If you haven’t had Sahlab before, you’re missing out! It is a delicious milk pudding popular in the Middle East. The ultimate cold-weather dessert drink and an ideal comfort food for chilly nights.
It is a creamy, lightly sweetened, and aromatic drink that fills you with warmth and spiced flavors. The famous milk pudding drink is easy to make either as a drink or spooned dessert depending on thickness.
This original recipe of Sahlab is the same recipe that people enjoyed for centuries in the Middle East. The only difference is that you no longer have to travel to the Middle East to enjoy it! The unique and rich taste of Sahlab results from the special blend of whole milk, cornstarch, sugar, and orange blossom. So, just add water, warm it up, and serve with cinnamon and nuts with rose petals garnish!
Soul-Warming Winter Drink

What Is the Origin of Sahlab?
During the Ottoman Empire in the 17th century, people used this drink Sahlab for medicinal purposes. During the late 18th century, the beverage was served in English cafes before the development of tea and coffee, referred to as ‘Saloop’ in England.
Sahlab is a thick, creamy milk pudding that is usually served hot so that it can warm you up. It is an excellent choice for breakfast, dessert, or even as a snack. This Lebanese version is a simple version of milk with a bit of cornstarch. You can make it of a more pudding consistency to eat with a spoon. It’s a great dessert drink for the winter, holidays, and special occasions.
Homemade Sweet Drink

Why You’ll Love This Sweet Treat
We all crave something hot to drink when it’s cold, and rainy, or snowy outside. Coffee, tea, and hot chocolate are always great options, but not everyone is satisfied by these choices. That’s where a nutritious and homemade Sahlab comes into play. Also, it is a healthy and kid-friendly sweet dessert.
This delicious and creamy Middle Eastern drink is so perfect for cold winter weather! Nothing can beat a warm and comforting mug of Sahlab after a long and tiring day at work for a good night’s sleep. It is great for your health and an excellent alternative to sugary as well as caffeinated beverages.
Health benefits of sahlab are immense! It is used to relieve heartburn, indigestion, and stomachache.
This awesome dessert is made in just 10 minutes!
You can make it anytime you wish because it isn’t time consuming.
Enjoy Your Time with This Perfect Sahlab Drink

Ingredients
These simple ingredients are the secret to the irresistibly comforting taste of sahlab dessert:
Milk: You can use any milk, such as whole milk or even any other plant-based milk.
Orange blossom water: It will give your sahlab an authentic and traditional taste.
Sugar: You can use white or brown sugar. You can even skip it if you prefer.
Cornstarch: You can use cornstarch or tapioca starch.
Mastic rocks: Easily replace it by ground pistachios.
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Steps to Prep
First, add all the ingredients into a pot.
Then, continue mixing with a spoon to make sure the cornstarch is fully dissolved and is not chunky (add more cornstarch if you want to eat it with a spoon like a looser pudding).
Next, turn on heat. Then place the pot on a medium flame and let the mixture thicken while stirring constantly.
Now, stir until your desired thickness and serve hot in mugs and top with a sprinkle of cinnamon spice, ground pistachios, or other ground nuts on each serving.
I like to drink it, but some people prefer to eat it with a spoon.
Creamy Sweetness

How to Serve Sahlab
Hot or Iced: Sahlab is usually served hot, but you can chill it for an iced version in warmer months. Just allow it to cool and serve over ice.
Consistency: Adjust the thickness by varying the amount of starch. More starch will make the drink thicker, while less will keep it more liquid.
Variations of Sahlab
- Sahlab as a Dessert: You can serve sahlab as a dessert by adding more sugar for sweetness and serving it in small bowls. Top with nuts, dried fruits, or a drizzle of honey for extra indulgence.
- Iced Sahlab: While traditionally served hot, you can also make a cold version by cooling it down and serving over ice. This is especially refreshing in warmer climates.
- Sahlab with Other Flavors: For a different twist, you can infuse sahlab with flavors like rose water, orange blossom water, or vanilla to enhance its aroma
Top Tips
- You can use any of your favorite nuts or seeds as a topping. Cinnamon spice is also a great topping option, too.
- Be careful when using orange blossom water. Too much of it will make sahlab taste soapy.
- To make your sahlab lump-free, mix the cornstarch and the milk while it is still cold.
- If you prefer sahlab of a more subtle consistency, you can omit the rosewater and add orange blossom water instead.
- Add toppings of your choice, including almond, hazelnut, sesame, pistachio, walnut, and other nuts.
Middle Eastern Drink

Amazing Dessert Recipes to Try
Middle Eastern Rice Pudding (Riz Bi Haleeb)
Halawat el Jibn (Sweet Cheese Rolls)
Simple Sahlab Dessert

Storage Tips
- Store in a Cool, Dry Place :Sahlab should be stored in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight. A pantry or cupboard is ideal, as long as it doesn’t get too warm or humid.
- Use an Airtight Container: To prevent moisture from affecting the powder, store sahlab in an airtight container. This will help maintain its freshness and prevent clumping or spoilage. Glass jars or plastic containers with tight-sealing lids work well.
- Refrigeration (Optional): if you live in a particularly hot or humid climate, storing sahlab in the refrigerator can extend its shelf life. Ensure it’s in an airtight container to protect it from moisture and odors in the fridge.
- Avoid Freezing: Freezing is generally not recommended for sahlab, as it can affect the texture and consistency of the powder when it is thawed.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Of course! You can buy a ready powder from your nearest supermarket or grocery store, but be aware that the powder has been sitting in the store for a while and might not be as fresh as you would like.
To make it vegan, all you have to do is substitute dairy milk in place of non-dairy milk. For example, you can use almond, coconut, cashew, soy, or oat milk.
Sahlab has a very light floral taste. You can adjust orange blossom water to your preference.
Combine all the ingredients without adding sugar. If you prefer, you can add sugar substitutes or drink it plain without any sugar.
To make your it lump-free, mix the cornstarch and the milk while it is still cold; if you add the cornstarch to the warm milk, it will make your dessert lumpy. Adding cornstarch to the cold milk lets the cornstarch dissolve in the milk and create a smooth texture.
If you’ve tried this recipe, don’t forget to rate it and leave a comment below! I would love to hear about your experience. You can follow me on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
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Sahlab Dessert Recipe
Ingredients
- 3 cups milk
- 2 teaspoons orange blossom water
- ¼ cup sugar
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 2 mastic rocks finely crushed
Garnish
- Pistachio
- Almonds
- Coconut
- Cinnamon
- Rose petals
Instructions
- Add all the ingredients into a pot.
- Continue mixing with a spoon to make sure the cornstarch is fully dissolved and is not chunky (add more cornstarch if you want to eat it with a spoon like a looser pudding).
- Turn on heat. Add the pot to a medium flame and let the mixture thicken, stirring constantly.
- Stir until your desired thickness and serve hot in mugs and top with a sprinkle of cinnamon spice, ground pistachios, or other ground nuts on each serving.
- I like to drink it but some people like to eat it with a spoon.
Notes
- You can use any of your favorite nuts or seeds. Cinnamon spice is also a great topping option too.
- Be careful when using orange blossom water. Too much of it will make sahlab taste soapy.
- To make your sahlab lump-free, mix the cornstarch and the milk while it is still cold.
- If you prefer sahlab of a more subtle consistency, you can omit the rosewater and add orange blossom water instead.
- Add toppings of your choice, including almond, hazelnut, sesame, pistachio, walnut, and other nuts.
9 Responses
This hit the spot in this winter vortex!! Perfect medley of flavors
Loved this recipe! I made sahlab last night with my son. we both devoured it and it kept us warm. Definitely a Palestinian delight. Must try!
My daughter saw this post right when you shared it and made it. They absolutely loved it, well done!
I’ve followed this recipe several times and it is always perfect. It’s a perfect drink for a cold day. Definitely falls under comfort foods category.
glad you love it!
Such a cozy and yummy recipe! I loved it enough to make it 3 nights in a row lol.
Please can you tell me the alternative to mastic rocks?
No alternative, you can leave them out, but they give nice flavor.
I tried this for the family on the weekend and it was amazing. They loved it! It was very easy to make and tasted way better than the ready mix i get from the store. It is just what you need on a cozy night at home.