Trending Caffeinated Drinks: Cloud Coffee Takes Social Media by Storm

This summer, caffeinated beverages have exploded in popularity on social media, and they seem to be full of ingredients that might actually be good for you. One standout is “Cloud Coffee,” a drink that combines coffee foam with coconut water, capturing millions of views on TikTok and other platforms.

The drink gets its name from the fluffy coffee foam layered atop the clear coconut water, creating a distinct cloudy appearance. This trend piqued the curiosity of many viewers, especially on TikTok. One user noted, “I’m skeptical, but I’d like to give it a try,” while another expressed intrigue, stating they’ve never heard of this combination.

Dr. Bryan Quoc Le, a food scientist from Mendocino Food Consulting in California, shared some insights about this new trend. He explained that Cloud Coffee involves mixing equal parts of sugar, granulated instant coffee, and ice-cold water—either by hand or preferably with a handheld mixer. Once you’ve whipped up a thick foam, it’s added to a glass filled with coconut water.

Le suggested using a handheld mixer as whisking by hand can be quite time-consuming. After that, coffee enthusiasts have the option to integrate the foam directly into the water. If you’d rather skip this step, the coffee foam is still soluble and will dissolve gradually in the coconut water, forming a creamy mixture.

Interestingly, Cloud Coffee bears similarities to Dalgona Coffee, a Korean treat that uses milk instead of coconut water. While each drink has its unique charm, the foam aspect remains a common theme. As Le pointed out, “Coconut water can be switched out for alternatives like ice water, dairy products, almond milk, or oat milk.” This flexibility adds to its appeal.

Coconut water isn’t just trendy; it’s known for its health benefits, including aiding hydration and potentially lowering cholesterol and blood pressure. But for those who might not feel thrilled about mixing it with coffee, there are many other liquids that can be used instead.

Cloud Coffee is just one of many caffeine-driven trends circulating on social media. Last summer, for instance, TikTok users were intrigued by the “cracking latte,” while lately, things like Mushroom Coffee have gained traction as well. It seems that the fascination with innovative coffee concoctions is far from over.