What Is Cloud Coffee?

If you’re tired of ordering the same iced coffee every day or enjoy diversifying your caffeinated beverage options, then it’s time to open TikTok.

Among the many recipes and riffs on dishes shared on social media platforms, I’d hazard a guess that one of the most innovated-on items is coffee. (If you need proof, the hashtag #coffee has been used in 179 million Instagram posts, whereas #chicken is linked to 36.6 million posts.) The result is an online landscape brimming with endless ideas for how to prepare your daily cup of joe.

Among these many contenders, some rise above the rest, becoming coffee trends that everyone loves so much they recreate drinks at home or order them from coffee shops. The latest delicious addition to the lineup of online coffee fads combines elements from two previously trending drinks to create a creamy, tropical treat that’s perfect for warm weather.

What is cloud coffee?

There is one important caveat that comes with explaining the latest coffee trend, which has been dubbed “cloud coffee” by social media audiences. Unlike some other more formulaic beverages, cloud coffee tends to have slight variations in how individuals make it. Although you may see subtle differences in how people create their own cloud coffees, the trending version of the drink typically calls for three key components: espresso, coconut water, and a creamer of your choice.

You can make most cloud coffees by pouring coconut water over ice. Then, in a separate vessel with a milk frother, mix freshly brewed espresso with your preferred milk or cream, and pour the espresso mixture over the cold coconut water once it’s become foamy.

However, some home baristas may choose not to whisk the espresso and milk, simply pouring them directly into the glass, or they might add the frothy coffee mixture to a cup before adding the ice and coconut water. Sweeteners like maple or vanilla syrup are also popular but not required.

You might notice that this creation sounds similar to two other beverages that have swept across the internet. Dalgona coffee became wildly popular during the early months of the pandemic in 2020. This fluffy drink, which has a somewhat disputed place of origin but was likely invented in Macau, requires whipping instant coffee, sugar, and boiling water together until you achieve a spoonable mound of soft coffee foam that can be poured over cold or hot milk. 

Dalgona coffee has even been referred to as cloud coffee on social media in previous years. However, its use of instant coffee, the requirement for a powerful electric mixer (rather than a small frother), and the absence of coconut water distinguish it from the current trend.

Cloud coffee also resembles, and is clearly a variation of, the coconut water americano that went viral earlier this spring. The coconut water americano is simpler, requiring only two ingredients: espresso poured over iced coconut water.

If you’re curious about the origin of the name “cloud coffee,” there are two likely sources: the subtle cloud-like texture created by the frothed coffee and milk, and the visual effect produced by a dairy add-in as it slowly seeps into the iced beverage below.

How do you make cloud coffee at home?

If you have access to a single-serve espresso machine and a hand-held milk frother at home, you can recreate the cloud coffee that’s often shown online by content creators. Pour coconut water over ice in a glass, then prepare your espresso shot. Once the espresso brews, whisk it with the milk frother in a separate container until it becomes frothy.

Make sure you use a vessel larger than an espresso glass, as the liquid’s volume will increase somewhat. If you wish to add a sweetener, whisk it into the coffee and dairy foam. At that point, it’s ready to be poured over coconut water.

However, you can definitely enjoy the flavor profile of this iced coffee drink without any fancy equipment. You’ll need a more concentrated form of coffee, but you can make an espresso-style brew in a moka pot or purchase a cold brew concentrate at the grocery store. 

Add either option to a mason jar or another sealable container with your preferred milk. Then, secure the lid and shake until foam begins to form. Pour this over your iced coconut water, and your cloud-like, caffeinated beverage is ready to enjoy.