Do you put soursop in water or milk? The Ultimate Guide to Preparing Your Perfect Soursop Beverage

October 4, 2025 •

4 min read

Packed with antioxidants and high in Vitamin C, the tropical soursop fruit offers versatile preparation methods. When it comes to making a delicious beverage, the main question is: Do you put soursop in water or milk? The answer depends entirely on your desired taste and texture, as both methods yield unique and delightful results.

Quick Summary

Deciding between preparing soursop with water for a light, refreshing drink or with milk for a rich, creamy beverage depends on personal preference. Both methods result in a delicious and nutritious drink, and the choice affects the final texture and taste profile.

Key Points

Preference Matters: The choice between water and milk for soursop depends entirely on whether you prefer a light and tangy juice or a rich and creamy beverage.
Refreshing Option: Water-based soursop juice is light and hydrating, with its flavor enhanced by lime and sugar, making it ideal for a hot day.
Creamy Indulgence: Adding milk or condensed milk creates a thicker, richer, and more dessert-like soursop punch or smoothie.
Versatile Fruit: Soursop is rich in nutrients like Vitamin C, fiber, and antioxidants, and its versatility extends to both water and milk preparations.
Consider Alternatives: Dairy-free options like coconut milk work well for a creamy texture, and the fruit's leaves can also be used to make tea.
Nutritional Differences: While both preparations are healthy, the water version is lower in calories and fat, while the milk version is more calorically dense.

Understanding the Versatility of Soursop

Soursop, also known as graviola or guanabana, is a green, spiky, tropical fruit with a white, soft, and creamy flesh. Its flavor is a unique blend of strawberry, pineapple, and citrus notes, making it a favorite for juices, smoothies, and desserts. The fruit is prized not only for its taste but also for its high content of dietary fiber, vitamins (especially C), and minerals like potassium and magnesium. The decision to add water or milk to soursop significantly alters the final beverage, creating two distinct drinking experiences.

The Case for Water-Based Soursop

Preparing soursop with water is the classic way to create a light, tangy, and incredibly refreshing juice. This approach allows the fruit's natural sweet and sour flavors to shine through, especially when enhanced with a squeeze of lime juice. It's an excellent choice for a thirst-quenching drink on a hot day. The process typically involves blending the soursop pulp with water and straining it to remove the fibrous bits, resulting in a smooth, clear liquid.

How to make water-based soursop juice:

Prepare the pulp: Peel the ripe soursop, remove the central core, and carefully discard all the inedible black seeds.
Blend: Place the deseeded soursop pulp in a blender with water. The amount of water determines the juice's thickness.
Strain: Pass the blended mixture through a fine-mesh strainer or cheesecloth to achieve a smoother consistency.
Flavor: Add lime juice and a sweetener like sugar or honey to taste.
Serve: Chill and serve over ice for a revitalizing beverage.

The Appeal of Milk-Based Soursop

For those who prefer a richer, more indulgent treat, preparing soursop with milk is the perfect option. This method transforms the tangy fruit into a thick, creamy punch or a milkshake-like smoothie. The addition of milk, particularly sweetened condensed milk, complements the fruit's flavor and adds a decadent richness. Spices like nutmeg and vanilla are often included to create a dessert-like drink.

Tips for a creamy soursop drink:

Start with pulp: Follow the same steps to prepare the soursop pulp and remove all seeds.
Blend with milk: Combine the soursop pulp with a mix of milk (or water) and sweetened condensed milk in a blender.
Add flavor: Incorporate spices like grated nutmeg and vanilla extract for a traditional twist.
Adjust consistency: Add more milk or ice cubes to achieve your desired thickness. For a dairy-free version, coconut milk works wonderfully.

Soursop Preparation: Water vs. Milk


Feature	Water-Based Preparation	Milk-Based Preparation
Flavor Profile	Light, tangy, and intensely refreshing, allowing the natural fruit flavor to dominate.	Rich, creamy, and sweet, with a flavor reminiscent of a tropical dessert or milkshake.
Texture	Thinner and more liquid, akin to a classic fruit juice.	Thicker and smoother, with a velvety or milkshake-like consistency.
Common Additions	Lime juice, sugar, honey, or ginger.	Sweetened condensed milk, nutmeg, and vanilla extract.
Best For	A light, hydrating drink on a hot day or a healthy beverage option.	A more satisfying, indulgent punch or smoothie.
Nutritional Impact	Lower in calories and fat, focusing on the fruit's natural benefits.	Higher in calories and potentially sugar, especially if using condensed milk.

Beyond the Fruit: Soursop Leaf Tea

While the focus is often on the fruit, soursop leaves are also used to create a popular herbal tea with various traditional uses. Soursop leaf tea is typically made by boiling or steeping the leaves in water, resulting in an earthy, grassy flavor. Just like the fruit, milk can be added to the tea for a creamier consistency, though many prefer it with just honey or lemon. This tea is sometimes used to aid relaxation and sleep, and boasts its own set of potential health benefits from the leaf's compounds.

Nutritional Benefits of Soursop

Regardless of whether you choose water or milk, soursop itself provides a healthy dose of nutrients. One cup of raw soursop is a significant source of dietary fiber, which aids in digestion and gut health, and vitamin C, a powerful antioxidant that supports the immune system. The fruit also contains essential minerals like potassium and magnesium, which contribute to healthy blood pressure and bone health. The high antioxidant content helps combat oxidative stress and inflammation, protecting cells from damage. For more detailed information on soursop's health benefits, you can consult reliable sources like the Cleveland Clinic.

Conclusion

Ultimately, the choice to put soursop in water or milk depends on what you're in the mood for. A water-based preparation delivers a classic, refreshing tropical juice that is light and tangy, perfect for hydration. A milk-based concoction, on the other hand, provides a creamy, rich, and indulgent drink, closer to a dessert. Both are excellent ways to enjoy the unique flavor and nutritional benefits of this versatile fruit. The next time you prepare soursop, you can confidently choose the base that best suits your taste and occasion. Enjoy your nutritious and delicious soursop creation, made your way.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, soursop can be mixed with milk. The combination is a traditional preparation method, especially when making creamy punches or smoothies, often using condensed milk to enhance the richness.

Soursop prepared with water is typically the healthier option, as it is lower in calories and fat. However, both versions retain the nutritional benefits of the fruit itself, such as high Vitamin C and fiber content.

To get a smooth soursop drink, you should first blend the de-seeded soursop pulp with your liquid of choice (water or milk). Afterward, straining the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve or cheesecloth is recommended to remove any remaining fibers.

Yes, plant-based milks like coconut milk, almond milk, or oat milk are excellent alternatives to cow's milk for making a creamy soursop beverage.

Yes, soursop leaf tea can be made with milk. After steeping the leaves in hot water, you can add a splash of milk or a dairy-free alternative to achieve a creamier, more traditional tea taste.

Soursop mixed with milk creates a rich, creamy, and sweet flavor profile, often likened to a tropical milkshake or a decadent punch, especially when other spices like nutmeg and vanilla are added.

Soursop is rich in fiber, Vitamin C, and antioxidants. It also contains essential minerals such as potassium and magnesium, contributing to digestive health, immune function, and overall well-being.