Dalgona Coffee, the Upside Down Cappuccino | Micaela's Kitchen (2024)

Did you know that Dalgona coffee has actually been around in Italy for years, too? They call it “Upside down Cappuccino” or “Cappuccino Sottosopra” in Italian (Cappuccino with coffee on top and milk on the bottom). I remember back in the summer, my parents would make this fresh, delicious drink for breakfast. They’d enjoy it with some sweet croissants. We had no idea that this iced upside down cappuccino would eventually blow up online as Dalgona Coffee.

Dalgona coffee is a viral coffee trend that originated in South Korea. It involves whipping equal parts of instant coffee, sugar, and hot water together to create a frothy, velvety coffee mixture. This mixture is then spooned over milk, hot or cold, to enjoy a delicious and visually appealing drink.

Whether it started in Korea or not doesn’t really matter. I think you should give this particular iced cappuccino a try. It really takes me back to those family breakfasts in the summer. It’s super easy to make too and goes great with traditional Italian desserts. I’m telling you, you’re gonna love it!

Dalgona Coffee Recipe

Ingredients of Upside Down Cappuccino

• 2tablespoonsinstant coffee
• 2tablespoonshot water
• 2tablespoonsgranulated sugar
• 200mlcold milk (ca. ¾ cup)
• Ice(optional)

How to make the Upside Down Cappuccino

Begin by adding the instant coffee to a cup. Pour the hot water into the cup and stir to dissolve the coffee grounds (1). Then add the desired amount of sugar (2) and continue mixing until fully dissolved (3).

Using a whisk or hand mixer, begin aerating the coffee mixture. Whip the coffee cream for several minutes until it becomes light and airy in texture. As you incorporate air into the cream, it will gradually lighten in color (4).

If preparing a chilled beverage, fill a tall glass with ice. Pour the cold milk into the glass until it reaches the desired level (5). Slowly pour the coffee cream over the back of a spoon so that it floats on top of the milk (6).

Your Dalgona Cappuccino is now ready to enjoy. The coffee cream will remain suspended on top, resembling the signature layering of espresso over milk foam in a traditional cappuccino. Enjoy this unique cold coffee drink topped with a frothy layer of sweetened coffee cream.

Dalgona Coffee Variations

By adapting the classic Dalgona coffee recipe to suit specific dietary needs, such as vegan, decaffeinated, keto, and dairy-free preferences, you can enjoy this trendy beverage while staying true to your individual tastes and requirements.

Hot Version

If you prefer a hot version of Dalgona coffee, omit the ice and use hot milk instead of cold milk.

Decaffeinated Version

For a decaffeinated Dalgona coffee, simply use instant decaffeinated coffee in place of regular instant coffee in the traditional recipe. The rest of the preparation remains the same, resulting in a caffeine-free alternative with the same frothy texture and flavor.

Vegan Version

To make a vegan Dalgona coffee, replace milk with your favorite plant-based milk: almond, soy, oat, rice or coconut milk.

Keto Upside Down Cappuccino

To make a keto Dalgona Coffee, simply replace the sugar with a keto-approved sweetener, like stevia or erythritol.

Dairy-Free Keto Upside Down Cappuccino

For a dairy-free keto Dalgona coffee, use the same ingredients as the keto version but replace regular milk with unsweetened almond milk, coconut milk, or another dairy-free and low-carb alternative. This modification ensures a creamy, indulgent coffee drink that aligns with both keto and dairy-free lifestyles.