Ube latte is a total elevation with a creamy, purple, ube-infused coffee. It offers a unique blend of earthy, vanilla, and coconut sweetness. Learn how to make ube latte at home to skip the lines, save some money, and add it to your weekly coffee morning rotation.
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I’ve tried lavender lattes and rose lattes. So when it comes to ube latte, the answer is clear. YES. If I can try lattes that are usually with ingredients for soap…I can try a latte made with one of the best Filipino spuds ever. UBE.
What is Ube Latte?
Ube latte is easy to make and is a creamy, sweet beverage made with ube, a purple yam popular in Filipino cuisine.
Ube has really grown in ways it is used, and how to make an ube latte shine is no exception. It’s modern, fun, and the subtle flavor is pretty addicting and comforting.
The drink combines ube’s earthy, nutty, vanilla-like flavor with coconut and evaporated milk. Don’t forget the espresso (I know I don’t) to give it a kick!
Taste Profile of Ube Latte
Ube lattes have a unique flavor profile that is sweet, creamy, and slightly nutty, like ube halaya.
The ube’s earthy tones pair beautifully with the creaminess of coconut and evaporated milk and espresso.
If you’re new to ube, think of a cross between vanilla and sweet potato, with a hint of added coconut. The only thing is, ube is NOT naturally sweet, but it will be when adding the sweeteners to your level of preference.
Calories in an Ube Latte
The calorie count of an ube latte depends on the ingredients used:
- With coconut milk, evaporated milk, and sugar: Around 250 calories per serving (without espresso).
- Low Cal Vegan version: Using almond or oat milk and a natural sweetener can lower the calorie count to 100-150 calories.
- With espresso: Adding a shot of espresso adds about 5 calories.
Can Ube Latte Be Made Vegan and Gluten-Free?
- Vegan: Yes! Swap dairy milk with plant-based alternatives like almond, oat, or coconut milk. Use a vegan sweetener like agave syrup.
- Gluten-Free: Naturally, ube and the typical ingredients in an ube latte are gluten-free. Just ensure any additional flavorings or toppings are certified gluten-free.
Using Real Ube vs. Ube Extract
- Real Ube: Using fresh or frozen ube gives your latte an authentic flavor and thicker consistency. It requires preparation, such as steaming and mashing the ube. Follow my ube halaya recipe and use that as the mix-in for all natural ube flavor.
- Ube Extract: Convenient and widely available, ube extract provides a concentrated flavor and vibrant color. However, it may lack the depth of flavor you’d get from real ube.
Ingredients for Ube Latte
- 1/4 cup ube puree, ube halaya, or 1 teaspoon ube extract
- 1/2 cup evaporated milk
- 1/2 cup coconut milk
- 2 tablespoons sugar or sweetener
- 2 shot of espresso
- Ice cubes (for iced version)
- Optional toppings:
- Whipped cream (dairy or non-dairy)
- Ube halaya (ube jam)
- Toasted coconut flakes
- Pinipig (posted pounded rice flakes)
Equipment
- Frother (manual or electric)
- Small saucepan
- Whisk or spoon
- Wire mesh strainer
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Glasses or mugs for serving
How to Make Ube Latte Instructions
- Prepare the Ube Base:
- If using real ube, steam and mash it until smooth. Mix with a splash of water or milk to create a paste.
- For ube extract, combine 1 teaspoon with sugar in a small bowl.
- Scoop the ube halaya (if using) and heat to soften if needed.
- Heat the Milk:
- In a small saucepan, warm the evaporated and coconut milk over medium heat. Do not boil.
- Whisk in the ube puree or extract and sweetener until fully combined.
- If using ube halaya, whisk it in very well.
- Strain the mixture over the sieve to smooth it.
- Froth the Milk:
- Use a frother to create a creamy, frothy texture.
- Optional Espresso:
- Brew a shot of espresso and pour it into your serving glass or mug.
- Combine and Serve:
- Pour the ube milk mixture over the espresso (if using).
- For an iced version, pour over a glass filled with ice cubes.
- Top with whipped cream, ube halaya, or coconut flakes if desired.
Notes and Tips
- Adjust sweetness to taste. Some prefer a more subtle sweetness, while others enjoy a rich, dessert-like latte.
- Experiment with milk types for different flavor profiles. Coconut milk enhances the ube’s earthy flavor.
Add-ins and Variations
How to make ube latte is easy and fun. Create more versions with some of these ideas:
- Vanilla or Almond Extract: For extra depth of flavor.
- Spices: Add a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg.
- Taro: Mix in a bit of taro paste for a unique twist.
- Espresso Shot: For a caffeine boost.
- Matcha: In place of espresso.
- Add boba balls, coconut gel jellies, pandan jelly, pandan extract, or grass jelly for unique flavors in iced versions of ube latte. Use condensed milk instead of sugar.
How to Serve Ube Latte
- Hot Ube Latte: Perfect for cozy mornings. Serve in a mug and enjoy warm.
- Iced Ube Latte: A refreshing treat for warmer days. Serve over ice in a tall glass.
Ube Latte Recipe
Equipment
- Frother optional
- Small saucepan
- Whisk or spoon
- Glasses or mugs for serving
Ingredients
- ¼ cup ube puree ube halaya, or 1 teaspoon ube extract
- ½ cup evaporated milk
- ½ cup coconut milk
- 2 tablespoons sugar or sweetener
- 2 shot of espresso
- Ice cubes for iced version
- Optional toppings:
- Whipped cream dairy or non-dairy
- Ube halaya ube jam
Instructions
Prepare the Ube Base:
- If using real ube, steam and mash it until smooth. Mix with a splash of water or milk to create a paste.For ube extract, combine 1 teaspoon with sugar in a small bowl.Scoop the ube halaya (if using) and heat to soften if needed.¼ cup ube puree
Heat the Milk:
- In a small saucepan, warm the evaporated and coconut milk over medium heat. Do not boil.Whisk in the ube puree or extract and sweetener until fully combined.If using ube halaya, whisk it in very well.½ cup evaporated milk, ½ cup coconut milk, 2 tablespoons sugar or sweetener
- Strain the mixture over the sieve to smooth it.
Froth the Milk:
- Use a frother to create a creamy, frothy texture.
Optional Espresso:
- Brew a shot of espresso and pour it into your serving glass or mug.2 shot of espresso
Combine and Serve:
- Pour the ube milk mixture over the espresso (if using).For an iced version, pour over a glass filled with ice cubes.Ice cubes
- Top with whipped cream, ube halaya, or coconut flakes if desired.Optional toppings:, Whipped cream, Ube halaya
Notes
- Vanilla or Almond Extract: For extra depth of flavor.
- Spices: Add a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg.
- Taro: Mix in a bit of taro paste for a unique twist.
- Espresso Shot: For a caffeine boost.
- Matcha: In place of espresso.
- Add boba balls, coconut gel jellies, pandan jelly, pandan extract, or grass jelly for unique flavors in iced versions of ube latte. Use condensed milk instead of sugar.
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