‘Otai (pronounced OH—tie) is a fresh drink usually made with fresh fruits, heavy cream, ice cream, or coconut milk. Tongans claim to have invented the drink, but Hawaiians, Samoans, Fijians, and other Polynesian cultures enjoy it. Living on an island where fruit is abundant, this creative drink became a staple in the Tongan diet.

Years ago, my friend Alisi Muti, taught me how to make this versatile drink. There are many versions, but we use a refreshing mix of watermelon, apples, pineapple, pineapple juice, milk, and ice cream. Whenever we make ‘otai, our whole family helps. It can take some time to cut and shred the watermelon and the apples. We boast that we make the best palangi (Tongan word for anyone who is not Tongan, a foreigner) ‘otai. 

I read that in Tonga, ‘otai was corked in empty coconuts and set to chill in cold streams or refrigerators because it is best when it is ice cold. According to the Polynesian Cultural Center, “This is a refreshing drink with the fruit as the star and the other ingredients playing supporting roles… the fruit should be shredded, not blended. If you “drink the first half of the ‘otai in your glass and eat the second half with a spoon” you’ve made it correctly. And finally, ‘otai is often either served towards the end or after the main meal, as an appetizer or just because we’re all craving ‘otai!”

The drink should not be smooth. Some may find the texture different than they are used to. Instead of a watermelon base, some use mangos instead.

Helpful Tips:
Use cold fruit
You can substitute evaporated milk, or coconut milk if needed.
When we make ‘otai it is because we will be serving a lot of people and so we usually mix it in a large cooler or the orange Rubber Made coolers that can fit in our extra fridge. You can make a smaller version.

Optional Ingredients:
Shredded coconut
Instead of pineapple juice, you can use water or coconut water
Mango
Splash of lime
Crushed ice

Recipe:

1 watermelon
1 pineapple
1 48 oz. pineapple juice
6-8 Granny Smith or Fuji apples
1 gallon of milk
1 half gallon of vanilla ice cream
1 c. or so sugar

Directions:
Shred the watermelon and apples. Cut up the pineapple and pulse in a blender, but do not blend until smooth. Put everything in a big jug or cooler except the icecream. Taste to see if it is sweet enough and add more sugar if needed. The pineapple will help keep the apples from going brown. Add the ice cream before serving and stir.