noun
salted cherry blossom tea; sakura-yu
A traditional Japanese drink made by pouring hot water over a salt-preserved cherry blossom, often served at weddings and celebrations.
結婚式で桜湯が振る舞われた。
Sakura-yu was served at the wedding.
桜湯は、湯を注ぐと花びらが開くのが美しい。
With sakura-yu, it's beautiful how the petals open when you pour hot water.
桜茶 can also refer to cherry blossom tea, but 桜湯 specifically emphasizes the hot-water preparation with a whole preserved blossom, while 桜茶 may include other preparations.
Compound of 桜 (sakura, 'cherry blossom') and 湯 (yu, 'hot water'). The name directly describes the drink: hot water with a cherry blossom.