This Homemade Dalgona Latte is the ultimate frothy coffee – a whipped coffee using an instant coffee powder that can be served warm or iced over dairy-free milk!

From beauty products to TV shows, to bands – South Korea has brought us a lot of pretty amazing things. Now, this Dalgona Latte (i.e. whipped coffee) has become a new obsession of mine (and the world over).

Named Dalgona coffee after a traditional Korean spongy sugar candy – the color and taste of the whipped coffee foam are apparently fairly similar to the street treat. Using just three ingredients and a super simple process, you can make this instant coffee drink like a pro.

By whipping the coffee, you get a fantastic fluffy coffee ‘mousse’-like mixture that you can then scoop over your milk for a deliciously frothy coffee product. If you want to serve it as a warm latte, then go ahead. However, it also shines as an iced coffee – served over your choice of milk (plant-based and dairy both work!) and some ice cubes.

Sometimes, I feel like it’s important to treat ourselves to some new ‘luxuries’. And, yes, I fully just hear that I called instant coffee powder a luxury, but when it’s whipped and layered like this, it honestly feels a bit like you’re a professional barista. Which I am fully endorsing since none of us can get to a lock coffee shop any time soon.

Plus, when I first heard about this drink I had instant visions of Chandler and Joey in Friends during the episode where they were avoiding the coffee shop and trying (and failing) to get a frothy coffee at home using instant coffee. But, that certainly isn’t the case here – get ready for the foamiest coffee of your life with no milk frother needed!

A Few Tips and FAQs

The sugar content: I know that many people try to reduce the sugar content. I haven’t personally tried this as less sugar usually would mean softer peaks for the foam. However, I have heard of people replacing the sugar with honey and reporting great results.

Milk Usage: For this beaten coffee recipe, you can use dairy or dairy-free milk. If going dairy-free, then I suggest using oat milk as it’s nice and creamy. Other options include soy, coconut, or almond milk. You can check out all my Dairy-free milk options here.

Temperature: As mentioned above, this method can be used to make a warm latte or iced latte.

Storage: If you find that you’ve made too much coffee foam, then you can store this for 1-2 days in the refrigerator.

Ways to Jazz up your Dalgona Latte

There are probably 101 different ways to jazz up this drink – but I’m still experimenting, so here are a couple of options you may like.

Adding Spices: One of the easiest ways to customize this drink is probably through the use of spices. Cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, vanilla, etc. Simply add some into the bowl with the coffee before whipping and voila.

Mocha Option: It’s possible to add some cocoa powder into the bowl before whipping for a delicious mocha version of this drink. I’ve even heard that some non-coffee lovers have replaced their coffee altogether with cocoa powder for a chocolatey version of this frothy, whipped drink.

How to Make a Dalgona Latte

What’s needed

• Instant coffee
• Brown sugar (plain granulated sugar will work if that’s all you have)
• A bit of hot water
• Hot or cold plant-based milk – oat milk works great

Steps

Begin by mixing the instant coffee, sugar, and hot water in a large bowl.

Whisk this mixture until foam forms, and you get hard peaks. Ideally, you can use an electric whisker to save time. However, a normal one works too – it just takes longer to froth (around 2.5-3 minutes).

Note: It’s important to get the mixture as frothy and foamy as possible.

Get your milk ready. You’ll want to fill about 2/3 of your cup with milk – warm it up if you want a warm latte. Or add a few ice cubes for an iced latte.

Pour or spoon the frothy Dalgona coffee mix over the milk and optionally sprinkle with some cacao, cinnamon, or other spice, and voila – enjoy!

If you give this whipped coffee recipe a go, then please let me know in the comments below. Also, I love it when you tag me in your recreations @AlphaFoodie.