Grass Jelly Brown Sugar Milk. A sweet, milky, non-caffeinated dessert beverage with bouncy grass jelly cubes. Easy make at home and absolutely delicious! You won't be able to stop at one glass. I also share how to make this beverage dairy-free.
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What is Grass Jelly Brown Sugar Milk?
Grass Jelly Brown Sugar Milk is a delicious, simple drink made of milk, brown sugar and jiggly grass jelly. There is also no caffeine in this beverage. I
f you're unfamiliar with what grass jelly is, it's a jello made of boiled Chinese mesona plant, starch and potassium carbonate. Grass jelly is black in color and mostly tasteless but it has a slight herbal aftertaste. It's commonly used in South-East Asian desserts and drinks, like this one.
I love this drink recipe as it's so easy to make at home with a few ingredients! This is often enjoyed as a dessert here in this home. If you ask me if I prefer this over bobas, it's a big yes!
This grass jelly pairs well with anything sweet, like in sweetened dessert soups. You can usually purchase this jello in cans at the Asian market and sometimes at Western markets in the international aisle.
Ingredients
Please scroll down to below recipe card for exact measurements.
Note: Most Asian grocers will carry these ingredients. You may find some at your select grocery store or online, like on Amazon.
- Canned grass jelly: you can find this as most Asian Grocery Stores in the canned aisle
- Milk of choice: if you're dairy-free, use a milk you enjoy
- Brown sugar: or substitute with white sugar, cane sugar or coconut sugar
- Water
- Ice cubes
How to Make Grass Jelly Brown Sugar Milk
Prepare Grass Jelly
Open your canned grass jelly and pop the jelly out onto a cutting board. Careful, it's slippery. Slice the jelly into half. Slice one half into little cubes and the other half into medium size cubes. This is optional but it gives you a variety of texture. Place the grass jelly cubes into separate bowls.
Mix Sugar & Water in a Small Pot
In a small sauce pan, add brown sugar and whisk in your water.
Simmer into a Syrup
Bring this is a boil and then lower to a simmer to allow this to reduce to a thick syrup.
Divide Syrup Between Grass Jelly
Pour half of your brown sugar syrup into each bowl of grass jelly. Reserving half to garnish the glass.
Gently mix syrup into the grass jelly.
Add Grass Jelly into Glass
In a tall glass, spoon some of the grass jelly (medium or small, your choice) into the base.
Add Ice & More Grass Jelly
Then add about ½ cup of ice topped off with more grass jelly.
Spoon Syrup along Glass Walls
Next, spoon some of your brown sugar and pour the syrup along the walls of the glass to create a marble effect (optional).
Top off with more Grass Jelly
Layer with more grass jelly and ice
Add Milk
Pour 1 cup milk over top (per glass) and enjoy!
Storage
This Grass Jelly Brown Sugar Milk can last up to 1-2 days. I would suggest storing each component in separate containers and when ready to serve, assemble the glasses on the day of serving.
Expert Tips
- Do not overcook the syrup. Once it starts to thicken, remove off heat immediately as it can easily burn.
- Cut the grass jelly into two different cube sizes for best texture.
- Spoon the grass jelly first before garnishing the glass with syrup. This will make it easier for you.
FAQ
Yes, just make sure to prepare bobas according to package instructions.
Other recipes you may like!
📖 Recipe
Easy 10-min. Grass Jelly Brown Sugar Milk
Ingredients
- 549 grams canned grass jelly
- 4 cups milk or milk of choice like oat milk
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ½ cup water
- Ice cubes
Instructions
- Open your canned grass jelly and carefully pop the jelly out onto a cutting board. Slice the jelly into half. Slice one half into little cubes and the other half into medium size cubes. This is optional but it gives you a variety of texture. Place the grass jelly cubes into separate bowls.
- In a small sauce pan, add brown sugar and whisk in your water. Bring this is a boil and then lower to a simmer to allow this to reduce to a thick syrup.
- Pour half of your brown sugar syrup into each bowl of grass jelly. Reserving half to garnish the glass.
- In a tall glass, spoon some of the grass jelly (medium or small, your choice) into the base.
- Then add about ½ cup of ice topped off with more grass jelly.
- Next, spoon some of your brown sugar and pour the syrup along the walls of the glass to create a marble effect (optional).
- Layer with more grass jelly and ice
- Pour 1 cup milk over top (per glass) and enjoy!
Talia
I made this the other day and was blown away by how tasty and simple it was.
Sherri
Wow! I've never heard of grass jelly before...it looks amazing! And love that it's vegan too...yay! This drink is a stunner for sure! 🙂
christieathome
Thanks so much Sherri!
Heidi | The Frugal Girls
Those bouncy grass jelly cubes are so visually stunning. They make your beautiful 3 ingredient brown sugar milk so totally tempting! ❤️
Rosemary
And here I thought that I had to go into the mall to get some jelly tea! I am definitely trying this (also because my brother is obsessed with Asian food!)
gf
nice
christieathome
So glad you enjoyed this! Thank you for making my recipe!
Lila
I bought a can out of curiosity from a Chinese supermarket. When I got home, I thought to just open the can and pour it into a big bowl and dive in. Surprise! It tasted nasty. Since I only took 2 bites, I decided to put the chunk into a smaller container and kept it refrigerated.
Oh, a month or so past by and I decided to research a recipe on the internet and found you. Lucky me.
I tried your recipe but with a twist; I substituted the brown sugar with an organic pure honey. I only used a couple of teaspoons of water and heated with the honey for a couple of moments in the microwave. Then I added the cut jelly and then the goat milk to my tall glass. Boy, was it delicious.
christieathome
Amazing! Happy it worked out for you and glad you enjoyed it with a twist! Thanks for making my recipe, Lila!