Whipped Coffee

By now, you’ve probably heard of the instant success of TikTok’s favorite caffeinated beverage: whipped coffee. It was named one of Google’s top trending recipes in 2020, and we can see why. This creamy, frothy drink has cloud-like peaks and a jolt of caffeine! But despite its apparent sudden popularity on the internet, whipped coffee is actually a common drink in many parts of the world. In Korea, it’s referred to as Dalgona coffee; in Greece, it’s known as Frappe; and in India, it’s called Beaten coffee. Unlike a regular cup of joe, this fancy coffee drink looks like something only a barista could whip up. But we’re here to show you just how simple it can be to make at home. With just four ingredients and less time than it takes to make a batch of cold brew, you can create this gorgeous, frothy beverage in a snap.

How do you make whipped coffee?

Whipped coffee has just four ingredients—instant coffee (or instant espresso), sugar, water, and milk. Start with equal parts of the first three ingredients and whip them together, either by hand or using a hand blender, until fluffy and golden. Then pour the whipped topping over ice and your choice of milk. It's that easy! 

Can you make whipped coffee with regular coffee?

While we love regular coffee as much as anyone (Ree even has her own line of The Pioneer Woman coffee), this recipe works best with instant coffee. In fact, instant coffee is what makes whipped coffee whipped. Besides your upper arm strength incorporating air into the coffee mixture, a preservative called xantham gum found in instant coffee helps to stabilize it when whipped.  You can use either instant coffee, such as Folger’s or Nescafe, or instant espresso, such as Café Bustelo.

How long does it take to whip coffee?

The good news is that making whipped coffee won’t take up too much of your time, so it’s perfect for busy mornings. It’ll go faster with a hand mixer, but a whisk works, too. (Fair warning: This will be your morning workout!) Whether you’re vigorously whisking by hand or using an electric hand mixer, whipping coffee will only take about 3 to 4 minutes. For soft, mousse-like peaks, stop at 3 minutes, and for a stiffer peak, continue on for 4 minutes.

Variations on whipped coffee:

1. Add an ounce of Kahlua or Irish cream whiskey to the milk for a boozy treat.

2. Drizzle 1 to 2 tablespoons of chocolate syrup down the sides of the glass, before adding the milk and ice, for a chocolate-y treat.

3. Use ¼ cup of milk and add a small scoop of ice cream (instead of ice) for a whipped coffee float.

4. Serve over an almond milk, coconut milk, or any nut milk for a dairy-free option.