Description
A refreshing summer drink featuring chewy tapioca pearls layered with juicy watermelon cubes and a creamy coconut milk smoothie. This easy-to-make dessert drink is perfect for hot days, offering a delightful texture contrast and a naturally sweet, tropical flavor.
Ingredients
Scale
Tapioca Pearls
- 60 g tapioca pearls (sago)
- 1000 ml water (for cooking tapioca)
Watermelon
- 400 g watermelon, divided into 100 g cubes and 300 g chunks (peeled and deseeded)
Smoothie
- 400 ml coconut milk
Instructions
- Cook the Tapioca Pearls: Bring 1000 ml of water to a boil in a pot. Add the tapioca pearls and reduce the heat to medium-low to maintain a gentle simmer. Stir gently for 3–5 seconds to prevent the pearls from sticking together.
- Simmer Until Partially Cooked: Cover the pot and cook the tapioca pearls for 15–18 minutes, stirring every 5 minutes. The outer layer should become translucent while a tiny white dot remains in the center.
- Steep to Fully Cook: Remove the pot from heat but keep it covered. Let the pearls steep for 10–15 minutes so the white centers disappear. If some white core remains, resume simmering for 2 more minutes and steep for an additional 5 minutes.
- Cool the Tapioca: Drain the tapioca pearls and immediately soak them in ice water for 3 minutes to enhance chewiness. Drain again and optionally toss with 1 teaspoon of drinking water to prevent sticking. Set aside.
- Prepare Watermelon Cubes: Cut 100 g of watermelon into approximately 1 cm cubes. Set aside for layering.
- Make Watermelon Puree: Cut the remaining 300 g watermelon (peeled and deseeded) into chunks and transfer to a blender.
- Blend the Smoothie: Add 400 ml of coconut milk to the blender with the watermelon chunks. Blend for 40 seconds until smooth and creamy.
- Assemble the Drink: In two clear glass cups, add 50 g watermelon cubes and 2 tablespoons of cooked tapioca pearls to create the base layer. Slowly pour the watermelon coconut smoothie along the side of each glass until it is about 90% full, creating a beautiful layered effect.
Notes
- Ensure to stir tapioca pearls gently at the start to prevent sticking, but avoid excessive stirring during cooking.
- Adjust the watermelon coconut smoothie sweetness by adding a bit of honey or sugar if desired.
- Serving the drink chilled enhances its refreshing qualities.
- The tapioca soaking in ice water improves texture and prevents clumping.
- Use clear glasses to showcase the beautiful layered effect of the drink.