This recipe for Iced Ube Latte features fragrant purple yam (ube), coffee and milk in this vivid, lightly sweet and delicious drink. It's easy to whip up and contains only 5 ingredients.
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What is ube?
Ube (pronounced OOH-beh) is a purple yam that is commonly found in the Philippines.
I've got a few recipes using this delicious purple yam:
Why you'll love this recipe
This Ube Latte does not contain any ube extract, which usually contains artificial colours and flavouring.
It's made with Ube Halaya Jam, which is a spread using purple ube, coconut milk and sugar.
Using the Ube Halaya Jam in this drink omits the need to add any sweetener to the drink (however, if you like your drink sweeter, you can always add simple syrup).
It only contains 5 ingredients and is easy to make.
5 ingredients you'll need
- ube halaya jam: I made my own, but you can use store bought (Note: store bought halaya can be on the sweeter side)
- whole milk: you can use any milk or non-dairy alternative, such as coconut, soy, oat or almond milk
- espresso or brewed coffee: you can use 2 shots of espresso or ½ C strong coffee
- ice
- whipped cream: optional, for garnish
How to make it
Combine ¼ C Ube Halaya Jam with ½ C milk in a jar and heat in the microwave until warmed through. (Alternatively, you can heat the mixture in a small saucepan on the stove).
Give the ube milk mixture a stir to ensure there are no lumps.
Add the ube milk into a tall glass.
Top with ice.
Pour espresso/coffee over the ice and garnish with whipped cream (optional).
Stick in a straw, give it a stir and enjoy immediately.
Note: if you find the ube milk mixture a little too thick for your liking, add a little more milk.
How to serve
Enjoy the Iced Ube Latte immediately.
How to store
Store the Iced Ube Latte in the fridge, however it's best to make the drink just before you want to enjoy it.
FAQS & substitutions
Where can I find ube?
Fresh ube (purple yam) can be difficult to find in North America.
You may be able to find frozen ube in Asian supermarkets.
Can I use ube powder?
If you have ube powder, you can use that to make the ube milk.
Note: You may need to add quite a bit of powder in order to get a similar purple intensity, which can make the drink a little clumpy.
Also, you may need to add a little sweetener (of your choice) as ube powder is usually unsweetened.
Is taro the same thing?
No, taro is a different root vegetable -- it's light beige with purple/pink flecks.
Can I double the recipe?
Yes, you can easily double the recipe to make 2 servings.
Can I make it with non-dairy milk?
Sure, you can use any non-dairy alternative such as soy, oat, coconut or almond which are all great options.
Can I make it without coffee?
Omit the coffee and increase the amount of milk.
Can I add ube extract?
Yes, you can definitely add ube extract to enhance the flavour and colour of the ube latte.
Can I make it a warm latte?
Sure, just omit the ice.
Other recipes you may like
Be sure to check out these recipes:
Let me know if you try out this recipe -- tag me on Instagram @siftandsimmer or leave me a comment/rating below!
Iced Ube Latte (Purple Yam Coffee)
For accuracy and precision in baking recipes, use weight (metric) measurements when available.
Ingredients
- ¼ C ube halaya jam
- ½ C whole milk or non-dairy alternative
- ice
- 2 shots espresso or ½ C brewed coffee
- whipped cream optional
Instructions
- Combine ¼ C Ube Halaya Jam with ½ C milk in a jar and heat in the microwave until warmed through. (Alternatively, you can heat the mixture in a small saucepan on the stove).
- Give the ube milk mixture a stir to ensure there are no lumps.
- Add the ube milk into a tall glass.
- Top with ice.
- Pour espresso/coffee over the ice and garnish with whipped cream (optional).
- Stick in a straw, give it a stir and enjoy immediately.
- Note: if you find the ube milk mixture a little too thick for your liking, add a little more milk.
Notes
Nutrition
The nutritional information provided should be considered as approximate and is not guaranteed. Please use your best judgment to ensure food is safely prepared and/or a good fit for your diet.
Raymund
Nice to see this ube latte! Now you got the ube fever too 🤣
Michelle
Yes Raymund! Ube is getting lots of love and attention right now! 😉
David @ Spiced
Well that's a fun idea! You always come up with the most creative ube recipes, and this one takes the cake...err, latte! Such a great presentation, and it sounds delicious, too!
Michelle
Ah thanks David, this ube latte is one of my favourite coffee creations so far! 🙂
Laura
This sounds amazing, Michelle! I love ube, but have never cooked with it. Im forwarding this to my son, who is a big fan of all things Ube. Not sure he could make it in his dorm room, but pretty sure he'll give it a go when he's home! Thanks!
Michelle
I'm happy to hear that your son loves ube, Laura! If he's in a dorm room, he can use a store bought ube jam for ease 🙂
Healthy World Cuisine
Now this is one delicious coffee and so pretty too. Thinking I want to give this a go as a hot latte as it is getting a little chilly now. Stay well and take care
Michelle
Yes, this ube coffee is so good warm or cold! But definitely warm is the way to go since it's getting chilly now! Thanks Bobbi!
2pots2cook
So beautiful Michelle ! Must get both Ube jam and powder. Thank you so much !
Michelle
Thanks Davorka! The purple yam is such a delicious flavour!
Heidi | The Frugal Girls
The color of your ube latte is just fabulous. Plus with just 5 minutes and 5 ingredients, it really is so easy to make!
Linsey
Wow, beautiful ube latte! Like it, can be cold or warm drink. It is also very nutritional.
Austin
love the recipe! just made it today and it tastes amazing!
side note: as a filipino, the right and traditional pronunciation is not ooh-bey but “OOH- BEH” !
Michelle
Thanks for the note, Austin! Appreciate it 🙂
lalala
This latte is so beautiful. I was really looking forward to it. Unfortunately, it looks pretty but was pretty bland and masks the coffee taste
Michelle
Hi there, sorry to hear that -- typically, ube halaya is sweet and has a lot of purple yam flavor. If you're used to ube extract in a bottle, you may find the flavor will be different. You can reduce the amount of ube halaya if you prefer a more stronger coffee taste.
Jhicel
I couldn't find fresh ube, so I used frozen, and it worked just fine. Still tasted amazing! Overall, a super yummy drink that's really visually stunning and delicious.
Michelle
Hi Jhicel, thanks for trying the recipe! 🙂