Save to Pinterest My neighbor brought this over one humid afternoon, and I stood in my doorway holding the cold glass, mesmerized by the dark cubes bobbing in milky sweetness. She called it her summer secret. I made my first batch that same evening, slightly panicking when the gelatin clumped, but by the next day I was hooked on the wobbly texture and how the sweetness played against bitter coffee.
I served this at a small gathering once, and my friend who claims to hate gelatin kept refilling her glass. She said the cream made everything feel luxurious, like a dessert that pretended to be a drink. We sat on the porch until the ice melted and the jelly softened just enough to slurp through a straw. That night, it became my go-to when I wanted to surprise someone without spending hours in the kitchen.
Ingredients
- 2 cups brewed strong coffee (hot): Use a bold roast or slightly over-brew your usual coffee, the jelly will mellow out the bitterness once chilled.
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar: Just enough to take the edge off the coffee without making the jelly too sweet, since the cream does most of the sweetening.
- 2 teaspoons unflavored gelatin powder: This gives the jelly its signature wobble, bloom it properly or you will end up with gritty specks.
- 2 tablespoons cold water: Thegelatin needs this to bloom and hydrate before dissolving into the hot coffee.
- 1 cup whole milk: Adds body to the cream without making it too heavy, skim milk works but the richness suffers.
- 1/2 cup sweetened condensed milk: The magic ingredient that brings sweetness and a silky texture all at once.
- 1/2 cup heavy cream: Balances the condensed milk and keeps the drink feeling indulgent.
- Ice cubes, as needed: Keeps everything cold and dilutes the sweetness just slightly as it melts.
Instructions
- Bloom the gelatin:
- Sprinkle the gelatin over cold water in a small bowl and let it sit for 5 minutes until it looks wrinkled and swollen. This step prevents clumping when you add it to the hot coffee.
- Sweeten and dissolve:
- Stir the sugar into your hot brewed coffee until it disappears completely, then add the bloomed gelatin and stir gently until no specks remain. Work quickly while the coffee is still hot.
- Set the jelly:
- Pour the coffee mixture into a shallow dish or small baking pan and let it cool on the counter for about 20 minutes. Once it stops steaming, slide it into the fridge for at least 1.5 hours until it feels firm when you press it lightly.
- Cut into cubes:
- Run a sharp knife under hot water, then slice the set jelly into roughly half-inch cubes. They do not need to be perfect, a little variation adds charm.
- Mix the sweet cream:
- In a pitcher, whisk together the whole milk, sweetened condensed milk, and heavy cream until smooth and slightly frothy. Taste it and add more condensed milk if you like things sweeter.
- Assemble and serve:
- Drop a generous handful of jelly cubes into each glass, add a few ice cubes, then pour the sweet cream over the top. Stir gently before drinking so every sip has jelly and cream together.
Save to Pinterest One Sunday morning, my sister came over exhausted from a late shift and I handed her a glass of this without saying a word. She took one sip, looked up at me, and said it tasted like a hug. We sat at the kitchen table in silence, clinking our spoons against the jelly cubes. It is funny how something this simple can feel like care in a glass.
Make It Your Own
I have tried this with a shot of espresso poured over the top right before serving, and the bitterness cuts through the cream in the most satisfying way. You can also swap the whole milk for oat milk or coconut milk if dairy is not your thing, though the texture will be slightly thinner. Once I used matcha powder instead of coffee and the color alone made everyone at brunch stop talking.
Storage and Leftovers
The coffee jelly keeps in the fridge for up to three days in an airtight container, just do not cut it into cubes until you are ready to serve or it will dry out. The sweet cream mixture can be stored separately in a jar and shaken before pouring. I have even packed the jelly cubes in a small container for work and assembled the drink at my desk, it travels better than you would think.
Serving Suggestions
This works as a mid-afternoon pick-me-up or a light dessert after something heavy. I like to serve it in clear glasses so you can see the jelly cubes floating around, and sometimes I add a dollop of whipped cream on top with a sprinkle of instant coffee powder for drama.
- Pair it with buttery shortbread cookies for contrast.
- Serve it alongside fresh fruit like mango or strawberries for a tropical twist.
- Top with a drizzle of chocolate syrup if you are feeling indulgent.
Save to Pinterest This drink reminds me that joy does not have to be complicated. Mix it up, watch the jelly wobble, and let yourself enjoy something sweet and unexpected.
Recipe FAQs
- → How long does it take to make coffee jelly drink?
The total time is approximately 2 hours, including 1.5 hours of chilling time for the jelly to set. Active preparation and cooking takes only about 25 minutes combined.
- → Can I make this dairy-free?
Yes, you can substitute whole milk, sweetened condensed milk, and heavy cream with coconut milk and coconut cream for a delicious dairy-free version.
- → What can I use instead of gelatin?
Agar-agar is an excellent vegetarian and vegan alternative to gelatin. Use the same amount as the recipe calls for gelatin powder.
- → How do I cut the coffee jelly into cubes?
Once the jelly is completely firm after chilling, use a sharp knife to cut it into 1/2-inch cubes. You can also cut it into different shapes like rectangles or diamonds for variation.
- → How can I enhance the coffee flavor?
For a stronger coffee taste, add a shot of espresso to the hot coffee mixture before setting the jelly, or stir it into the sweet cream mixture just before serving.
- → What's the best way to serve this beverage?
Fill glasses with coffee jelly cubes and ice cubes, then pour the sweet cream mixture over top. Serve with a wide straw or spoon to enjoy both the creamy liquid and chewy jelly cubes together.