Guide to Making Popular Singaporean Drinks at Home

Here’s a fun and easy guide to making popular Singaporean drinks at home – perfect for anyone who loves bold flavors, creamy textures, and a good mix of tradition and refreshment.

1. Teh Tarik (Pulled Tea)

What it is: A strong black tea with condensed milk, “pulled” for frothiness.

Ingredients:

  • 2 black tea bags (or 2 tsp loose black tea)

  • 1 cup hot water

  • 2–3 tbsp sweetened condensed milk

  • Optional: evaporated milk for extra creaminess

Steps:

  1. Steep the tea bags in hot water for 5–7 minutes.

  2. Remove tea bags and stir in condensed milk.

  3. Pour the tea from one mug to another from a height (this is the “tarik” part – it cools the tea and makes it frothy).

  4. Serve hot and enjoy the creamy goodness.

2. Kopi (Singaporean Coffee)

What it is: Strong coffee made from roasted Robusta beans with butter or margarine, sweetened with condensed milk.

Ingredients:

  • 2 tbsp ground dark roast coffee (or use kopi powder)

  • 1 cup hot water

  • 2 tbsp sweetened condensed milk

Steps:

  1. Brew coffee using a French press, sock filter, or drip method.

  2. Add condensed milk to taste and stir well.

  3. Serve hot (kopi) or with ice (kopi peng).

Variations:

  • Kopi-O: No milk, just sugar.

  • Kopi-C: With evaporated milk and sugar.

  • Kopi Siew Dai: Less sugar.

3. Bandung (Rose Syrup Milk Drink)

What it is: A vibrant pink drink made with rose syrup and milk – creamy, floral, and super refreshing.

Ingredients:

  • 2 tbsp rose syrup (like F&N)

  • 1 cup cold milk (evaporated or fresh)

  • Ice cubes

Steps:

  1. Mix rose syrup with milk until well combined.

  2. Add ice and stir. Done!

Optional: Add a splash of soda water for fizz.

4. Chendol Drink

What it is: A dessert drink with coconut milk, palm sugar syrup, and green pandan jelly “worms.”

Ingredients:

  • 1/2 cup coconut milk

  • 2 tbsp gula melaka (palm sugar), melted with a bit of water

  • 1/4 cup green chendol jelly (store-bought or homemade)

  • Crushed ice

Steps:

  1. Add chendol jelly to a glass.

  2. Pour over palm sugar syrup.

  3. Top with coconut milk and ice.

  4. Stir and sip!

5. Milo Dinosaur

What it is: A rich chocolate malt drink topped with heaps of Milo powder – a childhood classic.

Ingredients:

  • 3 tbsp Milo powder

  • 1 cup hot or cold milk

  • 1 tbsp sweetened condensed milk (optional)

  • 2 tbsp Milo powder (for topping)

Steps:

  1. Mix Milo and milk until smooth. Add condensed milk if desired.

  2. Pour into a glass.

  3. Top generously with dry Milo powder.

  4. Serve with a straw or spoon. RAWR.

6. Sugarcane Juice

What it is: Freshly pressed sugarcane juice – sweet, grassy, and perfect on a hot day.

Ingredients:

  • Fresh sugarcane (hard to find, but possible in some Asian markets)

  • Lime juice (optional)

Steps (if you have access to a juicer):

  1. Juice the sugarcane stalks.

  2. Add a splash of lime juice.

  3. Serve cold with ice.

Bonus: DIY Bubble Tea (Boba)

Not strictly Singaporean, but hugely popular here!

Ingredients:

  • 1/2 cup tapioca pearls (boba)

  • 1 cup strong tea (black or green)

  • 1/2 cup milk or non-dairy milk

  • 1–2 tbsp sugar or syrup

Steps:

  1. Cook boba according to package.

  2. Brew tea and chill.

  3. Add boba to a glass, then pour in tea, milk, and sweetener.

  4. Shake or stir, and serve with a wide straw.

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