Search
LoginSearchLoginSearchLogin
7 min
31/12/2025
When a Korean actor likened a fluffy coffee to childhood candy on TV, the internet erupted – birthing dalgona coffee. Suddenly, homes became cafés, and social feeds flooded with foam. As the pandemic stretched on, the trend metamorphosed into a broader pop‑culture beverage movement, turning mocktails into emotional, aesthetic, and ritualistic escapes.
Social media has long surpassed the role of a distractor and taken on the position of a disruptor, influencer, creator, and more. More and more creators are discovering that drinks are not just a pastime, but a performance. TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube birthed and amplified trends, turning frothy coffees, colourful lattes, and wellness mocktails into viral sensations. Exposure to these beverages online now heavily influences the purchasing habits of many folks – you might subconsciously gravitate towards an iced strawberry matcha latte at your favourite cafe because you saw it on your feed, rather than on a traditional ad! All this has led to a beverage evolution, and the drinks at the core of this evolution need to be studied.
Dalgona coffee, also called ‘hand-beaten coffee’, actually originated in Macau, where baristas whip equal parts instant coffee, sugar, and hot water by hand until creamy, then spoon it over milk. Its global fame surged when South Korean actor Jung Il-woo tried it on a TV show and said its taste reminded him of dalgona, a Korean honeycomb toffee.
During the pandemic, it went viral under the hashtag #dalgonacoffeechallenge, especially because people found the whipping process almost therapeutic, even though it was laborious.
Known traditionally as haldi doodh in Hindi, turmeric latte is a common hot beverage in India, where mothers prepare it when family members are sick or coming down with an illness. In the last decade, America has fallen in love with golden milk, with even Starbucks selling a version called Moon Milk. Turmeric contains curcumin, a powerful antioxidant known for its anti-ageing, anti-inflammatory, and immune-boosting properties. The drink combines milk with turmeric, ginger, cinnamon, and black pepper, creating a warming, earthy beverage.
This alcohol-free ‘nightcap’ gained popularity in early 2024, especially during Dry January, when many turned to mocktails instead of alcohol. This challenge prompted people to seek mocktail recipes online. The recipe for this particular mocktail uses a mix of cherry juice, magnesium powder, and sparkling water or prebiotic soda. Tart cherry juice is touted to have high melatonin concentration, which aids in sleeping. The ritualistic preparation – dim lights, fizzy mixer, bedtime pause – may also contribute to its calming effect. However, it’s not a cure-all, as high sugar in cherry juice may be problematic for some, and excessive magnesium can cause side effects.
People can’t seem to get enough of wanting things that might not be good for them, like bottled soda and cola. But these same people led the birth of ‘healthy colas’, which combine balsamic vinegar with sparkling water or soda water and maple syrup. Some found the sweetness of balsamic mimicking cola taste with a bit of fruitiness, though the aroma gave salad dressing vibes more than cola. Critics questioned the health claims, noting that the frink posed a danger towards wearing down tooth enamel. Another spinoff that was fuelled by social media is Dua Lipa’s quick fix drink of diet cola, pickle juice (brine) and jalapenos with ice.
In June 2020, a special media user created whipped lemonade using ice, condensed milk, lemon juice, whipped cream and heavy cream, garnering more than two million views. Inspired by whipped coffee's viral moment, creators turned to whipped cream, sweetened condensed milk, and lemon juice to create a frothy, cloud-like drink. Within weeks, it gained traction, and the whipped lemonade hashtag had millions of views, becoming one of the most photographed and shared trending summer drinks.
Cloud coffee, to a degree, is similar to the whipped dalgona coffee, except coconut water is used instead of milk. The drink gets its name from the presentation of coffee foam over transparent coconut water, giving it a cloud-like appearance. Coconut water's electrolytes help rehydrate faster, and it's been known to help lower cholesterol and blood pressure, according to studies. It's a good drink when you want to refresh yourself, plus you want some caffeine too.
What started as a dairy consumption boost from the Korean government resulted in a brand called Binggrae launching a banana‑flavoured milk in 1974. By 2010, its numbers reached 800,000 bottles being sold daily. But the drink only went viral internationally when K-pop star Jungkook from BTS was spotted drinking it. It is said to be his favourite. To make this drink, grab ice, premade coffee, and a carton of Korean banana milk, mix, and enjoy. Videos making these sorts of drinks are still popular, with convenience stores in places like South Korea and Japan drawing influencers to DIY their drinks at the stores themselves.
From dalgona coffee raking in millions of views, to sleepy girl mocktails promising restful nights, these beverages transformed kitchens into experimental cafes. While some trends fade faster than foam on coffee, others establish lasting influence on how one approaches beverages. Which trend has been your favourite?
