Coconut Whipped Coffee (Dalgona Coffee)

Take yourself on a mini tropical staycation with my delicious Coconut Whipped Coffee recipe. Remember the viral Dalgona coffee recipe that swept the internet in 2020? This toasty, coconutty version is just as yummy and easy as the original—you only need 4 simple ingredients and about 5 minutes to make it! 

Have you seen the light and fluffy whipped coffee Tik Tok has been showing recently? Imagine icy cold milk topped with a thick, cloud-like layer of lightly sweetened coffee cream. It’s just as delicious as it sounds! I first tried it back in the early days of the pandemic, fell in love, and then promptly managed to forget it. Solopreneur life with two littles will do that to you, I guess. 😂

Anyway, as I was emptying the dishwasher the other afternoon, I pulled out a whisk. Suddenly, the memory of furiously whisking a bowl of sugar, water, and instant coffee to luscious peaks hit me like a lightning bolt. In that moment, I needed a Dalgona coffee, and I needed it now.

Back in 2020, the whole charm of whisked coffee was that you only need a few pantry basics to make it. At a time when grocery shelves were bare, it's no wonder that it became such a cultural phenomenon. But even now that life is mostly back to normal, this dead simple, floofy-sweet instant coffee recipe is still a delight.

But, me being me—an unapologetic caffeine fanatic with no fewer than 3 homemade coffee syrups in the fridge at any time—I just had to put my own twist on it. This delectable coconut syrup-infused version is the result of my mad scientist explorations, and I’m pretty certain you’re gonna love it. I know I do! 

Jump to:

• What is Dalgona Coffee?
• What does it taste like?
• Why You’ll Love This Whipped Instant Coffee Recipe
• Ingredients Needed
• Substitutions
• How To Make Whipped Coffee With Coconut Syrup
• Optional Variations & Dietary Adjustments
• Serving Suggestions
• Recipe Success Tips
• FAQs
• Coconut Dalgona Coffee Nutrition
• Other Iced Coffee Recipes
• Coconut Whipped Coffee (Dalgona Coffee)

What is Dalgona Coffee?

This super trendy drink internet sensation that had everyone buzzing (pun intended) back in 2020 is basically coffee magic. It got its name from a South Korean candy called "dalgona," which tastes like a Werther’s had a love-child with honeycomb candy. If you watched Squid Game, you’ve seen it. 🫣 Anyway, the fluffy sweetened coffee mixture has a similar toffee-flavored vibe, thus the name.

In the original recipe, you take instant coffee, sugar, and hot water in equal parts, and then whip them together until they become this frothy, creamy coffee goodness with a consistency like cold foam. Then, you plop it on top of your favorite cold milk, and voila! A social media-worthy coffee drink with beautiful ombre layers is yours for the sipping.

The only difference here is that instead of starting with granulated sugar and water, we swap in coconut simple syrup made with equal parts of sugar and water and flavored to taste like a beachy vacation. 🌴🥥

What does it taste like?

This isn’t just any coffee—my coconut Dalgona whipped coffee is a tropical dream in a glass. First, you'll notice the rich, velvety coconut-scented coffee cloud, boasting the perfect balance of sweetness and strong coffee flavor. But with each sip, the froth melts down into the creamy coconut milk to create a luxurious, caffeinated dessert like melted ice cream. 

The result is a creamy, dreamy blend of nutty, coconutty delight, mingling with the robust, slightly caramelized notes of coffee. One sip and I feel like I’m in a hammock strung between two palm trees, with the waves gently crashing in the background. 😎

Why You’ll Love This Whipped Instant Coffee Recipe

• Quick & Easy - Just 5 minutes is all that stands between you and this coconut-flavored Tik Tok whipped coffee.
• Only 4 Basic Ingredients - And one of them is water. Oh, and they’re all shelf-stable, too. You’re welcome!
• So Stinkin’ Cheap - Being your own barista is bound to save you money, but depending on your taste in coffee, the beans can cost a pretty penny. But, since this Korean whipped coffee is made with the humblest coffee of all—instant coffee powder—it’s the most budget-friendly way to get your coffee fix I can think of!

Ingredients Needed

As promised, you only need a handful of ingredients to make this coconut whipped coffee recipe. Here’s what to grab:

• Coconut Syrup - My homemade recipe calls for just sugar, water, coconut extract, and vanilla extract, but feel free to use store-bought if you prefer.
• Water - If possible, use filtered water for the best taste.
• Instant Coffee Granules - Feel free to use fancy instant coffee from renowned coffee roasters like Intelligentsia if you like. I skipped the fancy coffee and just used regular ol’ grocery store granules and thought it turned out great. 
• Coconut Milk - Since I was going for an iced coconut coffee vibe, coconut milk seemed the best option. I used the refrigerated kind from a carton, but the canned stuff would work great too. 
• Ice - Ok, so I suppose this is *technically* the 5th ingredient, but since it’s just frozen water, I didn’t count it. 🤓

Substitutions

Making whipped coffee just the way you like is easier than you might think. Here are some optional ingredient swaps to try:

• Coconut Syrup - Swap in any flavor of simple syrup you like! You can also use coconut sugar, you'll just have to add an extra tablespoon of warm water.
• Water - I suppose you could use cold brew coffee in place of water if you need some serious giddy-up. 🤠
• Instant Coffee Granules - Feel free to use instant espresso powder, or swap in decaf if you want a nightcap. 
• Coconut Milk - You’re welcome to use any dairy or plant-based milk you prefer.
• Ice - For a more robust coffee flavor, try using coffee ice cubes. You’re also welcome to omit the ice if you like! 

How To Make Whipped Coffee With Coconut Syrup

This deliciously creamy, naturally vegan coconut coffee drink comes together in just a few minutes. Here’s how:

Step 1: Zap the coconut syrup and water in the microwave for 10-15 seconds. Make sure to use a microwave-safe bowl or glass.

Step 2: Add the instant coffee granules to the coconut syrup mixture. 

Step 3: Froth for about 60-90 seconds using a milk frother. The whipped coffee should have soft peaks for best results, and be nice and fluffy!

Step 4: Add ice to a tall glass, then pour your milk of choice over the ice. 

Step 5: Top the iced milk with the whipped beaten coffee and drink up!

Optional Variations & Dietary Adjustments

• Different Flavors - As with cold foam, you can use whatever coffee syrup you like, not just coconut! Have fun experimenting, then tell me your favorite in the comments below. 😉
• Don’t forget about the milk! While coconut milk is fantastic, don’t be afraid to experiment with almond milk, oat milk, or dairy milk for a different twist on the flavor.
• Decaf - Use the decaf instant coffee or instant espresso of your choice. Can’t do ANY decaf? Try using a coffee-free alternative like Dandy Blend.
• Sugar-Free - Swap in the sugar-free syrup of your choice.

Serving Suggestions

• Morning Pick-Me-Up: Start your day with a burst of fluffy coffee flavor in your face. Serve it alongside a light breakfast like some protein-packed overnight oats or an avocado tartine.
• Red Eye Treatment: Got a long day ahead? Amp up the caffeine by swapping out the milk for cold brew. Coffee on coffee!
• Afternoon Treat: Need a little midday motivation? Whip up a glass for an afternoon pick-me-up that’s way more exciting than your regular coffee break. Pssst! If you’re at work and don’t have your trusty milk frother, you can use a whisk or a fork. It’ll take much longer than with the electronic assistance, but depending on the day, maybe it’s not a bad thing to be away from your desk a little longer? 🤔
• Beachside Vibes: Even if you’re just dreaming of the beach, you can kinda make it a reality at home. Sip on your coconut whipped coffee while soaking up the sunshine on your deck or by the pool.
• Brunch with Friends: Impress your friends at your next brunch gathering by whipping up a bunch of deliciously coconutty Dalgona coffees. Just use an electric hand mixer, a stand mixer, an electric mixer with the whisk attachment, or an emersion blender to make a bigger batch! Serve it in stylish glasses with a sprinkle of toasted coconut on top for that extra 🤩.

Recipe Success Tips

• Make sure to heat the syrup so the coffee granules can easily dissolve and whip up into a cloud. It should be hot, but not boiling.
• Invest in a milk frother. Yes, you *can* make dalgona coffee by hand using a whisk or fork, but it’ll take significant elbow grease and 5-7 minutes to get the right consistency. That said, if you’ve got some frustrations to work out, let ‘er whip!
• Serve immediately. The frothy consistency will lose shape over time, sort of like whipped cream deflating. To get the full benefit of the deliciously fluffy consistency, drink up right away!

FAQs

Coconut Dalgona Coffee Nutrition

Each serving of this tropical wonder has just 100 calories, so it’s a light and guilt-free treat. With 3 grams of fat, mostly from the coconut milk, you're getting some healthy fats in there too. There's just 1 gram of protein and a tiny bit of sodium at 10 mg, so it won't tip your daily intake much.

The carbohydrates come in at 18 grams, with 16 grams of that being sugar. It’s a bit of a sweet treat, but perfect for those days when you need a little tropical goodness in your day! Enjoy!

Total nutritional content per serving is:

• Calories: 100 calories
• Total Fat: 3 grams
• Protein: 1 gram
• Sodium: 10 mg
• Carbohydrates: 18 grams
• Sugar: 16 grams

*This nutritional information is an estimate and calculated based on the ingredients used to create the recipe. The nutritional value of your ingredients may differ slightly. Furthermore, this food is not intended to prevent, diagnose, cure, or treat any disease.

Other Iced Coffee Recipes

xoxo Megan