Flavored Ice Apple Dessert | Nungu Pal Recipe

Nungu Pal is a delicious, healthy dessert made by cooling boiled milk with various flavours. Nungu Pal is a body cooling substance for summer. I have shared different flavors like Rose, Nannari, Pista, Chocolate and Kesar Badam. The nungu in this recipe has a slightly jelly-like texture, so every sip feels nice and cool.

It is mildly sweet and delicious in taste, the nungu absorbs the flavor very well and easily mixes with milk. It is a great alternative to packaged juices and carbonated drinks which are rich in sugar. You can make it often when you have fresh Nunghu in season, it keeps the body cool and hydrated.

About Nungu Pal

Nungu Pal is a traditional South Indian summer cooler made using the palm fruit also known as Ice Apple. The palm fruit is peeled, cut into small cubes and mixed with cold milk. It is very popular in Tamil Nadu during the summer months when street vendors sell fresh nungu. This fruit is naturally cooling and light on the stomach.

The texture of this drink is very unique. The milk provides the creamy base while the nungu adds a soft bite in the middle. It tastes juicy and refreshing when you chew small pieces. The drink is not too heavy but still light enough for evening refreshment. This drink is mostly prepared during summer when the heat is very high.

It could be a sweet or a drink. If you want to make it more delicious then add a little condensed milk to the milk and then use different flavours.

There are many flavor variations that you can try. Gulab Sharbat gives floral sweetness, Nannari Sharbat gives earthy herbal flavour, chocolate makes it kid-friendly and pistachio gives it nuttiness. You can also try the mango, butterscotch or simple cardamom sugar versions. Each flavor has different color and taste.

I usually make it with different flavors so that everyone can choose what they like. It looks colorful and good when served together. Children get excited seeing many colors in the same tray.

nungu pal material

• nungu/palm fruit -It is the main ingredient of the drink. It has a soft, jelly-like texture and a very cool feeling. Fresh tender nungu always tastes better, so try to use it if you can get it.
• Milk – I used boiled and cold milk to make it creamy and smooth. It also balances the sweetness well.
• rose syrup – I just added it for the rose flavor and light pink color. It gives a sweet floral flavor that blends really well with the nungu. Add a little more or less as per your taste.
• Nannari Syrup – It gives a more traditional touch. It also adds a slight earthy flavor and a nice brown color.
• cocoa powder – I added a small amount for chocolate flavor. It gives a slight bitterness which really balances the sweetness. Use good quality powdered cocoa powder.
• chocolate sauce – This is just for added sweetness and better chocolate taste. I sometimes add a little on top. If you don’t like it too sweet then you can leave it out.
• Sugar – In some flavors I added extra sugar. Completely optional, increase or decrease as you like.
• pistachio – I chopped and used it for crunch and nutty flavor. You can also take almonds or cashew nuts instead of it.
• Saffron – I crushed some strands and soaked them in warm milk. It gives nice yellow color and mild royal flavour.
• Tutti Frutti – I added it for a little colorful look and sweetness. This is optional but kids love it.
• Almond – I chopped finely and added for richness. It gives a mild spicy and nutty flavour, if not available you can omit it.

similar recipe

How to make Nungu Pal step by step

1. Take milk in a saucepan, boil and cook on low flame for 5 minutes. Cool completely or refrigerate for an hour.

2.First peel the skin from the nungu. For this I used a total of 7 nungu. Cut it into cubes.

3. Strain the milk to remove remaining cream. -First of all take ¼ cup milk in a bowl

4. Add ¼ cup nungu, then add rose syrup and mix well. Your Gulab Nungu Pal is ready.

5. In a separate bowl, mix ¼ cup nungu with ¼ cup milk. Then add Nannari syrup to it and mix. Your Nannari Nungu Pal is ready. In a separate bowl, mix ¼ cup milk with ¼ cup nungu. Then add cocoa powder.

6.Add chocolate syrup and mix well with a spoon. Your Chocolate Nungu Pal is ready. In a separate bowl, mix ¼ cup milk with ¼ cup nungu. Add pistachio essence.

7. Add sugar and chopped pistachios and mix well. Your Pista Nungu Pal is ready.

8. Mix crushed saffron in 1 teaspoon hot milk and keep aside for 5 minutes. Take ¼ cup milk in another bowl, add saffron milk, tutti frutti and chopped almonds.

9.Add sugar and mix well. Let them cool and serve.

serve chilled!

Expert Tips

• Use fresh nunghu – I usually buy tender and fresh palm fruits. If it is not fresh, its texture becomes rubbery and not good.
• chilling – You can keep it in the fridge for at least 15 to 20 minutes. Served cold provides the best fresh taste.
• adjust sweetness – I only add extra sugar if necessary, sometimes the drink becomes too sweet. Some syrups are already very sweet.
• filter milk – I skim the milk before mixing. It gives smooth texture and clean look.
• serve immediately – After mixing, if left for too long, Nungu may release water. Therefore, mix and cool for some time before serving.

serving and storage

For best taste, serve Nungu Pal chilled in small glass cups. It tastes good as an evening drink during summers or as a dessert after lunch. Keep leftovers in the refrigerator and consume within a day. Since fresh fruit is added, it is better not to keep it for long. Stir once before serving again.

general questions and answers

1.Can I make nungu pal in advance?

You can prepare milk and keep it cool. You can add flavors just before serving for a fresh taste.

2.Can I use packaged palm fruit?

Fresh nungu gives great texture and cooling sensation. Packaged can be used but the taste may differ slightly.

3.Is it too sweet?

No, it depends on adding syrup and sugar. You can always adjust according to your taste.

4.Can I skip milk?

Yes, you can try with almond milk or other plant milks. The taste will change slightly but still good.

5.Can I try other flavors?

Yes, you can try the mango, butterscotch or simple cardamom sugar versions. This is a very flexible recipe and easy to adjust.

If you have any further questions about this Nungu Pal Recipe Mail me at sharmispassions@gmail.com. Also, follow me Instagram, Facebook, pinterest, youtube And Twitter .

tried this Nungu Pal Recipe ? Do let me know how you liked it. Tag us @sharmispassions on Instagram and hash tag #sharmispassions.

📖 Recipe Card