Magic Water is a viral Filipino drink popularized by Binondo’s Aling Bebe. It’s refreshing and perfect for the summer season as a sweet, thirst-quenching drink!
Ingredients and Substitutions
*The Recipe Card below includes all the full measurements for these ingredients!
Water: This drink is almost 90% water, hence the name.
Sugar: This will be used to sweeten our drink. For the traditional Magic Water, and to maintain its translucent appearance, use standard white sugar or any other colorless sweetener.
Gelatin: Also known as gulaman in Tagalog, the gelatin will give a textural element to the drink. You can buy the powdered gelatin in most grocery stores and follow the packaged instructions to prepare. You may replace gelatin with grass jelly or tapioca and/or sago pearls to add a similar chewy, textural element.
Banana Extract: If you’re unfamiliar with Filipino cuisine, this might come as a slight shock. Yes, banana extract exists, and it’s delicious in this drink. You can purchase Filipino banana extract in most Filipino groceries or convenience stores. If you’re not a fan of using banana or it isn’t accessible, you can substitute with vanilla extract. While it may not taste the same or be as traditional, I think it still tastes pretty good.
Instructions
*The Recipe Card below includes all the full detailed instructions!
Prepare the Clear Gulaman according to packaged instructions. Pour the gelatin mixture into a heat-proof container, then let chill to set. Once firm, into cubes and set aside.
To prepare the drink, combine together the water, white sugar, banana extract, and cubed gelatin. Serve with ice.
Tips
Keep the ice and Magic Water separate: To avoid diluting the sweetness, keep the ice separate until ready to serve. For presentation sake (and to replicate how Aling Bebe serves it in her town), I mixed the ice directly into a punch bowl. You can do this if you’re planning to mass-serve the drink to your guests, such as during a potluck or house party.
Customize the drink to your preference: Feel free to adjust the amount of sugar and/or banana extract to make the drink taste how you would like. Substitutions are also available in the ingredient list above to make it more accessible.
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
How can I store leftovers?
Leftover Magic Water can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Any time longer, and the gelatine may begin to break down which can alter the overall texture.
How do I serve Palamig?
To serve, simply spoon the prepared drink into a tall glass and consume chilled. Drink on its own or with your favorite snack!
Looking for more tasty and refreshing recipes? Here’s a few you might enjoy:
- Halo Halo (Filipino Shaved Ice Dessert)
- Fresh Korean Strawberry Milk
- Buko Pandan
Magic Water (Palamig)
6-8
servings, filled with iceMagic Water is a viral Filipino drink popularized by Binondo’s Aling Bebe. It’s refreshing and perfect for the summer season as a sweet, thirst-quenching drink.
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Ingredients
4 cups water
1/4 – 1/2 cup white sugar, to taste
3 -5 drops banana extract, to taste
Ice, for serving
- Clear Gulaman (gelatin)
1 pack (1 tbsp) gelatin powder
2 cups water
2 tbsp white sugar
Directions
- Prepare the Clear Gulaman:
- Begin by preparing the gulaman. Mix 1 pack (or 1 tbsp) of the gelatin mix with 1/2 cup of water. Stir, and let sit for 5 minutes.
- In the meantime, combine together the white sugar and the remaining 1.5 cups of water in a sauce pot. Bring this mixture to a boil.
- Once boiling, add in the reserved gelatin-water mixture. Stir immediately to prevent clumping and continue cooking on a low simmer for an additional 1-2 minutes until the gelatin has dissolved.
- Pour the gelatin mixture into a heat-proof container. Cover, and let chill to set. Once firm, cut the gelatin into cubes and set aside.
- Prepare the Magic Water
- To prepare the drink, combine together the water, white sugar, and banana extract. Stir vigorously to dissolve the sugar completely. Taste and adjust to your preference.
- Add in the cubed gelatin and gently stir to combine.
- To serve, add a hefty scoop of ice to your cup and pour in the magic water. Enjoy!
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