How to Make Nescafé Instant Coffee & Delicious Variations to Try

Making Nescafé instant coffee is as simple as stirring a spoon of granules into hot water. However, the taste of black instant coffee can be underwhelming. 

In this guide, you'll learn how to make Nescafé instant coffee and five ways to spruce up the brew.

Nescafé Instant Coffee Brewing Specs:

• Brew Time: 5 Minutes
• Coffee/Water Ratio: 1:100–1:50
• Water Temperature: 208ºF (98ºC)
• Recommended Alternatives: Cafely Vietnamese Coffee 2.0 (Instant)

Nescafé Instant Coffee Brewing Summary

1. Boil a kettle of water. 
2. Add the coffee to your cup. 
3. Stir in the hot water.
4. Add milk and sugar to taste (optional). 
5. Enjoy it while it's hot. 

What Do You Need to Brew Nescafé Instant Coffee?

You don't need any brewing equipment and very few ingredients to make Nescafé instant coffee. 

Here’s what you'll need:

Equipment 

1. Kettle — An electric or stovetop kettle is needed to boil water for instant coffee.
2. Teaspoon — A teaspoon is needed to measure the coffee and stir the brew. 
3. Coffee Cup — Use your favorite coffee cup to brew and serve your coffee. 

Ingredients

1. Nescafé Instant Coffee — There are several types of Nescafé available. You'll find different roast levels, blends, and even all-in-one instant latte sachets. 
2. Water — Use fresh, filtered water for the cleanest brew. 
3. Sugar (Optional) — Add a teaspoon or two of sugar to sweeten the coffee if desired. 
4. Milk (Optional) — Add a splash of milk to make white coffee. 

Step-by-Step Brewing Instructions: Nescafé Instant Coffee

Follow the simple steps below to make the perfect Nescafé instant coffee:

1. Boil a Kettle of Water 

First, boil a kettle of water. Fresh, filtered water produces the cleanest brew and reduces mineral buildup in your kettle. 

The amount of water you'll need depends on how much coffee you want to brew. Unlike brewing regular coffee, no water is lost when making instant — one cup of water will make exactly one cup of coffee. 

2. Add Your Coffee to a Cup

Add one to three tablespoons of Nescafé instant coffee to your coffee cup. One spoon will create a weak coffee, two will create a strong coffee, and three will produce an extra-strong, concentrated cup. 

3. Pour in the Water

Fill your cup with the hot water from your kettle, stirring as you pour to dissolve the granules. 

4. Adjust to Taste and Enjoy

Enjoy your coffee black as it is, or add a spoonful of sugar to sweeten it. You can also stir in milk to create a creamy instant coffee. 

Instant Coffee Beverage Recommendations 

Although instant coffee gets a bad name, you can use it to make a range of tasty beverages. Drinking Nescafé instant coffee every day can be dull. 

Here are five beverage ideas to elevate your instant brews:

1. Instant Iced Coffee

Authentic instant coffee can be used to make a delicious glass of iced coffee. The bold, dark flavor of Nescafé is perfect for making the strong, concentrated shot to make a sweet, milky iced coffee. 

Here's how to make iced coffee with Nescafé instant coffee:

1. Make a concentrated shot of coffee using two teaspoons of Nescafé and around 60 mL of hot water. 
2. Cool the coffee to room temperature (you can add an ice cube to speed up the process).
3. Add ice to a tall glass.
4. Pour in the cooled coffee shot and add syrup or sugar to sweeten if desired.
5. Fill the rest of the glass with dairy milk or a plant-based alternative. 
6. Stir to combine and enjoy it while it's ice-cold. 

2. Instant Latte 

You can spruce up your instant coffee by making an instant latte. You can do this by frothing milk and adding it to Nescafé, or you can opt for an all-in-one latte blend such as Cafely’s Vietnamese Instant Latte. 

Here's how to make a latte with Nescafé:

1. Make a strong, concentrated coffee by combining two teaspoons of Nescafé with around 100 mL of hot water. 
2. In a pan, add 100–140 mL of whole milk or a high-protein plant-based alternative.
3. Heat the milk until hot but not boiling. 
4. Using a milk frother or fine whisk, whip the coffee until light, velvety, and foamy. 
5. While holding back the foam with a teaspoon, gently pour the frothed milk over the coffee in a circular motion to combine. 
6. Release the milk foam so it settles on top of the beverage. 
7. Sweeten with sugar to taste (optional) and enjoy. 

3. Instant Espresso

Although you'll never produce a “true” espresso with instant coffee, it’s possible to make a similarly strong, bold shot of coffee. Try our Instant Vietnamese Espresso for a quick and easy way to make bold espresso-like coffee, or follow the steps below to produce a similar shot with regular Nescafé.

 Here's how to make instant espresso with Nescafé:

1. Add one teaspoon of Nescafé instant coffee to a small cup or two to make a “double shot.”
2. Pour in 60 mL of freshly boiled water for a single espresso or 120 mL for a double.
3. Stir to combine and enjoy. 

4. Instant Frozen Coffee

Frozen coffee is a delicious iced beverage that's blended rather than served over whole ice cubes. Blending the ingredients creates a delightfully thick and creamy drink with a similar consistency to a slushy. It's normally made with espresso or moka pot coffee. However, Nescafé instant coffee can also be used. 

Here's how to make frozen coffee with instant coffee:

1. Make a concentrated shot of coffee by combining two teaspoons of instant coffee with 60–80 mL of freshly boiled water. 
2. Cool the coffee to room temperature. 
3. In a blender, add one cup of ice, the concentrated coffee shot, a cup of whole milk (or a dairy-free alternative), and sugar or flavored syrup to sweeten. 
4. Slowly blend the ingredients until the ice is crushed. Increase the blender speed until a thick, slushy, smooth consistency has formed. 
5. Pour the frozen coffee into a large glass and serve with a straw. Garnish with whipped cream (optional). 

5. Instant Coffee Smoothie

Coffee smoothies combine the energy-boosting caffeine hit of coffee and the nutritional benefits of fruit smoothies. Although coffee smoothies made with freshly brewed coffee may contain more antioxidants, it's possible to make smoothies using Nescafé instant coffee.

Here's how to make an instant coffee smoothie:

1. Brew a strong, concentrated shot of coffee by adding one to two teaspoons of instant coffee to around 100 mL of water. 
2. Cool the coffee by adding an ice cube or waiting for it to cool to room temperature naturally. 
3. In a blender, add one banana (frozen banana will create a thicker smoothie), one cup of ice, 200 mL of milk, and the coffee. Blend until the ice is crushed but not smooth. 
4. To the blender, add half a teaspoon of cinnamon, a few drops of vanilla extract, a teaspoon of butter (optional), and honey or syrup to sweeten. 
5. Blend a final time until the ingredients are fully combined and a thick, glossy smoothie has been produced. 
6. Once you're happy with the consistency of the smoothie, pour it into a large glass and enjoy it while it's cold. 

FAQs: Making Nescafé Instant Coffee

Want to learn more about instant coffee and other convenient ways to make coffee?

Read the answers to the frequently asked questions below:

1. What is Nescafé Instant Coffee?

Nescafé instant coffee is a brand of granulated coffee that can be dissolved in hot water. Instant coffee is a quick and convenient way to make a drinkable, clean brew. A spoonful of Nescafé instant coffee can be added to a cup and combined with freshly boiled water to make a brew in seconds. 

2. How is Instant Coffee Made?

Instant coffee is made one of two ways — spray drying or freeze drying. 

Spray drying is usually used to make cheaper, poorer-quality instant coffee. The process involves spraying brewed coffee as a fine mist into a large heat chamber where it instantly dries to a powder. 

Freeze drying is used to make higher-quality coffee. This process retains more of the flavors of the coffee. Freeze drying involves the rapid freezing of brewed coffee to remove moisture. Once dry, the coffee is ground roughly into granules. 

3. How Much Caffeine in Instant Coffee?

The amount of caffeine in instant coffee varies depending on the brand and how many spoons of granules you use in a cup. With that said, the average 8 oz (240 mL) cup of instant coffee contains between 80 to 120 mg of caffeine. 

4. What’s the Best Instant Coffee?

There is no “best” instant coffee. However, some brands are better than others. No instant coffee is as good as freshly brewed coffee, but if you're looking for convenience, opt for a specialty brand that crafts instant coffee using sustainable, organic beans. Check out our instant coffee range if you're looking for a quality instant espresso, milk latte, or vegan coconut latte blend. 

5. Can You Make Iced Coffee From Instant Coffee?

Yes. Instant coffee can be used to make iced coffee in a flash. To make iced coffee with instant coffee, dissolve a sachet or teaspoon of coffee in 60 mL of water to create a concentrated brew. Cool the shot to room temperature, pour over ice, and dilute with milk. Sweeten with sugar or syrup to taste and enjoy. 

6. Can You Make Espresso With Instant Coffee?

You can't make a “true” espresso using instant coffee. However, you can make an espresso-like brew with dark, bold instant blends such as our Vietnamese Instant Espresso. 

7. What’s the Quickest Way to Brew Coffee From Beans?

There are several quick ways to brew great-tasting coffee from beans or pre-ground coffee. Some of the fastest are the drip coffee maker, French press, and Aeropress brewer. 

8. Is Drip Coffee Better Than Instant Coffee?

Generally, yes. Drip coffee — when made with a high-quality bean — tastes better than instant coffee. You'll never produce an instant cup with the same character and flavor profile as a cup made with fresh coffee. 

9. How Can You Make Coffee Without a Coffee Filter?

If you don't have coffee filters, you can try making cowboy coffee — a filterless brewing method that allows the grounds to settle before pouring. You can also use a cheesecloth, French press, or even a (clean) sock to filter coffee if you don't have paper filters. 

10. Is Instant Coffee Environmentally-Friendly?

Instant coffee is typically less environmentally friendly than regular coffee because it goes through a much more energy-consuming production process. There is also much more waste produced from making instant coffee.