With so many new cafés popping up in Singapore every month and even every week, it’s hard for cafés to stand out from the herd. Amidst all the stiff competition, some cafés in Singapore have turned to a little more unconventional (or gimmicky) menu items to attract customers, like this viral edible helium-filled “balloon” drink you might’ve seen floating around on your socials…This interesting drink offering is found at none other than the popular coffee bar, Big Short Coffee, known for their innovative concoctions and creative drinks. But is this sugar balloon drink really worth the hype, or is it another passing fad?
@shout.sg Edible helium balloon with your coffee?! This quirky coffee bar in Singapore has some of the must unique drinks you’ll see: like cold brew served with an actual helium-filled sugar balloon! big short coffee Address:2 Fowlie Rd, 01-01, Singapore 428505
Big Short Coffee has recently launched their new Autumn 2025 drink menu, and out of all the 7 drinks available, one of the most eye-catching drinks that caught ours (and the Internet’s) attention has definitely got to be Up and Away ($15), a cold brew drink infused with flavours of passionfruit and orange, and served with an actual edible sugar balloon that actually floats in the air, thanks to the helium gas it’s inflated with. They use actual helium gas to inflate the sugar balloon, and it’s fully edible. You must be thinking: “Real helium gas? Isn’t that dangerous to consume?” The safety concerns regarding inhaling helium are completely valid, and the short answer to that is: yes and no.
According to the Big Short Coffee team, the helium gas used here is of a high-purity grade instead of mixed gases, making it safe for consumption as a sugar balloon. “We don’t let anyone inhale directly from the tank, and the amount of helium gas inside the sugar balloon is also less than that in a regular large party balloon,” says Daphne, owner and founder of Big Short Coffee.
While Big Short Coffee assures us that their helium-filled sugar balloon is totally safe to eat, it’s better to err on the side of caution when it comes to “trendy” food items like this; and it’s probably still best not to consume them in excess. Still curious to try this viral drink for yourself? The drink will be available on Big Short Coffee’s seasonal menu for a limited time only.
Big Short Coffee
Address: 2 Fowlie Rd, #01-01, Singapore 428505
Opening Hours: 8am-5pm daily
