photo by Raymund
The Philippines is the quintessential tropical tour destination, with some warm (very warm) months. Needless to say, creating and consuming cold and delicious drinks is practically a Filipino specialty. From fresh-squeezed fruit juices to chilly shakes, the Filipino people know how to quench your thirst. Here are five of the top “keep cool” drinks to try on your next visit.
photo by Yvette Tan
Buko juice
“Buko” is the FIlipino word for young coconut and buko juice is simply the coconut water. This refreshing drink is incredibly popular and easy to find, with “Buko Men” pushing their carts along the roads and walkways, cutting the tops off the coconuts and serving the juice right from the source. You can also find buko juice prepackaged and served in a variety of other containers, but the experience and gratifying freshness of drinking the juice directly from the coconut is part of the charm.
photo by Mark Guim
Sago at Gulaman
While coconut water is a favorite beverage in many cultures, sago at gulaman is distinctly Filipino. This sweet and thirst-quenching drink is made from brown sugar, water, gelatin (gulaman), and tapioca pearls (sago). Gulaman is not actually gelatin, but instead, a substance derived from seaweed and used like gelatin in many recipes. So unlike real gelatin products, gulaman is safe for vegans to consume.
photo by Samwoo E
Calamansi juice
Sometimes called “Filipino Lemonade,” calamansi juice is a fresh-squeezed juice from the calamondin fruit. This unique fruit is a hybrid of citrus and kumquat. This sour, but zingy, fruit is sometimes described as a lemonade-limeade crossover. It’s also loaded with antioxidants and vitamin C and is just as refreshing as lemonade on a hot summer day.
photo by Raymund
Melon juice
Melon juice is a very popular drink in the Philippines. It’s especially cooling on a hot summer day, and it’s Tagalog name, Melon sa Malamig, means “cold melon.” There is a particular shredding tool use to created ribbons of melon in the glass. You can drink it fresh like that, or add water, sugar, milk, and ice for a unique and delicious beverage. Melon juice is a commonly found drink from street carts and vendors, along with buko juice.
photo by Marie (via Flickr)
Avocado shake
Unlike in the western world where avocados are used as a savory food item in dips and on sandwiches, in southeast Asia, avocados are treated as a sweet fruit and used in desserts, like avocado shakes. This cold, creamy, and satisfying shake is made by blending avocados with ice, milk, and sugar. Sometimes the shake is blended with vanilla ice cream if the desired texture is extra thick and sweet. It’s so refreshing, you’ll wonder why you didn’t drink your avocados sooner.
These five drinks are just a sampling of the delightful options available to indulge yourself in while traveling in the Philippines, and are an example of the unique culture of this nation. You can try all of these beverages and more on an Uncharted Philippines tour. Your experienced tour guide can suggest where to find these drinks and others you might want to try. Discover the magic of the Philippines for yourself.