I know that nothing beats the real thing, but are there any little tips to make that cup of instant coffee taste that much better?

1 Step One
Look for a good, rich dark roast. These have appeared on the shelves in recent years and escape the accusation many make against instant coffee that it is terribly weak. Many of these red label or dark roast varieties can taste quite close to the real thing.
2 Step Two
Use a generous amount. Instant coffee tastes more like "real" coffee the stronger it is, although it can also be bitter, because it is not fresh. Try making it strong and dressing it up a bit.
3 Step Three
Spice up your instant coffee with cinnamon, cardamom or syrups. This will mask the bitter flavor strong instant coffee may have sometimes. If you like sweet coffee, add more sugar.
4 Step Four
Boil milk instead of adding it cold. This is a good tip for making any type of coffee, but it is an especially good idea for instant coffee.
5 Step Five
Try Turkish coffee. If you feel up to it and don't mind dealing with the coffee grounds at the bottom of the glass, use Turkish coffee, which is the ultimate instant coffee of the Middle East. It is made by the glass, and while you have to wait for the grounds to settle to the bottom, it is a quick alternative to regular coffee.
6 Step Six
Pay more. If you like black coffee and prefer not to dress up cheaper varieties, then you should be prepared to pay a higher price for the best-tasting instant coffee. It is sometimes true that you get what you pay for.