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Want the creamy coffee layer without a café machine? Dalgona coffee is a useful place to start. You whip instant coffee with sugar and water, then spoon the foam over milk. Stir the layers together before drinking.

The Korean connection

The drink became widely associated with Korea during 2020. Its name refers to dalgona candy, but this basic drink does not require candy or baking soda. Korea.net’s July 2020 feature explains the coffee method; US restaurant supplier Wasserstrom’s September 2025 article discusses its appeal to American beverage operators. That is a dated US interest signal, not a current worldwide ranking.

Ingredients for two small glasses

Measure 1 tablespoon plain instant coffee, 1 tablespoon granulated sugar and 1 tablespoon hot water. Add 300 ml cold pasteurized milk, divided between two glasses, plus ice if wanted. Use a measuring tablespoon of 15 ml; the equal quantities are by volume, not weight.

Use plain soluble coffee, not ground beans or a coffee-and-creamer sachet. Milk alternatives are an option, but check their ingredients and allergens.

Make the foam

1. Put the coffee, sugar and hot water in a deep, heat-safe bowl. Stir to dissolve. Keep hot water away from children and avoid splashes.
2. Whisk until the mixture is lighter and thick enough to hold a soft mound. A handheld electric mixer can help; stop it before lifting the beaters.
3. Split the milk between glasses, spoon over the foam and stir before sipping. The basic technique is also described by Alton Brown.

If it stays runny

Check the coffee label and your measurements before adding anything else. Extra water makes the mixture harder to whip. Keep beating toward a texture rather than a promised number of minutes. Make the first batch with sugar as listed; changing it can change the foam.

Before serving

This contains caffeine and, with dairy milk, milk allergens. Plant drinks can contain soy or nuts. Check every label and choose ingredients suitable for the people drinking it. Serve promptly and return unused milk to the refrigerator.

Read this recipe in: Español · Português (Brasil)