Ultimate Ube Iced Coffee Recipe for Creamy Purple Perfection

Dreaming of that beautiful, creamy, purple drink that fills your social media feed? Crafting the perfect ube iced coffee recipe at home often feels like a challenge, leaving many wondering how to achieve that vibrant color and authentic flavor.

Ube iced coffee is a visually stunning and delicious beverage made by combining espresso or cold brew coffee with milk and a sweet, earthy flavoring from ube (purple yam). The ube, typically in extract or jam (halaya) form, gives the drink its signature vibrant purple color and a unique flavor profile reminiscent of vanilla and pistachio. Drawing from comprehensive analysis of current data and proven methodologies, this guide will unlock the secrets to making this creamy ube latte a staple in your home. You’ll discover how to create your own purple ube latte with confidence and ease, achieving barista-approved results every time.

What Makes Ube Iced Coffee the Ultimate Creamy, Purple Drink?

The ube iced coffee recipe has taken the beverage world by storm, evolving from an authentic Filipino dessert ingredient into a global coffee sensation. At its heart, ube iced coffee is a harmonious blend of rich coffee with the unique, earthy, and subtly sweet notes of ube, a purple yam deeply rooted in Filipino cuisine. This visually stunning and delicious beverage offers a complex flavor profile that often surprises and delights, commonly described as a mix of vanilla, white chocolate, and pistachio. Its captivating purple ube latte hue and wonderfully creamy ube latte texture make it an incredibly popular choice for those seeking a unique and indulgent coffee experience, moving beyond standard ube flavored coffee to something truly special.

This drink’s popularity stems not just from its aesthetic appeal but also from its delicious taste, which makes it a standout among other flavored coffees. Unlike more common flavors, ube offers an exotic twist that elevates a simple coffee into a luxurious treat. The versatility of ube, available in various forms like concentrated ube extract or thick ube halaya (jam), allows for different approaches to achieve that coveted vibrant color and authentic taste. Understanding these core components and their relationships is the first step to mastering your own homemade version, ensuring that each sip delivers on the promise of homemade ube goodness.

3 Proven Ways to Make the Ultimate Ube Iced Coffee at Home

Making your own ube coffee recipe at home is more accessible than you think, especially when you have options that cater to different preferences and ingredient availability. Whether you’re short on time, craving a truly authentic and rich texture, or looking to prep your ingredients ahead, there’s a method here for you. We’ve tested and refined three distinct approaches to creating a homemade ube latte, each offering a unique pathway to that beautiful purple ube latte experience. These methods will guide you through the process of how to make ube iced coffee, ensuring you achieve that desired creamy ube latte consistency and unforgettable flavor, transforming you into a home barista in no time.

1. Make a Classic Iced Ube Latte with Ube Extract (The Quickest Method)

Pin this easy ube latte recipe to your ‘Coffee Drinks’ board!

This method for an easy homemade ube iced latte recipe with ube extract is perfect for those who want a quick fix without compromising on flavor or color. Ube extract is a concentrated liquid flavoring that provides both the authentic ube taste and that highly sought-after vibrant purple hue with minimal effort. It mixes seamlessly into liquids, making it ideal for a smooth, consistent drink every time. When considering how much ube extract to use for latte, this recipe provides a balanced starting point that you can adjust to your preference.

Ingredients

• 2 shots of freshly brewed espresso (or 1/2 cup strong cold brew concentrate), chilled
• 1 cup milk of choice (full-fat oat milk or coconut milk provide excellent creaminess)
• 1 to 1.5 tsp high-quality ube extract (brand matters for authentic flavor)
• 1-2 tbsp sweetener of choice (simple syrup, maple syrup, or sweetened condensed milk)
• 1 cup ice cubes

Instructions

1. Prepare the Ube Milk: In a separate cup or shaker, combine the milk, ube extract, and your chosen sweetener. Stir or shake vigorously until the ube extract is fully dissolved and the milk is a uniform, vibrant purple color.
2. Assemble the Drink: Fill your serving glass with ice cubes.
3. Pour the Ube Milk: Pour the purple ube milk mixture over the ice.
4. Add the Coffee: Slowly pour the chilled espresso shots or cold brew concentrate over the top to create a beautiful layered effect.
5. Serve: Stir everything together until combined before drinking. Serve immediately for the best taste and temperature.

Pro-Tip: For a perfectly smooth mixture, use a handheld milk frother to blend the ube extract and sweetener into a small amount of milk first, creating a concentrated base. Then, add the rest of the milk. This prevents clumping and ensures an even flavor distribution.

Bestseller No. 1

Dolce Flav Purple Ube Extract – 2 Ounce Water-Soluble Kosher, Sugar-Free, Concentrated Sweet Ube Flavoring for Baking, Ice Cream & Pastries, Includes Measured Dropper

Check Best Price

2. Craft a Rich Ube Iced Coffee with Ube Halaya (The Creamiest Method)

Save this rich and creamy ube recipe for a cozy coffee moment!

For an exceptionally rich and creamy ube latte, using ube halaya (purple yam jam) is the way to go. This method delivers a deeper, more authentic ube flavor and a luxurious, thicker texture that rivals any coffee shop. If you’ve wondered, “Can I use ube jam for ube iced coffee?”, the answer is a resounding yes! Ube halaya not only imparts flavor but also acts as a natural thickener and sweetener, making your simple ube iced latte using ube halaya jam an indulgent treat.

Ingredients

• 2 shots espresso or 1/2 cup strong brewed coffee, chilled
• 3/4 cup milk of choice (whole milk or a neutral-flavored plant milk works well)
• 2 heaping tbsp ube halaya (purple yam jam)
• Optional: 1 tsp sweetened condensed milk if your halaya is not very sweet
• 1 cup ice cubes

Instructions

1. Create the Ube Base: In a small bowl or a blender, combine the ube halaya and the milk.
2. Blend or Whisk: For the smoothest texture, blend the mixture for 20-30 seconds until the halaya is completely incorporated. Alternatively, use a handheld milk frother or whisk vigorously for 1-2 minutes until no lumps remain.
3. Assemble the Drink: Fill a tall glass with ice.
4. Pour and Combine: Pour the creamy ube milk base over the ice, followed by the chilled espresso. The coffee will naturally marble with the thick ube milk.
5. Serve: Stir well to fully combine the rich flavors. Taste and add more sweetener if needed. This version is best served immediately.

Lesson Learned: Not all ube halaya is created equal. Some are sweeter or thicker than others. After your first attempt, adjust the amount of halaya and optional sweetener to perfectly match your taste and the specific brand you are using.

Bestseller No. 2

Tropics Ube Halaya (Purple Yam Jam)

Check Best Price

3. Prepare a Batch-Friendly Ube Iced Coffee with Homemade Syrup

Pin this ube syrup recipe to make your favorite coffee all week long!

For the dedicated ube iced coffee lover, preparing a homemade ube syrup is a game-changer. This method allows you to make a batch of concentrated ube flavor that can be stored and used for quick, easy lattes throughout the week. It’s an excellent way to prepare ube milk for iced coffee efficiently. The syrup ensures consistent flavor and color in every cup, and if you’re wondering about an ube latte recipe using ube powder and syrup, this is it. Plus, knowing how to store ube syrup properly means you’ll always be just moments away from a delicious purple ube latte.

What You Need (for the Syrup)

• 1/2 cup water
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 3 tbsp ube powder (or 1/2 cup ube halaya)
• 1 tsp vanilla extract (optional, enhances flavor)
• An airtight bottle or jar for storage

Steps (to make the Ube Syrup)

1. Combine Ingredients: In a small saucepan, whisk together the water, sugar, and ube powder until the powder is mostly dissolved.
2. Heat Gently: Place the saucepan over medium-low heat. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, stirring constantly to prevent burning and to help the sugar dissolve completely.
3. Simmer and Thicken: Let the syrup simmer for 3-5 minutes, or until it has thickened slightly. It will thicken more as it cools.
4. Cool and Store: Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract, if using. Let the syrup cool completely, then pour it into an airtight jar or bottle. It can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.

Steps (to make the Iced Coffee)

1. Assemble: Fill a glass with ice. Add 2-3 tablespoons of your homemade ube syrup.
2. Add Milk & Coffee: Top with 1 cup of milk and 2 shots of espresso (or 1/2 cup cold brew).
3. Stir & Enjoy: Stir until the syrup is well-mixed with the milk and coffee. Adjust the amount of syrup to your desired sweetness.

Pro-Tip: Using ube powder creates a syrup with a deep, earthy flavor and intense color. For an advanced flavor profile, toast the ube powder in a dry pan for 30-60 seconds over low heat before adding it to the water and sugar. This awakens the nutty notes of the ube.

Bestseller No. 3

NutraBloom Purple Sweet Potato Powder, 8 Oz, Natural Food Coloring, Ube Powder, Rich Anthocyanin Superfood for Baking, Smoothies

Check Best Price

FAQs About ube iced coffee recipe

What does ube iced coffee taste like?

Ube iced coffee has a unique, sweet, and creamy flavor profile with earthy and nutty notes. Many people compare the taste of ube to a combination of vanilla, white chocolate, and pistachio. When mixed with coffee, it creates a rich, dessert-like beverage that is less floral than lavender and more complex than plain vanilla.

Can I use ube powder for iced coffee?

Yes, you can absolutely use ube powder, but it’s best to make a syrup first for a smooth texture. Directly mixing ube powder into a cold drink can result in clumps. By simmering it with water and sugar to create a syrup (as shown in Method 3), you get a smooth, flavorful, and colorful base that mixes perfectly into iced coffee.

What is the difference between ube extract and ube halaya?

Ube extract is a concentrated liquid flavoring, while ube halaya is a thick, sweet jam made from mashed purple yam. The extract provides potent flavor and vibrant color quickly. Halaya provides a richer, more authentic flavor and adds significant creaminess and body to the drink, acting as both a flavor and a thickener.

How do you make ube cold foam?

To make ube cold foam, combine 2 tbsp heavy cream, 1 tbsp milk, 1-2 tsp sweetener, and 1/4 tsp ube extract in a cup. Use a handheld milk frother to whip the mixture for about 30-45 seconds, or until it has thickened into a soft, spoonable foam. Pour it over your iced coffee for a decadent topping.

What kind of milk is best for an iced ube latte?

For the creamiest results, full-fat oat milk is a top choice as its natural creaminess complements the ube flavor perfectly. Coconut milk also works very well, adding a slight tropical note. However, regular whole dairy milk or almond milk are also great options depending on your preference.

Is ube iced coffee sweet?

It is typically sweet, but you can control the sweetness level completely. The ube itself has a mild, natural sweetness. Most of the sweetness comes from added ingredients like simple syrup, sweetened condensed milk, or the sugar within ube halaya. Our recipes allow you to adjust the sweetener to your personal taste.

How do I get a vibrant purple color in my ube coffee?

Using a quality ube extract is the easiest way to achieve a vibrant, deep purple color. While ube halaya and ube powder provide color, it can sometimes be more muted or grayish. For that coffee-shop pop, a good extract is key. Some people add a tiny drop of natural purple food coloring if using halaya alone.

Can I make this a hot ube latte instead?

Yes, any of these recipes can be easily adapted for a hot latte. Simply warm and froth your ube milk mixture using a steamer or by heating it in a saucepan while whisking vigorously. Then, combine it with a shot of hot espresso in a mug. Do not add ice.

How do you make ube iced coffee without an espresso machine?

You can easily make it without an espresso machine by using strong brewed coffee or cold brew concentrate. Brew your coffee at double the normal strength to ensure the coffee flavor isn’t lost. Instant espresso powder mixed with a little hot water is another excellent and convenient substitute.

Is ube iced coffee dairy-free or vegan-friendly?

Yes, it is very easy to make a dairy-free and vegan ube iced coffee. Simply use a plant-based milk like oat, almond, or coconut milk. If using sweetened condensed milk, be sure to choose a coconut-based or oat-based vegan version. Ube itself is naturally vegan.

Final Thoughts on Your Homemade Ube Iced Coffee Journey

Creating your own ube iced coffee recipe at home is a deliciously rewarding experience that goes far beyond just making a drink. It’s about taking a trendy, beautiful beverage and making it your own. Whether you prefer the quick convenience of ube extract, the rich authenticity of ube halaya, or the prep-ahead ease of a homemade syrup, you now have a tested iced ube latte recipe to create that perfect creamy ube drink anytime you wish.

Don’t be afraid to experiment! This guide is your starting point. Adjust the sweetness, try a new type of milk, or even combine methods. The best ube iced coffee recipe is the one that you love the most. Enjoy the process, the vibrant colors, and of course, every delicious sip.

What will you try first—the extract, halaya, or syrup method? Let me know in the comments below!

Last update on 2025-12-25 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API