How to Make Instant Coffee Taste Better

Here’s how to make instant coffee taste better in one line: dissolve the powder into a paste with a spoonful of cool water, top it up with water just off the boil (not boiling), and use enough coffee, usually 1 1/2 to 2 teaspoons per 8 oz cup. Those three changes alone soften the harsh, burnt edge most people dislike. From there, milk, a pinch of salt, a little sweetener or a spice can turn a basic jar into a genuinely good cup.

Why Instant Coffee Can Taste Flat or Bitter

Instant coffee is coffee that was brewed in a factory, then dried. Some of the aromatic compounds that make fresh coffee smell so good are lost in that process. What remains is the roasty, bitter core, and that core gets harsher when you:

• pour boiling water straight onto the granules,
• use too little powder and too much water (thin and sour) or the reverse (bitter and muddy),
• use hard or heavily chlorinated tap water,
• store the jar open, so humidity turns the powder into a stale, clumpy brick.

The good news: every one of those is easy to fix.

How to Make Instant Coffee Taste Better: The Basic Method

1. Measure. Start with 1 1/2 teaspoons (about 2 g) of instant coffee for 8 oz (240 ml) of water. Go up to 2 teaspoons for a bolder cup.
2. Make a paste. Add 1–2 teaspoons of cool or room-temperature water and stir until completely smooth, with no dry specks.
3. Heat the water correctly. Bring water to a boil, then let it rest for 30–60 seconds, aiming for roughly 185–200°F (85–93°C).
4. Pour slowly while stirring. This keeps the coffee even and avoids a foamy, scorched layer.
5. Taste and adjust. Too strong? Add hot water. Too weak? Dissolve a little more powder in a spoonful of water and stir it in.

Many people find the paste step gives a smoother, rounder cup than dumping granules into boiling water. It also guarantees there are no undissolved clumps. For why temperature matters, see our coffee brewing temperature guide.

Water Matters More Than You Think

A cup of instant is about 99% water, so its taste shows. If your tap water smells of chlorine or leaves scale in the kettle, try filtered water. Our guide to the best water for coffee explains what to look for.

Easy Upgrades: Milk, Salt and Sweeteners

Milk and foam

Milk softens bitterness and adds body, which is exactly what instant lacks. Warm 4 oz (120 ml) of milk and froth it with a handheld frother or by shaking it in a sealed jar, then pour over 4 oz of strong instant coffee (1 1/2 teaspoons dissolved in 4 oz water). Instant café latte. Need help? See how to froth milk.

A tiny pinch of salt

Just a few grains of salt can make coffee taste less bitter. Add a pinch smaller than you think, stir and taste. If you can taste salt, you used too much.

Sweeteners with flavor

• Brown sugar: adds caramel notes.
• Maple syrup: warm and woody, great with milk.
• Honey: floral; dissolve it in the paste stage.
• Sweetened condensed milk: creamy and sweet in one step.
• Homemade syrups: vanilla, cinnamon or caramel. See our homemade coffee syrups.

Flavor Add-Ins to Try

3 Instant Coffee Recipes That Taste Great

Whipped coffee

Whisk 2 tablespoons instant coffee, 2 tablespoons sugar and 2 tablespoons hot water until thick and fluffy (2–4 minutes with a hand mixer). Spoon over 8 oz (240 ml) cold or warm milk. Full guide: dalgona whipped coffee.

Iced instant coffee

1. Dissolve 2 teaspoons instant coffee and sugar to taste in 2 tablespoons (30 ml) hot water.
2. Add 6 oz (180 ml) cold water or milk and stir.
3. Pour over a full glass of ice.

Instant is actually one of the fastest ways to make iced coffee, since there’s no brewing or cooling step.

Shaken instant “espresso”

Shake 2 teaspoons instant coffee, 2 oz (60 ml) cold water, 1 teaspoon brown sugar and a handful of ice in a jar for 20 seconds until foamy. Pour into a glass and top with oat milk.

Buy and Store Instant Coffee Smarter

• Freeze-dried granules generally keep more aroma than fine spray-dried powder.
• Close the lid every time. Moisture is the enemy and causes clumping.
• Use a dry spoon. A wet spoon introduces humidity into the jar.
• Keep it cool and dark, away from the stove and kettle steam.

How to Make Instant Coffee Taste Better FAQ

Should you use boiling water for instant coffee?

It’s better not to. Let boiled water rest for 30–60 seconds first. Slightly cooler water tends to produce a less harsh cup.

Is it better to make instant coffee with milk?

Milk softens bitterness and adds body, so many people prefer it. You can dissolve the coffee in a little hot water, then top it with warm or frothed milk.

How much instant coffee per cup?

About 1 1/2 to 2 teaspoons per 8 oz (240 ml) of water is a good starting point. Check your jar’s label, since strength varies by brand.

Why does my instant coffee taste sour?

Usually it’s too weak, so add a bit more powder. Very old or humid-damaged coffee can also taste stale and off.

A Better Cup in Seconds

Making instant coffee taste better is mostly about the right ratio, a smooth paste and water that’s hot but not boiling. Add milk, a pinch of salt or a favorite spice and you’ve got a satisfying cup for busy mornings. Feel Espresso’s Instant Coffee is a handy pantry staple, and when you have a few extra minutes, our flavored coffees and signature blends are roasted 1–5 days before delivery.