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This quick and simple Bandung recipe makes a delicious 3-ingredient drink with a touch of Rose Syrup. It’s beautiful, floral, sweet and refreshing and a beloved local drink in Singapore and Malaysia.
What is Bandung?
Bandung drink is a popular and common drink in Singapore and also in Malaysia. It goes by several names, Sirap Bandung, rose syrup with milk, Air Bandung or simply Bandung.
This drink with gentle pink and white tones is elegant with a seemingly romantic appearance. Not only is it gorgeous to drink, it’s delicious to the point of being almost addictive.
This traditional drink combines rose syrup with milk, evaporated milk, or condensed milk. It has a creamy texture with delightful aroma of roses.
The word Bandung means “joined” or paired in the Malay language. And, “sirap” is the equivalent of syrup. The expression “go together” refers to milk with rose syrup.
One thing to note is the drink “Bandung” is not related or connected in anyway to the city of Bandung in Indonesia.
During the fasting month of Ramadan, Bandung rose syrup drink is popular and commonly consumed. It’s sweet and refreshing flavors makes it a suitable thirst quencher for the hot weather.
Is there a difference between Air Bandung and Sirap Bandung?
While “Air Bandung” and “Sirap Bandung” are both used interchangeably to refer to the same drink, there are subtle differences in the recipe.
When the term “air” is used, this usually refers to two different variations of the recipe.
The first consists of replacing the milk with a carbonated beverage or whipped evaporated milk to add air to the preparation. This fits the term “Air Bandung” perfectly well.
Some use other flavoring syrups, other than rose syrup, to prepare the drink, and these many variations are also called “air Bandung.”
Bandung Drink Origin
The origin of this bandung rose syrup drink is not clear. There is one urban legend that places its creation in the colonial era of Singapore, during British rule.
Legend has it that an English citizen dissatisfied with the taste of local tea went for a walk through the city’s streets looking for a new tea.
There he found a drink prepared from an extract of roses and spices. He thought of mixing the extract of roses with the tea to improve the tea taste, but he did not get the desired results until he combined the rose drink with milk and a little tea.
The drink quickly became popular in British society and was later embraced by locals who added pink food coloring to enhance its appearance and remains so to this day.
Another theory, perhaps more appropriate, is that the Bandung drink is an adaptation of the Indian recipe for milk of roses.
Discovering Bandung Drink in Malaysia and Singapore
While exploring the local food specialties in Malaysia and Singapore, we couldn’t help but be attracted to this pink colored drink.
A popular local drink, we had it several times in both countries, and enjoyed its creamy and not overly sweet taste.
The first time we had it in Singapore, was at a local restaurant where we discovered Nasi Lemak, a popular Singapore food.
This is a flavorful rice based dish served with chili sauce and sides like chicken, fish or anchovies.
To go along with the meal, we had refreshing glasses of the Bandung drink. It was the perfect contrast to the fiery flavors and a drink we came to quickly love.
Given the simplicity of this refreshing drink, we’re excited to share easy to make local Singapore flavors with this Bandung recipe.
Sirap Bandung Recipe – How To Make Bandung at home
This favorite drink in Singapore and Malaysia is incredible easy to recreate at home.
The simple Bandung recipe calls for just three main ingredients. Condensed milk, evaporated milk, and rose syrup.
Mix together in the recommended proportions and refreshing, creamy and delicious drink.
Ingredients
- Evaporated Milk
- Condensed Milk
- Rose Syrup
- Water
- Ice cubes
Bandung Recipe Tips
Given the simplicity of this rose milk syrup drink, we have just two simple tips for you.
- Substitute the evaporated milk for condensed milk. This will give the bandung drink more creamy textures. At the same time with the additional ice cubes and water, you’ll better control the amount of sugar added.
- Before making the recipe, chill the syrup, evaporated milk and glasses in the fridge. The colder all the ingredients are, the more delicious the result.
Is Bandung Drink Healthy?
There are a variety of ways of adapting the sirap bandung recipe to make it healthier.
The condensed milk that adds the luscious and creamy textures to this bandung recipe, is one of the ingredients to be used in moderation.
You can use just a little condensed milk drink’s richness. Or, replace it entirely with evaporated milk or soy milk.
With no condensed milk, you can sweeten the bandung drink with a sweetener like stevia.
Rose syrup contains a little sugar. You can substitute rose syrup for rose water and enjoy the same rose flavored scents.
We tried a version that combines evaporated milk with a bit of condensed milk. This is very similar to the traditional version, with fewer calories, and the same delicious flavors.
Bandung Drink Calories
According to Nutritionix, a large nutrition database calculator, one cup (240 ml) of Bandung drink contains 156 calories and 32 g. of sugar.
The average consumption is typically, 330 ml to 360 ml per serving which makes it approximately 240 calories.
AUTHENTIC FOOD QUEST TIP: Check our other Malaysian drink recipe, Teh Tarik a delicious frothy pulled tea
Variations of Sirap Bandung
With the popularity of Bandung in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia and even Brunei, many alternative versions to the traditional recipe have emerged.
Some versions substitute rose syrup for other flavors, like orange blossom, or others.
Some make the rose water with soda or sparkling water instead of using milk. This particular version is popular in Indonesia where it is known as ‘soda gembira’ or happy soda.
Others add completely different ingredients like grass jelly, tapioca pearls used in bubble tea or even ice cream.
To go along with this beautiful drink, edible rose petals can also be added or the glass decorated with dried roses.
Sirap Bandung Step by Step Instructions
Prepare Ingredients
Pour the water, condensed milk and evaporated milk into a measuring cup. Start by pouring the rose syrup into a glass with ice cubes.
Mix Well
Add the combination of the two milk types to the glass with ice. Stir to achieve a beautiful blend of pink and white colors
Sirap Bandung Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 cups Evaporated milk
- ½ cup Condensed milk
- ⅓ cup Rose syrup
- 1 cup water
- 2 cups ice or 14 ice-cubes
Instructions
- In a measuring cup or mixing bowl, combine water and condensed milk with evaporated milk. Stir well with a whisk or a spoon until you get a homogeneous mixture
- Next, fill your serving glasses about 2/3 full with ice cubes
- In each of the glasses, pour about two or three tablespoons of rose syrup on the ice
- Finally, fill the glass with the milk and water mixture
- Stir and mix well to achieve a beautiful blend of colors
- Enjoy immediately
Notes
- As you prepare bandung recipe, taste the mixture a few times. If it is too sweet for your palette, feel free to adjust combination of milk and water to suit your tastes.
Nutrition
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Claire is co-founder of Authentic Food Quest and a lover of simple and exquisite cuisine. Since 2015, with her partner, Rosemary, she has been traveling the world as a digital nomad, creating content about local food experiences.
Her advice from visiting 45 countries and more than 240 food cities has been featured in Lonely Planet, Business Insider, Honest Cooking, Food Insider, and Huffington Post. She has also co-authored three books, including one in collaboration with Costa Brava Tourism.
An ex-mechanical engineer, Claire is responsible for SEO, keeping the website running, and the fun food & travel videos on YouTube.
When Claire is not eating, she can be found running or cycling. Find out more about Authentic Food Quest
This was such a cool and refreshing treat on a hot summer day. It reminded me of a milkshake but even more delicious.
Glad you like it. It’s a truly refreshing and delicious drink. Thanks for stopping by. Cheers
This drink looks so delicious and simple to make! I love the addition of rose syrup!
Thanks so much, Chenee. Give it a shot, you’ll love the rose syrup addition. Thanks for stopping by.
Such a great drink recipe, looks so delicious. The color is so lively that makes it enticing and tempting!
Glad you like the Bandung drink, Amy. It is deliciously simple to make at home. Give it a try. Thanks for stopping by. Cheers.
This Iced Bandung is so interesting . It really looks like the perfect beverage I never knew I needed. I will be getting some Rose syrup ASAP so I can try this . Thanks !
Great to hear, Debbie, please do let us know how you like it. Cheers
Oh My, I had to find a bottle of rose syrup (which I did at a local natural food store), this drink is so good, I could mix up a pitcher of the milk combo and have this several times a day!
Awesome, Mikayla. Bandung is a nice refreshing drink to have around at home. So glad you tried it. Cheers
The color of this is so pretty, Sounds delish!
Thank you, Julie. So delicious and easy to make too 🙂 Hope you try it soon.
This drink looks amazing! I love rose drinks
Great to hear, Tisha. If you love roses, you’ve got to try bandung. Do let us know what you think when you make it. Cheers
This beautiful drink will be perfect to serve at a baby shower I’m going to be hosting. (It’s a girl!). I’m off to order some rose syrup!
Perfect timing Colleen. And, even better the drink is non-alcoholic making it appropriate for all. Have fun with bandung. Cheers
Wow! I didn’t know it was this easy to prepare! Now I can enjoy this at home!
Wonderful to hear, Nadalie. You’ll love it!! Thanks for stopping by.
YUM I am sure I would love this, as a child Rose Water at the local lebanese restaurant was always my favorite! I bet it would make a great ice cream too!
Great to hear, Jen. This will definitively bring back wonderful childhood memories. And, yes I agree, rose syrup ice cream would be amazing. Thanks for stopping by. Cheers
Wow it sounds delicious and I love pink so it’s extra spexial
Great and easy recipe, Mimi. Give it a try, you’ll be surprised how easy and delicious it is. Cheers
This drink looks so refreshing. Love your presentation. Quick and easy to make too.
You are most welcome and love that you like the recipe. Hope you try it soon. It’s delish. Thanks for stopping by. Cheers
Elegant sure is the perfect word to describe this drink, wow! I’ll be trying this for my next special occasion. The beautiful color and addition of the rose syrup makes for a showstopper!
Wow, thanks for the compliments, Jessica. It is truly an easy drink to make and it can elevate any occasion. Excited for you to try it. Cheers.
What an interesting drink. I never heard about this drink before but sounds amazing. I love rose syrup. I think I have a bottle in my cabinet. I’m going to give this a try, for sure. Can’t wait.
Great to hear, Natalie. It’s so easy and I hope you make it soon. Do let us know what you think of it. Thanks for stopping by. Cheers
I love everything Singapore-made. They certainly have one of the best cuisines with an abundance of different flavors!
So, true, Dionne. Singapore is definitively a foodie capital and this is one simple and delicious local delight. Excited for you to make it. Cheers
Bandung is one of those recipes that I’ve never tried. Which makes it incredibly exciting for me to try your recipe. It certainly looks WOW.
Excited for you to make it, Mahy. Do let us know how it turns out. Cheers