Alouda (Mauritian Basil Seed and Milk Drink)
In short: Chilled vanilla milk with basil seeds and soft agar jelly cubes, served over ice. A Mauritian street-stall cooler for hot days. It takes about 30 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 25 min
- Cook
- 5 min
- Resting
- 45 min
- Total
- 30 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 240 kcal
Alouda is the cold, sweet drink sold from carts and stalls on Mauritian beaches and in town centers. Chilled vanilla milk is poured over ice, tiny black basil seeds that swell into jelly-coated beads, and cubes of soft agar jelly, usually tinted pink. It is part drink, part dessert, eaten with a long spoon and a straw. The jelly and seeds can be made ahead, so assembly takes a minute.
Instructions
- Whisk the agar powder into the 500 ml (2 cups) of water in a small pot. Bring to a boil, add the sugar and rose syrup and simmer for 2 minutes, stirring.
- Pour the mixture into a shallow dish and let it set at room temperature for 30 minutes, then chill for 15 minutes more. Cut into small cubes.
- Soak the basil seeds in the 250 ml (1 cup) of cold water for 15 minutes, until each seed is coated in clear jelly. Drain.
- Stir the sugar and vanilla into the cold milk until the sugar dissolves.
- Divide the jelly cubes and basil seeds among 4 tall glasses, add a handful of ice and pour in the milk. Serve right away with a long spoon and a straw.
Tips
- Use agar rather than gelatin. Agar sets at room temperature, holds its shape in a cold drink and keeps the drink vegetarian.
- Basil seeds are sold in Indian and Asian groceries. Chia seeds work in a pinch, but they are smaller and swell less.
Questions and answers
What are basil seeds?
Tiny black seeds from a sweet basil plant. They swell in water and form a clear jelly coat, giving the drink its soft, slightly chewy texture.
Can I use plant milk?
Yes. Oat, almond or coconut milk all work. Adjust the sugar to taste, since some are sweeter than dairy milk.
Can I make alouda ahead of time?
Make the jelly and soaked seeds up to 2 days ahead and keep them chilled. Add the milk and ice only when serving.
How long does it take to make Alouda (Mauritian Basil Seed and Milk Drink)?
About 30 min in total: 25 min of preparation and 5 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Alouda (Mauritian Basil Seed and Milk Drink)?
About 240 kcal per serving, with 8 g of protein, 36 g of carbohydrates and 8 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 240 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 8 g |
| Carbohydrates | 36 g |
| Fat | 8 g |
| Fiber | 1 g |
| Sugar | 34 g |
| Sodium | 110 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
