Summer culinary inspirations: apple-based desserts and drinks

Summer is the perfect season for light desserts and refreshing drinks, and apples play a key role in many of them. European varieties such as Ligol, Jonaprince, and Gala stand out for their juiciness and balanced sweetness, making them ideal for Indian and Vietnamese-inspired desserts and beverages, where fruit freshness is paired with creamy textures.

The Vietnamese dessert Chè táo đỏ combines juicy Gala apples with the delicate sweetness of red beans and coconut milk. The apples are peeled, diced, and gently stewed with a touch of cane sugar until soft and aromatic, yet still light. Cooked red beans are then blended with the apple purée and coconut milk, creating a creamy, mildly sweet dessert. Served slightly chilled, it’s a perfect treat for hot days, balancing fruity freshness with traditional Vietnamese flavors.

Chè bắp with Jonaprince apples offers a creamy base of rice and corn, subtly sweetened with coconut milk, and brightened by the addition of fresh apple pieces. The rice is simmered in salted water, then combined with corn and coconut milk, sweetened with cane sugar. Finally, diced apples are stirred in, adding crispness and a refreshing tangy note that contrasts with the soft, creamy texture. Served lightly chilled, this dessert is a refreshing choice for summer.

In the Vietnamese dish Táo xào sữa dừa, Ligol apples are quickly sautéed in coconut butter with a sprinkle of brown sugar and a pinch of salt until golden and aromatic. They are then simmered briefly in coconut milk, gaining a silky, melt-in-the-mouth consistency. Served warm or slightly chilled, and topped with toasted coconut flakes or crushed nuts for extra crunch, this dessert brings together caramelized apples and coconut milk in an exotic, fruit-forward treat perfect for the season.

A refreshing apple drink, made with Ligol or Gala apples, mint, and lime juice, is light, fragrant, and ideal for hot days. The apples are peeled, blended with fresh mint leaves, lime juice, and ice cubes, and sweetened with honey if needed. The result is a clear, green-tinged smoothie with a well-balanced acidity and natural sweetness—an invigorating summer thirst-quencher.