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+ servings
Ladle lifting a scoop of hwachae Korean fruit punch from a large bowl, showing fresh watermelon, strawberries, dragonfruit, blueberries, and coconut jelly

Hwachae (Korean Fruit Punch)

Fresh watermelon, strawberries, dragonfruit, blueberries, and coconut jelly in strawberry milk and fizzy lemon-lime soda — the ultimate Korean summer drink.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Course Dessert, Snack
Cuisine Korean
Servings 8 people

Equipment

  • knife
  • Chopping board
  • Large bowl
  • Ladle
  • Individual cups or bowls
  • Spoons for serving

Ingredients
  

Fruit

  • ¼ large watermelon cubed into bite-sized pieces
  • 2 lbs fresh strawberries hulled and diced
  • 1 dragonfruit cubed into bite-sized pieces
  • 1 lb fresh blueberries

The base

  • 16 oz coconut jelly drained
  • Reserve the syrup for sweetening
  • 28 oz strawberry milk about 4 individual boxes
  • 2 cans Chilsung Cider Sprite works as a direct substitute
  • Ice to serve

Instructions
 

Prep the fruit.

  • Cube the watermelon and dragonfruit into bite-sized pieces. Hull and dice the strawberries. Keep blueberries whole.

Build the bowl.

  • Add all the fruit to a large bowl. Add the drained coconut jelly, then pour in the strawberry milk. Gently pour in the Chilsung Cider along the side of the bowl to preserve the fizz.

Taste and adjust.

  • Taste the liquid. If you'd like it sweeter, stir in a few tablespoons of the reserved coconut jelly syrup.
  • Top with ice and serve.
  • Add a generous amount of ice to the bowl. Ladle into individual cups or bowls and serve immediately with spoons.

Notes

Any strawberry milk works — Binggrae is most traditional.
Sprite is a direct substitute for Chilsung Cider.
Reserve the coconut jelly syrup and stir in a few tablespoons at the end if you'd like it sweeter.
For an adult version, add 1–2 bottles of soju after assembling.
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!