Buko Pandan Drink with pandan gelatin and shredded young coconut in creamy coconut juice is refreshing and delicious. This tropical drink is sure to be a crowd-pleaser!
Our weather is beginning to heat up, and G has been firing up the grill more regularly. We decided to eat our lunch al fresco this weekend, and the resident grill master turned out quite a backyard feast for us.
He made bacon-wrapped hot dogs and cheeseburgers, and I took care of the potato salad, peanut coleslaw, and various summer drinks to beat the heat. G enjoyed watermelon coolers and cucumber agua frescas while I hydrated myself with this ice-cold buko pandan drink. Creamy and chock-full of young coconut strips and pandan-flavored gelatin cubes, this tropical beverage is perfect for the dog days of summer.
Ingredients notes
- Agar-agar- usually sold in bars or powdered form. Agar-agar works similarly to gelatin, but unlike gelatin, which is made from animal collagen, it is obtained from seaweed. If agar-agar is unavailable, you can substitute gelatin. Follow the recommended cooking instructions on its packaging.
- Young coconut- locally known as buko. Use a hand grater to shred.
- Coconut juice- the refreshingly sweet water inside the coconut.
- Coconut milk- adds a rich, creamy flavor.
- Pandan extract - a food enhancer from the plant screwpine or vanilla grass; has a mild grassy aroma that enhances the palatability of many foods, especially desserts. Pandan leaves can be used in place of the extract. Add a knotted leaf to the coconut juice when boiling with agar-agar, then discard before chilling.
Quick tips
- Use coconut juice instead of water to soak and cook the gulaman for more buko flavor.
- Shred the gulaman bars finely and soak for at least 30 minutes so they'll dissolve quickly when cooked.
How to serve and store
- This buko pandan drink is delicious served chilled or over ice. It's a refreshing beverage perfect for Summer!
- Do not leave this buko pandan drink at room temperature for an extended period to ensure food safety. It contains coconut and will spoil quickly outside refrigeration, particularly in warmer weather.
- Keep refrigerated until ready to serve. It will keep in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
More summer coolers
Ingredients
- 1 can (13.5 ounces) coconut milk
- 4 cups coconut juice
- 14 ounces condensed milk
- 2 cups young coconut, shredded
- ice cubes
For Gulaman
- 0.70 ounces agar agar bars
- 3 cups young coconut juice
- 1 cup sugar
- 3 drops pandan extract
Instructions
- In a large pitcher, combine coconut milk, coconut juice, and condensed milk. Stir until well-blended.
- Add young coconut strips and gulaman cubes.
- Chill for about 1 to 2 hours. Serve in glasses over ice.
For the Gulaman
- In a large pot, soak agar-agar in coconut juice for about 30 to 40 minutes.
- Bring to a boil over medium heat and cook, stirring regularly, until agar-agar melts.
- Add sugar and stir to dissolve. Continue to cook for about 10 to 15 minutes or until agar-agar is completely dissolved.
- Add pandan extract and stir to combine.
- Remove from heat. Pour into a flat dish and allow to cool in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes or until agar-agar is set and hardened.
- Cut into ½-inch cubes.
Notes
- Use coconut juice instead of water to soak and cook the gulaman for more buko flavor.
- Shred the gulaman bars finely and soak for at least 30 minutes so they'll dissolve quickly when cooked.
Nutrition Information
“This website provides approximate nutrition information for convenience and as a courtesy only. Nutrition data is gathered primarily from the USDA Food Composition Database, whenever available, or otherwise other online calculators.”
Emily says
Hi Lalaine,
Can I use powder agar agar over bar or stands? Would it make a difference? It’s easier to find powder online than any other kind?
Thank you,
Emily
Emily says
Hello Lalaine,
The recipe doesn’t mentioned how much pandan extract to use. Can you please let me know? Also, I’m diabetic so I don’t use condensed milk. Any suggestions to replace condensed milk. I was thinking about heavy whipping cream. Your thoughts?
Thank you,
Emily
Alicia says
Hi. How much coconut juice do you soak the agar agar in? Is the amount separate from the 4 cups in the ingredient list?
Thank you!
Ann says
Hi thanks for the recipe and i like it verymuch can i use evap milk only pero walang pong condens milk
Lalaine Manalo says
Pwede rin walang condensed, just add sugar to taste 🙂
shiena says
hello po mam ano po ung ginamit niyo na coconut milk?
Laura K says
Do you use fresh coconuts, crack it in half, and shred the coconut yourself? If so, I would think it's a lot of work and somewhat dangerous for a novice. Or can we purchase the shredded young coconut already prepared at an Asian or Filipino store?
Rae says
Is it okay to use a bottle or can of coconut juice? We don't have the fresh coconut here!!
Lalaine says
Hello Rae
Yes, you can use bottled/canned coconut juice. That is what I actually use as fresh coconut juice is also hard to find in California. 🙂
Julie Pearl Cablayan says
Coconut milk, ung naka can po ba?
Lalaine says
Yes, Pearl 🙂
shell says
How many days ang lifespan ng buko juice if naka ref lang? thanks for your reply
Lalaine says
Standard food safety, not more than 72 hours/3 days storage but I would say mga 1 to 2 days lang for buko dahil madali itong mapanis.
Rose ann says
Anu pu ung agar agar?sa asawa q pu ung e.mail.
Lalaine says
Hello Rose Ann
Agar agar is a gelatin made from seaweed. They are usually sold in stores as bars in different colors. Here is a photo http://www.asianfoodgrocer.com/product/agar-agar-kanten-white
jm says
Whats the measurement of condensed milk??? 1 can???
Lalaine says
Hello JM
Yes, 1 (14 ounces) can of condensed milk. I updated the recipe, thanks 🙂
Tim says
Greetings from Guam! Errrmergahd! Need to make this