Grass Jelly Drink Recipe

I absolutely love this grass jelly drink because it’s refreshingly cool and offers the perfect balance of natural sweetness, making it an ideal treat for any hot day. Plus, the chewy texture of the grass jelly is super fun and adds a unique twist to every sip.

Drinks are a passion of mine. I love crafting them, especially the refreshing ones.

This one, a grass jelly drink, is a favorite. When you use grass jelly as an ingredient, it’s hard to make anything but a nutritious beverage.

The jelly itself is the consistency and color of a good Jell-O, but it’s made from the sap of a plant called mesona. It’s a superfood.

We should be normalizing drinking more of it.

Ingredients

Grass Jelly:
Contains a low number of calories, has a cooling effect, and is abundant in antioxidants.

Sugar:
Imparts a delightful sweetness and energy, and can be altered to meet taste preferences.

Honey:
Sweetener obtained from nature, abundant in antioxidants, and with a floral hint.

Mint Leaves:
Delivers a revitalizing fragrance, helps with digestion, and improves the overall look.

Ingredient Quantities

• 1 can of grass jelly (about 19 ounces)
• 3 cups of cold water
• 1/4 cup of sugar (adjust to taste)
• 1/4 cup of honey (optional, adjust to taste)
• Ice cubes
• Fresh mint leaves for garnish (optional)

Instructions

1. Take the can of grass jelly and open it. Pour off any excess liquid.

2. Grass jelly can be found in blocks that require chopping before use. To do that, take a block of grass jelly, and cut it into half-inch pieces. Then, cut those pieces into cubes.

3. In a big jug, mix the cold water and sugar, and stir until the sugar is fully dissolved.

4. Add honey to the large container. Stir until honey is completely mixed in.

5. Introduce the grass jelly cubes into the pitcher. Stir them gently into the other ingredients to ensure a good mix.

6. Fill the serving glasses with ice cubes to prepare them for serving.

7. Pour the grass jelly mixture over the ice in each glass, filling them to your desired level.

8. Gently stir the drink in each glass so that the jelly cubes are evenly distributed throughout.

9. If you want to, you can garnish every glass with fresh mint leaves.

10. Enjoy your invigorating grass jelly drink served right away.

Equipment Needed

1. Can opener
2. Cutting board
3. Knife
4. Large jug or pitcher
5. Mixing spoon
6. Measuring cups
7. Serving glasses

FAQ

• What is grass jelly?A traditional dessert found across many Asian countries, grass jelly is made from the plant Mesona chinensis, which is in the mint family. Its taste is mildly bitter, and its texture is gelatinous.
• Can I use fresh grass jelly instead of canned?Indeed, you can use fresh grass jelly if it is available. It might provide a taste that is more in line with fresh compared to canned jelly.
• How do I adjust the sweetness of the drink?The amount of sugar and honey used in the drink can be varied to adjust the sweetness. The drink can be tasted after a first mixing has been done and then adjusted to one’s individual liking.
• Is the honey necessary?No, honey is not required. It is not necessary to make this drink. It adds a different shade of sweetness and flavor. But the drink can still be delightful without it.
• Can I add other flavors or ingredients?Certainly! Aroma and taste are complex phenomena. We know that our sense of taste is limited. We perceive only five basic flavors: sweet, salty, sour, bitter, and umami. We also utilize taste in combination with smell. Yet, some foods can be eaten without odor. These are flavors that we perceive predominantly through our receptors for taste.
• How long can I store the drink in the refrigerator?The finished drink can be kept in the fridge for two days, but you should enjoy it even more if you drink it fresh.
• What type of sugar works best?Typically, granulated sugar is the most effective, but for a variance in taste, you can use other kinds of sugar. For instance, brown sugar or coconut sugar can also be used and will provide an alternative flavor.

Substitutions and Variations

You can use agave syrup or maple syrup, a form of natural sweetness, in place of sugar.
Substitute honey for another sweetener, such as brown sugar or coconut sugar, to achieve a different flavor profile.
If you would like a different garnish, you could use basil leaves in place of the mint leaves.

Pro Tips

1. Chill the water ahead of time to ensure the drink stays refreshingly cold, especially when poured over ice.

2. For a more uniform texture, use a sharp knife to achieve clean, even cuts of grass jelly cubes.

3. Experiment with adding different sweeteners or flavorings, such as a splash of lemon or lime juice, to customize the taste to your liking.

4. For a smoother drink, try blending a portion of the grass jelly with some of the liquid ingredients before combining with the rest of the cubes.

5. Enhance the visual appeal and flavor by adding thin slices of fruits like lemon, lime, or oranges to the pitcher or individual glasses.