Treat yourself to a delightful blend of sweet mango, coconut milk, and mango jelly cubes in this Agar Agar Drink, where silky, seaweed-derived jelly meets the tropical taste of fresh fruit. Perfect for a fun dessert twist, this refreshing jelly fruit drink will instantly transport you to a sunny paradise!
Filipinos like to make simple but yummy cool drinks like Buko Pandan, Green Mango Shake, and Buko Salad. Check them out too!
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What is Agar Agar Drink?
This tropical beverage, Agar-Agar drink, is a jelly-based drink using agar-agar powder, a red algae-derived gelatinous substance, mostly used as a gelling agent and a vegan alternative for gelatin, which is popular in many Asian cuisines.
In the Philippines, it’s commonly known as gulaman when used in drinks, and these drinks often include sago (tapioca pearls) and a special caramelized sugar syrup called arnibal, which gives it a distinctive sweetness and flavor.
History of Agar Agar Drink
Agar-agar was first noted in 17th-century Japan, where a chance freeze-thaw discovery led to its use as a gelling agent called “kanten.” From Japan, it spread to China and other parts of Asia, prized for its ability to set at room temperature.
Over time, cooks recognized that adding small agar jellies to sweet drinks created a refreshingly chewy texture. It was then introduced through cultural exchange and trade, especially with Chinese merchants. It became a staple in Filipino “samalamig” or iced refreshments, like sago’t gulaman, featuring agar jellies, tapioca pearls, and arnibal.
Today, agar-agar drink is commonly enjoyed during hot weather. This cold, lightly sweetened jelly drink offers a welcome respite from the tropical heat and is sold year-round by street vendors and eateries. It's also enjoyed during fiestas and special gatherings. Check out more of this recipe below and enjoy!
Health Benefits of Agar-Agar
- High Fiber Content – Agar-agar is a plant-based source of soluble fiber, which can help support healthy digestion and regular bowel movements.
- Low in Calories – Because it’s essentially flavorless and requires minimal additional ingredients to set, agar-agar can be a good choice for low-calorie, jelly-like desserts or drinks.
- Vegan-Friendly – Made from red algae, agar-agar is an alternative to animal-based gelatin, making it suitable for vegans and vegetarians.
- Satiety Support – Its gel-forming nature can help you feel full longer, potentially aiding in weight management when combined with a balanced diet.
Substitutions
- Coconut Milk – Swap with dairy evaporated milk, or plant-based milks like almond or oat, plus a dash of coconut extract.
- Sweetened Condensed Milk – Use dairy-free sweetened condensed coconut milk or make your own by cooking down evaporated milk with sugar
- All-Purpose Cream – Substitute with heavy cream, dairy-free coconut cream, or a cream cheese–milk blend
- Whole Milk – Replace with other dairy options, plant-based milks such as soy or almond milk, or evaporated milk for a richer taste.
- Agar-Agar Powder – Use gelatin, carrageenan, or pectin, which is best for fruit-based preparations.
Recipe Variations
- Strawberry-Basil – Strawberry juice or purée with basil leaves, offering a sweet-tart, herbal twist.
- Coffee Jelly Frappe – Strong brewed coffee jelly combined with sweetened milk or cream for a café-style dessert drink.
- Matcha Green Tea – Earthy matcha agar jelly with sweetened milk or coconut milk.
Storage
- Mango agar agar pudding can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Coconut cream mixture stays fresh in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Stir before using.
- Do not freeze agar agar pudding, as it will lose its texture.
Ingredients
Listed below are all the ingredients you will need:
- Coconut milk
- Sweetened condensed milk
- All-purpose cream
- Whole milk
- Mangoes
- Water
- Agar-agar powder
- Mint leaves
- Ice cubes
- Extra mango cubes
See the recipe card for quantities.
Instructions
In a blender or food processor, combine whole milk and half of the mango cubes. Then, blend until smooth and set aside.
In a saucepan or large pot over low heat, mix water and agar agar powder from the packet until fully dissolved.
Pour in the mixture of sweeteners and thickeners, stirring continuously. Bring it to a quick boil, then immediately turn off the heat.
Next, pour the mixture into a square or rectangular cake pan and let it cool completely until firm.
Once set, cut into small cubes and set aside.
In a separate saucepan, combine coconut milk, all-purpose cream, and condensed milk. Bring to a gentle simmer for 3 minutes.
After that, stir occasionally then turn off the heat and let it cool completely before chilling in the refrigerator.
Once everything is done, assemble the drink in a highball glass, top off with pandan leaves and enjoy!
Hint: For a richer mango flavor, use ripe, sweet mangoes like Carabao or Ataulfo.
⭐ Top Tip
- Chill the coconut cream mixture before serving for a more refreshing drink.
- For a dairy-free version, replace whole milk with almond or oat milk.
- Use a cookie cutter to create fun shapes for the agar agar pudding instead of cubes.
- Add nata de coco or sago pearls for extra texture.
FAQ
More Recipes
If you want to try other drinks, here are some of my recipes:
Agar Agar Drink
Ingredients
For the Coconut Cream:
- 2 cups coconut milk
- 1 ¼ cups sweetened condensed milk
- ½ cup all-purpose cream
For the Mango Agar Agar Pudding:
- 1 ¾ cups whole milk
- 2-3 mangoes deseeded and cubed
- ½ cup water
- 1 tablespoon agar-agar powder
Optional Garnishes:
- Mint leaves
- Ice cubes
- Extra mango cubes
Instructions
Prepare the Mango Agar Agar Pudding:
- In a blender or food processor, combine whole milk and half of the mango cubes. Blend until smooth and set aside.
- In a saucepan over low heat, mix water and agar-agar powder until fully dissolved.
- Pour in the blended mango and milk mixture, stirring continuously. Bring to a quick boil, then immediately turn off the heat.
- Pour the mixture into a square or rectangular cake pan and let it cool completely until firm.
- Once set, cut into small cubes and set aside.
Prepare the Coconut Cream:
- In a separate saucepan, combine coconut milk, all-purpose cream, and condensed milk.
- Bring to a gentle simmer for 3 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Turn off the heat and let it cool completely before chilling in the refrigerator.
Assemble the Drink:
- Fill a glass with ice cubes (optional).
- Add 2-3 tablespoons of mango pudding cubes.
- Pour chilled coconut cream over the pudding.
- Garnish with extra mango cubes and mint leaves.
- Serve immediately and enjoy!
Watch The Recipe Video!
Liz says
Amazing recipe, looking forward to giving this a try!
Anika says
Wow! Beautiful recipe!
Julius says
This is a must-try! 😂 It's so simple!
Claire M says
This looks great! I might try using different fruits instead of mango.
Cheng says
This delicious and easy-to-make agar agar drink is perfect for the summertime here. Thank you for this recipe!
Dimple says
I WILL definitely make this drink! You always have the best recipes SImply Bakings!
Sheen says
I would love to try this drink soon!
Sweet says
Oooooooooooh this looks interesting. I'mma try it!
Sonia says
Amazing idea and flavor combo - mango and coconut!
Sarah | Well and Full says
This drink is SO refreshing and delicious!