'Otai, a watermelon drink popular in Polynesia, is a refreshing concoction usually made with coconut milk or cream. Our lower-fat almond milk version is just as creamy, and dairy-free, too!
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What's the Story Behind this Recipe?
'Otai (pronounced OH – tie) is a fresh fruit drink that is usually made with heavy cream and or coconut milk.
'Otai has its roots in Polynesia. Tongans claim to have invented this modern watermelon-based version, but Hawaiians, Samoans, and Fijians, and other Polynesian cultures now all enjoy this refreshing, easy-to-make beverage.
I stumbled on this dairy-free, lower-fat version completely by accident. Some years ago, I found myself sitting in the summer heat needing something cold and refreshing. I'd sampled 'otai at my daughter's house and loved it, so I decided to give her recipe a try.
Unfortunately, I had none of the heavy cream her 'otai recipe called for, so I subbed in sweetened almond milk, expecting a refreshing, but a rather mundane result. However, much to my surprise, the almond milk version was delicious - nearly as creamy and refreshing as the cream-based one! Plus, switching out the cream (or coconut milk) for almond milk lowered the fat content dramatically!
This dairy-free 'otai is ridiculously easy to make, and as an added bonus, swapping almond milk for the cream (or coconut milk) lowers the fat content dramatically! All you need is two ingredients and five minutes!
Ingredients for Easy 'Otai
This family-friendly Polynesian watermelon drink recipe is great way to use up the remnants left after making a watermelon basket or melon balls!
- Watermelon: Use any fresh, sweet watermelon. This is a great way to use watermelon that is a little past its prime.
- Almond milk: Regular almond milk works just fine, but we recommend using an almond-coconut milk blend. You will not be disappointed.
- If you use sweetened almond milk, you do not need to add any other sweeteners to the mix. If you use unsweetened almond milk, you will need to add a little sugar, depending upon your personal tastes.
Optional Ingredients
- Pineapple: Add another layer to the flavor profile by adding a half a cup of fresh or canned pineapple when you blend it.
- Mango: Mango is another tropical traditionally included in 'otai.
- Shredded coconut: I enjoy the added flavor a handful of shredded coconut brings to the mix. Mr B is not crazy about the resulting grittiness.
How to Make this 'Otai Recipe
Traditionally, the fruit in 'otai is shredded; however, this is an easy 'otai recipe, and shredding all that fruit can be pretty time consuming. A blender makes the work fast and easy, making this recipe very party-friendly.
Pour 2 cups of almond-coconut milk and 16 ounces of watermelon in a blender.
If you use sweetened almond milk, you do not need to add any additional sugar to your 'otai. If you use unsweetened almond milk, add ½ cup of sugar to the mixture, sweetening to taste.
Add any optional ingredients (i.e., pineapple, mango, coconut) as desired.
Blend until almost smooth and serve cold over ice.
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Easy 'Otai (Polynesian Watermelon Drink)
Equipment
- 1 Blender
Ingredients
- 2 cups sweetened almond-coconut milk or unsweetened + sugar
- 16 ounces watermelon cut up, seeds removed
Optional Ingredients
- ½ cup sugar use only if using unsweetened almond milk
- ½ cup pineapple optional; fresh or canned
- ½ cup shredded coconut optional
- 1 whole mango optional; chopped
Instructions
- Put 2 cups of almond-coconut milk and 16 ounces of watermelon in a blender.If you use sweetened almond milk, you do not need to add any additional sugar to your 'otai. If you use unsweetened almond milk, add ½ cup of sugar to the mixture, sweetening to taste.
- Add any optional ingredients (i.e., pineapple, mango, coconut) as desired.
- Blend until almost smooth and serve cold over ice.
Notes
Nutrition
This website provides approximate nutrition information for convenience and as a courtesy only. You are solely responsible for ensuring that any nutritional information provided is accurate, complete, and useful.
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Originally published Septemeber 2, 2013. This post has been updated with new images, content, and recipe instructions to improve reader experience.
GeeAnn says
I used watermelon and sweetened almond milk and added pineapple rum. Delicious! However it was overly sweet for us so next time I will use unsweet almond milk since the rum added enough sweetness for our taste.
Renée B. says
Sounds fabulous!
cam says
This was super yummy and refreshing! I added a little coconut rum to mine for a cocktail with friends and it was amazing!
Renée says
Absolutely! We love it with a little rum, especially on a hot summer evening!
Aimee Mars says
Ohhh this is so yummy! I think next time I may add a little coconut rum to it for a fun happy hour drink!
Renée says
You are not the first one to do that, for sure! 😉 Enjoy!
Sheila says
This drink is so refreshing! Thanks for the recipe — it's definitely a keeper!
Tayler says
I made this drink over the weekend and it was so perfect and refreshing! Thanks so much for sharing the recipe!
Renée says
It's a great way to cool on in the summer heat!
Christine Gonzales says
I am used to drinking otai in Hawai'i with shredded coconut....
CupcakeKitteh says
This sounds like the perfect drink for summer, so pretty, too!
Renée ♥ says
Thanks for stopping by - I love those apple pie pancakes on your blog!!
Kylie - FotV says
That sounds so amazingly good - and so simple!!
Renée ♥ says
Thank you for stopping by, Kylie! I checked you blog and your gluten-free cinnamon rolls with coconut glaze sound wonderful! I need to pass that recipe on to some dear gluten-free friends of mine.
veganmiam.com says
Sounds like a divine beverage I would love to try! Summer isn't over here in Spain, but the weather is lovely for a Polynesian watermelon drink...perhaps I should try the santa claus melon version! XX