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3 Easy Korean Cold Coffee Recipes To Make At Home
Ever wonder how everyone on social media makes that amazing fluffy coffee? You’ve seen the pictures and the viral videos.
You’re trying to recreate that cafe-style experience without the high cost. Korean cold coffee is a category of refreshing iced coffee drinks, and Dalgona coffee is its most famous star. You just need the right, simple steps to master it at home.
Korean cold coffee recipes are famous for using simple ingredients like instant coffee, sugar, and milk to create delicious beverages easily. This guide will show you how to make the viral whipped coffee, a classic 30-second iced coffee, and a refreshing coffee slushy. Get ready to open your own home cafe.
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Why Is Everyone Whipping Their Coffee? (And How You Can Too!)
You’ve seen it everywhere: the two-toned glass with a cloud of velvety coffee foam sitting perfectly on top of iced milk. That’s Dalgona Coffee, the viral sensation that took over platforms like TikTok and turned kitchens worldwide into personal cafes. This trend put a spotlight on the broader world of Korean cold coffee recipes, which are all about creating delicious, cafe-style drinks with simple, accessible ingredients.
The appeal lies in its simplicity. You don’t need an expensive espresso machine or fancy gear. With just instant coffee, sugar, and a bit of effort, you can create something that looks and tastes incredibly special. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the famous whipped coffee, but we won’t stop there. We’ll also introduce you to its lightning-fast traditional cousin, Naeng-keopi, and a fun blended treat perfect for a hot day.
3 Easy Korean Cold Coffee Recipes To Make At Home
Ready to become your own favorite barista? We’ve tested and perfected three distinct Korean cold coffee recipes to suit any mood or time constraint. Whether you want to impress with the trendy Dalgona, get a caffeine fix in under a minute with a classic Naeng-keopi, or cool down with a blended slushy, you’ll find the perfect recipe here.
- The Viral Dalgona (Whipped Coffee)
- Classic Naeng-Keopi (Traditional Iced Coffee)
- Refreshing Coffee Slushy (Blended Treat)
1. The Viral Dalgona Coffee (Perfect Whipped Coffee)
Pin this viral recipe to your ‘Coffee Lovers’ board!
This is the one that started it all. The key to that iconic, frothy foam is the specific combination of instant coffee, granulated sugar, and hot water. The sugar acts as a stabilizer, helping the foam become thick and glossy.
Ingredients:
- 2 tbsp Instant Coffee Crystals (a classic dark roast like Nescafé Clásico is perfect)
- 2 tbsp Granulated Sugar (caster sugar dissolves even faster)
- 2 tbsp Hot Water (almost boiling)
- 1 cup Milk of your choice (dairy, oat, or almond milk all work well)
- Ice cubes
Step-by-Step Instructions:
- Combine the Base: In a small, deep bowl or a tall glass, add the instant coffee, sugar, and hot water.
- Start Whisking: Using a handheld milk frother or an electric hand mixer, start whipping the mixture on medium speed. If using a hand whisk, prepare for an arm workout!
- Whip to Stiff Peaks: Continue whipping for 3-5 minutes (with an electric mixer) or 8-10 minutes (by hand). The mixture will turn from dark brown to a light, caramel color and become very thick. You’re done when it forms “stiff peaks” – meaning when you lift the whisk, the foam holds its shape.
- Assemble Your Drink: Fill a separate glass with ice cubes and pour in your milk, leaving about two inches of space at the top.
- Serve and Enjoy: Gently spoon the whipped coffee foam on top of the milk. Snap a picture, then stir it all together before drinking to enjoy the creamy, balanced flavor.
A lesson we learned from testing: don’t use a wide, shallow bowl for whipping. A narrow, deep cup helps the whisk or frother work much more efficiently, cutting your whipping time in half.
2. The Classic Naeng-Keopi (30-Second Korean Iced Coffee)
Save this quick and easy coffee hack!
Before Dalgona went viral, this was the go-to Korean iced coffee. Naeng-keopi (냉커피) is the Korean word for iced coffee, and it reflects the “ppalli-ppalli” (hurry, hurry) culture with its incredible speed and convenience. The secret is the all-in-one Korean coffee mix.
Ingredients:
- 1 stick Korean Instant Coffee Mix (Maxim Mocha Gold Mild is the most popular choice)
- 3 tbsp Hot Water
- 1 cup Cold Water
- Ice cubes
Step-by-Step Instructions:
- Dissolve the Mix: Empty one entire coffee mix stick into a tall glass.
- Activate with Hot Water: Add the 3 tablespoons of hot water and stir vigorously with a spoon until all the powder is completely dissolved into a syrup.
- Add Ice: Fill the glass about three-quarters full with ice cubes.
- Top with Cold Water: Pour the cold water over the ice to fill the glass.
- Mix and Serve: Give it one final quick stir and enjoy immediately. It’s the ultimate coffee in a hurry!
Pro-Tip: For a creamier version, substitute the cold water with cold milk. This creates a drink similar to a classic iced latte, but with the unique flavor of the Korean coffee mix.
3. The Ultimate Refresher (Korean-Style Coffee Slushy)
Pin this delicious frozen coffee treat for summer!
When the weather gets warm, nothing beats a frozen coffee drink. This blended coffee slushy is incredibly easy to make and offers a fun, frosty texture that’s perfect for a summer afternoon.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups Ice Cubes
- 1 cup Cold Milk
- 2 tbsp Instant Espresso Powder (for a strong, concentrated coffee flavor)
- 2 tbsp Sweetened Condensed Milk (adjust to your preferred sweetness)
- Optional: Whipped cream and cocoa powder for topping
Step-by-Step Instructions:
- Combine in Blender: Add the ice cubes, cold milk, instant espresso powder, and sweetened condensed milk to a high-powered blender.
- Blend Until Smooth: Secure the lid and blend on high speed for 30-45 seconds, or until the ice is completely crushed and the mixture is a smooth, thick slushy consistency.
- Check Consistency: If it’s too thick, add a splash more milk. If it’s too thin, add a few more ice cubes and blend again.
- Serve Immediately: Pour the coffee slushy into a chilled glass. Top with whipped cream and a light dusting of cocoa powder if desired.
Pro-Tip: For an even richer flavor, you can pre-freeze strong-brewed coffee in an ice cube tray and use those coffee ice cubes instead of regular ones.
Key Takeaways: Your Quick Guide to Korean Cold Coffee
| Coffee Recipe | Best For… | Time to Make | Key Texture |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dalgona Coffee | A trendy, impressive cafe experience | 5-10 minutes | Thick, velvety foam |
| Naeng-Keopi | A super fast, convenient caffeine fix | 30 seconds | Simple, liquid iced coffee |
| Coffee Slushy | A fun, refreshing treat on a hot day | 2 minutes | Frosty, icy, and smooth |
FAQs About korean cold coffee recipes
Can I use regular ground coffee to make Dalgona?
No, you must use instant coffee to make Dalgona. The whipping process only works because of the unique properties of spray-dried instant coffee crystals. Regular ground coffee doesn’t contain the right emulsifiers and will not whip into a stable foam.
Why is my Dalgona coffee not getting thick?
The most common reason is not whipping it long enough. It can take up to 10 minutes by hand to achieve stiff peaks. Also, double-check your ratio; adding too much water will result in a runny foam. Stick to a strict 1:1:1 ratio of coffee, sugar, and hot water.
Do I have to use sugar in whipped coffee?
Sugar is highly recommended as it helps stabilize the foam, making it thicker and glossier. You can reduce the amount of sugar, but the foam may be softer. For a sugar-free version, a granular sweetener like erythritol is the best substitute.
What’s the best way to drink Dalgona coffee?
For the best taste, you should stir the whipped foam into the milk before drinking. While the layered look is beautiful for pictures, the foam itself is very strong and sweet. Mixing it creates a perfectly balanced and creamy iced latte experience.
Final Thoughts
You now have everything you need to dive into the delicious world of Korean cold coffee. The “home cafe” experience is all about having fun and creating something special with simple ingredients. Whether you prefer the trendy, velvety foam of Dalgona, the lightning-fast convenience of Naeng-keopi, or the frosty fun of a coffee slushy, you’re ready to make the perfect drink to match your mood.
Which one of these Korean cold coffee recipes are you most excited to try first? Let me know in the comments below
Last update on 2025-11-14 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
