Alouda

Name: Alouda
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 20 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Mauritian
Ingredients: 1 litre cold milk; 3 tbsp basil seeds (tukmaria), soaked in water; 100g agar-agar jelly, cut into small cubes; 4 tbsp rose syrup; 3 tbsp sugar; 1 tsp vanilla extract; Crushed ice

Alouda (ah-LOO-dah)

Mauritian Milk Drink

⏱ Prep Time 20 min

📈 Difficulty Easy

👥 Servings

🔥 Calories 184 kcal

A sweet, refreshing drink made with milk, basil seeds, agar-agar jelly, rose syrup, and ice, the most iconic Mauritian street beverage.

Nutrition & Info

Protein 5.0g

Carbs 32.0g

Fat 4.0g

Protein Carbs Fat

Dietary

vegetarian gluten-free nut-free

Allergen Warnings

⚠ dairy

Equipment Needed

pitcher glasses saucepan

Presentation Guide

Vessel: tall glass

Garnishes: basil seeds visible, rose syrup swirl

Accompaniments: gateau piment, samoussa

Ingredients

1 litre cold milk
3 tbsp basil seeds (tukmaria), soaked in water
100g agar-agar jelly, cut into small cubes
4 tbsp rose syrup
3 tbsp sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
Crushed ice

Instructions

1
Soak basil seeds in water for fifteen minutes until they swell and develop a gel-like coating.
2
Prepare agar-agar jelly according to package instructions, let set, and cut into small cubes.
3
Dissolve sugar in a small amount of warm milk, then combine with the rest of the cold milk.
4
Add rose syrup and vanilla extract to the milk, stirring well to combine.
5
Divide soaked basil seeds and agar-agar cubes among four tall glasses. Pour the rose milk over the top.
6
Fill with crushed ice and stir. Serve immediately with a wide straw to catch the basil seeds and jelly.

💡

Did You Know?

Alouda vendors in Port Louis can serve over a thousand glasses on a hot day, making it one of the highest-volume street drinks in the Indian Ocean.

Chef's Notes

Equipment Tips

pitcher
glasses
saucepan

Garnishing

basil seeds visible, rose syrup swirl

Accompaniments

gateau piment, samoussa

The Story Behind Alouda

Alouda is the drink that defines Mauritian street culture, a sweet, refreshing beverage that traces its origins to the Indian falooda. The Mauritian version has been simplified and adapted to local tastes, with the distinctive combination of basil seeds, agar-agar jelly, and rose syrup creating a drink that is both a beverage and a textural experience. Street vendors selling alouda from pushcarts are a beloved sight across the island, and no visit to Port Louis market is complete without a glass.

🕐 Traditionally enjoyed afternoon refreshment, street drink 📜 Origins: Indian-Mauritian tradition

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