I must admit that instant coffee isn't one of my favorite brews. But lately, I've seen instant coffee recipes on my social media feed. And it got me thinking. Are these coffee granules a passport to delicious caffeinated possibilities?
I must admit that instant coffee isn’t one of my favorite brews. But lately, I’ve seen instant coffee recipes on my social media feed. And it got me thinking. Are these coffee granules a passport to delicious caffeinated possibilities?
Instant coffee has come a long way from its “emergency caffeine” reputation. Today’s versions have surprisingly complex flavors, making the perfect base for delicious drinks. Especially so if you don’t have one of these best home espresso machines.
So, let me take you on a journey. One that explores a raft of coffee recipes with instant coffee. I’ll show you how this convenient brew can be your secret weapon for impressive drinks!
Table of Contents
- OverviewInstant Coffee BrandsDoes ItNeed Hot Water?
- RecipesInstant Coffee LatteInstant Mocha CoffeeInstant Coffee SmoothieDunkin Cold Brew Instant CoffeeInstant Coffee AffogatoInstant Coffee Mousse RecipeDalgona Whipped CoffeeInstant Coffee Frappe Recipe
- How Much Is Too Much?
- How to Make
- Final Thoughts
- FAQ
Overview: What Makes Instant Coffee Instant?
What’s the deal with instant coffee anyway? How does that powdery stuff in a jar transform into coffee in seconds flat?
Instant coffee is already brewed, dehydrated coffee. It reconstitutes when you add water. To make instant coffee, industry bigwigs start with actual roasted coffee beans. Most often they use Robusta, which is cheaper and has more caffeine.
However, premium brands guarantee 100% Arabica or blends of the two species. They then roast, grind and brew these beans into a super-concentrated coffee extract.
Then comes the magic: Dehydration. That’s what makes “instant coffee” instant. Manufacturers use one of two dehydration methods:
Spray-drying: Spraying the coffee extract with a fine mist of hot air at 480 degrees Fahrenheit (250 degrees Celsius). Water instantly evaporates, leaving behind dried coffee particles. Spray-drying tends to produce a “cooked coffee” taste, but the technology has improved.
Freeze-drying: This is the more premium method. Manufacturers freeze the coffee extract to about minus 40 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 40 degrees Celsius). They then place it in a vacuum chamber. The ice changes to vapor, leaving behind flavorful coffee solids.
Many manufacturers also capture volatile aromatic compounds during processing (aromatization). They then add these vapors back to the final product to improve its flavor and aroma.
Notable Instant Coffee Brands
Different brands put their own spin on instant coffee recipes.
For example, Nescafe Gold uses a freeze-dried/spray-dried blend for a smoother flavor. Meanwhile, Starbucks VIA favors 100% Arabica beans and a micro-grinding process for a one-of-a-kind taste. Mount Hagen’s organic freeze-dried coffee delivers nuanced flavors. Other brands of note include Folgers (distinctive and bold) and Maxwell House (smoother and milder).
Over time, specialty brands like Intelligentsia, Partners Coffee and Swift Coffee entered the game. They differentiated themselves by incorporating advanced techniques like agglomeration for an improved mouthfeel.
Does Instant Coffee Need Hot Water?
I kinda hinted at it above, but no, instant coffee does not need hot water. In fact, this is one of its most versatile features, as well as the backstory behind the invention of the Greek frappe in the 1950s. While hot water dissolves the granules faster, you can absolutely use cold or room-temperature water, too.
This flexibility makes instant coffee super convenient for various recipes and situations. Camping trips where you might not have hot water at hand. A quick iced coffee on a hot summer day. Instant coffee powder in smoothies, protein shakes or dessert recipes. The list is endless.
Instant Coffee Recipes
So besides a classic instant coffee without milk, how else can you drink instant coffee? The good news is instant coffee is pretty forgiving. You can use it as a base for yummy instant coffee recipes.
Here are some of my best coffee recipes that use instant coffee granules or powder. Each recipe is for one serving.
Instant Coffee Latte
Dissolve 1-2 teaspoons of instant coffee in 2 tablespoons of hot water. Stir until smooth. Steam some milk, pour over the coffee mixture and top with foam. Sweeten to taste.
For an iced version, prepare the instant coffee base as above, then fill a tall glass with ice. Pour in the coffee mixture, add 8 ounces (237 milliliters) of cold milk or water and sweetener to taste. Stir and enjoy this cooling pick-me-up.
Instant Mocha Coffee
Combine 1 teaspoon of instant coffee with 1 tablespoon of hot water and 1 tablespoon of chocolate syrup. Heat or froth 8 ounces (237 milliliters) of milk, and pour over the coffee mixture. Garnish with whipped cream, optional shaved chocolate and/or orange peel. You could also make an iced instant mocha by using cold milk.
Instant Coffee Smoothie
Mix 1 frozen ripe banana, 1 teaspoon of instant coffee dissolved in 2 teaspoons of hot water, 4 ounces (118 milliliters) of milk and 1 tablespoon of honey in a blender. Add a handful of ice cubes for extra chill and chocolate chips for sweetness. Then, blend until smooth. This coffee smoothie has the perfect mix of caffeine and nutrients, making it a great start to the day!
Dunkin Cold Brew Instant Coffee
Mix 2 tablespoons of Dunkin instant coffee into 8 ounces (237 milliliters) of cold filtered water. Stir and refrigerate overnight. Strain in the morning through a fine-mesh sieve or cheesecloth. Pour over ice and sweetener and add optional heavy cream. This is how to make cold brew coffee that’s smooth and less acidic with minimal effort!
Instant Coffee Affogato
Scoop rich vanilla ice cream into a cold cocktail glass, dessert glass or ice cream bowl. Then, dissolve 1-2 teaspoons of instant coffee in 3 tablespoons of hot water and stir until it’s smooth and strong. Finally, pour the hot coffee over the ice cream and let it melt slightly.
As with an authentic affogato al caffe, serve immediately. You may also garnish this classic Italian dessert with optional chocolate shavings or crushed amaretti cookies.
Instant Coffee Mousse Recipe
Dissolve 1 tablespoon of instant coffee in 2 tablespoons of hot water and let cool. Next, whip 8 ounces (237 milliliters) of heavy cream and 3 tablespoons of sugar until it forms soft peaks. Fold gently into the coffee mixture with a pastry spatula or wooden spoon.
Spoon this coffee cream into dessert glasses, refrigerate for an hour and dust with cocoa powder to serve. You’ll have a classic, no-cook dessert with an unmistakably Italian flavor!
Dalgona Whipped Coffee
Mix 2 tablespoons of instant coffee, sugar and hot water each. Then, whip the mixture using a hand mixer until the mixture turns pale, thick and creamy (about 3-4 minutes).
To serve, fill an ice-cold glass with ice and cold milk, and top with the fluffy coffee cloud. This Korean Dalgona coffee is the perfect Instagram-worthy treat that tastes as amazing as it looks!
Instant Coffee Frappe Recipe
Combine 2 teaspoons of instant coffee, 2 teaspoons of sugar and 2 tablespoons of water in a shaker or jar. Shake until frothy (30 seconds). Finally, pour over ice in a tall glass, fill with cold water or milk, and insert a straw. This traditional Greek summer beverage creates a rich foam that lasts for hours!
How Much Instant Coffee Is Too Much?
Is instant coffee bad for you? How much is too much? It’s easy to overdose on caffeine, even from instant coffee.
So how much is too much? Instant coffee typically contains less caffeine than regular brewed coffee. However, it still packs a punch. On average, a standard 8-ounce (237-milliliter) cup contains 60-80 milligrams of caffeine. For comparison, the same size cup of regular drip coffee contains 95-165 milligrams.
Health experts generally recommend consuming no more than 400 milligrams of caffeine per day. That’s equal to between four and five cups of instant coffee. Beyond this, you might be entering into “too much” territory.
How to Make Instant Coffee Taste Better
To be honest, in the specialty coffee world, instant coffee often gets a bad rap. But it does have one thing going for it – convenience.
Still, it doesn’t have to taste like liquid disappointment. Here are some tweaks that can take your instant coffee from “meh” to “yeah!”
Always use filtered water for a cleaner-tasting coffee.
Don’t use boiling water. Make your coffee with water at around 200 degrees Fahrenheit (93 degrees Celsius). Boiling water could make your coffee taste bitter.
A little flavoring like cinnamon, cardamom, vanilla extract, brown sugar or caramel, can take your coffee from zero to hero.
Instead of regular milk, use heavy cream or homemade coffee creamers to improve your coffee.ni
It may also seem counterintuitive, but a tiny pinch of salt also improves your coffee’s flavor by cutting through the bitterness.c
Use instant coffee ice cubes to make an iced coffee even more intense in flavor. No more watered-down iced coffees or frappes!
Why not try an instant coffee cold brew hack for a smoother, less acidic taste? Mix instant coffee with cold water the night before and let it chill in the fridge overnight before using. This coffee is smoother and less bitter, perfect for chilled instant coffee recipes.
Final Thoughts
I hope this post has encouraged you not to sleep on instant coffee recipes – they can be a game changer! And while this coffee won’t ever replace espresso, drip or pour-over, it has its uses. In fact, some coffees like Dalgona coffee or Greek frappe insist on it.
So, next time someone throws shade at you for using instant coffee, serve them one of these upgraded recipes. Life may be too short for bad coffee, but it’s also too short to stress about “perfect” coffee!
Are you open to the occasional instant coffee or dead against it? Please share your thoughts and opinions in the Coffeeness comments section below. It can be a divisive subject, so feel free to let rip. I’m open to all opinions!
Instant Coffee Recipes FAQ
Use quality instant coffee for your instant coffee recipes. Brew the coffee with filtered water at 200 degrees Fahrenheit (93 degrees Celsius). Mix the coffee with a splash of cold water first, add hot water and stir. A pinch of salt cuts bitterness, and add-ons like cinnamon, vanilla extract, sweetener and creamer enhance flavor.
Yes, instant coffee is healthy in moderation. This means consuming no more than 4-5 cups a day. It contains antioxidants and has less caffeine than regular coffee.
Your instant coffee might taste off due to over processing or lower-quality beans. Also, you may have brewed it with too hot water (causing bitterness) or stored it improperly (exposed it to moisture). The spray-drying method in cheaper brands can also produce an off-putting “cooked coffee” flavor.
