☕️ Dalgona Coffee – Quick, Budget-Friendly Coffeehouse Treat at Home

Name: ☕️ Dalgona Coffee – Quick, Budget-Friendly Coffeehouse Treat at Home
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 15 min
Ingredients: 2 Tbsp instant coffee (not ground coffee); 2 Tbsp granulated sugar; 2 Tbsp hot water; 1 cup milk (any kind: dairy or non-dairy); Ice cubes (if serving cold); Optional: sprinkle of cinnamon (cocoa, or drizzle of caramel)

Author: Jacky

Published: July 25, 2025

Updated: October 16, 2025

Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

🎉 Introduction

Craving a coffeehouse-style drink but want to skip the drive-thru and the price tag? Meet Dalgona Coffee, the perfect quick & budget-friendly coffee treat! This whipped coffee sensation took the internet by storm—and for good reason. With just 3 pantry ingredients, you get a silky, cloud-like coffee topping that sits beautifully over cold or hot milk. The best part? It takes only 5 minutes to make.

Whether you’re fueling your morning, treating yourself mid-afternoon, or entertaining guests, this eye-catching drink is delicious, economical, and totally Instagram-worthy.

🧰 Equipment Needed

Mixing bowl (medium)
Electric hand mixer or whisk
Tablespoon measure
Spoon or spatula
Serving glass or mug

🛒 Ingredients

2 Tbsp instant coffee (not ground coffee)
2 Tbsp granulated sugar
2 Tbsp hot water
1 cup milk (any kind: dairy or non-dairy)
Ice cubes (if serving cold)
Optional: sprinkle of cinnamon, cocoa, or drizzle of caramel

👩‍🍳 Directions

Whip the Coffee Mixture
- In a bowl, combine instant coffee, sugar, and hot water.
- Whip with a hand mixer or whisk vigorously for 3–5 minutes until thick, creamy, and light brown.
Prepare Your Milk Base
- Pour milk into a glass over ice for a cold version, or heat milk for a warm treat.
- Leave about 1–2 inches of space at the top for the whipped topping.
Assemble the Drink
- Spoon the whipped coffee over the milk.
- Gently swirl or mix if desired, or sip through the layers.
Garnish (Optional)
- Dust with cinnamon, cocoa powder, or drizzle with caramel for a café-style finish.

🍽️ Servings & Timing

Servings: 1
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: None
Total Time: ~5 minutes

🧊 Storage & Reheating

Make Ahead: You can whip the coffee and refrigerate for up to 2 days. Re-whip quickly if it deflates.
No Reheating Needed: Mix fresh for best texture.

🥄 Variations

Mocha Dalgona: Add 1 tsp cocoa powder to the mix before whipping.
Vanilla Latte Style: Stir a few drops of vanilla into your milk.
Sugar-Free: Use erythritol, stevia, or monk fruit instead of sugar.
Spiked Version: Add a splash of Baileys or Kahlúa for an adult treat.
Iced Dalgona Float: Serve over a scoop of vanilla ice cream instead of milk.

❓ 10 FAQs

Can I use regular coffee grounds?
No—only instant coffee will whip properly.
What kind of sugar works best?
Granulated white sugar is ideal. Brown sugar works but gives a slightly different texture.
Can I use decaf instant coffee?
Yes! The taste and texture are nearly identical.
Does it work with plant-based milk?
Absolutely—almond, oat, soy, or coconut milk are all great.
Can I make more than one serving at a time?
Yes—just scale up the ingredients and whip longer if needed.
Why isn’t my coffee whipping?
Make sure you’re using instant coffee and equal parts sugar and hot water. Whip longer with a mixer if needed.
Can I serve this hot?
Yes! Just heat the milk before topping with the whipped coffee.
Is it strong?
Yes, the whipped layer is bold. Mix well with milk if you want a milder taste.
Is it expensive to make?
Not at all! It uses pantry staples and costs only a fraction of coffeehouse drinks.
Can kids have it?
It’s best for adults due to caffeine, but you can make a decaf version for older kids as a treat.

🏁 Conclusion

This Dalgona Coffee is your budget-friendly barista fix—creamy, trendy, and totally satisfying. It’s proof that you don’t need fancy equipment or expensive ingredients to enjoy a café-style drink. With just 5 minutes and a few staples, you can whip up a coffee that looks and tastes gourmet.

Once you try it, you’ll want to keep a jar of instant coffee in your pantry forever.

☕️ Dalgona Coffee – Quick, Budget-Friendly Coffeehouse Treat at Home

Craving a coffeehouse-style drink but want to skip the drive-thru and the price tag? Meet Dalgona Coffee, the perfect quick & budget-friendly coffee treat! This whipped coffee sensation took the internet by storm—and for good reason. With just 3 pantry ingredients, you get a silky, cloud-like coffee topping that sits beautifully over cold or hot milk. The best part? It takes only 5 minutes to make. Whether you’re fueling your morning, treating yourself mid-afternoon, or entertaining guests, this eye-catching drink is delicious, economical, and totally Instagram-worthy.

Print Recipe

Prep Time 5

Cook Time 15

Servings: 2

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

2 Tbsp instant coffee not ground coffee
2 Tbsp granulated sugar
2 Tbsp hot water
1 cup milk any kind: dairy or non-dairy
Ice cubes if serving cold
Optional: sprinkle of cinnamon cocoa, or drizzle of caramel

Equipment

Mixing bowl (medium)
Electric hand mixer or whisk
Tablespoon measure
Spoon or spatula
Serving glass or mug

Method

Whip the Coffee Mixture
In a bowl, combine instant coffee, sugar, and hot water.
Whip with a hand mixer or whisk vigorously for 3–5 minutes until thick, creamy, and light brown.
Prepare Your Milk Base
Pour milk into a glass over ice for a cold version, or heat milk for a warm treat.
Leave about 1–2 inches of space at the top for the whipped topping.
Assemble the Drink
Spoon the whipped coffee over the milk.
Gently swirl or mix if desired, or sip through the layers.
Garnish (Optional)
Dust with cinnamon, cocoa powder, or drizzle with caramel for a café-style finish.

Notes

🧊 Storage & Reheating

Make Ahead: You can whip the coffee and refrigerate for up to 2 days. Re-whip quickly if it deflates.

No Reheating Needed: Mix fresh for best texture.

🥄 Variations

Mocha Dalgona: Add 1 tsp cocoa powder to the mix before whipping.

Vanilla Latte Style: Stir a few drops of vanilla into your milk.

Sugar-Free: Use erythritol, stevia, or monk fruit instead of sugar.

Spiked Version: Add a splash of Baileys or Kahlúa for an adult treat.

Iced Dalgona Float: Serve over a scoop of vanilla ice cream instead of milk.

❓ 10 FAQs

Can I use regular coffee grounds?
No—only instant coffee will whip properly.

What kind of sugar works best?
Granulated white sugar is ideal. Brown sugar works but gives a slightly different texture.

Can I use decaf instant coffee?
Yes! The taste and texture are nearly identical.

Does it work with plant-based milk?
Absolutely—almond, oat, soy, or coconut milk are all great.

Can I make more than one serving at a time?
Yes—just scale up the ingredients and whip longer if needed.

Why isn’t my coffee whipping?
Make sure you’re using instant coffee and equal parts sugar and hot water. Whip longer with a mixer if needed.

Can I serve this hot?
Yes! Just heat the milk before topping with the whipped coffee.

Is it strong?
Yes, the whipped layer is bold. Mix well with milk if you want a milder taste.

Is it expensive to make?
Not at all! It uses pantry staples and costs only a fraction of coffeehouse drinks.

Can kids have it?
It’s best for adults due to caffeine, but you can make a decaf version for older kids as a treat.

🏁 Conclusion

This Dalgona Coffee is your budget-friendly barista fix—creamy, trendy, and totally satisfying. It’s proof that you don’t need fancy equipment or expensive ingredients to enjoy a café-style drink. With just 5 minutes and a few staples, you can whip up a coffee that looks and tastes gourmet.

Once you try it, you’ll want to keep a jar of instant coffee in your pantry forever.

Jacky’s Kitchen

Welcome to Jacky’s Kitchen! I’m Jacky — a home chef sharing easy, colorful, cartoon-style recipes you’ll actually enjoy cooking. From quick dinners to sweet treats, everything here is made with love, flavor, and a dash of fun.