Buko Pandan Drink with Sago Recipe

How to prepare a delicious and refreshing Buko Pandan Drink.

A Creamy Buko Pandan Salad Drink that is so good and refreshing. It is also one of the most popular and well-loved street food drink here in the Philippines. This particular drink is made with fresh young coconut strings, pandan-flavored gulaman, condensed & evaporated milk, water, sugar and ice cubes and for an extra goodness I added cooked sago. This creamy ice-cold salad drink is a big hit during family gatherings, especially in the summer days.

Serves : 6

Ingredients:

• 1 pack Alsa Gulaman, cooked & cubed
• 1-2 tsp Pandan Extract
• 1 cup Tapioca Pearls “Sago”, cooked
• 1 (168ml) Condensed Milk
• 1 (154ml) Evaporated Milk
• 3 cups Buko Juice or Water
• 2 cups Young Coconut, Strings
• Granulated Sugar, to taste (optional)
• Ice Cubes, to serve

Cooking Procedure:

• First, we need to prepare the Gulaman. Cook gulaman in a small pot over low heat and follow the cooking instructions written on the package label. Add 1 teaspoon of pandan extract and 1 tablespoon of sugar and stir until the sugar and gulaman powder dissolves completely. If you’re using a clear gulaman just add green food color about 2-3 drops. Bring to a boil while stirring constantly, then fire off and remove from the heat. Transfer the gulaman into a flat container and let it cool to set completely before cutting. You can also leave it at room temperature to set, but it will take you about 45 minutes. If you want a faster result cool it in a fridge, it will only take you 25 minutes to set completely. Cut the pandan gulaman into cubes or any shape you want, according to your desired size and set aside.

• Meanwhile, while your gulaman is cooling in the fridge, let’s cook our tapioca pearls. On the same pot, bring 3 cups of water to a boil over medium heat. When it reaches a rapid boiling, add ¾ cup of raw sago into the pot and stir lightly and continuously to avoid the sago from sticking together and at the bottom of your pot. When your sago starts to turn transparent check if it’s cooked through. Fire off, remove from the heat, rinse in running water and drain. Set aside cooked sago and let it cool down completely.

• Let’s prepare our refreshing buko pandan drink. In a large pitcher or big, deep bowl, combine all ingredients except for the sugar and stir until well combined. Check the sweetness and add some sugar if needed and you can also add half teaspoon of buko pandan extract if you want a stronger pandan flavor. Chill the buko pandan drink at least 1 hour before serving. Serve in individual glasses with ice cubes and get refreshed.

Here’s our simple & good-looking summer drink. I hope you will try this at home and get refreshed with our Buko Pandan Drink 🙂  

I really wanted to grow pandan leaves in our tiny garden, had several attempts hehe… but my Pandan always didn’t make it due to lack of sunlight. Luckily my Aunt grew them in Her backyard, so whenever I visit at Her place I make sure to bring home a bunch of leaves and I just store it on the fridge to preserve them. 

Pandan leaves are so versatile you can use it for desserts and other savory dish. If you can’t find Pandan leaves in your place, don’t worry, there’s a handy bottled of Pandan Extract from McKormick or Ferna. They can be found in the baking section at your leading supermarkets or at any Asian Grocery Stores.

Always store your Buko Pandan drink in the fridge and don’t leave at room temperature for too long to avoid from being spoiled.  Serve and Enjoy 🙂