Hwachae Recipe

Hwachae is a traditional Korean punch fruit bowl, known for being incredibly refreshing and hydrating. This hwachae recipe is a higher fiber and higher protein option! Perfect, if it’s 3am and you’re incredibly dehydrated. (iykyk😉 )

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Reasons You’ll Love This Recipe:

• Hwachae is incredibly light and refreshing — kind of like fruit salad meets fruit punch!
• It went viral on TikTok (the ever-popular, “it’s 3am and I’m incredibly dehydrated so let’s make hwachae” videos).
• It’s easy to customize with your preferred fruits.
• You can use either the strawberry milk or lemon lime soda or both! There’s a lot of debate whether traditional hwachae recipes include both or not, and ultimately, my take is to do what you enjoy best!
• This hwachae recipe is lower in added sugar and higher in fiber and protein, due to using a strawberry protein shake for the strawberry milk, and a Olipop – a healthier, probiotic fiber-rich soda alternative.

Ingredient Notes & Substitutions:

For a full ingredient list with quantities, please check out the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

• Watermelon – a classic component of hwachae, watermelon is incredibly hydrating, making hwachae even more refreshing.
• Fruit – go crazy here, using about 4 cups of your favorite frozen or fresh fruits. I like to use higher fiber fruits, like berries, and some vibrant fruits, too, like kiwi, cantaloupe, mango, etc.
• Coconut Jelly – Many hwachae recipes include coconut jelly, so I included it here. But I’ve got to be honest – I live in an area where it’s hard to find, so next time, I’ll probably just skip it!
• Ice – keeps everything cold and fresh!
• Strawberry Protein Drink – strawberry milk is traditionally used, but I use my favorite strawberry protein drink for a boost of protein and less added sugar.
• Lemon Lime Soda – you can use any soda or soda alternative you enjoy here. I used the lemon lime Olipop, as I was trying to get as much fiber into this hwachae that I could (and 1 can of Olipop has 6 grams of fiber!).

How to Make Hwachae

For complete instructions, please check out the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Add all chopped fruit and coconut jelly to a large bowl. Add ice, if desired.

Pour in the strawberry protein drink and lemon lime drink, then gently stir to combine. Serve immediately, including ice and fruit in each glass.

Tips and Variations

• Change up the fruit. Use whatever fruits are in season, you have on hand, you enjoy, etc.
• Skip the jelly. I’ll be completely honest – it took me forever to find the coconut jelly, as I live in a pretty rural area. Once I found it, I personally realized just the fruit was refreshing enough for me. Plus, omitting the coconut jelly will take out a significant amount of added sugar, if that’s a priority of yours.
• Use a strawberry drink OR a lemon lime drink. There’s lots of debate as to whether or not hwachae recipes should include both or one or the other. I like both, but do what you enjoy!
• Make it with frozen fruit – frozen fruit is just as nutritious, and can be even more affordable. Plus it’s a great way to keep the hwachae cold without watering it down as ice melts.

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More Hydrating Recipes to Love

• Cucumber Water
• Strawberry Fresca
• Pumpkin Matcha Iced Latte
• Pineapple Slush
• Mango Slush
• Pineapple Green Juice

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