Just when you thought every possible coffee trend had already had its moment, along comes another one. First there was the whipped Dalgona coffee that took over during lockdown, then came the coconut water iced Americano earlier this year. Now there’s a new hybrid making the rounds online, and it’s called Cloud Coffee.
What exactly is a Cloud Coffee?
A Cloud Coffee is coconut water poured over ice, topped with a thick, hovering layer of coffee whisked together with double cream using a handheld frother. The idea is that this cream and coffee mixture sits on top of the drink like a cloud, rather than mixing straight in.
It’s sweet, creamy, and refreshing, essentially landing somewhere between a coffee and a dessert. A pinch of salt is often added too, since it helps bring out the sweeter notes in the drink. Some people add a splash of agave or vanilla syrup if they prefer something sweeter, though plenty find the coconut water alone is enough on its own.
View this post on Instagram
Where the trend actually came from
The exact origins of Cloud Coffee aren’t entirely clear, but it looks to be a natural mash-up of two previous viral coffee moments, the whipped Dalgona coffee that dominated social media during lockdown, and the coconut water iced Americano that gained traction earlier this year.
Whatever its origins, the drink has quickly picked up its own following online, with people online describing it as tasting like “coffee ice cream in drink form” and calling the finished result “dreamy”. It hasn’t taken long for spin-offs to appear either, with variations including tiramisu, iced strawberry matcha, peanut butter, Baileys, Biscoff and even a Dubai chocolate version already doing the rounds.
Is there anything healthier about it?
It’s not really fair to call Cloud Coffee a health drink just because coconut water is involved, but there are a few small upsides that might sway you. Coconut water is a good source of electrolytes and potassium, which makes it a refreshing base for a drink, especially in warm weather. If you’re trying to keep an eye on calories, you’ll want to skip the flavoured syrups, since these are what tend to push the drink from a treat into something considerably more indulgent.
@daigasikfaan coconut espresso cloud ☕️☁️ this is currently my favourite summer coffee drink 😋 made with @Sage Appliances UK (gifted) 💕 I love the cold extraction feature for pulling a cold espresso for the cloud! coconut water: @Vita Coco UK recipe on my website: https://daigasikfaan.co/coconut-espresso-cloud #coconutcloud #coldcoffee #coconutwater #coffeecloud #espresso ♬ original sound – Karen
How to make a Cloud Coffee at home
The good news is that Cloud Coffee is far easier to make than Dalgona ever was, since there’s no need to whisk anything by hand for several exhausting minutes. To make one, you’ll need 150ml of unsweetened coconut water, a double shot of espresso that’s been left to cool, 50ml of double cream, a handful of ice cubes, and a small pinch of salt.
Start by making the cloud foam. Pour the cream, the cooled espresso and a pinch of salt into a small jug, then froth the mixture with a handheld frother for around 15 to 30 seconds. You might even consider pulling your espresso shot in advance and leaving it in the fridge overnight, so it’s nice and cold by the time you’re ready to use it.
Next, fill a tumbler roughly two thirds full with ice, then pour in the coconut water. Spoon the coffee cream mixture over the top, where it should settle and float like a cloud rather than sinking straight in. Give it a gentle stir with a straw just before drinking, and it’s ready to enjoy.
Is it actually worth trying?
The finished drink brings out the roasty depth of the coffee, made all the more indulgent by the light, fluffy cream sitting on top. Once mixed together with the coconut water underneath, it takes on a refreshing quality with just a touch of natural sweetness, unlike most other coffee drinks out there.
Unless you’ve got a real sweet tooth, it’s probably best to leave out any additional syrup, since the drink risks becoming a little too sickly otherwise. A light dusting of cinnamon on top could be a nice finishing touch if you fancy experimenting further. Otherwise, this is one trend that’s well worth trying for yourself this summer.
