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Frothy Instant Coffee Espresso (Easy Homemade Café-Style Coffee)

This frothy instant coffee espresso is a simple homemade coffee drink made with instant coffee, sugar, hot milk, and water. Whisking the coffee and sugar into a thick, creamy paste creates a light, foamy finish without an espresso machine. A dusting of cocoa powder and optional cinnamon adds a delicious finishing touch.
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Servings: 10
Course: Beverage
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1½ teaspoons Nescafé instant coffee or adjust to taste
  • ½ cup milk
  • ½ cup water plus a few drops for mixing
  • 2 teaspoons sugar or to taste
  • Cinnamon powder optional
  • Drinking cocoa powder for dusting

Method
 

  1. Combine the coffee and sugar. Add the instant coffee and sugar to a sturdy, heat-safe coffee mug.
  2. Add a little water. Pour in just a few drops of water, enough to moisten the coffee and sugar without making the mixture runny.
  3. Whip into a creamy paste. Stir vigorously with a spoon until the coffee and sugar form a thick, glossy, pale-colored paste. Continue mixing until the texture becomes smooth and slightly fluffy.
  4. Heat the milk and water. Combine ½ cup milk and ½ cup water in a small saucepan. Heat until very hot and beginning to boil, watching carefully to prevent the milk from overflowing.
  5. Create the frothy coffee. Slowly pour the hot milk mixture into the mug from a short, controlled height. The liquid will mix with the whipped coffee paste and create a foamy layer on top.
  6. Add the finishing touch. Lightly sprinkle drinking cocoa powder over the foam. Add a pinch of cinnamon if desired.
  7. Serve immediately. Enjoy the coffee while hot and frothy.

Notes

  • Coffee strength: Adjust the amount of instant coffee depending on how strong you prefer your drink.
  • Sweetness: The recipe uses 2 teaspoons of sugar, but you can adjust it to taste.
  • Coffee paste: Use only a few drops of water when whipping the coffee and sugar. Too much water will prevent the mixture from becoming thick and creamy.
  • Whipping: Stir vigorously until the paste becomes lighter in color, glossy, and slightly fluffy.
  • Milk ratio: The standard preparation uses equal amounts of milk and water.
  • Less milky variation: Replace the milk-and-water mixture with 1 cup of hot water and add a few drops of milk according to your preference.
  • Frothy finish: Pour the hot liquid into the mug from a short height to help create foam. Pour carefully to avoid splashing.
  • Optional garnish: Dust with drinking cocoa powder and add cinnamon if you enjoy its warm, aromatic flavor.
  • Coffee style: This is a frothy instant coffee drink inspired by espresso-style coffee, not traditional machine-brewed espresso.