Alouda Glacée Recipe (Cold Alouda Drink)

Now this is a typical Mauritian drink!
You simply cannot call yourself a Mauritian or visit Mauritius Island without even having a glass of "Alouda Glacée".

I don't even know where the name for this drink comes from, but 'Alouda Glacée' is a very very popular cold (glacée means cold in French) drink know to absolutely every Mauritian. They are most famously found in the central market of the capital city of Mauritius, Port-Louis.
It is a yummy refreshing, filling, sweet milk base drink made specially for cooling down after a sunny Mauritian day. It is of course non-alcoholic and is very well loved by kids because it can take any color or flavor you like and it is made with soaked Basil seeds and chopped agar agar, which makes it more fun to drink for the children.
It is best to prepare the basil seeds for this drink overnight, so prepare ahead. But it can also be easily done a little faster (see my recipe below).

Ingredients needed for Alouda Glacée:
-  3 to 4 tablespoons of soaked and cleaned basil seeds
- 1 cup chopped agar agar strips
(I bought both the agar agar strips and basil seeds from an Asian food shop. You can also substitute the agar agar with set gelatin jelly or tapioca strips).
- 1 litre cold milk
- 500 ml water
- crushed ice
- a few drops of almond essence
- a few drops of  vanilla essence
- Sugar to taste.
- Tall milkshake glasses chilled in the fridge!

Time to make the 'Alouda Glacée' drinks:
1. Put the basil seeds onto a large plate and sieve out any odd stalks, leaves etc...
2. Put the basil seeds into a large bowl and top with 500ml cold water for soaking.
    (for best results soak the basil seeds overnight)
3. Cut the agar agar strips into little pieces (about half an inch in size).
    Separate the strips and put into the bowl with the basil seeds.
    (For quicker results try topping the soaking mixture with lukewarm water
    and soak until the agar agar is soft and the basil seeds are swollen up.)

4. In a big jug or bowl, pour the cold milk and add the agar agar & basil seeds mixture. Add sugar to taste.
5. Add a few drops of vanilla essence and a few drops of almond essence to taste.
6. Stir the drink mixture until really well blended.
7. Serve the drink in your chilled glasses and top with some of the crushed iced. 


Optional coloring:
You may want to add a tiny drop of red food coloring to get a pink colored drink or green food coloring to get a green drink like the ones pictured.

Your Alouda Glacée drinks are now ready to be served and enjoyed by all on a hot summer day.

  

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