Mediterranean Fruity Tapioca Jelly Drink
Refreshing, lightly sweet, and bursting with fruit—this Mediterranean-style Tapioca Jelly Drink blends chewy tapioca pearls with bright citrus, berries, and floral notes inspired by the Mediterranean coast. It’s cooling, beautiful to serve, and perfect for warm days, iftar, brunch, or parties.
Time Breakdown
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cooking Time: 15–20 minutes
Chilling Time: 30 minutes (recommended)
Total Time: ~1 hour
Ingredients (Serves 4)
For the Tapioca Jelly
½ cup small tapioca pearls (sago)
4 cups water
2 tablespoons honey or sugar (adjust to taste)
1 tablespoon rose water or orange blossom water (optional but very Mediterranean)
For the Fruity Drink Base
2 cups cold orange juice (freshly squeezed preferred)
1 cup pomegranate juice or mixed berry juice
1 cup sparkling water or cold still water
1 tablespoon lemon juice
½ teaspoon lemon or orange zest
Fruits & Add-Ins
½ cup diced strawberries
½ cup diced mango or peaches
2 tablespoons pomegranate seeds
Fresh mint leaves, lightly crushed
Ice cubes
Instructions
1. Cook the Tapioca
Bring 4 cups of water to a boil.
Add tapioca pearls and cook on medium heat for 12–15 minutes, stirring often, until pearls turn mostly translucent.
Turn off heat, cover, and let sit 5 minutes.
Drain and rinse under cold water to remove excess starch.
2. Sweeten the Jelly
Transfer cooked tapioca to a bowl.
Mix in honey (or sugar) and rose/orange blossom water while pearls are still warm.
Let cool completely.
Prepare the Fruity Base
In a large jug, combine:
- Orange juice
- Pomegranate (or berry) juice
- Lemon juice
- Citrus zest
Stir well, then chill for 20–30 minutes.
Assemble the Drink
Divide tapioca jelly among glasses.
Add ice cubes, fresh fruits, mint leaves, and pomegranate seeds.
Pour over the chilled fruit juice mixture.
Top with sparkling water just before serving.
Flavor Variations
- Creamy version: Add ¼ cup coconut milk or almond milk
- Herbal twist: Infuse drink with basil or rosemary
- Extra citrusy: Add a splash of mandarin or blood orange juice
- Kids’ version: Skip floral water and use apple + strawberry juice
Tips for Best Results
- Don’t overcook tapioca—it should be soft and bouncy
- Always rinse pearls to prevent clumping
- Serve the same day for best texture
- Adjust sweetness based on fruit ripeness
Final Thoughts
This Mediterranean Fruity Tapioca Jelly Drink is light, vibrant, and incredibly refreshing—chewy pearls, juicy fruits, citrus sparkle, and gentle floral notes in every sip. It’s as beautiful as it is delicious.
If you’d like, I can also share:
- Creamy milk-based tapioca drinks
- Sugar-free or dates-sweetened version
- Layered dessert cups with tapioca 🍓
Just tell me!