As far as social media trends go, coffee fads are some of the most benign.
TikTok and Instagram are awash with clips of coffee fans finding innovative ways to make those ground beans taste delicious, with ‘secret menu’ customisations at chain coffee shops and home-brewing hacks being par for the course.
Some are pretty straightforward, such as the 2023 trend for espresso tonics which included, you guessed it, espresso and tonic water.
Others are a little more inscrutable, such as the curiously-named ‘Fluffy Seagull Latte’.
Seagulls, the coastal marauders known for indiscriminately divebombing lunches, ice creams and boxes of chips are not known for being ‘fluffy’ – save for their cute little hatchlings – nor are they something you’d typically want to associate with a beverage.
If you try to imagine such a latte, what comes to mind? Drawing blanks? Me too.
Thankfully, it’s just a seaside association rather than avian one, with this viral drink being a coastal creation known for a light texture.
Lighthouse Keeper’s Pantry from Yarmouth, Massachusetts first began serving the Fluffy Seagull in 2023 but it’s only in 2025 that it’s properly taken flight.
For a Fluffy Seagull, your latte cup needs to be lined with ‘Marshmallow Fluff’, a white, sticky and sweet spread native to Massachusetts. Then add ice, peanut butter syrup, milk and your espresso shots, and you’ve got your Fluffy Seagull.
Marshmallow Fluff is also a key component of the Fluffernutter, Massachusetts’ state sandwich (yes, that’s a thing). Along with the Fluff, the sandwich calls for peanut butter and two slices of plain white bread.
If you’d like to make a Fluffy Seagull Latte at home without seeing how it’s done on Cape Cod, it’s pretty straightforward.
Pick up a peanut butter syrup for drinks as regular peanut butter won’t do the job. You could make some with a peanut butter syrup recipe, but it’ll be quicker and easier to buy some off the shelf. You’ll also need some marshmallow creme, which will be a worthy substitute for the Marshmallow Fluff.
Line your glass with the creme, then drizzle your flavoured syrup in with ice, your preferred milk of choice and then however many shots of espresso you need that morning.
TikTok commenters on Lighthouse Keeper’s Pantry’s video have been raving about it, so it’s worth a go if you’re curious.
“I always forget that most people outside of New England don’t know what fluff is!” said one Marshmallow Fluff fan.
“My fave thing ever!! I will defend the fluffy seagull to my last breath lol,” said another.
“Three shots is the perfect amount yall are experts,” was one recommendation.
A final assessment: “Best coffee ever!”
Give it a go!
Featured Image Credit: TikTok/@lighthousekeeperspantryTopics: Drinks, Social Media, TikTok
Rachael Davis