Perk Up with 6 Tasteful Malaysian Drinks

A comforting, tasty drink to pair with meals is essential in Malaysian cuisine. From pick-me-ups and cooling palate cleansers to appetizing treats and creamy comforts, there’s always a variety of Malaysian drinks to complement your mood or the day’s weather, and to complete the flavour-combos of your meal. They’re also fast and easy to make, sold and served at affordable prices.

Pulled Milk Tea

Malaysia was a maritime trading hub in ancient times. Thus, tea was introduced from China and became popular for millennia, alongside local drinks infused from fruits, flowers and herbs. However, the Teh Tarik or Pulled Milk Tea is a relatively recent invention, created by Indian migrants during the British colonial era, who adopted the English-style milk tea with a unique method.

The hot brewed tea is steeped and mixed with condensed milk, then poured between two mugs in long streams repeatedly. This ‘pulling’ effect cools the milk tea and leaves a thick, fluffy froth top that adds a smooth, creamy taste. The method and the drink have long become so popular that it’s Malaysia’s unofficial national drink. There are even annual Teh Tarik competitions for baristas to show off their stunts and skills.

Want to try it yourself? Check out our simple recipe here.

Sirap Bandung

Sirap Bandung’s soft pink colour might have you thinking that it’s strawberry-flavoured. But it’s actually a simple mix of rose syrup and evaporated milk, also sometimes infused with pandan juice for extra aroma. In fact, Bandung literally means ‘pair’ or ‘mix’, while sirap means ‘syrup’. Although served and enjoyed year-round as a creamy sweet iced drink, Sirap Bandung is also a festive drink for the Malay community. Sirap Bandung is best paired with spicy, savoury dishes to temper the zest. And in Malaysia, the drink is usually served with grass jelly or lychee puree.

Three Layer Tea

As the name says, Three Layer Tea features 3 tasty layers: black tea, evaporated milk and palm sugar. Also known as Three-colour Milk Tea, Teh C Peng, and Teh C Special, it is believed to have originated from a famous food court in Sarawak, Malaysia, and soon became popular everywhere else in Malaysia. Similar to Sirap Bandung, Three Layer Tea is also best paired with spicy delights like the Sarawak Laksa.

To make Three Layer Tea, pour melted palm sugar into the tall glass first, and cool it with ice till it settles. Next, add in the evaporated milk slowly to form the middle layer, followed by the brewed black tea to top. Stir before drinking to blend all three layers into a bold, creamy sweet flavour with a subtle smoky aroma!

Soy Milk with Grass Jelly

Originating from China, grass jelly is made by boiling dried stalks of the Mesona Chinensis mint plant with starch or rice flour, then letting the mixture cool down to form a dark-coloured jelly. Commonly sold in blocks sealed in refrigerated packs.

On its own, grass jelly has a mild bitter flavour, light herbaceous aroma, and refreshing taste. Known as Cincau in Malaysian cuisine, the jelly is sliced or diced as a topping for chilled desserts like Ais Kacang; mixed with sugar syrup for an iced drink; or made creamy and wholesome with sweetened soy milk – a drink colloquially named ‘Michael Jackson’ during the height of the late popstar’s career.

Grass jelly with soy milk is best enjoyed on hot summer days and best paired with bold-flavoured dishes. Try it with our easy recipe!

Fruit Juice with Asam Boi

Asam Boi is the Malay name for the Chinese dried plum, preserved with powdered sugar, salt and strong-flavoured herbs such as liquorice. It has a bold, tarty, and salty zest with a light, flowery aroma. Traditionally eaten as a digestive snack and a remedy for nausea. Asam Boi is also a flavour-booster for fruit juices in Malaysian cuisine, specifically sour or citrus fruit juices like green apple, lime or calamansi. Served with ice cubes for an invigorating, cooling drink!

More Refreshing Asian Drinks

Asian cuisines feature a world of tasteful refreshing drinks for all seasons. Come discover how Southeast Asians transform coffee into amazing delights. Explore the many Asian ways to enjoy tea, as well as the unique infused tea drinks. Or, comfort your soul and tastebuds with some traditional Asian dessert soups!