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A glass of iced milk topped with a thick layer of pale brown whipped dalgona coffee foam

Dalgona Coffee Recipe

The real dalgona coffee recipe: equal parts instant coffee, sugar, and hot water, whipped into foam. Why brewed coffee won't work, and how it differs from the candy.
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Prep Time 8 minutes
Total Time 8 minutes
Servings: 1
Course: Drink
Cuisine: Korean
Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

  • 2 tbsp instant coffee granules, not brewed or drip coffee
  • 2 tbsp granulated white sugar
  • 2 tbsp hot water, just off the boil
  • 1 to 1.5 cups milk of your choice, cold, over ice Substitute: oat, soy, or almond milk all work fine
  • Ice cubes

Method
 

  1. Add the instant coffee, sugar, and hot water to a bowl in equal parts.
  2. Whisk hard, by hand or with an electric mixer, until the mixture turns pale tan and holds soft peaks — about 2 minutes with a mixer, 8 to 10 minutes by hand.
  3. Fill a glass with ice, then pour in the milk, leaving room at the top.
  4. Spoon the whipped coffee on top so it sits as a distinct layer rather than sinking in.
  5. Stir together right before drinking. It separates fast, so serve it as soon as it's made.