After watching all those relaxing Korean café vlogs, those pretty drinks served will tempt even the strongest of us to want to try some. You don’t need to attend a Korean language school in Singapore to understand that the beverages are both stunning and delicious. Alas, with the pandemic continuing to be a safety threat and travel restrictions still in place, it might be a long way before we can get to a café that sells those delicious looking yet elusive drinks.
Luckily for us, there are some beverages that we can attempt to replicate at home. Although there might be a difference in taste due to the ingredients we include, this is as close as we can get to a Korean café experience in quarantine. Learn how you can turn your home into a Korean café serving up drinks with these recipes!
Dalgona Coffee
Since the start of last year when Covid-19 first hit us and we had to confine ourselves in our homes, almost everyone probably would’ve heard about this famous Instagram-worthy beverage that rose sharply in popularity. One could say that the dalgona coffee trend has become overhyped, but we can’t deny the appeal that this coffee has to make us crave it again and again.
Dalgona itself is originally a street candy made from three simple ingredients: water, sugar, and baking soda. Once the mixture of these three hardens, street vendors would either break it and sell them directly in chunks or shape them first using creative moulds such as a lollipop. The inventor of this beverage drew inspiration from this street food and turned it into the well-known coffee-based drink we know today.
If you’re keen on making dalgona latte at home, here are the two simple steps you need to follow:
1. Mix water, instant coffee and sugar in a 1:1:1 ratio until you get a thick, frothy mixture. The result is similar to a brown meringue with stiff peaks.
2. Pour the foamy mixture over a cup of chilled milk.
After that, you have your dalgona coffee! There are many different variations and flavours online, such as matcha or vegan options, but many still prefer the original one best.
Strawberry Latte
Another popular summer drink that’s bound to hit the cafes of Korea come strawberry season is, you guessed it, none other than strawberry latte! Given how Koreans are fond of using the word latte even on drinks that contain neither coffee nor tea, don’t be surprised to know that this particular fruit latte uses no such ingredients. Instead, a strawberry preserve is used as a substitute combined with milk to form this pretty and delicious treat.
If you’d like to make the strawberry preserve yourself instead of buying it, here are the steps you need to take:
1. Get some fresh strawberries and sugar in a 10:1 ratio.
2. Chop up the strawberries into smaller pieces with the leaves discarded.
3. Place the chopped strawberries and sugar above medium-low heat until the mixture is thoroughly combined.
4. Set the mixture aside to cool.
When serving, scoop up a generous amount into a glass, then pour in your milk of choice. Also, don’t forget to mix it up for a fuller flavour!
Strawberry Matcha Latte
The strawberry preserve you made previously doesn’t necessarily mean you can only make strawberry lattes with it. If you’d prefer to have some caffeine in your system and a sweet treat, why not take your drink to the next level and add matcha into the mix!
Matcha is another cult favourite in South Korea, and it’s become indispensable to café beverages ever since its popularity. To make a strawberry matcha latte, follow the same steps you took when you made a strawberry latte. Just ensure you leave space or at least ¼ of the glass unfilled for the matcha layer. To make the matcha layer, combine 10g of matcha powder with 30ml of water and mix well before pouring it over. For the ultimate indulgence, top the whole drink off with a scoop of matcha ice cream.
Jollypong Latte
Ever heard of breakfast and a cup of coffee all in one cup? Jollypong latte has got you covered on that one. Jollypong latte is a simple yet filling beverage and an all-time favourite cereal snack among Koreans of all ages that consists of just three ingredients: highly addictive Jolly Pong cereal snack, milk, and one shot of espresso.
To make one yourself, simply add milk, ice, an espresso shot, and as much Jolly Pong you want for this all-in-one breakfast coffee combination. If you prefer more coffee, add less Jolly Pong on top and add more milk, but nobody will fault you for laying the Jolly Pong on a little thick.
Korean Citron Tea
Korean citron tea, also known as Yuja tea, is made from the unique citrus taste of the yuzu fruit. As the weather gets colder in the autumn and winter months, this beverage is the best choice for chilly mornings.
As mentioned, Korean citron tea is created from yuzu fruit preserves, so you’ll have to allow for some prep time if you’d like to enjoy this beverage at home. If you find yourself craving it and unable to wait, you could always opt to combine store-bought yuzu marmalade with hot water. However, what could stop you from going this route would be the fact that you can’t control the taste or the sugar content of pre-made marmalade.
If you prefer a more authentic experience with citron tea, here’s how you can make the marmalade at home:
1. You need to get the two main ingredients, yuzu and sugar. The sugar to fruit ratio should be 1:1.
2. Once ingredients are complete, sterilise the glass jars that you’ll use to store your preserve using boiling water.
3. Next, rinse the yuzu in running water and scrub them down with baking soda to clean the residue on the skin. Pat them dry with paper towels before proceeding to juice them, and later, slice them thinly. Remember to discard the seeds as it makes the marmalade bitter.
4. Separate the rind and the pulp, then blend the pulp and the juice.
5. Combine the peel, the blended pulp and sugar in the sterilised glass jar.
6. Allow for the sugar to dissolve before storing the jar in the fridge.
Conclusion
The principle is simple; if you can’t go to the cafes, bring the cafes to you! With these recipes on hand, you can whip up as many glasses of your favourite Korean drinks at any time. Just remember to drink them all in moderation!
If you have some spare time on your hands and want to know more about Korean food and culture, taking a Korean language course could be an excellent choice for you. At Sejong language school, we offer a myriad of classes to cater to your learning needs. Whether you are a beginner or an advanced student, we’re certain we can find a suitable class just for you!