Ingredients
Drink
- 120 mlrose syrup, sirap bandung or rose cordial
- 400 mlevaporated milk
- 600 mlcold water
- plenty of ice
Optional
- condensed milk, for a sweeter version
- 1 tbspbasil seeds, soaked
- a splash of soda water
- grass jelly, cut into cubes
To serve
- tall glasses
- very cold
Directions
- Use a proper rose syrup, sold as sirap bandung or ros syrup, rather than rosewater. Fresh milk makes it thin and pale.
- Chill everything before you start. Now mix the rose syrup with the cold water and stir until fully combined.
- Combine the syrup with the water before the milk goes in, so it disperses evenly rather than sitting in a layer at the bottom.
- Taste it at this stage and adjust. Stir gently rather than beating it, which just makes it froth.
- Taste and adjust the sweetness, and expect it to be sweeter than you might choose. This is a dessert drink and toning it down to Western taste makes it thin and disappointing.
- Fill tall glasses with ice and pour it over.
- Add soaked basil seeds or cubes of grass jelly if you want, both of which are common additions. Serve it immediately, very cold.
Technique
- Rose syrup is sold in Malaysian, Indonesian and Indian shops.
- Brunei’s alcohol ban means non-alcoholic drinks are a large and inventive category there.
- It keeps a day in the fridge, though it is best mixed fresh.
Substitutions
- Indian rooh afza in place of Malaysian rose syrup, which is similar.
- Condensed milk, cutting the syrup right back.
Variations
- Bandung soda, topped with soda water.
- With basil seeds or grass jelly.
- With cincau, grass jelly, as bandung cincau.
History
Brunei has banned the sale of alcohol since 1991, so sweet iced drinks like this dominate cafes, night markets and celebrations.
Frequently asked questions
What is Sirap Bandung?
Sirap Bandung is a drink from Brunei: rose syrup with evaporated milk over ice, bright pink and very sweet. Brunei has banned the sale of alcohol since 1991, so sweet iced drinks like this dominate cafes, night markets and celebrations.
How long does Sirap Bandung take to make?
Sirap Bandung takes 5 min of preparation and no cooking at all. The recipe makes 4 glasses. It is rated easy to make.
What can I substitute in Sirap Bandung?
Yes, within limits. Indian rooh afza in place of Malaysian rose syrup, which is similar. Condensed milk, cutting the syrup right back.
What is the most important thing to get right in Sirap Bandung?
Use a proper rose syrup, sold as sirap bandung or ros syrup, rather than rosewater. Fresh milk makes it thin and pale.
