strawberry sago

a creamy and refreshing strawberry sago dessert with soft tapioca pearls, homemade strawberry milk, fresh strawberry chunks and a homemade pink coconut jelly made with rose syrup. the most beautiful summer strawberry sago bowl.

You can also make this creamy, chewy dessert with mango—my mango sago is just as refreshing.

this strawberry and sago drink is, in my opinion, everything a summer dessert should be: cold, creamy, fruity and completely refreshing. it has soft and chewy tapioca pearls swimming in a homemade strawberry milk with fresh strawberry chunks and the star of the show: a homemade pink coconut jelly made with coconut milk and rose syrup that sets into the most gorgeous blush-pink cubes you’ve ever seen in a dessert bowl.

strawberry sago is a popular southeast asian dessert drink that’s sweet, creamy and packed with texture, and this version is one of the prettiest and most refreshing ways to make it. it’s easy, it’s customisable, it works as a dessert or a drink, and it’s absolutely perfect for summer!

why you’ll love this strawberry sago dessert recipe

• creamy and refreshing – the combination of the chilled strawberry milk, juicy and fresh strawberries, and the ice, makes this dessert very light and refreshing, and absolutely perfect for hot summer days! condensed milk adds richness and sweetness, but this strawberry sago bowl as a whole is creamy and rich without being heavy.

• the homemade pink coconut jelly!! – this strawberry sago drink recipe features a coconut milk and rose syrup jelly that sets into the most beautiful blush-pink cubes. this coconut jelly is creamy, lightly floral, delicate and unlike anything you’d get from a store-bought jelly. it makes this strawberry sago drink look as good as it tastes.

• customisable – this strawberry sago recipe is completely customisable. you can use any kind of fruits that you like for this recipe. and you can really add any other ingredients that you want, or opt out of certain things that you don’t love. you really can’t go wrong when it comes to making this strawberry sago. you can make it with coconut milk instead of regular milk, add mango or lychee, swap the rose syrup for pandan, make it dairy free etc. this strawberry sago bowl recipe works as a base for endless variations.

learn how to make this easy strawberry sago

for this strawberry sago recipe, we’re going to begin by making the pink coconut jelly, pouring it into a dish and letting it set in the fridge overnight. the next day, we cook the tapioca pearls according to package instructions until almost translucent, then rinse with cold water and set aside to cool. then, we’ll make strawberry milk with fresh strawberries, sugar, milk and heavy cream. once the coconut jelly is set, we cut it into small cubes. everything goes into a large bowl: the cooked sago, fresh strawberry chunks, pink coconut jelly cubes and condensed milk, and then we pour over the homemade strawberry milk. add ice, mix and we’re done!

what is sago ?

sago is a starch extracted from the pith of tropical palm trees, and processed into small round pearls. the pearls are cooked in boiling water until almost translucent and slightly chewy, similar in texture to tapioca pearls, which is why the two are often used interchangeably. sago pearls are a staple ingredient in a lot of desserts and drinks across southeast asia, south asia and the philippines. you’ll usually find them in things like sago drinks and puddings as well as bubble tea-style dessert bowls like this one.

is sago better than tapioca ?

– sago and tapioca pearls are very similar in appearance and texture once cooked. sago comes from palm trees while tapioca comes from cassava root, but in most dessert recipes they can be used interchangeably.

is sago healthier than tapioca ?

– sago and tapioca both have a similar nutritional profile. both are mainly starch with low protein and fat. neither is significantly healthier than the other. the overall healthiness of the dish depends more on what you serve them with.

what is strawberry sago ?

– authentic strawberry sago is a popular dessert drink with roots in southeast asian and filipino cuisine. it’s basically a cold, creamy bowl or cup of cooked sago pearls in a sweet, milky strawberry base, usually with fresh fruit, jellies and condensed milk. it sits somewhere between a dessert and a drink, can be served in a bowl or a cup, and is probably one of the most refreshing things you can make in summer!

strawberry sago recipe ingredients

strawberry sago ingredients used in this recipe are listed below:

for the coconut jelly:

• gelatin powder – the gelatin powder sets the jelly firm enough to cut into cubes while keeping it soft and wobbly. we’re going to bloom the gelatin in cold water before adding it to the warm liquid.

• cold water – we’re going to use cold water to dissolve the gelatin before adding it to the warm milk.

• milk – combined with the coconut milk to lighten the jelly slightly and give it a softer, more delicate texture.

• coconut milk – you’ll need full-fat coconut milk if you want to make this strawberry sago with coconut jelly cubes in it. the coconut milk gives the strawberry sago coconut jelly a pronounced coconut flavour and helps make it rich and creamy.

• granulated sugar – this is used to sweeten the coconut jelly. feel free to adjust to taste depending on how sweet your want the jelly to be.

• rose syrup – rose syrup adds a floral sweetness and turns the strawberry sago jelly a beautiful blush pink without any other food colouring. use a good quality rose syrup for the best colour and flavour.

for the strawberry sago:

• tapioca pearls/sago pearls – the main ingredient in this strawberry jelly sago recipe. cook according to package instructions until almost translucent with a slight chew. rinse with cold water after cooking to remove excess starch and stop them sticking.

• water – the tapioca pearls/sago pearls will be added to boiling water to cook them.

• fresh strawberries -we’re going to chop up fresh strawberries to add to the bowl. i also like make this strawberry sago with strawberry milk made from fresh strawberries, so we’re going to blend some of the strawberries with milk, heavy cream and sugar to make our strawberry sago milk mixture.

• milk – for the strawberry milk base. full fat milk or whole milk gives the creamiest result.

• granulated sugar – to sweeten the strawberry milk. you might have to adjust this depending on how sweet your strawberries are.

• heavy cream or double cream – a little bit of heavy cream in the strawberry milk mixture helps make this strawberry sago creamy and rich.

• condensed milk – i like to make this strawberry sago recipe with condensed milk for a lovely richness and sweetness. you can adjust the amount to your taste.

• ice cubes – ice cubes are essential, as this is a cold dessert. to make your strawberry sago pudding chilled and refreshing, add lots of ice cubes.

tools:

• small pan – for warming the coconut jelly mixture.

• shallow dish or container – to pour the coconut jelly into and set in the fridge. a flat-bottomed container makes it easier to cut into even cubes.

• a pot – we’re going to be cooking the sago pearls/tapioca pearls in a pot on the stove.

• knife – for cutting the set jelly into cubes and chopping the strawberries.

• blender – you’ll need a blender to make the strawberry milk.

• large bowl – we’re going to be adding the strawberry sago components in one big bowl, so you’ll need to make sure you have one that fits everything in.

• ladle – to portion out the strawberry sago into individual cups and bowls for serving.

step by step instructions

for full measurements, keep scrolling down to the recipe below.

step one: make the pink coconut jelly first. you’ll need to place this in the fridge overnight so make sure to do this before you start making your strawberry sago dessert. first, bloom the gelatin – add cold water to a bowl, then sprinkle the gelatin powder all over the top. let the mixture sit for a few minutes, until the gelatin starts to absorb the water and become firm.

step two: warm milk and sugar over the stove in a pot and stir until the sugar dissolves and the mixture is warm – do not boil. add the bloomed gelatin to the milk, stirring it in until it dissolves in the milk

step three: add the coconut milk, and cook this for 1-2 minutes, gently bringing the mixture to a boil.

step four: stir in the rose syrup. taste and adjust sweetness if needed.

step five: remove from the heat, and pour the mixture into a shallow dish or container. let the pink coconut jelly mixture cool completely at room temperature. then, cover and place the container in the fridge overnight so that the jelly can fully set and become firm.

step six: the next day, once the jelly is set, cut the coconut jelly into small cubes and set aside.

step seven: cook the tapioca pearls according to package instructions. generally, this will involve adding to boiling water and cooking over medium heat, stirring gently, until almost translucent. then, remove from heat, cover with a lid and let sit in the water for 5-10 minutes.

step eight: drain the cooked sago and rinse thoroughly with cold water to remove excess starch and set aside to cool.

step nine: wash, hull and split the strawberries into two portions. chop one of the portions into small chunks for the strawberry sago bowl. add the other portion to a blender with the milk, heavy cream and sugar and blend until smooth.

step ten: in a large bowl, add the cooked sago, the fresh strawberry chunks and the pink coconut jelly cubes.

step eleven: add the sweetened condensed milk to the strawberry sago bowl.

step twelve: pour the homemade strawberry milk mixture over the components of the strawberry sago bowl.

step thirteen: add plenty of ice cubes and mix everything together.

step nine: serve immediately!

tips and notes

• make the coconut jelly first. it needs at least 5-6 hours to set in the fridge. i’d recommend making it the night before for the best results.

• make sure to bloom the gelatin properly. sprinkle the gelatin powder over cold water and leave for a few minutes before adding to the warm milk mixture. adding unblocked gelatin will result in a jelly that doesn’t set properly.

• try to use ripe, fresh, sweet strawberries for the best flavour and texture in your strawberry sago. the quality of the strawberries makes a huge difference to the strawberry milk and to the overall flavour of the bowl, so the riper and sweeter the better.

• adjust sugar and sweetness to your taste. the condensed milk, sugar in the strawberry milk, and sugar in the jelly all contribute to the sweetness in this strawberry sago dessert bowl. taste as you go and adjust each element to your preference.

• it is usually recommended to rinse sago with water before cooking – follow package instructions for soaking and cooking time.

• once you have cooked and drained the sago, rinse with cold water to remove any extra starch. this will also help them cool down.

• i’d recommending chilling the strawberry sago bowl in the fridge before serving if you have time. assemble everything without the ice and refrigerate for an hour or two before serving. the flavours meld together beautifully and it’s even more refreshing. add the ice just before serving.

• feel free to customise your strawberry sago with different flavours and components. you could add other fruits and make something like a strawberry mango sago or strawberry lychee sago or switch the flavour up with something that will complement it well, like strawberry matcha sago or strawberry ube sago. you could make this strawberry sago with coconut milk or heavy cream for extra richness, or even add other flavoured jellies to your strawberry sago!

• strawberry sago is best eaten on the day it’s made. if you want to prep ahead, store each component separately in the fridge and assemble just before serving.

frequently asked questions

1. what does strawberry sago taste like ?

   – strawberry sago is sweet, creamy, fruity and refreshing. the strawberry milk is rich and sweet, the sago pearls are soft and slightly chewy, the fresh strawberry chunks are juicy and bright, and the pink coconut jelly is creamy and lightly floral from the rose syrup. it’s cold, it’s sweet, and it’s packed with different textures!

2. is strawberry sago good ?

   – personally, i think strawberry sago is genuinely one of the most satisfying desserts you can make in summer! the combination of creamy strawberry milk, chewy sago, fresh strawberries, condensed milk and homemade pink coconut jelly is so refreshing, especially served very cold with plenty of ice.

3. is sago edible ?

   – yes, sago pearls are completely edible once cooked. raw sago pearls are hard and chalky and must be cooked before eating. once cooked until almost translucent, sago pearls become soft and chewy and have a very neutral flavour, which is why they work really well in sweet desserts and drinks.

4. how long is strawberry sago good for in the fridge ?

   – strawberry sago is best consumed on the day it’s made. if you want to prep ahead, store the components separately and assemble just before serving. stored separately, each component will keep for 2-3 days in the fridge.

5. how long is sago good for ?

   – cooked sago pearls are best eaten on the day they’re made. but stored in airtight container in the fridge, they’ll keep for a few days.

6. is strawberry sago filipino ?

   – sago desserts are particularly popular in the philippines and across southeast asia, where sago drinks and fruit sago bowls are a classic street food and dessert.

7. can i make this strawberry sago with frozen strawberries instead of fresh ones ?

   – while fresh strawberries are ideal for this strawberry sago recipe for the best flavour and texture, you can use frozen ones if you don’t have fresh strawberries on hand. just thaw them and drain any excess liquid before adding them in.

8. can i make strawberry blueberry sago or strawberry banana sago ?

   – yes, you can absolutely adjust the flavour of this strawberry sago to your preference and use any kind of fruit that you like, such as mangoes, peaches, berries, bananas or even a combination of fruits. bear in mind that some fruits are sweeter than others so you might want to reduce some of the condensed milk or sugar so that the sago is not too sweet if you are using a sweeter fruit.

9. how long is sago good for ?

   – this strawberry sago can be stored in the fridge in an airtight container for 2-3 days, but i would recommend consuming it within a day or two, when everything is fresh and has the best texture and flavour.

10. how long does it take to cook strawberry sago pearls ?

    – the cooking time for sago will depend on the size of the pearls, but you will usually be able to find cooking times on the package instructions. generally, you want to cook the sago until it becomes almost translucent.

11. is strawberry sago healthy ?

    – strawberry sago can be fairly healthy in comparison to some other dessert options, but it would really depend on the ingredients used. if you do want to make this strawberry sago healthier, you can reduce the sugar or experiment with other sweetener options instead of sugar and condensed milk, like honey.

12. can i make this strawberry coconut sago recipe without a blender?

    – a blender is used in this strawberry tapioca recipe for making the strawberry milk. it will make things easier for you, but if you don’t have one, you can try mashing the strawberries then whisking the milk, heavy cream and sugar in with the mashed strawberries. bear in mind that the texture won’t be as smooth if you do this. you can also just buy packaged strawberry milk and add that in if you prefer.

13. can i make this strawberry sago recipe with coconut milk instead of plain milk ?

    – if you want to make this strawberry sago with coconut milk, you can absolutely replace all or part of the regular milk in the strawberry milk mixture with coconut milk. just mix fresh strawberries, heavy cream, sugar and coconut milk and blend until smooth.

14. can i make this strawberry sago with sprite or soda ?

    – yes! you could replace some of the strawberry milk with cold sprite, lemonade or soda water for a lighter, fizzy strawberry sago hwachae style drink. the carbonation adds a refreshing fizz that works well on a hot day. add the sprite or soda just before serving so it doesn’t go flat.

15. can i make this strawberry sago with jello instead of a homemade coconut jelly ?

    – this strawberry sago with coconut jelly recipe is quite easy to make and the jelly has a lovely, delicate flavour, so i’d really recommend it, but yes, you could definitely use a strawberry, berry or coconut flavoured jello as a quick substitute for the pink coconut jelly if you want to make this strawberry sago recipe easy and quick. set it according to package instructions, cut into cubes and add to the bowl the same way. the flavour and texture will be slightly different, and it’ll be less creamy and more sweet, but it’s a good shortcut if you want something quick.

16. can i make this strawberry sago without condensed milk and use something else instead ?

    – i love making this strawberry sago with condensed milk for added richness and sweetness. but if you want to skip it, some other options that might work could be honey, a strawberry puree or jam, or a little extra granulated sugar to sweeten instead. the condensed milk adds both sweetness and a creamy richness, so without it the sago bowl will be a little lighter. you can adjust the sweetness gradually and taste as you go.

17. can i make this strawberry sago recipe with evaporated milk ?

    – yes, you can definitely make this strawberry sago with evaporated milk if you like! you could swap the condensed milk for evaporated milk for a less sweet, less rich finish and add a little extra sugar to compensate. or you could even just add a little bit of evaporated milk alongside the condensed milk and plain milk to the sago bowl.

18. can i make this strawberry sago recipe without coconut milk ?

    yes, you can make this strawberry sago without coconut milk since the actual sago bowl doesn’t have coconut milk in it, just the homemade coconut jelly. you can skip the homemade pink coconut jelly and make this strawberry sago with nata de coco instead, or a store-bought flavoured jelly.

19. can i make this strawberry sago matcha flavoured ?

    – yes! strawberry and matcha is such a great combination, so matcha would work really well in this strawberry sago bowl. for a strawberry matcha sago recipe, you could add matcha to the milk base and also make a matcha flavoured coconut jelly to serve with the sago and fresh strawberries.

20. can i make this strawberry sago dairy free ?

    – yes, you can make this strawberry sago dairy free by swapping the regular milk with full-fat coconut milk or any kind of plant-based milk, and use a dairy-free condensed milk alternative (coconut condensed milk works well).

recipe