Thank you so much for stopping by — because if you’re looking for a way to turn your daily caffeine fix into a frothy, Instagram-worthy moment, this Cloud Coffee Recipe is it. Also known as Dalgona Coffee, this whipped drink took the internet by storm — and for good reason. It’s creamy, fluffy, and gives your usual iced coffee a dreamy upgrade!
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What Is Cloud Coffee?
Cloud Coffee (aka Dalgona Coffee) is a whipped coffee drink made by beating instant coffee, sugar, and hot water until thick and frothy, then spooning it over milk. The result is a sweet, creamy coffee “cloud” floating on top of cold or hot milk — no fancy equipment or barista experience needed!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
✅ Only 3 main ingredients (plus milk!)
✅ No espresso machine required
✅ Super customizable — sweeten to taste
✅ Gorgeous and so fun to make
✅ Vegan-friendly and dairy-free adaptable
What It Tastes Like
Cloud coffee has a rich, bold coffee flavor (like a sweet iced latte), with a thick, velvety texture that melts slowly into the milk. It’s smooth, slightly sweet, and surprisingly refreshing — a treat you can sip or stir together, depending on your preference.
Benefits of This Recipe
Ready in under 5 minutes
Satisfies your coffee craving with a fun twist
Works hot or cold
Café vibes at home — without leaving the house
Easily dairy-free, low-sugar, or decaf
Ingredients for Cloud Coffee
2 tablespoons instant coffee or espresso powder
2 tablespoons granulated sugar (adjust to taste)
2 tablespoons hot water
1 cup milk (dairy or plant-based: almond, oat, soy, etc.)
Optional toppings: ice, cocoa powder, cinnamon, caramel drizzle
Tools You’ll Need
Medium mixing bowl
Whisk or hand mixer (hand whisk works, but takes longer)
Spoon or spatula
Serving glass or mug
Ingredient Substitutions & Add-Ons
Sugar-free? Use monk fruit, stevia, or coconut sugar (note: texture may vary slightly).
Decaf version? Use decaf instant coffee for a caffeine-free option.
Flavored twist: Add ½ tsp vanilla extract or a pinch of cinnamon or cardamom to the foam.
Extra creamy: Use half & half, heavy cream, or barista-style oat milk.
Mocha vibe: Add 1 tsp cocoa powder to the coffee mix before whipping.
How to Make Cloud Coffee
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Whip the Coffee
In a bowl, combine the instant coffee, sugar, and hot water. Use a hand mixer or whisk to beat the mixture until it becomes light, frothy, and holds soft peaks — about 1–2 minutes with a mixer, 3–5 minutes by hand.
✨ Pro Tip: Use a tall bowl or container to avoid splashing if whisking vigorously!
2. Prep the Milk
Fill a glass with cold milk and ice (or heat your milk if you prefer it warm).
3. Spoon the Cloud On Top
Gently spoon the whipped coffee mixture over the milk. Smooth or swirl the top with the back of your spoon for a cloud-like finish.
4. Garnish and Serve
Sprinkle with cocoa powder, cinnamon, or nutmeg if desired. Stir before sipping — or leave it layered and sip through a straw!
What to Serve With Cloud Coffee
Pair this dreamy drink with:
Coffee cake muffins or banana bread
Avocado toast for a hearty breakfast
Yogurt and granola bowls
Almond biscotti or cookies for dipping
A quiet morning and a good book — trust me on this one ☕📖
Tips for the Best Cloud Coffee
Use instant coffee or espresso powder — regular ground coffee won’t whip!
Adjust sweetness to your taste — you can go from café-sweet to barely-sweet.
Use hot water — this helps the sugar dissolve and the mixture whip better.
Double the batch and store the whipped coffee in the fridge for 1–2 days.
Want it thicker? Add less water or whip a little longer.
Storage Instructions
Fresh is best, but you can refrigerate leftover whipped coffee for up to 2 days.
Store in an airtight container — whip briefly before using again to fluff it back up.
General Info About Cloud Coffee (Dalgona)
Dalgona Coffee became wildly popular in early 2020 thanks to TikTok and Instagram, but it has deeper roots — the method originates in South Korea, inspired by a toffee-like candy called Dalgona. The simple ingredients and satisfying texture made it a go-to treat during quarantine, and it’s stuck around ever since!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use regular brewed coffee?
No — only instant coffee or espresso powder works for whipping. Brewed coffee doesn’t have the right consistency.
Does it work with non-dairy milk?
Absolutely! Almond milk, oat milk, soy milk — all great. Just choose one you enjoy drinking on its own.
Can I make it less sweet?
Yes! Reduce the sugar to 1 tablespoon or use your preferred sweetener.
Can I make it in advance?
Yes — the whipped coffee holds up in the fridge for about 1–2 days. Re-whip before serving if needed.
Conclusion
Cloud Coffee is proof that the simplest recipes can still bring joy — and a little flair — to your everyday routine. Whether you sip it over ice on a hot day or spoon it onto warm milk for a cozy moment, this fluffy coffee treat is fun to make, gorgeous to serve, and delicious every single time.
And if you loved this recipe, check out my Iced Brown Sugar Oat Milk Latte or Pumpkin Spice Cold Foam next — because café vibes belong in your kitchen all year long.
Show Me Your Clouds!
Did you try this cloud coffee recipe? I want to see it!
📸 Tag your fluffy creations on Pinterest or leave a review — I love seeing your coffee magic in action!
Nutritional Information (Per Serving)
Calories: ~100 (varies based on milk and sweetener)
Caffeine: ~100–150 mg (depending on coffee used)
Sugar: ~10g (with 2 tbsp sugar)
Protein: 2g
Fat: 2–5g (based on milk choice)
Cloud Coffee Recipe
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 1 serving 1x
- Diet: Vegan
Description
This Cloud Coffee Recipe (aka Dalgona Coffee) is frothy, sweet, and totally Instagram-worthy! Made with just instant coffee, sugar, and hot water, this creamy coffee “cloud” floats over milk for a dreamy, café-style drink that takes minutes to make — no fancy equipment required.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons instant coffee or espresso powder
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar (adjust to taste)
- 2 tablespoons hot water
- 1 cup milk (dairy or plant-based)
- Optional toppings: ice, cocoa powder, cinnamon, caramel drizzle
Instructions
- In a bowl, combine instant coffee, sugar, and hot water. Whip with a hand mixer or whisk until light, frothy, and holding soft peaks (1–2 minutes with a mixer, 3–5 minutes by hand).
- Fill a glass with cold milk and ice (or heat milk for a warm version).
- Spoon the whipped coffee on top of the milk and swirl with the back of a spoon.
- Garnish with cocoa, cinnamon, or caramel. Stir before sipping or sip as-is through a straw.
Notes
Use only instant coffee or espresso powder — ground coffee won’t whip. Hot water helps dissolve sugar and whip better. You can double the batch and refrigerate whipped coffee for 1–2 days. Re-whip briefly before using again.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Drink
- Method: Whipped
- Cuisine: Korean-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 100
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 35mg
- Fat: 3g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1.5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 12g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 5mg
Keywords: cloud coffee, dalgona coffee, whipped coffee, iced coffee, trendy drink