What is inside
What is inside Shaadi Wali Coffee?
Shaadi Wali Coffee is frothy, hand-beaten coffee topped with hot milk, in the style of North Indian wedding celebrations. Here is what is inside it, layer by layer, and why each one is there.
From the Tapri Chai kitchen · November 2026 · 2 min read
Layers
5 in all
Key ingredient
Beaten coffee
Heat
None
Served
Hot, frothy
The 5 layers of Shaadi Wali Coffee
Shaadi Wali Coffee is built from 5 parts. They are listed in the order you meet them, and the numbers match the diagram.
The coffee paste
Instant coffee, sugar and a splash of water beaten by hand or with a whisk until it turns pale, thick and fluffy.
The froth
The beaten mixture forms a stiff, light foam that holds its shape on a spoon.
The hot milk
Piping hot, sweetened milk poured slowly over the froth, which floats to the top.
The stir
A gentle stir mixes the froth into the milk, giving a sweet, creamy, light coffee.
The finishing dust
Sometimes a pinch of cocoa or cinnamon on top.
01
What it is made of
This is a coffee made by technique rather than equipment. Beating the coffee and sugar together makes the froth, and the froth is what makes the drink.
- Instant coffee
- Sugar
- Hot water
- Hot milk
- Cocoa or cinnamon (optional)
02
How the layers work together
Sweet, creamy and light, with a mild coffee flavour. The froth makes it taste smooth and almost like a dessert, and it is closer to a latte made from instant coffee than to espresso.
03
Where it comes from
The drink is associated with weddings in North India, where caterers popularised beating instant coffee by hand to serve large gatherings in winter. It is a nostalgic drink for many people, and similar whipped coffees became popular worldwide as dalgona coffee.
04
Variations and other names
You may find these versions:
- Dalgona coffee: the same beaten coffee served over cold milk.
- Hot beaten coffee with cocoa.
- Cinnamon-spiced beaten coffee.
- Iced beaten coffee.
05
How to eat it
Stir gently and sip hot. Eat the foam with a spoon first if you like.
06
Shaadi Wali Coffee at Tapri Chai
Shaadi Wali Coffee is $4.99 CAD on our menu. We make it in a 100% vegetarian kitchen at 200 Kennevale Dr Unit 104, Barrhaven, Ottawa, open Tuesday to Sunday, 11am to 11pm, closed Mondays.
Questions, answered.
What is Shaadi Wali Coffee made of?
Shaadi Wali Coffee is made of instant coffee, sugar, hot water, hot milk and cocoa or cinnamon (optional).
How many layers does Shaadi Wali Coffee have?
Traditionally 5: the coffee paste, the froth, the hot milk, the stir and the finishing dust.
Is Shaadi Wali Coffee vegetarian?
Yes. The traditional recipe is vegetarian, and every dish at Tapri Chai is vegetarian.
Is Shaadi Wali Coffee spicy?
There is no spice. It is a sweet, creamy coffee.
Where can I try Shaadi Wali Coffee in Ottawa?
At Tapri Chai, 200 Kennevale Dr Unit 104, Barrhaven, Ottawa. Shaadi Wali Coffee is $4.99 CAD on our menu.
At Tapri Chai
Taste it for yourself.
Our kitchen in Barrhaven is 100% vegetarian. 200 Kennevale Dr Unit 104, Ottawa. Tuesday to Sunday, 11am to 11pm. Closed Mondays.