Ingredients
Method
Toast and Blend the Rice Base
- Place the dry jasmine rice in a 10-inch dry skillet over medium heat. Stir constantly for 4 to 5 minutes until the grains turn light golden and smell nutty. Do not stop stirring - the rice can go from golden to burnt in about 30 seconds past this point.
- Transfer the toasted rice to a high-speed blender. Let it cool for 2 minutes, then blend on high until it becomes a fine powder, about 30 seconds.
- Add the coconut cream, water, palm sugar, salt, and pandan extract (if using) to the blender with the rice powder. Blend on high for 60 full seconds until completely smooth.
- Pour the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve into a small saucepan, pressing with a spoon to extract as much liquid as possible. Discard the solids left in the sieve.
- Warm the strained coconut-rice mixture over low heat for 3 to 4 minutes, stirring until the sugar dissolves and the liquid is just hot - do not let it boil. Remove from heat and set aside.
Make the Mango Puree
- Add the mango flesh, 1 teaspoon palm sugar, and lime juice to a clean blender. Blend until completely smooth, about 30 seconds. Taste and add another half teaspoon of sugar only if the mango is underripe or tart.
- Pour the mango puree into a small pitcher or measuring cup and set aside.
Assemble and Serve
- For iced lattes: fill two tall glasses with ice cubes. Pour the coconut-rice base evenly between the two glasses. Spoon the mango puree over the top so it sits as a separate layer.
- Drizzle 1 tablespoon of coconut cream over each glass, add a pinch of toasted rice powder and sesame seeds if using, and serve immediately with a wide straw.
- For hot lattes: reheat the coconut-rice base in the saucepan over low heat until steaming (about 3 minutes). Pour into two mugs, then spoon warm mango puree over the top. Drizzle with coconut cream and serve.
Notes
- Toast rice in a dry pan over medium heat - do not walk away, it can burn in under a minute past the 5-minute mark.
- Always strain the coconut-rice blend through a fine-mesh sieve before adding mango puree.
- Use full-fat coconut cream only; light versions make the drink thin and flat.
- Ripe mango is non-negotiable here - underripe fruit makes the latte tart and the color dull.
- Add a pinch of salt to the coconut layer; it balances the sweetness and deepens the overall flavor.
