Sri Lankan Faluda: Rose Milk with Basil Seeds and Jelly for After-School Treats

Make the jelly the night before according to the package directions and chill until set. Cut into 1/2-inch cubes.

Serves 4

Ingredients

• 2 tbsp basil seeds (sabja or tukmaria)
• 1 cup water, for soaking
• 1 package (3 oz / 85 g) strawberry or raspberry jelly powder
• 4 cups cold whole milk
• 1/3 cup rose syrup, plus more to taste
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• 4 small scoops vanilla ice cream
• 1 cup crushed ice
• Optional: 1/2 cup cooked thin rice vermicelli, chilled
• Garnish: chopped pistachios or dried rose petals

Instructions

1. Make the jelly the night before according to the package directions and chill until set. Cut into 1/2-inch cubes.
2. Soak the basil seeds in 1 cup water for 15 minutes until each seed swells into a translucent jelly-like bead. Drain any excess water.
3. In a pitcher, whisk the cold milk with the rose syrup and vanilla until evenly pink. Taste and add more syrup if you like it sweeter.
4. Divide the crushed ice among four tall glasses. Spoon 2 tablespoons of soaked basil seeds and a handful of jelly cubes into each glass, plus a spoonful of vermicelli if using.
5. Pour the rose milk over the top, leaving an inch of space.
6. Crown each glass with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and sprinkle with pistachios or rose petals.
7. Serve immediately with a long spoon and a wide straw so the seeds and jelly can be scooped up.
8. Thermos tip: the rose milk alone keeps chilled for 2 days; pack it in an insulated bottle and send the jelly and basil seeds in a small container for a lunchtime version without the ice cream.
9. Faluda came to Sri Lanka with Persian and Indian traders and became the island's favorite cooler, sold from Colombo cafes and Galle Face Green carts in tall glasses that glow pink in the tropical heat. For Sri Lankan children it is the after-school reward of choice, half drink and half dessert, and every family argues over the correct ratio of jelly to seeds.

Nutrition (estimated, per serving)

• Calories: 300 kcal
• Protein: 9g
• Fat: 10g
• Carbohydrates: 44g
• Fiber: 2g
• Sugar: 38g
• Sodium: 140mg