How to Make Dalgona Coffee at Home

If you’ve been online at all during the last month (and, let’s be honest — it’s the only place you’ve been), you’ve seen mesmerizing videos on YouTube and TikTok featuring homemade renditions of the latest drink craze: Dalgona coffee. We know you coffee connoisseurs stuck at home are continually looking for ways to shake up your daily dose of caffeine, so follow along for a Dalgona coffee recipe you can whip up in minutes.

Dalgona Coffee: A Brief History 

Dalgona coffee’s sudden popularity is directly tied to South Koreans adhering to social distancing orders and getting creative at home. The genesis of the name can be traced back to popular Korean actor Jung Il-woo, who ordered a whipped coffee in an appearance on the TV show “Stars' Top Recipe at Fun-Staurant” in January. He likened the drink to dalgona, a popular honeycomb toffee in South Korea.

The drink’s appeal lies in the silky, fluffy texture and sweet, creamy taste that keep coffee junkies coming back for more. The recipe calls for whipping coffee, sugar, and hot water together to make delectable coffee foam served atop a cup or mug of your favorite milk. Grab the ingredients below and make your own photo-ready concoction.

Dalgona Coffee Recipe 

Dalgona coffee is a hit because any level of barista can make it in a flash. All you need is:

• A medium mixing bowl
• 2 shots of espresso
• 7 tablespoons of granulated sugar
• 6 ounces of your preferred milk
• 3-5 ice cubes
• A mixer or a whisk
• Toppings (optional)

The foundation of Dalgona coffee consists of equal parts coffee, water, and granulated sugar. You can use sugar substitutes, but if they are not granulated, your foamy, frothy mixture will deflate back into liquid form after a few minutes. Stick to granules for fluffy goodness!

Many recipes online call for two tablespoons of hot water and two tablespoons of instant coffee. This method works, but we prefer combining this step and crafting a more refined, better-tasting beverage by making two shots of genuine espresso with our Lieto Single Serve Machine. Any of our espresso capsules will make for a delightful Dalgona coffee, but if you’re having trouble choosing one, we recommend our Premium Espresso Capsules.

How to Make Dalgona Coffee

First, prepare your two shots of espresso with the Lieto Single Serve Machine and pour them into your medium-sized mixing bowl. Add seven tablespoons of granulated sugar or sweetener.

Now, for the fun part. Mix generously with a hand mixer or by hand with a whisk. Using a mixer on high speed, expect your mixture to become frothy, creamy, and caramel-colored in two-to-three minutes. If you use a whisk, prepare for a mini-workout: your mixture should turn the desired color and consistency in eight-to-15 minutes, depending on how quickly you whisk.

Pour six ounces of your favorite milk into your cup and add your ice cubes. Pour your foamy coffee on top, mix slightly, and drink immediately! Don’t forget to snap a photo before you enjoy your spoils.

Are you feeling adventurous? Sprinkle some toppings for visual flair and added texture. We love adding honeycomb, cocoa, honey, or crumbled cookies. 

How did your Dalgona coffee turn out? Share your tasty homemade rendition on Instagram and tag @thecoffeebean to join the latest coffee craze!