Summer's best treat, Rose Falooda is a dessert drink with rose syrup, crunchy plump sweet basil seeds, silky noodles, and milk topped with vanilla ice cream. Optionally garnished with nuts or rose petals this cooling drink can be assembled within minutes making it the easiest yet most stunning dessert ever!
History
The origins of Falooda go back to Persia, where a similar dessert, Faloodeh was popular among the Persian population. The dessert came to India with the many Muslim merchants and dynasties that settled India and made it home.
There are many variations of Falooda but my favorite by far is the Rose Falooda with an easy recipe to that simply required you to assemble the drink. This is a great make-ahead recipe that simply needs you to soak the basil seeds and cook the falooda sev which can be done up to a day ahead.
Ingredients to make Falooda
- Sweet basil seeds also known as Tukmaria or Sabja, are the seeds of sweet basil plants found commonly in India. These seeds are rich in fiber, packed with nutrition, and are very similar to chia seeds. Unlike chia seeds, sweet basil seeds are eaten after soaking in water. When soaked in water, they get a gelatinous tapioca-like texture within minutes. With chewy, crunchy textures these basil seeds have no flavor and hence can be used in many recipes, especially in cooling drinks or even plain water.
- Noodles - thin noodles known as falooda sev, made of corn starch or tapioca flour are often added to falooda. Some people make their own noodles from scratch, but I prefer buying them ready-made. To use, simply boil them in hot water for 5 minutes, pour in a colander, rinse them off with cold water, and drain the water completely.
- Sweetened rose syrup, is a must in this recipe! It adds refreshing aromas and sweetness to the drink. Some of the brands that I recommend are Guruji (available in Indian grocery stores), Monin, and Rooh Afza. Tip: This syrup is also perfect for making many refreshing summery drinks including my favorite - simple rose water with chia or basil seeds.
- The remaining 2 ingredients are milk (low-fat or whole milk) and vanilla ice cream.
How to Make Falooda
Assembling Falooda is super simple! I like to use tall 12-ounce glasses, but you can use shorter glasses to make smaller servings. Also, the below quantities are just my suggestion, add more or less to your taste preference. Remember there is no wrong way to make this dish, it always comes out stunning:
- Add 2 tablespoons of soaked sweet basil seeds to a tall glass
- Layer over 2 tablespoons of cooked noodles
- Add 2 tablespoons of the rose syrup
- Pour ⅔ cup of milk
- Top with a scoop of vanilla ice-cream
- You can optionally garnish with shaved pistachios or nuts and rose petals
Serving
Serve the falooda immediately. Want to make this for your next movie night or a celebration? Pair it with Mumbai Pav Bhaji, Keema Pav, Paneer Kathi Rolls, or Masala Chicken Burgers for a festive Indian meal!
Tips
- Falooda is a great make-ahead dessert. You can soak the basil seeds 2 to 3 days ahead and keep them both refrigerated until ready to be served.
- Noodles can also be cooked ahead and refrigerated for up to 3 days. Before refrigerating, add extra two to three tablespoons of water to the drained noodles so they do not stick to each other.
- Want to make it for a party or potluck? Serve in small disposable clear plastic cups. You can layer basil seeds, noodles, and syrup the night before and keep them refrigerated. Simply add milk and ice cream when you are ready to serve.
Did you enjoy this easy homemade dessert? Here are some more recipes for you to try:
- EASY no-cook Trifle - Cardamom & saffron trifle with raspberries & pistachios
- Instant Pot Ricotta Cheese Cake - Rose-flavored cheesecake with buttery pistachio crust
- Sevai Kheer - Vermicelli pudding with rose petal preserve
- Rose coconut karanji - Crispy pastry filled with sweet rose-flavored coconut filling
- Sheer Khurma - Milk pudding with dates, nuts, and vermicelli roasted in nutty ghee
Recipe
Homemade Falooda (Rose Flavored Ice Cream Sundae Float)
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon sweet basil seeds
- ½ cup water
- ½ pack falooda sev or thin corn noodles available in Indian grocery stores
- 4 to 6 tablespoons rose syrup
- 1 cup milk low fat or full fat
- 2 scoops vanilla ice cream
Garnish (optional)
- 1 tablespoon pistachios sliced
- 1 tablespoon edible dried rose petals
Instructions
- Soak sweet basil seeds in water
- Boil 3 cups of water. Using kitchen sheers cut the falooda noodles into 2 to 3- inch long pieces and then cook them as per the package instructions. Pour in a colander and rinse them in cold water, drain all the water, and set aside.
- Assemble the drink in 2 tall glasses by layering 2 tablespoons of soaked sweet basil seeds, 2 tablespoons of cooked noodles and 2 tablespoons of rose syrup.
- Pour ⅔ cup of milk into each glass. Add a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top. Garnish with thinly sliced nuts and rose petals. Stir gently and add more rose syrup if needed. Serve immediately.
Video
Notes
- Soaked Basil seeds and cooked noodles can be refrigerated individually for 2 to 3 days
Nutrition
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Leyla says
Wow! Very interesting combination of ingredients 🙂
Archana says
Thank you Leyla!!
Aayushi Manish says
Delectable :p
Archana says
Thank you Aayushi!
Garima says
Delicious! What kind of noodles did u use and where did u buy them? Any links? Thanks
Archana says
I have link the noodles, they are corn noodles and available in most Indian grocery stores. Just ask for Falooda sev 🙂
Smiling Notes says
Falooda is one of my fav! Lovely recipe.. looks really yum!
Archana says
Mine too❤️?
Sumith Babu says
Looks marvellous!!
Archana says
Thank you!!
srividhya says
Very nice.. I love the sabja seeds. This falooda is very satisfying also.
Archana says
Thank you Srividya!
Fijay says
Oh ...gosh ...here we go again ...must try this
Archana says
Please do try! You will love it!
Rini says
Hi there. I nominated you for the Blogger Recognition Award. http://wp.me/p66BdH-26y 🙂
Archana says
Thank you Rini!
Anu Yalo says
Nice!!
Archana says
Thanks Anu!!
Fairytales & Foibles says
How beautiful!
Monika says
My favourite ? looks yum..
Archana says
Mine too!❤️❤️
TheMintThief says
I LOVE falooda, and this one looks so beautiful and delicious. Drooling, literally! ?
Archana says
Thank you Nafisa for your kind words! Falooda is my favorite too! So easy to make but so flavorful!
lathiya says
Whenever we go to restaurant, it doesn't complete without Falooda.Your version looks royal.Love the rose flavored Falooda
Archana says
Thank you Lathiya! This is our FAV summer dessert/drink 🙂
Foodeva Marsay says
This Looks Yummylicious Archana??
Archana says
Thank you Marriam 🙂
100rb (realoveforever) says
i think title should be "Yummy Flooda by Archana" really nice recipe
Archana says
Thank you!
indianeskitchen says
This looks amazing! I have never heard of it before.
Archana says
Thank you!
Harpreet says
Where do you the sweet basil seeds from?
Archana says
Indian grocery stores or amazon. I have linked them in the recipe
Spruthi says
Really yummy and easy to make. Thanks Archana for yummy and easy recipes.
Z says
Hi Archana,
Can't wait to try your recipe! I notice that you mentioned both, Monin Rose Syrup & Rooh Afza. I was wondering if you can possibly describe the flavour of Monin Rose Syrup? Would you say it is more authentic or close to the actual Falooda Flavour? I ask because the kids aren't big fans of Rooh Afza so, wanting to try the alternative. Thanks in advance!
Archana says
If your kids do not like rooh afza, I recently tried a better rose syrup that I like even better than Monin. It's from a brand called "Guruji" and is available in Indian grocery stores.