Love creamy lattes and the sweet, nutty flavor of ube? This vibrant Ube Latte blends espresso and Ube for a rich, colorful twist on your coffee routine. Let’s make this trendy ube drink at home!
More ube-inspired treats? Ube Hopia, Ube Puto, and Ube Champorado are also yummy ube snacks to enjoy!
What is Ube Latte?
Ube Latte is a creamy, purple-hued coffee drink made with ube (purple yam), espresso, and milk. It combines the nutty, slightly sweet ube flavor with the bold richness of coffee, creating a unique and colorful latte.
Often made using an espresso machine, this trendy drink is part of the growing love for ube drinks like ube ice cream, cakes, and cookies.
History of Ube Latte
The iced Ube Latte is a modern fusion drink combining Filipino ube (purple yam) with espresso and milk. Ube has been a staple in Filipino desserts for centuries, but its use in latte recipes emerged recently in specialty cafés, particularly in the Philippines and US.
The fresh ube gained popularity due to its vibrant purple color and unique sweet, nutty flavor, boosted by social media trends.
Today, ube drinks are enjoyed hot or iced and can be found in Filipino cafes or trendy coffee shops and home kitchens worldwide.
This creamy ube is enjoyed year-round, but it’s especially popular during cold months (as a hot drink), summer (as an iced drink), and Filipino holidays like Christmas and fiestas when ube-based treats are traditionally served.
It’s also a trendy café favorite, often featured in seasonal menus and special celebrations (featured alongside Vietnamese coffee and other trendy flavors).
Substitutions
- Whole milk (or dairy-free alternative) - Half-and-half (for a richer taste), coconut milk, oat milk, almond milk, or soy milk
- Brown sugar - Coconut sugar, muscovado sugar, maple syrup, honey, or agave syrup
- Instant coffee - instant espresso, brewed strong coffee, or decaf coffee for a milder taste
- Sugar - Honey, agave syrup, stevia, monk fruit sweetener, maple syrup, or sweetened condensed coconut milk for a creamy and rich sweetness
- Ube extract - Ube halaya (purple yam jam, slightly diluted), or vanilla extract/vanilla syrup for a sweet, subtle alternative (though it won’t replicate the nutty ube taste)
Recipe Variations
- Ube Matcha Latte - Replace coffee with Matcha powder for an earthy twist
- Ube Taro Latte - Combine Ube powder with taro for a double root-vegetable flavor
- Ube Mocha Latte - Add cocoa powder or chocolate syrup for a chocolaty kick
- Ube Caramel Latte - Drizzle caramel sauce for a rich, buttery taste
- Ube Dirty Chai Latte - Add chai spice and a double shot of espresso for a spiced twist
Storage
- Ube milk mixture can be stored in the fridge for up to 2 days – shake before using.
- Whipped coffee foam (if used) can be refrigerated separately for up to 2 days and re-whisked before serving.
- Use a blender to mix any separated ingredients for a smooth consistency. Store any extra cold foam in an airtight container and stir before use.
Ingredients
Listed below are all the ingredients you will need:
- ice cubes
- whole milk (or dairy-free alternative)
- ube extract
- brown sugar
- instant coffee
- sugar
- hot water
See the recipe card for quantities.
Instructions
In a bowl, whisk together instant coffee, sugar, and hot water until well combined.
Whisk by hand or use a hand mixer until light and fluffy with soft peaks (10-15 minutes if whisking manually). Set aside.
In a cocktail shaker or jar, combine brown sugar, milk, and ube extract. Then, shake well until fully combined and frothy.
Fill a glass with ice cubes. Then, pour the ube mixture over the ice.
Gently top with whipped coffee and swirl before drinking.
Serve and enjoy!
Hint: For a caffeine-free version, replace coffee with whipped coconut cream!
⭐ Top Tip
Make it extra creamy by adding 1 tbsp condensed milk to the ube milk. For a warm latte, heat the Ube milk mixture before serving. Want a caffeine boost? Double the amount of coffee!
FAQ
More Recipes
Craving more delicious ube recipes? Try these ube-infused treats:
Ube Latte
Ingredients
- 4 ounces ice cubes
- 12 ounces whole milk or dairy-free alternative
- 1 tablespoon ube extract
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons instant coffee
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- ¼ cup hot water
Instructions
Make the Coffee Foam:
- In a bowl, mix instant coffee, sugar, and hot water.
- Whisk by hand or use a hand mixer until light and fluffy with soft peaks (10-15 minutes if whisking manually).
- Set aside.
Prepare the Ube Milk:
- In a cocktail shaker or jar, combine brown sugar, milk, and ube extract.
- Shake well until fully combined and frothy.
Assemble the Latte:
- Fill a glass with ice cubes.
- Pour the ube milk mixture over the ice.
- Gently top with whipped coffee and swirl before drinking.
- Serve immediately and enjoy!
Watch The Recipe Video!
Liz says
Woah! I haven't heard this type of Ube Drink yet, but this recipe looks so easy to make. I can't wait to try it! 🤩🤩🤩
Julius says
Anything purple looks nice and bright,
It’s pleasing to see and feels just right! 😁
Sheen says
Ube is one of my favorite flavor. Can't wait to try this one soon!
Claire M says
Purple yum all the way! Would love this no caffeine instead, love the coconut substitute.
Che says
This ube latte is a perfect treat for coffee lovers! It looks delicious and seems super easy to make!
Sweet says
Delicious! Perfect to the taste. I think Ube is one of the best Filipino ingredients ever!!!!
Dimple says
As always Simply Bakings, you never fail to amaze me with your recipes!