8 Delicious Dalgona Iced Coffee Recipes

Dalgona coffee - sounds exotic, doesn't it? Well, what is dalgona coffee? It's the beverage that revolutionized our quarantined lives, one TikTok video at a time. If you haven't encountered this trendy coffee drink on your social media feed yet, picture this: a velvety, caramel-like whipped coffee that sits atop a glass of milk. The beautiful contrast between the whipped coffee and milk underneath has been breaking the Internet - it's nothing short of a viral sensation!

But, what exactly is this internet-famous Dalgona Coffee? Originating from South Korea, Dalgona coffee is a drink that’s as aesthetically pleasing as it is tasty. It's a whipped coffee drink named for its resemblance to Korean honeycomb toffee, known as Dalgona. At its core, the classic Dalgona recipe is incredibly simple, calling for equal parts instant coffee, sugar, and hot water. Yes, you read that right, instant coffee! Sounds surprising, doesn't it?

But wait, there's more to this Dalgona narrative - and it gets even chillier. Enter, the Dalgona Iced Coffee. This is the summer-friendly version of the traditional dalgona coffee, where the whipped coffee topping crowns a glass of chilled milk and ice. The result? A heavenly, refreshing coffee concoction that's bound to win over even the most dedicated cold brew drinkers.

So, stick around as we delve deeper into the world of dalgona coffee - from its humble beginnings to becoming a global coffee phenomenon, and of course, a compilation of delectable variations for you to try at home. Let's whip up some fun, shall we?

How to Make Dalgona Coffee (Iced Version)

So, are you ready to dive into the delightful world of Dalgona Coffee? Perfect! Let's start by learning how to make the classic dalgona coffee, specifically, the iced version, which is perfect for a hot summer day or whenever you're in need of a refreshingly sweet treat.

Classic Dalgona Coffee Recipe

The ingredients are quite simple. For the classic iced Dalgona Coffee, you'll need:

2 tablespoons of instant coffee or espresso powder
2 tablespoons of sugar
2 tablespoons of hot water
Milk and few ice cubes

Here's a simple ratio to remember: 1:1:1 for coffee, sugar, and hot water.

Instructions:

Alright, it's time to roll up your sleeves and start brewing! Here's your friendly step-by-step guide to creating your very own Iced Dalgona Coffee:

Let's Get Whipping: Kick off the process by tossing your instant coffee, sugar, and hot water into a mixing bowl. Grab your whisk or electric mixer, and start the transformation process. Imagine you're giving your mixture a bubbly makeover until it gets light, fluffy, and turns a beautiful caramel color. If you're using an electric mixer, this should take about 2-3 minutes. If you're building up your arm muscles with a manual whisk, it might take a tad longer. Remember, patience is the key to perfection!
Milk It: While your coffee is getting all whipped up, grab your favorite glass and fill it with milk (I like to use almond milk, oat milk or coconut milk) to your heart's content. Preparing an iced version of Dalgona coffee? Don't be shy with those ice cubes!
Layer it On: Your coffee mixture is now whipped to perfection and ready to become the crowning glory of your drink. Gently spoon it over your glass of milk, where it should float like a fluffy, delicious cloud.
Stir or Sip: You're almost there! Now, it's your call - give your drink a good stir to create a creamy concoction, or sip it as is, reveling in the delightful contrast between the icy milk and the smooth, whipped coffee.

Just like that, you've created your very own iced Dalgona Coffee! Wasn't that a piece of cake? But don't stop here. Your Dalgona adventure is just beginning. There are endless variations to this foamy delight waiting for you to discover, including options without instant coffee or sugar. Stick around, we'll be exploring those later in this blog post. In the meantime, sit back, relax, and enjoy your homemade iced Dalgona coffee. Cheers!

Variations of Iced Dalgona Coffee

The beauty of Dalgona Coffee is how versatile it is. You can tweak and experiment to your heart's content. Here are a couple of creative twists on the classic iced Dalgona coffee:

Iced Dalgona Coffee with a Dash of Cocoa

Add a chocolatey twist to your iced Dalgona coffee by dusting the top with some cocoa powder. It gives an extra layer of flavor, making your Dalgona coffee reminiscent of a frothy cappuccino.

Ingredients:

Basic Dalgona coffee ingredients (instant coffee, sugar, hot water, milk, ice cubes)
Cocoa powder for dusting

Instructions: Follow the usual Dalgona coffee-making process, and after spooning the whipped coffee onto your milk, simply dust the top with a bit of cocoa powder. Enjoy the lovely blend of coffee and chocolate!

Iced Dalgona Coffee with a Hint of Mint

For those hot summer days, add a refreshing touch to your iced Dalgona coffee with a hint of mint.

Ingredients:

Basic Dalgona coffee ingredients
A few sprigs of mint or a few drops of mint extract

Instructions: Prepare your Dalgona coffee as per the usual method. If you're using mint leaves, muddle a few in the bottom of your glass before adding your milk and ice. If you're using mint extract, add a couple of drops to your coffee mix before whipping it up. The mint gives a refreshing twist to your coffee and leaves you with a fresh palate.

Iced Dalgona Coffee with a Caramel Drizzle

Turn your iced Dalgona coffee into a dessert with a sweet caramel drizzle.

Ingredients:

Basic Dalgona coffee ingredients
Caramel sauce

Instructions: Prepare your Dalgona coffee as usual. Before adding your whipped coffee, drizzle some caramel sauce along the sides of your glass, then add your milk and ice. Spoon your whipped coffee on top, and you're good to go. The caramel sauce adds a sweet, creamy touch to your Dalgona coffee, making it even more indulgent.

Feel free to experiment with these variations and add your own personal touch. The possibilities with Dalgona coffee are endless. Enjoy your coffee adventure!

Iced Dalgona Coffee with Vanilla

This version adds a subtle hint of vanilla to your coffee, creating a lovely, aromatic blend.

Ingredients:

Basic Dalgona coffee ingredients (instant coffee, sugar, hot water, milk, ice cubes)
1 teaspoon of vanilla extract

Instructions:

Add vanilla extract along with your instant coffee, sugar, and hot water, then whip the mixture until it becomes frothy and achieves stiff peaks.
Fill your glass with your desired amount of milk and ice cubes.
Spoon the frothy coffee mixture over the milk.
Mix it or sip as is, enjoying the blend of coffee and vanilla.

Iced Dalgona Coffee with Cinnamon

Adding a dash of cinnamon can add a wonderful depth of flavor to your iced Dalgona coffee.

Ingredients:

Basic Dalgona coffee ingredients
Ground cinnamon for dusting

Instructions:

Follow the regular Dalgona coffee-making process.
After spooning the whipped coffee onto your milk, sprinkle the top with a bit of ground cinnamon.
The cinnamon will add a warm, spicy note that contrasts beautifully with the cold milk and rich coffee froth.

So, there you have it - two more delicious and easy-to-make variations of iced Dalgona coffee. Remember, the best part about making Dalgona coffee at home is the ability to experiment with flavors and find the perfect blend that suits your taste. Enjoy your brewing journey!

Sugar Free Dalgona Coffee

For those on a low-sugar or sugar-free diet, you can replace the sugar with a natural sweetener like Stevia or Erythritol.

Ingredients:

2 tablespoons of instant coffee or espresso powder
2 tablespoons of a sugar substitute like Stevia or Erythritol
2 tablespoons of hot water
Milk (preferably unsweetened if you're watching sugar intake)
Ice cubes

Instructions: Follow the same steps as the original Dalgona coffee recipe. The process and ratio are exactly the same; you're simply swapping out the sugar for a healthier alternative.

Dalgona Coffee Recipe without Instant Coffee

Absolutely! If you're looking for a Dalgona coffee variation without instant coffee, using a strongly brewed coffee or espresso is an excellent alternative. For those of you who want to brew the perfect cup of espresso at home, we recommend checking out our detailed guide: How to Make an Espresso: 2 Distinct Ways to a Perfect Cup!

Here's how you can use that freshly brewed espresso to whip up a delicious Dalgona coffee:

Ingredients:

1/2 cup of strong brewed coffee or espresso (chilled)
2 tablespoons of sugar
Milk
Ice cubes

Instructions:

Create Your Froth: In a mixing bowl, combine your strong brewed coffee or espresso and sugar. Whip it until it's frothy. It may not achieve the same stiff peaks as the original Dalgona coffee version, but you will get a nice layer of froth.
Milk and Ice Prep: Grab your favorite glass and fill it with your preferred amount of milk and ice cubes.
Pour It On: Gently pour your coffee mixture over the milk. You'll see it sinks into the milk slightly, creating a beautiful layered effect.
Savor the Flavor: You can choose to mix it together for a uniform taste, or sip it as is for a layered experience.

Remember, the key to a perfect Dalgona coffee without instant coffee lies in the strength of your brew. A strong espresso will give your Dalgona coffee that rich, bold flavor we all love. So, take your time with your brew, and enjoy the process! Happy brewing!

Pairing Suggestions

The rich, frothy Dalgona Iced Coffee can pair delightfully well with an array of snacks and meals. Here are a few suggestions:

Pastries: The sweetness of Dalgona Iced Coffee goes hand in hand with baked goods. Try it with a croissant, Danish, or your favorite muffin.
Desserts: Pair your Dalgona Iced Coffee with a slice of cheesecake, a brownie, or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a delightful after-meal treat.
Breakfast Foods: Dalgona Iced Coffee pairs wonderfully with classic breakfast items like bagels, toast, and eggs. The robust coffee flavor balances out the light, savory taste of these foods.
Fruit: The sweet and tangy flavors of fruits like berries, apples, or peaches can complement the rich, frothy taste of Dalgona Iced Coffee.
Savory Snacks: Salty snacks like pretzels, crackers, or even cheese can create a delicious contrast with the sweet Dalgona Iced Coffee.
Sandwiches: Enjoy your Dalgona Iced Coffee with a sandwich for a fulfilling lunch. Whether it's a classic ham and cheese or a fancy avocado and chicken, the coffee adds a nice touch.

Remember, pairing is subjective and depends on personal preferences. Feel free to experiment and discover what pairs best with your Dalgona Iced Coffee!

How to Make Dalgona Whipped Coffee (Hot or Iced)

Dalgona Coffee FAQs

How to make Dalgona coffee without instant coffee?

While the classic Dalgona coffee recipe uses instant coffee, you can make Dalgona coffee without it. We have outlined a method above in this post where we use strongly brewed coffee or espresso in place of instant coffee. The texture may be slightly different, but you'll still achieve a delicious Dalgona coffee.

Can you make Dalgona coffee without instant coffee?

Yes, you can. The key is to replace instant coffee with a strongly brewed coffee or espresso. The result will be slightly different in terms of frothiness, but you'll still get a delicious coffee treat.

Can you make Dalgona coffee without sugar?

Yes, you can make Dalgona coffee without sugar. We have provided a recipe above in this blog post for a sugar-free Dalgona coffee where we use a sugar substitute like Stevia or Erythritol. The process remains the same, you're just swapping out the sugar for a healthier alternative.

How to drink Dalgona coffee?

After you've spooned your whipped coffee onto your milk (either hot or cold), you can choose to stir it in or sip it as is. Stirring it in will give you a creamy, uniformly flavored coffee, while sipping it as is will provide a contrast between the cold milk (or hot if you've made a hot version) and the sweet, rich coffee froth.

Can you make Dalgona coffee without a mixer?

Yes, you can. While a mixer makes the process quicker and easier, you can whip up Dalgona coffee using a regular whisk. It'll take a bit more time and effort (around 5-15 minutes, depending on your speed), but you'll still achieve the desired frothy consistency with some good old-fashioned elbow grease.

How do you thicken Dalgona coffee?

The thickness of Dalgona coffee largely depends on the whipped coffee mixture. To get that frothy, thick consistency, you need to whip the coffee, sugar, and hot water together until it forms stiff peaks, much like whipped cream. This process usually takes about 2-3 minutes with an electric mixer, or a bit longer if doing it by hand. If your dalgona coffee isn't as thick as you'd like, continue to whip the mixture a bit longer. Also, ensuring that your ratio of instant coffee, sugar, and hot water is equal (typically 1:1:1) will help achieve the right consistency.

Final Thoughts

Our delightful exploration into Dalgona coffee certainly shows why this creamy, frothy coffee has taken the world by storm. It's more than just a drink—it's an invitation to get creative and adventurous in your kitchen. With its versatility from hot and iced versions, to sugar-free or keto-friendly options, and even those without instant coffee, Dalgona coffee caters to a broad spectrum of tastes and preferences.

We encourage you to dive into this journey of caffeinated innovation. Experiment with different Dalgona coffee recipes, play around with ingredients, adjust the ratios, and find the blend that excites your palate the most.

We would love to hear about your Dalgona coffee ventures. Did you invent an innovative twist? Did a particular version charm your taste buds? Share your experiences and photos in the comments below.

After all, the joy of coffee lies in its ability to create shared experiences, and Dalgona coffee certainly does that beautifully. So, here's to more brewing, sipping, and sharing in our shared love for coffee. Cheers, everyone!