The Ultimate Guide to Making Hot Dalgona Coffee

Dalgona coffee became a global sensation for its whipped, cloud-like texture and creamy sweetness. While the iced version is the most well-known, hot Dalgona coffee offers a warm, comforting alternative that’s just as indulgent. When served over steamed milk, the velvety whipped coffee melts into the drink, creating a luxurious balance of bold coffee flavor and creamy smoothness.

But making the perfect hot Dalgona coffee requires the right ingredients, proper whipping techniques, and high-quality coffee. In this guide, you’ll learn:

  • What hot Dalgona coffee is and how it differs from the iced version

  • A step-by-step hot Dalgona coffee recipe

  • Expert tips for achieving the best frothy texture

  • How to customize your drink with flavors like cinnamon, cocoa, and caramel

  • FAQs about making hot Dalgona coffee at home

Using research from Specialty Coffee Association (SCA), Coffee Quality Institute (CQI), World Coffee Research, and Barista Hustle, this guide ensures you craft the perfect hot Dalgona coffee every time.

What is Hot Dalgona Coffee?

Hot Dalgona coffee is a warm version of the classic whipped coffee drink, made by layering a thick, frothy coffee foam over steamed milk. The hot milk melts the whipped coffee, creating a velvety, well-balanced coffee beverage that is both bold and smooth.

Unlike the iced version, which keeps the foam separate for a more textural contrast, the hot variation blends the foam into the milk, allowing the flavors to fully integrate.

The drink is inspired by Korean "Dalgona" candy, a caramelized sugar treat with a crispy, airy texture. While Dalgona coffee doesn’t contain actual Dalgona candy, its foamy consistency resembles the candy’s light, whipped appearance.

The Ultimate Guide to Making Hot Dalgona Coffee

Hot Dalgona Coffee Recipe

Ingredients:

  • 2 tablespoons instant coffee (or finely ground espresso powder)

  • 2 tablespoons sugar (white, brown, or coconut sugar)

  • 2 tablespoons hot water

  • 1 cup steamed milk (whole milk, oat milk, almond milk, or coconut milk)

  • Optional toppings: cocoa powder, cinnamon, caramel drizzle

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Whip the Coffee Mixture

  1. In a small bowl, combine instant coffee, sugar, and hot water.

  2. Using a hand whisk, electric frother, or hand mixer, whip the mixture until it becomes thick, fluffy, and holds stiff peaks (about 3-5 minutes).

  3. If whisking by hand, expect to whisk for 7-10 minutes for the best consistency.

Step 2: Steam the Milk

  1. Heat 1 cup of milk in a saucepan over low heat, stirring occasionally.

  2. Do not let it boil the ideal temperature is 140-150°F (60-65°C).

  3. If you have a milk frother or steam wand, use it to create a slightly foamy texture.

Step 3: Assemble the Drink

  1. Pour the steamed milk into a mug.

  2. Spoon the whipped coffee mixture on top, allowing it to sit as a separate layer.

  3. Optional: Sprinkle cocoa powder, cinnamon, or drizzle caramel for extra flavor.

Step 4: Stir and Enjoy

  1. Before drinking, mix the whipped coffee into the milk to blend flavors.

The Ultimate Guide to Making Hot Dalgona Coffee

How to Make Hot Dalgona Coffee Without Instant Coffee

While traditional Dalgona coffee relies on instant coffee’s solubility and stabilizing properties, you can make a hot version with fresh-brewed coffee or espresso:

Alternative Methods:

1. Using Espresso

  • Brew a double shot of espresso and mix with 2 tablespoons of sugar.

  • Let it cool slightly before whipping.

  • Add 1/4 teaspoon xanthan gum or egg white to help stabilize the foam.

2. Using Freshly Brewed Coffee

  • Use strong brewed coffee from a Moka pot, AeroPress, or French press.

  • Whip it with sugar using a milk frother or hand mixer.

  • It won’t be as thick as instant coffee foam but still creates a creamy layer.

Expert Tips for the Best Hot Dalgona Coffee

  • Use fine-ground espresso powder if substituting instant coffee.

  • Chill the mixing bowl before whipping to improve aeration.

  • Use brown sugar or coconut sugar for deeper caramel flavors.

  • Whip longer for a thicker foam that holds its shape.

The Ultimate Guide to Making Hot Dalgona Coffee

FAQs About Hot Dalgona Coffee

1. Why is My Dalgona Coffee Not Getting Frothy?

This can happen if:

  • The coffee-to-sugar-to-water ratio isn’t balanced (stick to 1:1:1).

  • You didn’t use instant coffee (espresso or ground coffee needs a stabilizer).

  • The whipping wasn’t long enough (keep whipping for at least 5 minutes).

2. Can I Make Hot Dalgona Coffee Without Sugar?

Yes! Sugar helps stabilize the foam, but you can use:

  • Monk fruit sweetener

  • Erythritol

  • Stevia (in small amounts)

3. How Many Calories Are in Hot Dalgona Coffee?

  • With regular sugar and whole milk: ~180-220 calories

  • With sugar substitutes and almond milk: ~70-100 calories

4. Can I Make Hot Dalgona Coffee Dairy-Free?

Yes! Use oat milk, almond milk, or coconut milk for a plant-based version.

5. Can I Make a Keto-Friendly Hot Dalgona Coffee?

Yes! Substitute sugar with monk fruit sweetener or erythritol and use heavy cream instead of milk.

The Ultimate Guide to Making Hot Dalgona Coffee

Take Your Hot Dalgona Coffee to the Next Level with Bazan Coffee

At Bazan Coffee, we believe the best coffee experience starts with high-quality coffee beans. While traditional Dalgona coffee uses instant coffee, upgrading to freshly roasted, specialty Vietnamese coffee will enhance the depth and richness of your drink.

The New Revolution: Fine Robusta from Vietnam

For decades, Robusta coffee was overlooked in favor of Arabica, but Vietnam’s Fine Robusta is redefining specialty coffee. With high-altitude cultivation, advanced fermentation, and meticulous processing, Bazan Coffee’s Fine Robusta – Krong Năng offers:

  • Grown at 650m in Krong Năng, Đắk Lắk, Vietnam

  • 72-hour natural anaerobic fermentation for enhanced sweetness

  • Taste notes of durian, honey, and caramel

  • Thick, velvety body with a naturally low-acid profile

Fine Robusta – Krong Năng’s bold, creamy body and caramel sweetness make it an ideal upgrade for Dalgona coffee, replacing instant coffee with a more refined, specialty-grade alternative.

The Ultimate Guide to Making Hot Dalgona Coffee

Not Just Robusta – The Best of Both Worlds

If you prefer a more balanced espresso with fruity undertones, our Special Vietnam Blend combines high-altitude Arabica and Fine Robusta for a unique mix of ripe fruit, pineapple, caramel, and light floral notes perfect for those who love a smoother, more delicate Dalgona coffee.

For those who seek a refined, complex espresso, Specialty Arabica – Cầu Đất is the perfect choice. Grown at 1,550m in Cầu Đất, Đà Lạt, this fully washed Arabica offers bell pepper, spices, and caramel notes, delivering a clean, layered espresso that enhances whipped coffee with brightness and complexity.

Which Coffee is Best for Your Hot Dalgona Coffee?

  • For a bold, caramelized coffee base: Fine Robusta – Krong Năng

  • For a smooth, well-balanced espresso: Special Vietnam Blend

  • For a refined espresso with depth and complexity: Specialty Arabica – Cầu Đất

Upgrade your hot Dalgona coffee today with Bazan Coffee and experience Vietnam’s finest specialty coffee!

The Ultimate Guide to Making Hot Dalgona Coffee
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