Whether you enjoy hot black coffee, milky latte-like brews, or cold iced beverages, instant coffee can be used to make them all. However, these dissolvable granules aren't renowned for their delicate taste or complex flavors.
Instant coffee can be pretty rough, especially if you're used to high-quality, freshly brewed beverages. In this guide, we'll be looking at how you can make your instant coffee taste better, so your rushed mornings are a little more enjoyable…
For a delicious, low-sugar instant coffee infused with adaptogens and nootropics, try our new and improved Vietnamese Coffee 2.0 — a smarter, smoother brew that’s ready when you are.
8 Proven Methods to Improve the Taste of Instant Coffee
Improving the taste of instant coffee doesn't need to be complicated. There are several ways to reduce bitterness, improve sweetness, and elevate the subtle flavors of the coffee without spending much money.
Most of the “hacks” below involve ingredients that are probably in your pantry or fridge already, and the ones that aren't won't break the bank.
Here are eight ways to make your instant coffee taste better:
1. Use Hot (Not Boiling) Water
The first, easiest, and cheapest way to improve the taste of your instant coffee is to make it with hot — not boiling — water. This simple change can improve the taste of your coffee dramatically.
It’s well-known that boiling water can scorch ground coffee during brewing, but did you know that the same thing can happen with instant coffee granules?
Boiling water can indeed scorch the granules, bringing out the harsh, bitter notes of the coffee. To avoid this, let the water cool down slightly (around 60 seconds) before dissolving the instant coffee. The sweet spot is between 175°F to 185°F (80°C to 85°C) — hot enough to dissolve the coffee but gentle enough to protect its flavor.
2. Combine With Milk or Cream
Adding cow's milk, cream, or a plant-based alternative to instant coffee can soften its bitter edge and provide natural sweetness.
Whole milk and cream add body and richness to instant coffee, making your cup taste smoother and more indulgent.
Vegan options such as oat, almond, or coconut milk also improve the flavor of instant coffee and bring their own flavors into the mix. For instance, oat milk adds a naturally sweet, malty taste and smooth, creamy texture while coconut milk offers tropical, sweet flavors and a rich creaminess.
Generally, the more milk you add to your instant coffee, the less bitter it will taste. We recommend warming the milk in a pan and combining it with black instant coffee at a 50:50 ratio for the best results.
3. Froth Your Milk
Taking the time to froth your milk can turn a basic, dull instant coffee into a cafe-style beverage with barista-level qualities.
Adding frothed milk to instant coffee elevates its flavor in the same way adding regular milk does — providing creaminess and sweetness. However, it also enhances texture, giving the drink a smooth, velvety texture.
You don’t need a milk steamer to create latte-like frothed milk. A simple milk frother, French press, or fine whisk will do the trick. Simply heat the milk in a saucepan over a medium heat and whisk, froth, and “pump” in a French press until smooth and velvety. The milk should have a thick, light texture with a fine microfoam on top.
Combine the frothed milk with a simple cup of instant coffee for a quick “homemade latte.” Add syrup or sweetener to further enhance the beverage.
4. Sweeten With Coffee Syrup
Coffee syrup is one of the best ways to sweeten instant coffee and alter its taste. Adding a sweetener to the brew can help combat the bitterness associated with instant blends. Different flavored coffee syrups can also improve the taste of the coffee.
There are hundreds of different syrups to choose from, and which one is best for you comes down to flavor preferences.
Here are some of the most popular coffee syrups to use in instant coffee and how they alter the taste of your brew:
- Maple Syrup — Adds earthy sweetness and a slight smokiness. Great for fall-inspired drinks.
- Vanilla — A classic, mellow flavor that enhances smoothness and balances bitterness.
- Caramel — Brings buttery sweetness with rich depth. Pairs well with creamy beverages.
- Hazelnut — Nutty and slightly toasted. Pairs especially well with oat or almond milk in iced beverages.
- Pumpkin Spice — Cozy, spicy, and seasonal. It's ideal for fall and creating Starbucks-inspired instant lattes.
- Gingerbread — Sweet, spicy, and festive. It can turn any instant brew into a holiday treat. It works well with creamy, hot brews.
- Crème Brûlée — A dessert-like syrup inspired by the French dessert. It has notes of caramelized sugar and custard, making it perfect for milky brews both hot and cold.
- Peppermint — A refreshing and bold syrup that's perfect for warming winter brews when combined with hot instant coffee. It can also add a refreshing sweetness to iced beverages.
5. Dissolve the Coffee in Cold Water First
This tip is similar to the first but goes one step further to reduce the chances of scorching your coffee granules.
Add a small amount of cold water — just enough to dissolve the grounds (a teaspoon or two) — and stir the grounds to a paste. Then, slowly pour in hot (not boiling) water to dilute.
This method helps prevent clumping and creates a smoother, more balanced cup of instant coffee with less bitterness. You can compare this stage of making instant coffee to the “bloom stage” in pour-over brewing.
6. Add a Pinch of Salt
This may sound counterintuitive, but adding a pinch of salt to your instant coffee can help neutralize its bitter notes.
Salt won’t make your brew taste salty (unless you add too much) — it simply suppresses the harsh, bitter compounds and enhances the coffee’s natural sweetness. It’s for this reason that it’s regularly used in caramel, toffee, and fudge — salt brings out the roasted, buttery flavors and complements the candy’s sweetness.
If you want to try this, simply add a pinch of sea salt or Himalayan rock salt to a freshly made cup of instant coffee. Start with a small amount, stir, and taste. After tasting, if you think the coffee needs more salt, repeat the process — only adding small pinches at a time between tasting.
7. Make Iced Coffee
Surprisingly, instant coffee is one of the perfect candidates for making iced coffee. Although instant coffee can be overpowering in a black hot brew, its bold, dark, bitter flavors work well when combined with ice, syrup, and milk.
To make iced coffee, dissolve two teaspoons of instant coffee in two ounces (60 mL) of hot water. Allow the concentrated coffee to cool to room temperature — you can quickly cool it down by pouring the shot back and forth between two cool coffee mugs.
Fill a large serving glass with ice and pour in the coffee. Dilute the brew with cold, whole milk or a dairy-free alternative and sweeten with syrup if desired.
8. Use High-Quality Instant Coffee
Last, but certainly not least, is to use high-quality instant coffee. Not all instant coffee is the same — a specialty blend is worlds apart from generic, store-bought granules.
Look for freeze-dried instant coffee made from high-quality, organic coffee beans. 100% arabica is generally less bitter and naturally sweeter than instant coffee made from robusta coffee beans.
100% robusta instant coffee is naturally more bitter and about twice as strong as arabica. Blends combine both beans to create a balance of bitter, smooth, sweet notes and a moderate to high caffeine content.
Some high-quality instant coffees also contain a range of natural adaptogens, flavors, and sweeteners to enhance the taste and effects of the beans.
Our Vietnamese Coffee 2.0 range is made from authentic, fair-trade Vietnamese coffee and a blend of specially-selected nootropics and adaptogens. This instant coffee is designed to provide not only a boost, but prolonged, sustainable energy.
You’ll find instant Vietnamese Espresso, instant Vietnamese Latte, and instant Coconut Latte (Vegan) in the range.
FAQs: How to Make Instant Coffee Taste Better
Do you have more questions about improving the taste of instant coffee?
Check out the answers to the frequently asked questions below for more insight…
1. Can You Add Coffee Creamer to Instant Coffee?
Yes. You can add coffee creamer to instant coffee to enhance its flavor. Adding creamer takes the bitter edge off the coffee and provides sweet, creamy notes.
2. Can You Use Syrup in Instant Coffee?
Yes. Syrup is an excellent addition to instant coffee. It's a good way to add sweetness, combat the bitter notes of poor-quality instant coffee, and add flavor. There are several different coffee syrups to choose from. Adding sweetness can be achieved by adding maple or golden syrup. You can use sweet vanilla, hazelnut, creamy caramel, or pumpkin spice syrups to enhance and alter the flavor of instant coffee.
3. Can You Make Iced Coffee With Instant Coffee?
Yes. Making iced coffee with instant coffee is easy, and its bold, robust flavor works well in milky, chilled beverages. To make an iced coffee, simply brew a strong, concentrated shot of instant coffee before cooling. Then, combine with ice, milk, and your preferred syrup.
4. Can You Make Espresso With Instant Coffee?
No. You can only make a true espresso with an espresso machine. You can also achieve a similar shot with a moka pot, Aeropress brewer, or Rok Espresso Maker. With that said, instant espresso blends such as Cafely's Vietnamese Instant Espresso 2.0 come close.
5. How Much Caffeine in a Cup of Instant Coffee?
The amount of caffeine in a cup of instant coffee varies depending on the brand and how much is dissolved per cup. The average cup of instant coffee made with a blend of arabica and robusta beans contains somewhere between 60 mg and 120 mg of caffeine.
6. Can You Make a Latte With Instant Coffee?
No. You can't make a “true” latte with instant coffee. However, you can make a similar brew by using an all-in-one blend such as Cafely’s Vietnamese Instant Latte 2.0.
7. What's the Best Vegan Milk for Instant Coffee?
There are several plant-based milk alternatives that work well in instant coffee. Many people agree that oat milk offers the most neutral flavor and creaminess out of the vegan milk options. However, almond milk, coconut milk, and soy milk are also good options.
8. Is Ground Coffee Better Than Instant Coffee?
Generally, yes — ground coffee produces a far better cup of coffee. However, the quality of the ground and instant coffee matters. If your coffee grounds are old and stale, instant coffee may produce a better brew. If you want an exquisite cup of coffee, opt for freshly roasted whole-bean coffee and grind it just before brewing.
9. What's the Best Sugar-Free Way to Sweeten Instant Coffee?
The best way to sweeten your instant coffee without sugar is to use a natural sweetener such as stevia, monk fruit, or jackfruit.
10. Is Instant Coffee Keto-Friendly?
Yes. Instant coffee is keto-friendly, as long as it doesn't contain any sweeteners or milk powders and is brewed black.
