Pink Milk Thai Nom Yen (นมเย็น)

With my daughter's birthday just around the corner, it's time to celebrate big and make her special day even more magical. We decided to make pink milk Thai nom yen (นมเย็น), one of her favorite Thai drinks, a delightful creamy sweet treat that matches her favorite color and her love for delicious drinks.

Check out Thai tea boba, Thai Cha Yen (Iced tea), Cha Manao (Thai limeade), butterfly pea lemonade, Thai hibiscus drink, 10-minute tamarind drink, and Mango boba tea for more deliciousness.

Jump to:

• Inspiration for Nom Yen
• Nom Yen, Street Food (Drinks) of Thailand
• Yen Definition in Thai
• Why You'll Love Thai Pink Milk
• What is Thai Pink Milk (นมเย็น)
• What is Sala Syrup?
• What Does Pink Milk Taste Like?
• Ingredients for making Thai Pink Milk
• How to Make Pink Milk
• Dressing it up
• Helpful Kitchen Notes and Tips
• Helpful Kitchen Tools for Nom Yen
• What Recipes to Pair Thai Pink Milk with
• Variations
• Substitutes
• How to Store Hale’s Blue Boy Syrup
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Related Thai Recipes You'll Love
• Conclusion
• More Thai drinks you'll enjoy
• Pink Milk Thai Nom Yen (นมเย็น)
• Related
• Pairing

Inspiration for Nom Yen

August is my daughter's birthday month. Last summer, we had a major health scare. We wanted to celebrate her life and asked what kind of birthday she would like this year. She said she wanted to be a princess in pink. Done! (;

As a girly girl, she adores all things pink and bright, especially when they come with glitter and sparkle. There's one other thing she loves too- food! So this month, I will be featuring a few of her favorite Thai dishes that she loves.

In this recipe, I'll share tips and tricks for making this frosty glass of Thai Nom Yen that will make her birthday celebration even more special.

Nom Yen, Street Food (Drinks) of Thailand

Nom Yen is also one of my childhood drinks from Thailand. Back in the day, we would buy this sweet drink served in crushed ice in plastic bags with rubber bands tied to one corner. They were about 5 baht per bag (15 cents). They were a fun drink to have in Thailand's humidity. Nom Yen was our equivalent of a strawberry milkshake in the US here. But Nom Yen is better...I'm shamelessly biased....(:

Today, you'll still find Non Yen, alongside other Thailand's favorite drinks, on bustling streets of Thailand from street vendors with Cha Yen stalls- Moveable stalls with carts attached to small motorbikes.

Yen Definition in Thai

The word Yen in Thai means cold, and it's often used to identify food or drinks, as in how we would describe our preferred drinks like Iced or hot tea or soups. Thailand is hot and humid all year round, so there are a lot of "Yen" food and drinks like Cha Yen (Cold tea), Nom Yen (milk) Nam Yen (water).

Image above. Our many flavors of Cha Yen (cold tea) from my Thailand trip this last April. These cold drinks are excellent for cooling off in the Thai humidity!

Why You'll Love Thai Pink Milk

• This eye-catching Thai drink is not only visually appealing with the perfect shade of pink, and its sweet and creamy taste is incredibly satisfying, especially on a hot day.
• Thailand Street food. A refreshing and sweet beverage that captures the essence of Southeast Asia's vibrant street culture. 
• Perfect for a party drink for those pink-loving people in your life!  It's an excellent drink for baby showers, birthday parties, Valentine's Day, and Mother's Day parties.
• Kids' favorites! It makes a perfect drink to sell instead of lemonade stands! You'll surely get a lot of attention, followed by many questions! 

What is Thai Pink Milk (นมเย็น)

Thai Pink Milk, Nom Yen, or Nom Chompoo (นมเย็น) is a beloved Thai drink made with a delightful combination of cold milk and Hale's Sala flavored syrup. It is popularly served in Southeast Asia, particularly in Thailand, where it's commonly found on the streets and in local markets. The star of the show in this drink is the Blue Boy Sala Syrup, Hale's brand, which adds the signature pink color and floral sweetness.

There are different flavors and colors of Hale's blue boy syrups. Those flavors include Mali (Jasmine), Creme soda, pineapple, rose, grape, strawberry, cantaloupe, and sarsaparilla. They all have different colors matching the taste of the fruits used. I haven't had most of them, as Nom Yen is the most popular.

Check your Asian grocery stores and experiment if you are up for some Thai drinks adventures! 

What is Sala Syrup?

Hale's Sala Syrup, also known as Blue Boy Sala Syrup, is popular in Thai drinks, especially in Nom Yen. It's made from the Salak/sala fruit and gives the drink its signature pink color and unique floral sweetness. Sala, also known as snake fruit, is a scaly and spiky skin enjoyed in Southeast Asia.

What Does Pink Milk Taste Like?

The taste of Nom Yen is a perfect balance of sweetness and creaminess. The combination of sala syrup gives it a unique and delightful floral flavor complemented by the milk's creaminess. It's a sweet and refreshing drink that's sure to please anyone with a sweet tooth, especially those who love all things pink!

Ingredients for making Thai Pink Milk

You'll need the following ingredients to make a delicious batch of Thai Pink drinks. The beauty of this drink is that it's extremely customizable. Add as much milk and syrup as you'd like for your taste preference.

• Hale's Boy Sala Syrup. The star of the show. Finding a substitute is hard, so grab a bottle instead of looking for a different substitute. 
• Milk of choice. Use Whole milk or fresh milk. I used oat milk, and it was excellent. Almond, hemp, cashew, cow's, and soy milk all work great. I find that coconut milk clashes too much with the flavors of Sala syrup, and it takes over the drink. I don't recommend it if wanting authentic flavors to come through.
• Evaporated milk. It adds a nice creamy balance to the lovely pink drink. Highly recommend adding a tablespoon or so to top off your drink.
• Sweetened condensed milk. Optional. If you have a sweet tooth, add up to 1 tablespoon but know that sala syrup is very sweet. 
• Crushed ice. A must for a full-on experience of this refreshing Thai drink. Get a cheap ice shaver like this, or crush some ice manually in a ziplock bag.

How to Make Pink Milk

Making Thai Pink Milk at home is a breeze! Follow these simple steps to create a frosty glass of Nom Yen for your special celebration. This recipe makes 4 drinks.

Step 1. In a tall glass or a cocktail shaker, add Hale's blue boy Sala syrup. Adjust the amount as needed. The more you use, the sweeter and darker the color of your pink drink.

Step 2. Add milk. I used oat milk for my recipe. Feel free to use any milk choice. Coconut milk is not recommended as it will change the flavor profile completely and will no longer be a Nom Yen drink.

Step 3. Now comes the magical part. Stir the two liquids together, use a stainless steel spoon, and watch the red syrupy liquid turn into a beautiful pink!

Step 4. Add a generous amount of crushed ice to tall serving glasses. Pour the pink drink into each glass.

Step 5. Pour evaporated milk over the top to complete the drink. Add up to 2 tablespoons if preferred. Add a straw for sipping, and your delightful drink is ready to be enjoyed!

Dressing it up

For extra sweetness and presentation, garnish the Pink Milk with a sprig of edible flowers like pansies or a few rose petals. It will make the drink even more visually appealing and add a subtle hint of fragrance. Traditional Thai Nom Yen is simple: just crushed ice and the pink drink in a plastic cup or bag. But who said you can't fancy things up a bit, especially if it's for special occasions? 

Helpful Kitchen Notes and Tips

• Make a snow cone with your sala simple syrup.
• You can adjust the sweetness of the Nom Yen according to personal preference. Add more Sala syrup or sweetened condensed milk if you like it sweeter. 
• If you prefer a non-dairy version of Nom Yen, you can use almond or oat milk as a substitute for whole milk.
• You can top the pink milk with a whipped cream dollop and colorful sprinkles for a more indulgent treat.

Helpful Kitchen Tools for Nom Yen

• Cocktail shaker
• Ice shaver
• Festive plastic Party cocktail glasses
• Pitcher or glass bottle for mixing the tea and milk
• Tall glasses with lids

What Recipes to Pair Thai Pink Milk with

Nom Yen is an excellent accompaniment to various Thai dishes, especially those with a bit of spiciness, as it provides a refreshing and soothing contrast to the flavors. Some delightful options to pair with Nom Yen include Tom Yum Goong, Thai Green Curry, and Thai street food favorites like Thai papaya salads, Lao papaya salad, Thai green beans salad, or Lao/ Thai cucumber salad.

Variations

• Make snow cones with your pink drink! It's a big syrup bottle, so use it in any way possible.
• Use half and half for an even more rich and creamy flavor
• Use condensed milk instead of sweetened condensed milk for less sugar and calories.

Substitutes

Nom Yen is a very unique Thai drink. I can't recommend a substitute, or it will no longer be a Nom Yen drink. You can purchase the Sala syrup online here or visit your nearest Asian market to grab a bottle. 

How to Store Hale’s Blue Boy Syrup

• The bottle. Hale’s Blue Boy Syrup can be stored in a cool, dry place like your pantry. Make sure the cap is tightly closed to maintain its freshness and flavor.
• The drink. If you have leftover pink drinks from a big batch, put them in an ice cube tray for the next round of drinks. Add some milk and let the ice cubes thaw, and enjoy!

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Thai Recipes You'll Love

If you enjoyed making and savoring Thai Pink Milk, you'd love to explore other delightful Thai recipes that capture the essence of Southeast Asia's vibrant culinary culture. Try making classic dishes like Thai Green Curry, Pad Thai, and Tom Yum Goong, or dive into Thai street food with recipes like Mango Sticky Rice and Som Tum (Green Papaya Salad).

Conclusion

Whether you're celebrating a birthday, hosting a gathering, or simply indulging in a refreshing beverage on a warm day, Nom Yen is the perfect drink that combines the best of both worlds - the flavorful Thai streets and the joy of a frosty glass of pink milk.

So, head to your nearest Asian supermarket or start brewing your Thai Pink Milk at home and experience the magic of this delightful and girly drink. Cheers to all things pink and bright!

More Thai drinks you'll enjoy

• Thai iced tea, Cha Yen
• Thai tea limeade
• Butterfly pea lemonade
• Butterfly pea tea
• Tamarind tea

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Pairing

These are my recommended dishes with Thai pink milk to help soothe the spiciness.