Ube Latte: The Trending Purple Recipe (Hot, Iced, Variations)

The ube latte is arguably the most photogenic drink of the moment. This new beverage with its hypnotic purple hue is winning over both trendy coffee shops and at-home rituals, and rightly so: its natural purple colour and gently vanilla-tinged sweet flavour make it a delicious alternative to matcha latte or coffee. Originally from the Philippines, this purple drink made with ube powder conquered Instagram and TikTok in just a few months. In this article, you'll find the ube latte recipe in its hot version and the iced ube latte, the choice of plant-based milk, my tips for achieving a smooth texture with no lumps, and three variations to keep things interesting.

So what exactly is an ube latte?

The ube latte is a hot (or cold) drink that pairs ube powder, a purple Filipino tuber also known as purple yam, with frothy milk. Unlike most colourful lattes sold in stores, its deep purple shade owes nothing to colouring agents: it comes from anthocyanins, antioxidant pigments naturally present in the flesh of organic ube.

Hugely popular in the coffee shops of Manila, Tokyo, Seoul and later New York, the homemade ube latte has gradually made its way into French kitchens. Its naturally vanilla-like sweetness and striking visual appeal make it a highly Instagrammable alternative to matcha. If you want to go deeper into the benefits of this tuber, read our complete guide to the benefits of ube powder.

The ingredients for a successful ube latte

To prepare an ube latte worthy of a coffee shop, you only need three basic ingredients, plus a frother. The quality of the ube powder makes all the difference: it's what delivers the intense purple colour, the sweet flavour and the velvety mouthfeel.

What you'll need (for 1 cup)

• 1 heaped teaspoon of ube powder (organic, 100% pure, with no added sugar)
• 250 ml of milk of your choice (oat milk, coconut milk, almond milk, soy milk or whole milk)
• 1 teaspoon of maple syrup, agave syrup or honey (optional)
• A few drops of vanilla extract (optional, to enhance the natural flavour)

Choosing a quality ube powder

A quality ube powder can be recognised by three criteria: a deep and even purple, a fine texture without lumps, and an ingredient list that boils down to 100% ube. Be wary of powders that are too pale or pinkish: they often indicate a blend with purple sweet potato, which is lower in anthocyanins. Our premium ube powder from the Philippines comes from organic ube that is dried then cold-ground, which preserves the colour, the antioxidants and the sweet flavour.

Which milk for which result

Plant-based milk particularly enhances the vanilla-like taste of ube. Oat milk remains my favourite for its roundness and its ability to form a silky foam. Coconut milk adds an exotic touch that feels very true to the Filipino spirit. Almond milk, more discreet, lets the ube express its full sweetness. Whole milk is still the most classic option for an ultra-creamy texture.

The hot ube latte recipe, step by step

The easy ube latte recipe, hot version, takes less than 5 minutes. It's the ideal preparation for a cosy afternoon treat or a breakfast with a twist. The goal: a smooth texture, no lumps, and a velvety foam on top.

1. Gently warm the milk in a small saucepan or in the microwave (60 to 70 degrees, never boiling, to preserve the colour).
2. In a cup, place the ube powder and 3 tablespoons of hot water (or hot milk). Whisk vigorously with a whisk or spoon to achieve a smooth texture, with no lumps.
3. Add the syrup or vanilla, stir again to dissolve fully.
4. Pour the rest of the frothy hot milk over the top in a steady stream, then enjoy immediately.

For the foam, use an electric milk frother or a small handheld whisk. Failing that, shake the hot milk in a sealed jar for 30 seconds: the foam forms on its own. You get a glossy purple drink, crowned with an off-white cloud.

The iced version, perfect for sunny days

The iced ube latte recipe has become the star of summer terraces. The iced ube latte version requires two steps to prevent the ube powder from clumping on contact with the cold.

1. In a glass, mix the ube powder with 2 tablespoons of hot water (or hot milk) to form a smooth paste.
2. Add the syrup and stir.
3. Fill the glass with ice cubes, pour in well-chilled plant-based milk in a steady stream, and stir gently with a long spoon.

For a creamier iced ube latte, add a spoonful of plant-based whipped cream and a few coconut flakes on top. Visually stunning and perfect for a beautiful day.

Three indulgent variations for a change

The ube matcha latte (the two-tone star of Instagram)

The ube matcha latte is the union of two on-trend powders. Prepare half a matcha latte and half an ube latte separately. First pour the purple base into the glass, then layer the matcha on top using the back of a spoon to create a flawless two-tone effect. A spectacular drink, a double dose of antioxidants, and a visual made to go viral on social media.

The ube coconut latte (a Filipino escape)

Replace all the milk with full-fat unsweetened coconut milk. Add a pinch of ground cardamom and a drizzle of maple syrup. This variation comes very close to ube halaya reimagined as a drink, the traditional Filipino jam. A true exotic indulgence.

The vanilla ube (the creamiest version)

Add the seeds from half a vanilla pod (or 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract) to your classic ube latte. The vanilla amplifies the natural sweet flavour of ube and gives a drink reminiscent of a liquid dessert cream. Perfect for a Sunday afternoon treat.

My little secrets for a lump-free ube latte

Three simple rules separate an average homemade ube latte from one worthy of a coffee shop. First, always dissolve the ube powder in a little hot water or hot milk before adding the rest of the milk: this is what guarantees a smooth texture. Next, never bring the milk to a boil: excessive heat dulls the purple colour and breaks down the anthocyanins. Finally, sweeten sparingly: organic ube powder already has a natural sweetness that is often enough on its own.

Storage and preparing ahead

You can prepare the purple base (ube powder with a little hot water) up to 24 hours in advance and keep it in the fridge in a sealed jar. When morning comes, all you have to do is whisk it into hot or cold milk. For an even quicker routine, make a homemade ube syrup by mixing 2 tablespoons of ube powder with 100 ml of lukewarm maple syrup: it keeps for a week in the fridge and pours straight into hot or cold milk.

Frequently asked questions about ube latte

What are the benefits of ube latte?

The ube latte delivers the benefits of ube powder: powerful antioxidants (anthocyanins), fibre, vitamins C and B, and minerals such as potassium. Its concentration of active compounds makes it a drink that is both indulgent and supportive against oxidative stress. For a complete review, read our feature on the benefits of ube.

How much caffeine is in an ube latte?

Zero. Ube powder contains no caffeine at all, unlike matcha or coffee. It's an excellent new beverage for anyone who wants an indulgent latte in the evening, or for children.

Is the ube latte fattening?

Prepared without added sugar or with very little syrup, the ube latte remains a reasonable drink in terms of calories (around 80 to 150 kcal depending on the milk chosen). Ube powder is rich in fibre and provides good satiety, which makes it a wholesome alternative to commercial sugary drinks.

Can you make an ube latte without a professional machine?

Absolutely. A simple handheld whisk, a 10-euro electric milk frother, or even a sealed jar shaken energetically are enough to produce a silky foam. No espresso machine or steam wand required.

From what age can you drink ube latte?

Caffeine-free, gluten-free and 100% natural, ube powder can be offered to children from the age of 3, in warm or lukewarm milk. It's a wonderful alternative to hot chocolate, more colourful and just as indulgent.

Where can you buy quality ube powder in France?

Choose an organic ube powder, 100% pure, with no added sugar, ideally from the Philippines to guarantee the authenticity of the purple yam. Our premium ube powder is sourced from an organic Filipino cooperative and delivered in a sealed jar to preserve the purple colour and the flavour.

The ube latte is more than a passing trend: it's a natural, indulgent and beneficial purple drink that is settling lastingly into our rituals. Whether you prefer it hot or cold, in its classic form or as a two-tone ube matcha latte, it always offers a colourful and soothing pause. To start as early as tomorrow, discover our premium ube powder from the Philippines and begin your very first ube latte recipe.