How to Make 85°C Sea Salt Foam Coffee

If you’ve ever ordered a ‘Sea Salt Foam Coffee’ and wondered how the salty rim meets the rich espresso beneath, you’re not alone. This popular drink from Taiwan-based chain 85°C isn’t just a marketing gimmick—it’s a carefully layered espresso drink where a salty mineral salt foam tops steamed milk, creating a flavor journey in every sip.

In short: to make 85°C’s Sea Salt Foam Coffee, you combine 1 oz espresso, 4 oz steamed fresh milk, a layer of milk foam made with added sea salt, and a ring of sea salt crystals around the cup’s edge. Total ingredients: espresso, fresh milk, sea salt, and milk foam.

What Is Sea Salt Foam Coffee?

Sea Salt Foam Coffee is a cappuccino-inspired drink that originated as a unique offering from an independent coffee shop in Taiwan. Though it evolved from the classic cappuccino—espresso + steamed milk + milk foam—this version adds a twist: sea salt is mixed into the milk foam before it’s spooned on top. The result is a sweet, milky espresso drink with a salty, mineralized edge that plays against the coffee’s bitterness.

Why the Salt? Flavor Science in a Cup

The magic in Sea Salt Foam Coffee comes down to contrast. You taste the salty foam first, then the hot espresso, and finally the balanced transition back to the coffee’s natural flavors. That progression—salt, bitter, sweet—is designed to mimic emotional waiting or anticipation, much like the way cappuccinos balance sweetness and bitterness. The mineral salt on the rim enhances the milk foam’s texture and amplifies the coffee aroma without overpowering it.

What You’ll Need to Make It

• 1 oz (30ml) espresso (single shot)
• 4 oz (120ml) cold fresh milk
• A small amount of sea salt (for both foam and rim)
• Milk foam mixed with sea salt

Step-by-Step: How to Make Sea Salt Foam Coffee

1. Prepare Your Cup

Warm your coffee cup (essential for temperature stability). Pull a single shot of espresso (1 oz) using your preferred method—moka pot, espresso machine, or aeropress. Pour it into the warmed cup.

2. Steam Milk with Sea Salt Foam

In a frothing pitcher, combine 4 oz of cold fresh milk and a small amount of sea salt. Use your espresso machine’s steam wand to heat the mixture to around 65°C (149°F), while simultaneously frothing it into microfoam. The salt is incorporated during the steaming process to create a savory milk foam. Pour this foamed milk over the espresso.

3. Add the Salted Rim

To create the signature salty edge, first dip the cup’s rim into a shallow dish of milk (just enough to wet the edge). Then, dip the moistened rim into finely ground or flaky sea salt spread on a clean sheet of paper or plate. This “rimming” technique is borrowed from cocktail-making and gives the first sip a salty crunch.

4. Finish with Salted Milk Foam

Spoon the sea salt-infused milk foam over the steamed milk and espresso. The foam should sit atop the drink like a cappuccino crown, delivering bursts of salty flavor as you sip through to the coffee below.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the key ingredient that makes Sea Salt Foam Coffee different?

The defining ingredient is sea salt, which is mixed into the milk foam and also used to rim the cup. This adds a savory contrast to the sweetness of the milk and the bitterness of the espresso.

Do I need an espresso machine to make this drink?

Yes, you’ll need an espresso machine (or moka pot/aeropress) to produce the 1 oz shot of espresso that forms the base. The steam wand is also used to heat and froth the milk with salt.

What temperature should the milk be heated to?

The milk—and salt-infused foam—should be steamed to approximately 65°C (149°F). This ensures smooth microfoam suitable for cappuccino-style drinks.

Can I use any type of salt?

The original recipe calls for natural sea salt. Fine or flaky sea salt works best, as it dissolves slightly into the foam and provides a distinct mineral note without being too harsh.

Why is there salt on the rim of the cup?

The salt rim adds a crunchy, salty flavor to the first sip, enhancing the contrast between the milk foam, espresso, and your taste buds. It’s applied by wetting the cup’s edge and dipping it in salt, similar to a cocktail glass.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans for Sea Salt Foam Coffee

For Sea Salt Foam Coffee, we recommend FrontStreet Coffee’s Classic Blend: a balanced espresso with cocoa, caramel, and mild acidity that complements the salty milk foam. For brighter contrast, try their Yirgacheffe—floral and citrusy with a juicy body. Or choose the Black Cocoa Blend for a rich, dessert-like base that enhances the salted rim. All three roast profiles work well under milk. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.