Whipped Coffee Recipe: 3 Ingredients, 3 Minutes (Dalgona Coffee)
This whipped coffee recipe uses equal parts: 2 tablespoons instant coffee, 2 tablespoons sugar and 2 tablespoons hot water. Whisk them for 2 to 3 minutes with a mixer or frother until thick, glossy and light brown, then spoon it over a glass of cold milk with ice. It is also called dalgona coffee. The one rule: it has to be instant coffee. Brewed coffee will not whip.
What You’ll Need
Handheld milk frother – Whips the coffee in about 2 minutes
Electric hand mixer – Fastest option for a double batch
Instant coffee – The only coffee that whips
Tall drinking glasses – Shows off the layers
Glass mixing bowl – Room to whisk without splashing
Reusable glass straws – For stirring and sipping
Whipped Coffee Recipe
Ingredients (1 drink)
- 2 tablespoons instant coffee
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons hot water
- 1 cup (8 oz) cold milk
- Ice
Instructions
- Add the instant coffee, sugar and hot water to a small bowl.
- Whisk with a hand mixer or frother for 2 to 3 minutes. By hand with a whisk it takes 8 to 10 minutes.
- Stop when it turns light caramel brown and holds soft peaks, like thick meringue.
- Fill a glass with ice and pour in the cold milk, leaving room at the top.
- Spoon the whipped coffee over the milk.
- Stir before drinking.
Why Whipped Coffee Needs Instant Coffee
Instant coffee is freeze-dried or spray-dried, and when it dissolves in a small amount of water it makes a thick liquid that traps air as you whip it. Brewed coffee and espresso are too thin to hold a foam. Instant espresso powder works too and gives a darker, stronger whip.
| Change | Result |
|---|---|
| Less sugar | Faster to deflate, more bitter |
| No sugar | Loose foam that collapses quickly |
| Brown sugar | Caramel flavor, slightly softer peaks |
| Hand whisk | Same result, 8 to 10 minutes of work |
| Electric mixer | Fastest, stiffest peaks |
Hot Whipped Coffee
Heat the milk until steaming, pour it into a mug and spoon the whipped coffee on top. It melts into the milk faster than the iced version, so serve it right away.
Whipped Coffee Variations
Mocha Whipped Coffee
Whisk 1 teaspoon cocoa powder into the coffee mixture, or stir chocolate sauce into the milk. Our mocha recipe has a homemade sauce that works here.
Vanilla Whipped Coffee
Add 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract to the bowl, or sweeten the milk with our vanilla syrup for coffee.
Peppermint Whipped Coffee
Add a drop of peppermint extract and top with crushed candy cane for a holiday version.
Dairy-Free Whipped Coffee
The whip itself is dairy-free. Pour it over oat milk or almond milk. Oat milk gives the creamiest result.
Sugar-Free Whipped Coffee
Use a granulated sugar substitute. It whips, but the foam is less stable, so make it right before serving.
How to Store Whipped Coffee
Whipped coffee is best fresh. Leftovers keep in a covered container in the fridge for a day or two, but they slowly deflate. Whisk again for 30 seconds to bring back some of the volume. You can also spread it into a container, freeze it and scoop it over milk like coffee ice cream.
Whipped Coffee Amounts by Serving
| Servings | Instant coffee | Sugar | Hot water | Milk |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 tbsp | 2 tbsp | 2 tbsp | 1 cup |
| 2 | 1/4 cup | 1/4 cup | 1/4 cup | 2 cups |
| 4 | 1/2 cup | 1/2 cup | 1/2 cup | 4 cups |
| Mild single | 1 tbsp | 1 tbsp | 1 tbsp | 1 cup |
For more than two servings, use an electric hand mixer in a medium bowl. A handheld frother struggles with larger amounts. A stand mixer with the whisk attachment works for four or more servings and takes about 3 minutes on high.
What to Serve with Whipped Coffee
Whipped coffee is sweet and strong, so it pairs well with simple, buttery treats. Try shortbread, a slice of coffee cake, a plain croissant or a few biscotti. For a dessert, spoon the whipped coffee over vanilla ice cream or use it as a topping for brownies. It also makes a fun addition to a brunch or party coffee bar, since guests can top their own iced milk.
Marcus’s Pro Tips
- Use a narrow bowl or a tall jar so the frother stays submerged.
- Measure exactly. Equal parts is what makes it whip.
- Use hot water, not boiling. It dissolves the coffee and sugar faster.
- Chill the milk and the glass for the best layers.
- For a cafe-style drink, top it with our sweet cream cold foam instead of plain milk.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is whipped coffee made of?
Equal parts instant coffee, sugar and hot water, whisked until thick and served over milk.
Can you make whipped coffee with regular coffee?
No. Brewed coffee and espresso are too thin to hold air. Use instant coffee or instant espresso powder.
Why won’t my whipped coffee get fluffy?
Usually too little sugar, too much water, or not enough whisking. Use exact equal parts and keep whisking until it lightens in color.
Is whipped coffee the same as dalgona coffee?
Yes. Dalgona coffee is another name for whipped coffee, named after a Korean honeycomb candy it looks like.
How much caffeine is in whipped coffee?
Two tablespoons of instant coffee has about as much caffeine as two to three cups of instant coffee, so it is a strong drink. Use 1 tablespoon of each ingredient for a milder version.
Can you make whipped coffee without a mixer?
Yes. Whisk by hand for 8 to 10 minutes, or shake the mixture hard in a sealed jar for 3 to 4 minutes.
Looking for more coffee shop drinks you can make at home? Browse our coffee shop drinks at home or try our iced brown sugar shaken espresso.
Marcus Webb writes about home coffee for BrewElevate. He researches and compares brewing gear, beans and recipes so home brewers can make a better cup without overspending. His rule: if he wouldn’t be comfortable buying it himself, it doesn’t make the list.
