5 Minute Recipes/ Asian Recipes/ Drinks/ Recipes/ Super Simple/ Valentine's Day

Pink Milk (Thai Nom Yen – นมเย็น)

30/04/2020 (Last Updated: 31/07/2020)

A frosty glass of Thai Nom Yen is essential on a hot day! Pink Milk is a sweet drink similar to a strawberry milkshake, and made with the famous Hale’s Blue Boy Sala Syrup. Stirred and served in under a minute!

Two glasses of pink milk with Hale's Blue Boy Sala syrup.

Why We Love This

When it’s hot outside or you need an energy kick, Pink Milk is the answer! We love that you can mix a couple of these up in under a minute and be transported straight back to Thailand amongst the night markets in Bangkok on your first sip.

It’s so versatile, depending on your ingredients on hand, you can make it with only fresh milk or condensed milk and ice, or all three!

Related: Thai Iced Tea / Teh C Peng

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Frosty glass with Thai Nom Yen.

What is Thai Pink Milk? 

Pink Milk is like an intensely sweet and refreshing iced milk drink flavoured with sala syrup. You may have heard it referred to as pink milk, pinky milk, nom yen or even nom chompoo. Most people think it’s very similar to strawberry milk or strawberry quik powder.

You’ll often find Thai Nom Yen at street vendors in Thailand. It goes hand in hand while you’re chowing down on a batch of crispy Thai Spring Rolls or fresh Miang Kham.

While it’s usually made as a drink, we’ve also seen the mixture used in a cake!

A glass of this sweet drink is great as an afternoon pick me up when you’re looking for a caffeine free option.

What You’ll Need for Nom Yen

Only three ingredients, or four if you want to add ice, which is completely up to you! You’ll need a bottle of Hale’s Blue Boy Sala Syrup on hand to get the party started. If you can’t find it online, check your nearest Asian supermarket – that’s where we got ours.

Three ingredients for pink milk.

How to Make Pink Milk:

Grab a large glass. You can pop it in the freezer for 5-10 minutes before serving for an extra chilled experience. Next fill it with ice (optional).

Hand pouring ice into glass.

Pour in your sala syrup and condensed milk.

Pouring condensed milk over sala syrup.

Pour over your milk, stir everything together and serve immediately.

Pouring milk for Pink Milk drink.

Wandercook’s Tips

  • Chilling the glass first keeps your drink extra cool on a hot day.
  • For a thicker drink, you can froth the milk before pouring it in.
  • Whiz it up with the ice in a blender to turn it into a frappe!

FAQs

What is sala syrup?

Sala syrup is bright red in colour and is inspired by the South East Asian palm fruit known as salacca. Sala syrup itself is completely artificial, very sweet and similar in taste to strawberry, but more aromatic. We can tell you from experience, the fruit itself is just as tasty as the syrup!

What does pink milk taste like?

Similar to strawberry milk, but more intense and sweet in flavour. It’s very aromatic and will definitely appease your sense of smell as well as your tastebuds.

How do I store the Hale’s Blue Boy Syrup?

Once opened, you can keep it in the cupboard with the lid on. It’s almost all sugar, so it won’t be going bad anytime soon!

Variations

  • To make the drink less sweet leave out the condensed milk.
  • If you can’t get your hands on sala syrup, replace with strawberry or raspberry syrup instead for a similar taste.
  • Try other syrup flavours such as cantaloupe or creaming soda.
  • Top with whipped cream and a cherry, for an even fancier version.
  • For a vegan version, leave out the milks, and pour the syrup over shaved ice and chilled water instead.
Glass of pink milk on wooden serving board.

For more amazing drink recipes, try these next:

★ Did you make this recipe? Please leave a comment and star rating below!

Glass of Thai pink milk on dark background.

Pink Milk – Thai Nom Yen

A frosty glass of Thai Nom Yen is essential on a hot day! Pink Milk is a sweet drink similar to a strawberry milkshake, made with the famous Hale’s Blue Boy Sala Syrup. Stirred and served in under a minute!
5 from 8 votes
Prep Time: 1 minute
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Total Time: 1 minute
Course: Drink, Drinks
Cuisine: Thai
Servings: 1 glass
Calories: 294kcal
Author: Wandercooks
Cost: $5

Equipment

Ingredients

Optional

  • 8 ice cubes optional

Instructions

  • Grab a large glass. You can pop it in the freezer for 5-10 minutes before serving for an extra chilled experience. Next fill it with ice (optional).
    8 ice cubes
  • Pour in your sala syrup and condensed milk.
    1 tbsp sala syrup, 2 tbsp condensed milk
  • Pour over your milk, stir everything together and serve immediately.
    3/4 cup milk

Video

YouTube video

Recipe Notes

Cook’s Tips
  • Chilling the glass first keeps your drink extra cool on a hot day.
  • For a thicker drink, you can froth the milk before pouring it in.
  • Whiz it up with the ice in a blender to turn it into a frappe!
FAQs
  • What is sala syrup? Sala syrup is bright red in colour and is inspired by the South East Asian palm fruit known as salacca. Sala syrup itself is completely artificial, very sweet and similar in taste to strawberry, but more aromatic. We can tell you from experience, the fruit itself is just as tasty as the syrup!
  • What does pink milk taste like? Similar to strawberry milk, but more intense and sweet in flavour. It’s very aromatic and will definitely appease your sense of smell as well as your tastebuds.
  • How do I store the Hale’s Blue Boy Syrup? Once opened, you can keep it in the cupboard with the lid on. It’s almost all sugar, so it won’t be going bad anytime soon!
Variations & Substitutes
  • To make the drink less sweet, leave out the condensed milk.
  • If you can’t get your hands on sala syrup, replace with strawberry or raspberry syrup instead for a similar taste.
  • Try other syrup flavours such as cantaloupe or creaming soda.
  • Top with whipped cream and a cherry, for an even fancier version.
  • For a vegan version, leave out the milks, and pour the syrup over shaved ice and chilled water instead.

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts
Pink Milk – Thai Nom Yen
Amount per Serving
Calories
294
% Daily Value*
Fat
 
9
g
14
%
Saturated Fat
 
6
g
38
%
Cholesterol
 
32
mg
11
%
Sodium
 
147
mg
6
%
Potassium
 
390
mg
11
%
Carbohydrates
 
45
g
15
%
Sugar
 
46
g
51
%
Protein
 
9
g
18
%
Vitamin A
 
403
IU
8
%
Vitamin C
 
1
mg
1
%
Calcium
 
320
mg
32
%
Iron
 
1
mg
6
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
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12 Comments

  • Reply
    Jessica
    15/08/2021 at 5:57 pm

    5 stars
    Hmm this is an amazing way of making something special.
    I will try it, and share with my hubby and family.
    Thank you so much.

    • Reply
      Wandercooks
      16/08/2021 at 1:01 pm

      You’re very welcome! 🙂

  • Reply
    Toni
    06/05/2020 at 10:26 pm

    5 stars
    This is so good! Delicious and really refreshing!

    • Reply
      Wandercooks
      07/05/2020 at 9:56 am

      Thanks Toni!

  • Reply
    Erin
    06/05/2020 at 9:57 pm

    5 stars
    I knew I had to try this recipe when it said it tastes similar to a strawberry milkshake! So delicious and a great treat in the afternoon.

    • Reply
      Wandercooks
      07/05/2020 at 9:56 am

      Right! Hope you liked the taste – it is so interesting!

  • Reply
    Charla
    06/05/2020 at 9:04 pm

    5 stars
    Wow! What a beautiful drink. I would love to try my hand at a vegan version of your pink milk.

    • Reply
      Wandercooks
      07/05/2020 at 9:56 am

      The vegan version is just as good, we love putting it in soda water too for the fizzy experience haha.

  • Reply
    Farah Maizar
    06/05/2020 at 8:34 pm

    5 stars
    How lovely! My daughter would love this- so cheery! I’ll try this with one of the sub syrups!

    • Reply
      Wandercooks
      07/05/2020 at 9:55 am

      Perfect – enjoy!

  • Reply
    Chris Collins
    06/05/2020 at 7:27 pm

    5 stars
    I love that this is only 3 ingredients! It looks so delicious!!

    • Reply
      Wandercooks
      07/05/2020 at 9:54 am

      Thanks Chris! It’s definitely a good quick and easy one.

    Leave a Reply

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