1-First Step: Prep and mise en place Gather your ingredients: 2 tablespoons instant coffee, 2 tablespoons granulated sugar, 2 tablespoons boiling water, a pinch of cinnamon if using, and 1 cup milk (dairy or plant-based). Choose a clean, dry bowl that gives room for whipping and a whisk, hand mixer, stand mixer, immersion blender, or milk frother. Tip: Use freshly boiled water from a kettle or Keurig for best activation. If you plan an iced version, have ice cubes ready and chill your glass.

2-Second Step: Combine the coffee base Place the instant coffee, granulated sugar, and boiling water in the clean bowl. Add the pinch of cinnamon now if you want a subtle spiced flavor. The classic ratio is 2:2:2 by volume, which keeps the foam stable and scoopable.

3-Third Step: Whip the mixture Use a hand mixer or stand mixer on high speed and whip the mixture for 2 to 5 minutes until it turns pale, glossy, and forms stiff peaks. Stop once it looks fluffy and holds its shape. If you are whisking by hand, use a deep bowl and work in a fast zig-zag motion. Hand-whisking can take 15 to 20 minutes; a mason jar shaken hard will take about 5 to 10 minutes depending on strength and technique.

4-Fourth Step: Taste and sweeten if needed Once fluffy, taste a small dab and add more sugar if you like it sweeter. If you change the sugar amount, mix briefly to maintain structure. Remember that granulated sugar is recommended for longevity of the foam.

5-Fifth Step: Assemble hot or iced For iced: * Fill a tall glass with ice cubes as desired. * Pour 1 cup cold milk into the glass. * Spoon the whipped coffee on top and admire the layers. * Stir before you sip to combine the fluffy coffee foam with the milk. For hot: * Heat 1 cup milk gently; don’t let it boil to avoid scalding. * Pour hot milk into a mug and top with a spoonful of the whipped coffee foam. * Stir or leave the foam on top for a dramatic presentation.

6-Final Step: Serving and small touches Garnish with a light dusting of cocoa powder or a tiny pinch of cinnamon for photos and flavor. If you want a richer drink, add a splash of vanilla extract into the milk before pouring. Stir before drinking to get that balanced latte taste. Scaling tip: To make multiple servings, keep the 1:1:1 ratio by volume (for example, 4 tablespoons instant coffee, 4 tablespoons sugar, 4 tablespoons boiling water for two foam servings). The whipping time may increase slightly for larger batches.