Coffee is such a versatile beverage. You can serve it hot or iced, with add-ins or black. Thanks to its caffeine content, it puts an extra pep in your step on an early morning. And if you pair it with your favorite liquor, it makes a mean cocktail for your after-work wind-down session.
The espresso martini is a classic coffee cocktail, but despite its name, it’s not technically a martini. Martinis contain gin and vermouth; espresso martinis don’t have either. Instead, those consist of espresso, coffee liqueur, and vodka.
Don’t get us wrong; the traditional espresso martini is delicious. But sometimes, it’s fun to switch things up.
That’s where the Dalgona coffee martini comes in. With this drink, you still get all the boozy coffee goodness of an espresso martini. But there’s also a slightly different flavor profile and a layer of foam that’s fun to look at and consume.
What Is Dalgona Coffee, and Why Is Everyone Making It?
Dalgona coffee has become quite popular in the States over the last few years. But the drink didn’t originate here. It hails from South Korea and gets its name from a sugar sponge candy enjoyed in the country.
So, how did Dalgona coffee spread across the nation? The same way any trend does: through TikTok! We and millions of others spent most of 2020’s COVID-19 quarantine scrolling the video-sharing app, seeing nothing but clips of people doing the Renegade dance, talking about Tiger King, and making cups of whipped coffee.
People started making Dalgona coffee just because everyone on TikTok was doing it. Besides, what else was there to do? It didn’t take long for us all to discover that the beverage was more than just a popular way to fill the time during a stay-at-home order; it’s tasty, too!
You need only three ingredients to make Dalgona coffee: instant coffee, hot water, and granulated sugar. Use a whisk or electric hand mixer to whip the ingredients into a fluffy foam, and that’s it, Dalgona coffee.
Serve it with the hot or cold milk of your choice. Or add it to a cocktail — like a coffee martini, for instance — for a more grown-up twist.
@roastycoffee stir before drinking unless you want a dalgona mustache 🥸 #dalgona #espressomartini #coffeerecipes ♬ original sound – Roasty Coffee
Make a Dalgona Coffee Martini
You’ll Need
- 1 tablespoon instant coffee
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon hot water
- 1 ounce simple syrup
- 2 ounces coffee liqueur
- 4 ounces vodka
- ice cubes
- cocktail shaker
- small bowl or glass
- martini glass
- whisk or handheld milk frother
The Process
Step One
First, put ice cubes, an ounce of simple syrup, four ounces of vodka, and two ounces of coffee liqueur (we’re big Kahlua fans, but use whatever you like best — you can even make your own if you’re feeling adventurous!) into a cocktail shaker. Then, set that aside.
Step Two
It’s Dalgona time! Pour equal amounts of instant coffee, granulated sugar, and hot water into a small bowl or glass. Our recipe uses about a tablespoon of each ingredient, but feel free to adjust accordingly.
Use a whisk or handheld milk frother to stir the sweet instant coffee mixture until it’s fluffy. You’ll know it’s ready when the mixture looks larger and medium to stiff peaks form.
Then, set your freshly made Dalgona coffee aside.
Step Three
Grab your cocktail shaker and shake it vigorously for about 30 seconds or until its contents are well-combined and cold.
Strain the liquid into a martini glass (or some other equally as fun serving glass). Then, scoop your foamy whipped coffee on top.
Enjoy!
How To Make
…Simple Syrup
If you make a lot of cocktails, your bar is probably already stocked with a bottle or two of simple syrup. But if you’re running low on it, it isn’t hard to replenish your stock with a homemade batch of the stuff.
Just bring equal parts white sugar and water to a boil in a medium saucepan before letting the mixture simmer for a minute or two.
Then, remove it from the heat, let it cool, and there you have it — simple syrup to use in your favorite cocktail or coffee recipes.
…Coffee Liqueur
If you don’t think Kahlua, Tia Maria, or St. George NOLA’s coffee liqueur will cut it, make your own version of the alcoholic coffee drink.
Combine an equal amount of used coffee grounds and sugar in a mason jar and leave the mixture to sit for around 24 hours.
Then, stir equal parts of freshly brewed joe and vodka into the container. Strain out the grit, and you’re all done.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Use Brown Sugar for Dalgona Coffee?
Yes! You can use any granulated sugar, from white to brown to coconut.
Brown sugar adds a rich, caramel-like sweetness to the coffee fluff while giving it a darker, more golden hue than something made with plain white sugar.
Can I Make Dalgona Coffee With Regular Coffee?
Anyone who isn’t an instant coffee lover might be put off by Dalgona coffee since most recipes call for a tablespoon or two of the just-add-water joe.
Fortunately for those folks, instant coffee isn’t a necessity. Whipping brewed drip coffee or espresso with sugar creates a slightly less firm version of the foamy, caffeinated treat.
What Is Dalgona in English?
You probably already guessed that “Dalgona” isn’t an English word. It’s Korean and roughly translates to “it’s sweet.” That name’s pretty accurate if you ask us.
Try a New Coffee Cocktail
Are you bored of your usual nightcap? Then use this Dalgona coffee martini recipe to try something new. It’s an especially perfect fit for a Roasty reader with a bit of a sweet tooth.
Happy Caffeinating!
Dalgona Martini Recipe
Indulge in the captivating harmony of velvety caramel and robust coffee with the Dalgona Martini. This enchanting libation presents a delightful fusion of flavors, combining the luscious sweetness of caramel with the bold intensity of coffee.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon instant coffee
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon hot water
- 1 ounce simple syrup
- 2 ounces coffee liqueur
- 4 ounces vodka
- Ice cubes
Instructions
- Put ice cubes, an ounce of simple syrup, four ounces of vodka, and two ounces of coffee liqueur into a cocktail shaker.
- Pour equal amounts of instant coffee, granulated sugar, and hot water into a small bowl or glass.
- Use a whisk or handheld milk frother to stir the sweet instant coffee mixture until it's fluffy.
- Grab your cocktail shaker and shake it vigorously for about 30 seconds.
- Strain the liquid into a martini glass, then, scoop your foamy whipped coffee on top.
