Faaluda
Faaluda is a popular and cooling summer drink enjoyed across South Asia, especially in India and Pakistan. Rich, colorful, and full of texture, Faaluda is not just a drink—it’s a dessert in a glass. This sweet treat is made with layers of rose syrup, soaked basil seeds (sabja), vermicelli, milk, ice cream, and often jelly or dry fruits.
Here’s a complete guide to making Faaluda at home. It’s simple, tasty, and perfect for hot summer days.
Ingredients (Serves 2):
- Chilled milk – 2 cups
- Rose syrup – 3 to 4 tablespoons
- Sabja (basil seeds) – 2 tablespoons
- Falooda sev (vermicelli) – ½ cup (can use thin rice or corn vermicelli)
- Vanilla or rose ice cream – 2 scoops
- Sugar – optional, to taste
- Chopped dry fruits (optional) – 2 tablespoons (almonds, pistachios, cashews)
- Jelly cubes (optional) – ¼ cup
- Crushed ice or ice cubes – as needed
Preparation Steps:
1. Soak Sabja Seeds
Take the basil seeds and soak them in water for about 15-20 minutes. They will swell up and become jelly-like. Strain and keep aside.
2. Cook the Vermicelli
Boil the falooda sev in water until soft (usually 5–7 minutes). Drain and rinse with cold water to prevent sticking. If you don’t have falooda sev, you can use regular thin vermicelli as a substitute.
3. Prepare the Milk
Chill the milk in the refrigerator. If you prefer a sweeter version, you can add 1–2 teaspoons of sugar to the milk and mix well until dissolved.
4. Layer the Faaluda
Take tall glasses and start layering:
- First, add 1–2 tablespoons of rose syrup at the bottom.
- Add 1 tablespoon of soaked sabja seeds.
- Add 2 tablespoons of cooked vermicelli.
- Add a few jelly cubes if using.
- Pour chilled milk on top, filling the glass ¾ full.
- Add a scoop of vanilla or rose ice cream.
- Sprinkle some chopped dry fruits on top.
5. Serve Immediately
Faaluda is best served immediately while it’s chilled and fresh. You can also add a straw and a long spoon to enjoy the layers.
Add Extras for a Twist
Traditional Falooda is amazing, but you can always add your own twist:
- Chopped fruits like mango, strawberries, or kiwi
- Jelly cubes (especially rose or mango flavor)
- Kulfi instead of ice cream
- A drizzle of saffron milk for richness
Tips:
- You can experiment with different flavors of syrup like mango or saffron.
- Rose syrup gives the classic flavor, but rooh afza or other floral syrups also work well.
- Use almond or coconut milk for a vegan version.
