Recipes
How to Make Pandan Milk (Sâm Dứa Sữa) — A Refreshing Vietnamese Drink
Pinkybee · 24/06/2026 · 7 min read
Pandan milk (sâm dứa sữa) is a cool, non-alcoholic green drink made from fresh pandan leaves or pandan syrup with condensed and fresh milk. Easy to make at home, just as good as a cafe.
What is pandan milk (sâm dứa sữa)?
Pandan milk, known in Vietnamese as sâm dứa sữa, is a NON-ALCOHOLIC drink with a soft green color, made by combining the aroma of pandan leaves with condensed milk and fresh milk. The signature fragrant, refreshing note of pandan blends with the light creaminess of milk to create a cooling, easy-to-drink beverage, especially suited to hot summer days.
There are two popular ways to prepare it. One uses fresh pandan leaves: blend, strain, then gently cook to extract a naturally fragrant essence. The other is a quick method using ready-made pandan syrup or pandan tea, convenient for busy people and for business menus. Both produce a cool, eye-catching green drink that is safe for all ages.
The appeal of pandan milk lies in its balance between refreshing and creamy. With the right ratio and a few small tips to avoid bitterness and prevent the layers from separating, you can make a glass of pandan milk that tastes just like a cafe, right at home.
Ingredients for one glass of pandan milk
Using fresh pandan leaves for about two glasses: prepare 100g of washed fresh pandan leaves, 400ml of water for blending and cooking, 40ml of sweetened condensed milk, 120ml of unsweetened fresh milk, a little sugar to taste and ice cubes. Choose deep green, unwilted leaves for a clear aroma and a naturally pretty color.
Using the quick method with syrup or pandan tea: prepare 25ml of pandan syrup (or one strongly brewed pandan tea bag), 30ml of condensed milk, 120ml of unsweetened fresh milk, water and ice cubes. This method is fast and well suited when you need to serve many glasses or run a business.
For equipment you will need a blender (for the fresh-leaf method), a fine strainer or filter bag, a small pot, a glass, and ideally a shaker or a lidded glass to shake the mixture evenly. You can also add crunchy aloe vera to turn it into pandan aloe milk.
