Brown Sugar Oatmilk Dalgona Coffee
The History of Dalgona Coffee: How This Whipped Drink Became a Global Favorite
If you were online at all in 2020, chances are you saw (or made) Dalgona coffee. I remember watching video after video of people whipping instant coffee into that thick, fluffy foam and thinking, okay, I have to try this. It felt like everyone was suddenly a home barista.
But what I didn’t realize at the time was that Dalgona coffee actually has a pretty interesting backstory. It’s not just a random internet trend—it’s tied to nostalgia, culture, and a bit of TV history.
What Is Dalgona Coffee?
If you’ve never made it before, Dalgona coffee is a simple whipped coffee drink made with instant coffee, sugar, and hot water. You whip those ingredients together until they turn into a thick, creamy foam, then spoon it over milk.
It’s smooth, slightly sweet, and has that bold coffee flavor—but what really makes it stand out is the texture. There’s something so satisfying about that fluffy top layer.
Where the Name “Dalgona” Comes From
The name comes from a Korean street candy called Dalgona. If you’ve ever seen it, it’s that light, airy honeycomb-like candy made from melted sugar and baking soda.
It has a slightly toasty, caramelized flavor—and that’s exactly what people were reminded of when they tasted this whipped coffee. The color and flavor are surprisingly similar, which is how the drink got its name.
How It Actually Became Popular
Even though versions of whipped coffee have been around for years in different countries, Dalgona coffee really took off after being featured on a Korean TV show.
Actor Jung Il-woo tried the drink on Stars’ Top Recipe at Fun-Staurant and compared it to Dalgona candy. That one comparison stuck—and suddenly, people had a name for this drink that felt fun and memorable.
From there, it didn’t take long for the internet to do its thing.
The 2020 Dalgona Coffee Craze
When 2020 rolled around and people were spending more time at home, Dalgona coffee basically exploded overnight.
It was everywhere—TikTok, Instagram, YouTube. People were whipping it by hand (which, if you’ve tried it, is definitely a workout), using electric mixers, and even finding creative shortcuts.
I think part of why it became so popular is because it felt like a small win. You could take just a few basic ingredients and turn them into something that looked like it came from a café. It was simple, but also kind of impressive.
Did You Know? Similar Drinks Already Existed
One of the coolest things I learned is that Dalgona coffee isn’t completely new. Similar drinks have been around for a long time:
- In India, people make “phenti hui coffee” by whipping instant coffee and sugar
- In Greece, frappé coffee has that same foamy texture
- In Macau, cafés have served whipped coffee-style drinks for years
It’s interesting how something can exist in different places for so long, and then suddenly become a global trend.
Why Dalgona Coffee Stuck Around
Even after the trend slowed down, people didn’t stop making Dalgona coffee—and I totally get why.
- It’s incredibly easy to make
- You don’t need fancy equipment
- It looks amazing (which doesn’t hurt)
- And you can customize it however you want
You can make it hot or iced, dairy or non-dairy, sweeter or stronger—it’s one of those recipes that’s hard to mess up.
Final Thoughts
Dalgona coffee is one of those rare food trends that actually lives up to the hype. It’s simple, fun, and has a story behind it that makes it even more interesting.
What started as a nostalgic reference to a Korean candy turned into a global moment where people everywhere were making the same drink in their own kitchens. And honestly, that’s part of what makes food trends so special—they connect people in a really simple way.
If you haven’t tried it yet, this might be your sign. And if you have, you already know how satisfying that first sip is. This recipe below is my original spin on the classic Dalgona.

Brown Sugar Oat Milk Dalgona Coffee
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp instant coffee
- 1 tbsp hot water
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- Sprinkle of cinnamon
- Oat milk
Instructions
- In a small bowl combine the first 4 ingredients until dissolved
- With a hand mixer or hand frother, mix until light and fluffy
- Scoop on top of a iced glass of oat milk and enjoy!
- Can be stirred up or as is with a straw


