The Thai Pink Milk known as Nom Yen is a delightfully sweet and creamy drink made with fragrant Sala syrup and a blend of milks. Served over crushed ice, it's a beautiful and refreshing way to quench your thirst!
Pink milk evokes happy memories of my husband's childhood. This sweet, refreshing drink is at the heart of many of his stories about growing up in Thailand.
In Thai, pink milk is known as nom yen (นมเย็น), which translates to "iced milk" or "cold milk". It can also be referred to as nom chompoo (นมชมพู), meaning "pink milk". Its signature ingredient is a bright red, artificially flavored syrup that mimics the taste of sala, a palm fruit native to Southeast Asia. This concentrated syrup is intensely sweet with a uniquely floral, almost perfumed flavor.
When served on the streets of Thailand, vendors typically mix the syrup with sweetened condensed milk, evaporated milk, and hot water. Many use a milk frother to blend the ingredients and create a light foam before pouring the creamy mixture over crushed ice. The result is a rich yet refreshing Thai drink, perfect to enjoy alongside a Thai meal or as a sweet mid-day treat.
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Why You'll Love Pink Milk
- Rich and Indulgent: This pink drink combines the creaminess of Thai Iced Tea with the unique floral fragrance of Sala syrup. It's a rich, luscious drink that's both indulgent and satisfying.
- Supremely Refreshing: Served over crushed ice, Pink Milk is an ideal way to beat the heat and enjoy a sweet refreshment.
- Quick and Easy to Make: With no tea to brew or flowers to steep, this drink comes together in a matter of minutes. Simply combine the ingredients, mix together, pour over ice, and enjoy!
Ingredients
- Sala Flavored Syrup: This artificially flavored syrup is meant to taste like sala, a palm fruit native to Southeast Asia. It is bright red and intensely sweet. Although other brands exist, the Hale's Blue Boy brand is basically synonymous with this sala-flavored syrup. I've found it at local specialty Southeast Asian groceries, but it can also be purchased online (affiliate link: Sala Syrup).
- Sweetened Condensed Milk: Sweetened condensed milk is used to provide that milky creaminess and a little extra sweetness to the drink.
- Evaporated Milk: Evaporated milk is used as the base milk of this drink. If you don't have evaporated milk available, regular cow's milk would likely work as a substitute.
- Hot Water: Hot water makes easier work of dissolving the syrup and sweetened condensed milk.
- Crushed Ice: Once the drink has been thoroughly mixed, it's poured over crushed ice for a sweet and refreshing treat.
How to Make Pink Milk
Step 1: In a large glass container, add the sala-flavored syrup and the sweetened condensed milk.
Step 2: Then add the hot water and stir until incorporated. Finally, top the drink with the evaporated milk.
Step 3: Stir with a spoon or milk frother. If you prefer a bit of froth on top, continue to use the milk frother until a foamy cap is formed.
Step 4: Fill two glasses with crushed ice and pour the sweet drink over it. Enjoy immediately.
Recipe Notes
This recipe took some trial and error to perfect, but luckily, our kids were happy to taste-test every version! If your syrup tastes too strong or has a metallic aftertaste, don’t worry — it’s an easy fix. Simply add more evaporated milk to balance the flavors and create a smoother, creamier drink.
Variations
The recipe presented here makes the rich and indulgent Pink Milk that you will find on the streets of Thailand. However, Pink Milk can also be made more simply by combining Sala syrup with whole milk. This is a somewhat healthier and easier version that's often made in Thai homes.
Although it's not traditional, Pink Milk served with boba is also delicious. Simply prepare the boba according to package directions and add a spoonful to your glass of Pink Milk. The boba adds that great chewy texture to the otherwise smooth drink.
Pink Milk FAQs
Pink Milk is a Thai drink known as Nom Yen or Nom Chompoo. It is made by mixing sala-flavored syrup with hot water, sweetened condensed milk, and evaporated milk. This sweet, floral concoction is served over ice for a supremely rich and refreshing treat.
Nom Yen is sweet, floral, and refreshing.
Nom Yen is made with an artificial syrup that mimics the taste of sala, a palm fruit native to Southeast Asia. This syrup is combined with hot water, sweetened condensed milk, and evaporated milk to make a rich and refreshing drink.
No, Nom Yen is made with an artificial syrup that mimics the taste of sala, a palm fruit native to Southeast Asia.
Pairs Well With...
Thai Pink Milk is rich, creamy, and refreshing. This makes it a great complement to any number of spicy Thai dishes. Here are a few that it'd be great with:
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Recipe
Thai Pink Milk (Nom Yen)
Equipment
Ingredients
- 4 Tablespoons sala-flavored syrup
- 2 Tablespoons sweetened condensed milk
- 8 Tablespoons evaporated milk
- ¾ cup hot water
- crushed ice to fill two glasses
Instructions
- Combine Ingredients: In a large Pyrex measuring cup, combine the ingredients in this order: 1) sala-flavored syrup, 2) sweetened condensed milk, 3) hot water, and 4) evaporated milk.
- Mix Together: Use a milk frother to mix until smooth. If you prefer a bit of froth on top, continue mixing until a foamy cap is formed. If you don't have a milk frother, a spoon will certainly work to mix the ingredients together without the foam.
- Pour Over Ice: Fill two glasses to the brim with crushed ice and pour the sweet drink over. Enjoy!
Notes
- If you are preparing more Pink Milk than you will drink in one sitting, forgo pouring it over ice until you are ready to drink it so that it doesn't become too dilute.
- If you find that your Pink Milk has a metallic aftertaste, this can be remedied by adding more evaporated milk.
Maddy Love
very slay
April west
A few years ago I decided I needed to backpack Thailand. I had never been backpacking before and here I was in a foreign country alone for a month . My first morning I stopped by a coffee stall and ordered a pink drink. Basically, waving my request as a whatever he got order. I never knew what I ordered and never saw it again, but it was the beginning of the rest of my life. That trip made me stronger and smarter than any books could have. I've always wondered what that pink drink was. Maybe this is it. Thank you for the reminder that I am awesome! I love your posts and I'll be making pink milk in the morning!
David
Very nice!
Jennifer Wurthner
My favorite drink is the classic Thai iced tea. In regards to the pink milk tea, is the sala syrup similar to hibiscus syrup?
admin
Thanks for commenting Jennifer! It's hard to beat Thai iced tea... Sala syrup has a sweeter, more floral flavor while hibiscus tea has more of a tangy kick.
Madeline
Oh wow, I've always wanted one of these. By the way does the pink milk taste like strawberry?
admin
Thanks for commenting Madeline! No, it has a very distinct taste, not like strawberry at all. You'll have to try it when you come visit!
Becca
Looks great!
Madeline
cool
Elaine
I've never had Thai pink milk, but it looks pretty!