If you’re searching for a refreshing and wholesome summer beverage, this Chikoo Shake (Sapota Milkshake) is a perfect choice.
It’s delicious and easy to make, and a Vietnamese touch will elevate its flavor even more.
What is Chikoo?
Chikoo (Sapota, Sapodilla) is a fruit that originated in southern Mexico and Central America, but it has become popular in tropical Asia, including Vietnam. In Vietnamese, this fruit is called “sa pô chê” or “hồng xiêm”.
If you visit my country, tropical fruits are a must-try. Besides chikoo, popular fruits in Vietnam are durian, lychee, rambutan, longan, dragon fruit and jackfruit.
Locals often use fresh fruits to make refreshing smoothies such as avocado, soursop, and durian, as well as in desserts like Chè Thái (fruit cocktail).
Aside from enjoying fresh fruits, dried tropical fruits also make fantastic souvenirs from your trip to Vietnam.
How does Chikoo taste?
Chikoo’s taste is often described as a mellow, sweet blend of jaggery and caramel, similar to a combination of brown sugar and pear.
The texture of ripe chikoo is soft and creamy, reminiscent of a ripe pear or custard apple. It’s not only a delicious fruit but also offers numerous health benefits.
Ingredients for Chikoo Shake
Since Chikoo already has natural sweetness, we don’t need many ingredients for this Chikoo milkshake, but there’s one ingredient I highly recommend to give this shake a Vietnamese touch.
- Chikoo fruit / Sapota fruit: Choose the ripe fruits.
- Milk: Use plant-based milk if you don’t consume dairy products.
- Sweetened condensed milk / Sugar (optional): Since ripe chikoo fruits are already sweet, I don’t use additional sweeteners in my recipe, but you can adjust according to your taste.
- Ice cubes
- Coffee: This is the star ingredient for a Vietnamese-style Chikoo smoothie.
- In Vietnam, coffee is versatile, used in drinks like Egg Coffee, Salt Coffee, Coconut Coffee, and even in desserts like coffee jelly or poured over flan . I use instant Vietnamese coffee, but you can use any type of coffee you have on hand.
Instructions
- Peel the chikoo fruits and remove the seeds.
- Put all the ingredients in a blender and blend on high speed until smooth. Your chikoo shake is now ready to enjoy.
Helpful Tips
- You can substitute milk with coconut milk. The flavor is reminiscent of Vietnamese Coffee and Coconut Slush (Cà Phê Dừa).
- I always enjoy this sweet, caramel-like smoothie with savory snacks like Bánh Pate Sô (Pâté Chaud) or Bánh Bao (Steamed Buns). They make the perfect combo.
More refreshing ideas for summer
Chikoo Shake | Sapota Milkshake (Vietnamese-Style)
Ingredients
- 2 chikoo fruits (sapota, sapodilla)
- ½ tbsp sweetened condensed milk (optional)
- 3 tbsp milk
- 1 tsp Instant Coffee
Instructions
- Peel the fruits and remove the seeds.
- Combine all the ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth. Your chikoo shake is now ready to be enjoyed.
