LayarHijau – The Early Spring (早春晴朗) has given viewers plenty to talk about, from Luke and Shang Zhi Tao’s complicated romance to the small gestures that gradually bring them closer. Now, even a simple drink prepared by Luke, played by Jing Boran, has become part of the drama’s growing buzz.
The drink is osmanthus milk.
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As The Early Spring heads toward its finale, the drama continues to draw attention, but one seemingly ordinary breakfast scene has taken on a life of its own. After appearing in the series, Luke’s homemade osmanthus milk inspired viewers in China to recreate the drink and share their own versions on social media.
The drink appears during a pivotal stretch of Luke and Shang Zhi Tao’s relationship in Episodes 4 and 5.
After spending an intimate night together, Shang Zhi Tao leaves in a hurry the following morning. She even requests a transfer to another team in an attempt to keep her distance from Luke, who is also her boss.
Things do not go smoothly after the transfer, however. Shang Zhi Tao finds herself being given a hard time by her new supervisor and eventually returns to Luke’s home to retrieve a file she needs.
Instead, she finds Luke drunk after a night of drinking.
Shang Zhi Tao stays and takes care of him through the night. The following morning, Luke, who is normally known for sticking firmly to his principles, softens toward her. He gives her the file she needs and, more importantly, prepares breakfast for her.
That breakfast comes with a glass of osmanthus milk that Luke makes himself.
It is a small gesture, but it adds an unmistakably warm and tender touch to the scene. The drink becomes part of the moment when Luke begins showing a softer, more caring side toward Shang Zhi Tao. Not long afterward, their relationship officially develops into a romance.
Sweet Osmanthus Sauce
Osmanthus sauce that is made from dried osmanthus flowers, sugar and honey.
It’s perfect to make milk with osmanthus honey like what Luke makes for Flora in The Early Spring.
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Luke’s Osmanthus Milk Becomes a Fan Favorite
Following the episodes, viewers began recreating what they called “Luke’s osmanthus milk” from The Early Spring and posting their versions online.
The trend has also brought attention to milk products in China. The original report noted that a Chinese milk brand referred to only as “San X” or “三X” also saw a boost in popularity and sales amid the osmanthus milk craze.
The source did not give the brand’s full name.
The report also does not identify a specific osmanthus syrup brand used in the drink. So there is no basis for attributing Luke’s drink to any particular syrup brand.
The trend is another example of how a seemingly minor detail in a hit drama can become a real-world talking point. Rather than feeling like an obvious product placement, Luke’s osmanthus milk appears naturally within an important moment in the characters’ relationship, which may be part of what made it so memorable to viewers.
The Early Spring is also not the first Chinese drama to turn food or drinks featured in its story into fan trends. The First Frost previously sparked interest in a distinctive birthday cake, while Pursuit of Jade drew attention to dishes such as intestine noodles and pig liver soup.
Dazzling also became associated by viewers with a lemon-and-sea-salt drink, while Blossoms Shanghai brought renewed attention to dishes such as pork chop rice cakes and paofan, a traditional Shanghai-style rice dish.
Still, Luke’s osmanthus milk has a particular appeal for The Early Spring fans. For them, it is not simply a drink. It has become a reminder of one of the moments when Luke began revealing his softer and more attentive side to Shang Zhi Tao.
How to Make Simple Osmanthus Milk at Home
Fans who want to recreate a similar drink at home do not need many ingredients. A simple version commonly found in Chinese drink recipes combines milk with osmanthus honey (桂花蜜).
For a basic serving, use around 200–250 ml of milk and 10–15 grams of osmanthus honey. Ice can be added if you prefer the drink cold, while a small amount of dried osmanthus can be used as a garnish.
To make it, simply add the osmanthus honey to a glass, pour in the milk and stir until well combined. Add ice for a chilled version. A sprinkling of dried osmanthus on top is optional.
If osmanthus honey is difficult to find, it can be replaced with osmanthus jam or osmanthus paste (桂花酱). Adjust the amount according to how sweet and fragrant you want the drink to be.
This is a simple home version inspired by the use of milk and osmanthus-based ingredients in Chinese drinks. It is not an official recipe released by The Early Spring or Luke.
For fans who have fallen for Luke and Shang Zhi Tao’s sweet moments, however, a glass of homemade osmanthus milk may be an easy way to bring a little taste of The Early Spring into their own kitchen.
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