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Loading...This iconic Senegalese refresher whirls tangy baobab fruit pulp with cold water, sugar, and a splash of milk for a creamy, citrusy beverage. Packed with natural vitamin C and fiber, it's the perfect cooling sip on a hot afternoon. Serve it well-chilled over plenty of ice.
Prep Time10 mins
Cook Time0 mins
Total Time10 mins
Servings4
Yield4 tall glasses (about 1 quart)
Nutrition Facts
Per serving (estimated)
- 175 kcalCalories
- 1.5 gFat
- 0.5 gSaturated Fat
- 38 gCarbs
- 5 gFiber
- 30 gSugar
- 2 gProtein
- 35 mgSodium
- 280 mgPotassium
- 90 mgCalcium
- 1.5 mgIron
- 60 mgVitamin C
- 50 mcgVitamin A
Ingredients
For the drink
- 6 tablespoons baobab fruit powder (bouye)
- 4 cups cold filtered water, divided
- 1/2 to 3/4 cup granulated sugar, to taste
- 1/2 cup evaporated milk or whole milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- Ice cubes, for serving
- Fresh mint leaves, for garnish (optional)
Directions
- In a small bowl, whisk the baobab fruit powder with 1/2 cup of warm water until completely smooth and free of lumps, forming a thick slurry.
- Pour the slurry into a large pitcher and add the remaining 3 1/2 cups of cold water. Stir vigorously for about 1 minute to help the powder fully dissolve.
- Strain the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve into another pitcher to catch any fibrous bits or seed fragments, then discard the solids.
- Add the sugar, evaporated milk, vanilla extract, and fresh lemon juice to the pitcher. Stir well until the sugar is completely dissolved, tasting and adjusting sweetness as desired.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or until thoroughly chilled, allowing the flavors to meld.
- Give the drink a final stir, then pour into tall glasses filled with ice cubes.
- Garnish each glass with a sprig of fresh mint if desired and serve immediately while cold.
Cook’s Notes
- For a richer, dessert-like version, substitute sweetened condensed milk for the evaporated milk and sugar, using about 1/3 cup.
- Baobab powder clumps easily, so the initial slurry step is essential for a smooth, grit-free texture.
- A handful of ground peanuts or a tablespoon of peanut paste stirred in creates a popular street-vendor style variation called bouye ni tiakri.
- Always use cold water and serve over plenty of ice, as the drink is at its most refreshing when properly chilled.
- Baobab powder is naturally high in vitamin C and prebiotic fiber, so the drink offers a genuine nutritional boost beyond simple hydration.
