If you thought whipped coffee was the biggest internet coffee craze, think again—the cloud coffee iced trend is floating across social media feeds, drawing in coffee lovers with its dreamy texture and refreshing taste. Unlike the thick dalgona coffee craze of 2020, cloud coffee is light, airy, and irresistibly smooth, making it a perfect iced drink for warm days.
Coffee culture is evolving faster than ever, and each new trend seems to capture the imagination of home baristas and café-goers alike. Cloud coffee stands out not only for its photogenic layers of foam and iced base but also because it delivers a café-quality drink with minimal effort. No wonder TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube are filled with clips of swirling cloud-like foam cascading over ice.
But beyond its visual charm, what makes this drink so appealing? In this guide, we’ll dive deep into the origins of the iced cloud coffee trend, show you how to make it at home, explore flavor twists, and reveal why this drink might become your go-to iced coffee option this year.
What Is the Cloud Coffee Iced Trend?
At its core, cloud coffee is an iced coffee topped with a velvety, frothy foam layer that resembles a floating cloud. The foam can be made from milk, cream, or plant-based alternatives and is usually flavored with vanilla, caramel, or sweet syrups. Unlike whipped coffee, where instant coffee is beaten into stiff peaks, cloud coffee emphasizes lightness and silkiness.
The trend originated in Asia, with influences from Japanese and Korean coffee culture, and quickly made its way to Western coffee scenes via TikTok. Videos showcasing the iced cloud coffee trend have gone viral, racking up millions of views.
How Cloud Coffee Differs from Whipped Coffee
It’s tempting to compare cloud coffee with the dalgona craze, but the two drinks are quite different:
- Texture: Cloud coffee is airy and smooth, while whipped coffee is dense and meringue-like.
- Base: Cloud coffee usually sits on top of iced espresso or cold brew, while whipped coffee uses milk as its foundation.
- Flavor: Cloud foam is customizable, offering sweet or savory twists, while whipped coffee leans heavily into bitterness and sugar.
In short, if whipped coffee felt like dessert, cloud coffee feels like a café treat designed for everyday sipping.
How to Make Iced Cloud Coffee at Home
Making cloud coffee doesn’t require advanced barista skills—you only need a few tools and ingredients:
Ingredients:
- Freshly brewed espresso or strong cold brew
- Ice cubes
- Milk (dairy or plant-based)
- Cream or foaming milk for the cloud layer
- Sweetener or flavored syrup (optional)
Steps:
- Fill a tall glass with ice and pour in your espresso or cold brew.
- In a separate bowl or frother, whip milk or cream until it forms a silky foam (not stiff peaks).
- Sweeten or flavor your foam with vanilla, caramel, or matcha.
- Gently spoon the foam over the iced coffee base until it forms a floating cloud.
- Garnish with a sprinkle of cocoa, cinnamon, or even edible glitter for the viral effect.
Flavor Twists to Try
One of the best things about cloud coffee is its versatility. Here are some flavor variations you can experiment with:
- Coconut Cloud: Use coconut milk and top with toasted coconut flakes.
- Matcha Cloud: Mix matcha powder into your foam for a green tea-coffee hybrid.
- Caramel Swirl Cloud: Drizzle caramel sauce before adding the foam.
- Mocha Cloud: Blend cocoa powder into the foam for a chocolatey upgrade.
- Vanilla Dream Cloud: Keep it classic with vanilla syrup and a light dusting of sugar crystals.
Why the Cloud Coffee Iced Trend Is So Popular
The rise of the iced coffee trend 2025 isn’t just about looks—it’s about lifestyle. Cloud coffee combines:
- Aesthetic appeal: Perfect for social media photography.
- Refreshing taste: Light foam and iced base make it summer-friendly.
- Easy customization: Works with dairy or non-dairy alternatives.
- Low effort, high reward: Café-style results with simple tools.
This makes it both approachable for beginners and exciting for seasoned coffee drinkers.
Is Cloud Coffee Just a Passing Fad?
Many viral drinks disappear as quickly as they appear, but cloud coffee shows potential staying power. Unlike dalgona, which required instant coffee and lots of sugar, cloud coffee fits into existing café menus and can be adapted endlessly. With the growing demand for visually stunning but customizable drinks, it’s likely we’ll see more cafés offering cloud variations year-round.
Cloud Coffee vs. Other Iced Drinks
Compared to iced lattes, cold brew, or nitro coffee, cloud coffee’s main selling point is the foam topping. This adds not only a unique texture but also a “wow factor” that elevates the drink beyond the everyday iced coffee. Think of it as a bridge between specialty coffee and social media culture.
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FAQ
1 – What is cloud coffee?
Cloud coffee is an iced espresso or cold brew topped with a silky, whipped milk or cream foam that resembles a floating cloud.
2 – Is cloud coffee the same as whipped coffee?
No, whipped coffee (dalgona) is dense and sweet, while cloud coffee is light, airy, and customizable.
3 – Can I make cloud coffee without a frother?
Yes! You can use a handheld whisk, a French press, or even a mason jar for shaking foam.
4 – What flavors work best for cloud coffee?
Popular choices include vanilla, caramel, matcha, coconut, and chocolate.
5 – Is cloud coffee healthier than other iced coffee drinks?
It depends on your choice of milk and sweetener. Using plant-based milk and minimal sugar makes it a lighter option.
