Dalgona (or whipped) coffee was a viral sensation in 2020, but do you know how to make whipped coffee with regular coffee? The original recipe calls for instant coffee, but using your favorite brewed coffee will only take a few simple tweaks. For the coffee obsessives, we’ll walk you through what makes dalgona coffee get so fluffy and airy before diving into the recipe you should use when you’re ready to try it for yourself with the coffee you have on hand.
Can You Really Make Whipped Coffee Without Instant Coffee?
Yes! But there will still be some differences between it and the instant coffee versions that were all over social media. Let’s take a closer look at why.
Why instant coffee whips so easily
When coffee is ground, it releases a bunch of different compounds, and some of those compounds interact to create what are known as surfactants. Surfactants are simply chemical compounds that can actually decrease the surface tension between two liquids, a liquid and a gas, or a liquid and a solid. That’s why the foam froths up so well. But instant coffee makes it even easier to achieve those air bubbles because the coffee ratio in dalgona coffee (2 tbsp. water + 2 tbsp. instant coffee) creates such a concentrated result, there are more surfactants to help generate and trap more air bubbles. It’s part of the reason espresso has a crema (the frothy, caramel-colored foam at the top of an espresso shot).
The other reason instant coffee is so good for making whipped coffee is that coffee contains oils. Those oils get trapped between the surfactants and can cause the foam bubbles to pop. But instant coffee is freeze-dried and contains emulsifiers and preservatives that help it to foam even more easily when whipped.
Why regular coffee behaves differently
So what should you expect if you’re using regular coffee instead of instant? You can make whipped coffee with regular coffee, but that doesn’t mean it’s going to behave the same way. That’s because brewed coffee is missing some of the stabilizers inherent in instant coffee. Also, since it has to be brewed first, you’ll want to make a concentrated batch as opposed to your regular recipe. Otherwise, you’ll be missing out on some serious flavor.
Luckily, there’s nothing chemically that should prevent your surfactants from forming and getting that glorious foam. It’ll really be more about figuring out the ratios that work for you in the brewing process. That said, this will give you much more freedom and ability to customize than the traditional method. Now you’ll be able to get your whipped coffee recipe without instant coffee, just right for your flavor profile.
What kind of regular coffee works best
When perfecting your recipe for whipped coffee with regular coffee, you’ll definitely want to go for a medium or dark roast. Light roasts will not only lose their delicate flavor profile amid all that sweetness and milk, but they won’t be able to pack as strong a punch. Strong roasts in strong brews like moka pot coffee, AeroPress concentrate, or double espresso shots will create the best base. Cold brew concentrate may also work (though you might find yourself topping off your drink with a little extra coffee in the end).
Try your best to avoid any beans that are overly oily like medium roasts that you’ve had laying around the house for a while or have been stored improperly. The oil can get in the way of your coffee frothing properly when there’s too much of it. Ultimately, you’ll just want to pay close attention to how you brew those beans, using top-quality extraction tools like Pesado’s.
How to Make Whipped Coffee With Regular Coffee
Now that you understand the hows and the whys, let’s get into the recipe itself so you can get started.
What you’ll need
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Freshly brewed strong coffee (about 2 tbsp)
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Granulated sugar (2 tbsp)
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A hand mixer, milk frother, or sturdy whisk
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Cold milk of your choice (to serve over)
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Optional: ice, sweetener, vanilla extract
Tip: The fresher your brew and the more evenly you whisk, the better the foam
Step-by-step method
Now that you’ve got everything you need assembled, let’s make the drink itself.
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Brew extra-strong coffee, a double shot of espresso, or a moka pot or AeroPress concentrate, and add about 4 tbsp. of it to a glass or bowl.
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Add about 2 tbsp. of sugar to the vessel while the coffee is still hot.
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Start whipping with your preferred tool.
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Whisk until foamy and light, and it has increased dramatically in volume. This may take 3–5 minutes, especially if you’re whisking by hand.
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Pour milk over ice in a cup, leaving plenty of room, and spoon the whipped coffee on top.
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Stir to combine or sip layered for texture contrast.
Troubleshooting tips
Things might not go perfectly the first time you try it, so don’t be afraid to keep experimenting until you get it just right. Here are a few common issues and how to correct them:
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Froth too thin? Chill your bowl before mixing, or try to make sure you’re using regular white sugar (you can use brown or demerara sugar, but if you’re having issues, switch back to white).
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No foam forming? Your coffee might be too weak, so increase brew strength by steeping for longer or even trying a different, more concentrated method.
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Tastes off? Feel free to add additional coffee to your cup if you want a stronger flavor or play around with how much coffee you start with in the beginning.
Pro tip: Pesado dosing tools can help fine-tune your grind and measure for repeatable results.
Want a Better Base? It Starts With Better Coffee Gear
Learning how to make whipped coffee with regular coffee isn’t hard, but having all the right tools can help. After all, the better the coffee you start with, the better your end result will be. And that means focusing on having tight control over your grind, dose, and extraction. Pesado tools are built to help you get the most from every gram, from stainless steel filter baskets for cleaner, more consistent flavor to dosing rings and tampers that reduce mess and boost precision. Even if you’re making TikTok-famous coffee trends, there’s no reason not to use tools that elevate the experience.
