← Nouns Cooking · Malaysian & Singaporean

Ingredients

• 1 tbsp basil seeds (biji selasih)
• 125 ml lukewarm water, for soaking
• 150 ml Rose syrup (sirap ros), or to taste
• 60 ml fresh lime or calamansi juice
• 600 ml cold water
• plenty of ice
• 4 slices lime slices, to garnish (optional)

Method

1. Stir the basil seeds into the lukewarm water straight away so they do not clump, then leave for 10 min until each seed is wrapped in a soft, clear jelly.
2. In a jug, mix the rose syrup, lime juice and cold water. Taste and add more syrup for sweetness or lime for zing.
3. Stir in the soaked seeds with their water and pour over plenty of ice. Garnish with lime slices.

Tips

• Make your own rose syrup by simmering 500 g sugar with 250 ml water for 5 min, cooling, then adding 2 tbsp rose water and a drop of red colouring.
• Choose a rose syrup coloured without animal-derived carmine if you need it vegan.

Sources

Written in our own words after cross-checking these recipes:

Singaporean Malaysian Recipes Singaporean Malaysian Recipes Unilever Food Solutions Thailand