If you’re spending any amount of time on Instagram or TikTok these days, you’ve likely been inspired to whip up your own mug of dalgona coffee.
The frothy caffeinated concoction — also referred to as whipped coffee — has been trending since going viral in South Korea earlier this year. Search #dalgonacoffee on Instagram, and you’ll net more than 265,000 posts. On TikTok, that number reaches 207 million views.
“I think the trend took off really quickly because people are feeling stir-crazy at home while social distancing and want a quick and easy distraction,” says Michelle Lopez, founder of the food blog Hummingbird High. “The recipe is pretty low commitment — it takes five minutes — and serves as a good replacement for a lot of folks’ morning coffee routine. I also think this recipe just brought a lot of joy into people’s lives by being tasty and fun to make and share online.”
Julie Resnick, co-founder of feedfeed, a popular crowd-sourced digital food publication and community, agrees. “This recipe is easy, approachable, only requires a few ingredients, looks really cool and it tastes pretty good,” she says. “It’s a cloud of happiness for sweet coffee lovers. It tastes mostly sweet and creamy with a tiny bit of bitterness.”
Lopez says she’d compare the taste to a Starbucks Frappuccino. “They have the same kind of airy texture,” she says. “I think Starbucks gets their texture by blending coffee with crushed ice, but you don’t do that with dalgona coffee at all.”
Ready to make your own happiness cloud at home? Here’s what you’ll need and how to whip it — and whip it good, with all products recommended by the pros and from our favorite brands.
How to make whipped coffee
To make one dalgona coffee, Lopez says, you’ll need 2 tablespoons each of instant coffee, granulated sugar and boiling water. You’ll also need ½ cup of ice, 8 ounces of milk, and cocoa powder for garnish, if you like. (“Don’t try it unless you are using instant coffee,” Resnick advises, as regular coffee does not work with this recipe.)
Combine the instant coffee and sugar in a bowl, then add the hot water. “The dalgona coffee recipe works best if you use hot water — it dissolves both the instant coffee and sugar more quickly and leads to a fluffier, frothier coffee,” Lopez says.
Now you’ll either use a whisk to beat the mixture until it’s light and fluffy (about five minutes) or use an electric or stand mixer (it’ll save a lot of arm strength, Resnick says) for about one to two minutes.
“I typically whisk my coffee by hand, but I’m a professional baker so I have a lot of practice whipping whipped cream and meringue, too,” Lopez says. “If you don’t do what I do for a living, I definitely recommend using a hand-held electric mixer. It’s the fastest and easiest way to get maximum fluff for your coffee.”
From there, spoon the creamy coffee into a glass of iced milk using a rubber spatula and garnish with the cocoa powder if you like. Snap your photo, then stir it up and enjoy.
What you’ll need
Folgers Instant Coffee Crystals Classic Roast Single Serve Packets ($14.61; amazon.com
These single-serve packets are perfect for those who want to try the dalgona coffee trend without making a major commitment.
Folgers Classic Medium Roast Instant Coffee ($5.99; target.com)
If you’re looking to either make a lot of whipped coffee, or just prefer instant over drip, why not buy a larger container that’s miraculously still in stock? And if you love a French roast, try this.
Circulon Morning Bird Tea Kettle ($39.99; bedbathandbeyond.com
Boil your water in style with this 2-quart stovetop kettle that will be a chic addition to your kitchen. We love it in bright turquoise, but it also comes in black, chocolate and orange.
Bodum Bistro Electric Tea Kettle ($38.32; wayfair.com
When you want your water boiled quickly, go electric. This sleek, modern design includes a see-through water level scale, so you know exactly how much water you’re boiling.
Oxo 9” Softworks Whisk ($7.99; target.com)
Beloved by Target shoppers, this whisk is smaller in order to mix together something as simple as instant coffee, sugar and water.
Kate Aspen “The Perfect Mix” Kitchen Whisk ($1.99; bedbathandbeyond.com)
Here’s a sweet pink whisk at a lower price point, which features a stainless steel handle and silicone-coated wires.
Breville Handy Mix Scraper Hand Mixer ($129.95; amazon.com
Hummingbird High’s Lopez says this sturdy number is her go-to handheld mixer. “It’s powerful but lightweight, and I love that it has a little light in the mixer that shines on whatever you’re making to enable you to see what you’re doing,” she says.
KitchenAid 5-Quart Stand Mixer (starting at $239.99; bedbathandbeyond.com
Whipping up dalgona coffee is just one reason to invest in this kitchen must-have. From kneading dough to stirring wet and dry ingredients to beating fluffy coffee, you’ll use it again and again and again.
Luminarc 10-Piece Set Stackable Bowl Set ($29.99; amazon.com
The key to making dalgona coffee is in the mixing. This set of 10 lead-free glass bowls stacks easily for storage and ensures you’ll always have the perfect size on hand.
Cuisinart 3-Piece Mini Spatula Set ($8.99; bedbathandbeyond.com
Spoon up your whipped coffee with a pretty rubber spatula. Durable and smaller in size, this version will help get your coffee Instagram-perfect.
Fellow Set of 2 Coffee Glasses ($30; nordstrom.com
Whipped coffee is made for social media display and will look extra impressive photographed in glass rather than a ceramic mug. These handblown 10-ounce glasses are almost as awe-inspiring as your drink.
Iridescent Stainless Steel Straws ($7.90; amazon.com
Top your coffee masterpiece off with a reusable iridescent stainless steel straw. Extra long, they fit 30-ounce tumblers and are BPA-free.
Silicone Reusable Drinking Straws ($9; uncommongoods.com
Or, add a pop of color to your dalgona coffee with this fun set of six silicone bendy straws that you can toss in the dishwasher between uses.
Ghirardelli Chocolate 100% Unsweetened Baking Cocoa (price varies; instacart.com
Make your drink extra special with a decadent sprinkle of cocoa powder on top.
Note: The prices above reflect the retailer’s listed prices at the time of publication.