Vaifala

Kilinahe Coleman

If you are looking for an easy and delicious drink for summer, look no further! Vaifala is an ʻono drink made by our ʻohana in Samoa. “Vai” in Samoan is like our “wai,” meaning “water.” “Fala” is the same as our “hala kahiki,” or “pineapple.” Vaifala is a pineapple drink that is refreshing and sweet in the heat! It’s similar to the Tongan drink otai, and you can use other fruit like watermelon to make different versions of this drink, such as vaimeleni. This recipe uses sweetened condensed milk, although other recipes may use coconut milk… a great way to make it nondairy! We hope you enjoy!

INGREDIENTS:

1 can (14 fl. oz) sweetened condensed milk
1 can (20 oz) crushed pineapple (do not use fresh pineapple for vaifala! The drink can become bitter!)
3-4 cups of water, depending on your preference for sweetness
Optional: 1-2 tbsp white sugar to taste. The crushed pineapple and sweetened condensed milk are already quite sweet, so make sure to taste your vaifala before adding more sugar!

INSTRUCTIONS:

In a pitcher or jar, stir all ingredients together. Use ice or chill for 4 hours.

You can enjoy your vaifala chilled from the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Serve with a spoon or boba straw to enjoy the pineapple pieces! You can also use additional fruit or frozen puree, such as mango or strawberry!