the mixture becomes light and airy. If you’re whisking by hand, this process might take 8 to 10 minutes, but an electric mixer can cut the time down to 2-3 minutes.
The goal is to achieve stiff peaks—similar to whipped cream. The color will lighten from a deep coffee brown to a pale, golden hue, and the texture should be thick and fluffy.
Step 2: Prepare the Milk
While you’re whipping the coffee, pour cold or hot milk into a glass. For a cold version, adding a few ice cubes elevates the refreshing nature of the drink. If you prefer the warmth of a hot beverage, simply heat the milk before pouring.
Step 3: Assemble the Drink
Once the coffee mixture has reached the desired consistency, gently spoon the whipped coffee over the milk. The contrast between the velvety foam and smooth milk creates a visually striking beverage that’s almost too pretty to stir.
Step 4: Stir and Enjoy
Though the layered presentation is appealing, the true magic happens when you stir the coffee and milk together. The thick foam slowly melds into the milk, creating a creamy, sweet, and robust coffee drink. Sip slowly to savor the complex flavor, where the bitterness of the coffee is tempered by the creamy sweetness of milk and sugar.
Tips for Perfecting Your Dalgona Coffee
- Consistency Is Key: The secret to perfect Dalgona coffee lies in achieving the right consistency for the whipped coffee. Make sure your whisking is vigorous enough to trap air, which will give the foam its signature lightness.
- Experiment with Flavors: While the classic recipe is delicious as is, don’t be afraid to experiment. Adding a sprinkle of cinnamon, cocoa powder, or vanilla extract to the whipped coffee can add a new dimension of flavor.
- Sweetness Levels: The sugar in the whipped coffee is not just for taste; it also stabilizes the foam. Reducing the sugar may cause the mixture to deflate more quickly, but if you prefer a less sweet drink, you can experiment with sugar alternatives that offer similar texture without overpowering the coffee.
Nutritional Considerations
Though Dalgona coffee feels indulgent, its nutritional profile can be easily adjusted. By using plant-based milks or sugar substitutes, you can create a healthier version of this drink. Additionally, the instant coffee used in this recipe has fewer calories than brewed coffee, and you can control the sweetness to fit your dietary needs.
For those looking for a low-calorie treat, using almond milk or unsweetened soy milk can provide a lighter alternative without sacrificing flavor. You can also substitute honey or agave syrup in place of sugar for a more natural sweetener.
Why Dalgona Coffee Stands Out
Dalgona coffee is more than just a passing trend; it’s a testament to the versatility of coffee itself. The whipped layer is not only visually appealing but also creates a rich, indulgent texture that elevates the overall drinking experience. The simplicity of the ingredients, combined with the luxurious result, makes it an ideal beverage for both casual coffee drinkers and connoisseurs alike.
While the pandemic may have introduced the world to Dalgona coffee, its ability to turn a few simple pantry staples into something extraordinary has solidified its place in the global coffee culture. Whether you’re enjoying it as a morning pick-me-up or a special treat, Dalgona coffee provides a little bit of luxury in every sip.