# Theatrical Cloud Beverages Kyoto's Alpha Serves a Flavor-Infusing 'Cloud Drink' By Laura McQuarrie | Published 2017-10-31 | Lifestyle Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cloud-drink References: [en.rocketnews24](https://en.rocketnews24.com/2017/10/27/kyoto-cloud-drink-lets-you-taste-the-weather-as-it-turns-into-rain-and-disappears-into-your-tea/) & [facebook](https://www.facebook.com/kyotoalpha/photos/a.956519931071814.1073741830.877746508949157/1400337190023417/?type=3&theater) One of the most unique items on the menu at [Alpha](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/honey-sweetened-ginger-ale), a cafe and bar based in [Kyoto](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/kyoto-whopper), Japan, is the 'Cloud Drink.' True to its name, the Cloud Drink consists of a cotton candy cloud that is suspended over a hot beverage. As heat is released from the hot beverage below, the cloud begins to dissolve, creating the effect of rain. In the process of melting, the cotton candy cloud infuses one's drink with additional flavor and sweetness. When ordering the Cloud Drink, a number of base drinks may be selected, including options like: coffee, hot cocoa, matcha au lait or hot milk tea. A number of experimental food and beverage brands have explored the idea of offering edible clouds and mists in the flavor of everything from alcohol to potato chips. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 5.1/10 - Popularity: 74% | Activity: 72% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 30% men, 70% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial - Top markets: Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Lifestyle](https://www.trendhunter.com/lifestyle) > [Drinking](https://www.trendhunter.com/drinking) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Edible Clouds:** The trend of edible clouds and mists in food and beverages opens up opportunities for innovative flavor infusing techniques. - **Multi-sensory Dining:** Theatrical food and beverage presentations, such as the Cloud Drink, are part of a larger trend of immersive multi-sensory dining experiences. - **Food and Beverage Pairing:** Offering a variety of base drinks for the Cloud Drink allows for experimentation with food and beverage pairing to enhance the overall dining experience. ### Where This Applies - **Hospitality:** Hospitality businesses can capitalize on the trend of multi-sensory dining experiences by incorporating innovative food and beverage presentations into their menus. - **Flavoring and Fragrance Manufacturing:** The trend of edible clouds and mists presents opportunities for manufacturers of flavorings and fragrances to create new, unique products for use in food and beverages. - **Event Planning and Catering:** Event planners and caterers can incorporate theatrical food and beverage presentations, such as the Cloud Drink, into their offerings to create memorable experiences for guests. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Soufflé-Style Dessert Drinks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/iced-matcha-souffl.md) - [Cotton Candy Cold Foams](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/frozen-cotton-candy-cloud.md) - [Replenishing Creamy Coffees](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cloud-coffee.md) - [Blue Raspberry Energy Drinks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/clouds-fuel.md) - [Aerated Coffee Drinks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/aerocano.md) - [Cotton Candy Drink Toppers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cotton-candy-magic-floating-puff-balls.md) - [Creamy Cloud-Inspired Matcha Drinks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/matcha-drinks.md) - [Sensorial Tea Lattes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pique-moco-bouquet-tea-latte.md) - [Whipped Pineapple Green Teas](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pineapple-cloud.md)