Indonesia is the land of rich spices and unique ingredients, and its latest coffee export that has gone global is the Es Kopi Susu Gula Aren (Iced Coffee with Palm Sugar Milk). This creamy, sweet, and simple beverage has redefined the Indonesian coffee scene, transforming from a simple street vendor drink to a highly sought-after menu item in modern coffee shops worldwide.
Why It Went Viral
The drink’s massive popularity is due to its irresistible balance:
- Sweetness from Nature: It uses Gula Aren (palm sugar), which has a deep, smoky caramel flavor, unlike the sharp sweetness of white granulated sugar.
- Creamy Texture: The use of fresh, full-cream milk (and sometimes creamier elements like evaporated milk) balances the strong Indonesian coffee blend.
- Accessibility: It’s easy to drink for everyone, not just hardened coffee drinkers, making it the perfect gateway beverage.
Recipe: Es Kopi Susu Gula Aren
This is a simple recipe focusing on making a flavorful palm sugar syrup to use as the base.
Ingredients:
A. Gula Aren Syrup:
- 100g Gula Aren (Palm Sugar), finely chopped
- 50 ml water
- 1 pandan leaf (optional, but adds an aromatic hint), tied in a knot
B. The Drink:
- 2 shots (about 60 ml) strong black coffee or espresso (Arabica or Robusta blend)
- 150 ml fresh full-cream milk
- Ice cubes
Instructions:
- Make the Palm Sugar Syrup:
- In a small saucepan, combine the chopped Gula Aren, water, and pandan leaf (if using).
- Heat over medium-low heat, stirring continuously until the sugar is fully dissolved and the mixture thickens slightly into a syrup.
- Remove from heat, discard the pandan leaf, and let the syrup cool completely.
- Brew the Coffee:
- Brew 2 shots of strong espresso or concentrated black coffee. Set aside to cool slightly.
- Assemble the Drink:
- Fill a glass with ice cubes.
- Pour 2-3 tablespoons (adjust to your sweetness preference) of the cooled Gula Aren syrup into the bottom of the glass.
- Pour the fresh milk gently over the syrup.
- Slowly pour the concentrated coffee over the milk. The layers should be visible initially.
- Serve: Stir everything just before drinking to mix the creamy milk, strong coffee, and smoky palm sugar syrup.