There’s something magical about watching whipped coffee rise like a fluffy cloud over cold milk. Dalgona Coffee took the internet by storm during the early days of the pandemic and for good reason. It’s a perfect combination of style and taste: creamy, sweet, strong, and so Instagrammable that it became a staple in almost every lockdown kitchen.
I remember the first time I made it. It felt less like brewing coffee and more like crafting a dessert. The process is quick, the ingredients are simple, and the results are genuinely satisfying. Whether you’re looking for a caffeine boost or a stylish beverage for your feed, this Dalgona Coffee recipe delivers.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons instant coffee
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 2 tablespoons hot water
- 1 cup milk (cold or hot, your choice)
- Ice (if serving cold)
Instructions
- Whip the Coffee
In a medium bowl, combine the instant coffee, sugar, and hot water. Use a hand whisk, electric mixer, or milk frother to beat the mixture. After 3–5 minutes, it will turn light, fluffy, and form stiff peaks just like whipped cream. - Prepare the Milk
Fill a glass with cold milk and ice (or warm milk if you prefer). Leave some space at the top. - Top with Whipped Coffee
Spoon the whipped coffee mixture over the milk. Swirl gently if you like the marble effect, or leave it floating neatly for that perfect social media shot. - Serve and Enjoy
Stir before drinking or not. The strong coffee hits first, followed by the creamy sweetness of the milk.
What Does Dalgona Coffee Taste Like?
Dalgona coffee has a bold, intense coffee flavor balanced by the sugar in the whipped layer. When mixed with milk, the drink becomes silky, smooth, and subtly sweet with a foamy texture on top. The contrast between the light coffee cloud and the creamy base makes each sip rich and layered.
If you enjoy sweet iced lattes or café-style drinks, you’ll love this one.
Texture Talk: Why It’s So Addictive
The whipped top is where the magic lies. It’s not just coffee, it’s mousse-like, airy, and smooth. The mouthfeel is a blend of frothy peaks with creamy milk underneath, creating a dessert-like drink that feels far fancier than it really is.
Tips for Perfect Dalgona Coffee
- Use instant coffee only – brewed coffee won’t whip.
- Stick to equal ratios (2:2:2) for consistency.
- Add vanilla or cinnamon for a twist in flavor.
- Chill your bowl and whisk for faster whipping if using a hand whisk.
- Don’t overwhip – it should be thick but still smooth and spreadable.
Fun Facts About Dalgona Coffee
- The name “Dalgona” comes from a Korean honeycomb candy that resembles the whipped topping’s color and texture.
- It became wildly popular on TikTok and Instagram in 2020, thanks to a Korean TV show where an actor compared the whipped coffee to dalgona candy.
- It became known as “quarantine coffee” or “TikTok coffee” due to its viral fame during the global lockdown.
Final Sip
Dalgona coffee is proof that you don’t need expensive equipment or barista skills to make something special. In just a few minutes, you can turn basic pantry ingredients into a café-style drink that looks amazing and tastes even better. Try it once, and it might just become your new go-to coffee treat!
Dalgona Coffee: A Global Trend in Numbers
TikTok Fame:
Dalgona coffee went viral during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, primarily on TikTok. One of the original viral videos using the hashtag #dalgonacoffeechallenge garnered over 10 million views within days.
Global Reach:
Within just a few weeks of its viral spread, the hashtag #dalgonacoffee received over 1 billion views across platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube. It became one of the most searched terms in Google in March–April 2020.
Google Trends:
In April 2020, Google reported that “Dalgona coffee” was the most searched coffee recipe worldwide, with a search interest score of 100 (peak popularity) during that time.
Origin Story:
Although dubbed “Dalgona” (a Korean honeycomb toffee), the whipped coffee method has long existed in various countries such as India and Pakistan where it’s known as “phenti hui coffee”.
Celebrity Influence:
Korean actor Jung Il-woo helped popularize the drink by showcasing it on a TV program, where he likened the whipped coffee’s taste and look to the nostalgic Korean sweet “Dalgona.”
User Engagement:
As of mid-2025, TikTok videos under the hashtag #dalgonacoffee have amassed over 3 billion views, showcasing global experimentation from matcha and cocoa versions to protein-packed variants.
Instagram-Worthy:
The aesthetic appeal of Dalgona coffee with its perfect layers made it one of the top photographed home beverages of 2020. Instagram saw over 700,000 photos tagged with the drink in just three months.
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