Phoenix's Mixed Fruit Tapioca Drink

 

Now that summertime is here, we've been spending a lot of money on Phoenix's Mixed Fruits Tapioca. The ingredients are simple enough: sweetened coconut milk, white tapioca and freshly diced melons and stone fruits, served over a scoop of crushed ice. The drink is cold and refreshing, with the fresh fruit curbing the heaviness of the coconut milk. Considering how much one cup costs ($3.25), it's safe to say that an attempt at a homemade version was called for. I am happy to report that this recipe is spot on and tastes very much like Phoenix's version - only better because we can really pile on all the yummy fruit!

Mixed Fruits Tapioca Drink

adapted from Steamy Kitchen

Ingredients

3 cups water 

1 1/4 cups sugar (or to taste)

2/3 cup small dried tapioca pearls 

1 1/2 cup whole milk 

2 cups coconut milk 

2 cups diced fruit (watermelon, mango, honeydew, cantaloupe)

Directions

In a medium sized pot, bring the water and sugar to a boil. When boiling, turn the heat to low and stir in the milk. When the mixture returns to a boil, turn off the heat and stir in the coconut milk. I recommend starting off with a smaller amount of sugar and then adjusting to your taste. I added the full amount and found it to be way too sweet. Remove from heat, cool and chill in the refrigerator. Soak the tapioca pearls in cold water for 20 minutes. The pearls will expand and turn bright white. Drain. In a medium pot, add about a quart of water and bring to a boil. Turn off heat, add the drained tapioca pearls and stir constantly for 2 minutes. Immediately drain in fine mesh sieve and run cold water through the sieve to stop the tapioca pearls from cooking further. Add it to the chilled coconut milk mixture. 

To serve as a drink, pour the sweet coconut milk with tapioca over crushed ice into a tall glass and add a big spoonful of diced, fresh fruit on top. Phoenix in an instant!