Picture this: it’s sweltering outside, you’ve hit that afternoon slump, and you’re staring at your fridge wishing you had a fun, café-worthy drink — without the $7 price tag or a line of chatty couples. Enter the iced ube coconut latte. It’s bright, it’s creamy, and you can make it in minutes, right in your own kitchen (yes, even if your “coffee bar” is the corner of your countertop).
The best part? You don’t need a fancy espresso machine or a bottle of syrup that’ll expire before you use it twice. This is a small-batch, solo-friendly version you’ll actually finish — and crave again tomorrow. Let’s get that purple magic swirling.
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Why You’ll Love This Iced Ube Coconut Latte
A café-style treat, no barista skills needed
If you’ve ever scrolled past an iced ube coconut latte post and thought, “That looks complicated,” you’re not alone. Many recipes out there call for homemade ube jam, full-on espresso shots, and steps that could fill an afternoon. But here’s the secret: with a few smart swaps, you can capture all that vibrant flavor in about five minutes.
You’ll use a shortcut — ready-made ube extract or ube halaya (sweet purple yam jam). Blend it with coconut milk and your choice of coffee or espresso. No need for frothers or syrups you’ll never use again. It’s as easy as shake, pour, sip.
Light, dairy-free, and perfect for one
When you’re cooking for yourself, big-batch drinks just don’t make sense. This recipe makes exactly one tall glass, so you won’t be left with leftover latte you don’t know what to do with. And because it uses coconut milk, it’s naturally dairy-free and lighter than a heavy cream-based version.
The coconut adds a rich, tropical vibe that pairs perfectly with the nutty-sweet notes of ube. Bonus: coconut milk froths up beautifully when shaken — giving you that silky café texture without any special equipment. No waste, no weird ingredients, just a super satisfying sip.
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Iced Ube Coconut Latte Recipe
- Prep Time: 2 minutes
- Cook Time: 3 minutes
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 1 serving
- Category: Drink
- Method: No-cook
- Cuisine: Filipino-inspired
Description
A solo-friendly iced ube coconut latte that’s creamy, vibrant, and ready in just 5 minutes. Perfect for one!
Ingredients
1-2 tsp ube extract OR 1 tbsp ube halaya
1/2 cup coconut milk (boxed or canned)
1 shot espresso or 1/4 cup strong coffee
1-2 tsp simple syrup (optional)
Ice
Instructions
1. Brew your coffee or espresso; let cool slightly.
2. Shake coconut milk with ube extract or halaya until well combined.
3. Fill a tall glass with ice and pour in ube coconut mixture.
4. Slowly pour espresso over the top.
5. Stir, taste, and add sweetener if desired.
Notes
- Adjust sweetness to your taste.
- For extra creaminess, use full-fat canned coconut milk.
- Use instant espresso powder if you don’t have an espresso machine.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 glass
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 40mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Keywords: iced ube coconut latte, ube latte, coconut milk latte, solo-friendly drinks
What Goes Into an Iced Ube Coconut Latte?
Simple ingredients you probably have (or can grab easily)
You don’t need a shopping list as long as your arm. To make a refreshing iced ube coconut latte, here’s what goes into your glass:
- Ube extract or ube halaya (purple yam jam): this is where the signature flavor and color come from. Ube extract gives a strong purple punch with just a few drops, while halaya adds a bit of texture and sweetness.
- Coconut milk: go for canned full-fat coconut milk for richness, or boxed coconut milk for a lighter version. Either works beautifully.
- Espresso or strong coffee: hot or cold — whatever you have on hand. Even instant espresso powder works here.
- Sweetener (optional): if using unsweetened coconut milk or if you like your latte sweeter, add a touch of simple syrup, honey, or your sweetener of choice.
- Ice: plenty of it.
That’s it. No weird powders, no syrups with mystery ingredients.
Easy steps for a solo-friendly version
Once you’ve gathered your ingredients, here’s how to make this drink in minutes:
- Brew your coffee or espresso and set it aside to cool slightly.
- In a jar or shaker, add coconut milk and ube extract (or a spoonful of ube halaya). Shake well until fully mixed and frothy.
- Fill a tall glass with ice. Pour in the ube coconut mixture.
- Slowly pour your coffee over the top for that pretty layered effect.
- Taste — if you like it sweeter, stir in your sweetener.
That’s it. No blender, no fancy tools. Just a quick shake, pour, and sip. And since this recipe makes one glass, you won’t be left with a jug of bright purple latte sitting in your fridge.
If you’re curious about other ways to enjoy this flavor, check out this easy ube latte recipe too — warm or iced, both are delicious solo sips.
Tips for the Best Iced Ube Coconut Latte Every Time
How to adjust for your taste and pantry
The beauty of an iced ube coconut latte is how customizable it is. No two kitchens look alike — and that’s okay. Here’s how you can tweak this drink to suit your vibe:
- No espresso machine? Use strong brewed coffee or even instant espresso powder.
- Want it creamier? Use canned full-fat coconut milk. For a lighter drink, boxed coconut milk works great.
- Need it sweeter? Add simple syrup or stir in a spoonful of condensed milk for that café-style indulgence.
- Can’t find ube extract? Ube halaya (purple yam jam) is a perfect stand-in. It adds flavor and sweetness in one go.
And if you’re making this often (trust me, you might), keep a small bottle of ube extract in your fridge. A few drops are all you need for instant ube magic.
Common mistakes and how to avoid them
Even a simple iced ube coconut latte can trip you up if you don’t know a few tricks. Here’s what to watch out for:
- Over-diluting: If your coffee or coconut milk is too watery, your latte will taste bland. Use strong coffee and full-flavored coconut milk.
- Not mixing well: Ube extract or jam needs a good shake to blend with coconut milk. Don’t skip this step — it makes the drink look and taste better.
- Forgetting the ice: This drink needs a good amount of ice to balance the richness. Without it, you’ll miss that cool, refreshing feel.
Remember: this is a solo treat. You’re making it for you — so taste as you go and adjust it until it makes you smile.
Part 4: FAQs About Iced Ube Coconut Latte
What does an ube latte taste like?
An ube latte tastes sweet, nutty, and creamy — with subtle vanilla-like notes from the ube (purple yam). It’s not as earthy as matcha, nor as bold as coffee alone. The coconut milk adds a tropical richness that balances the ube’s natural sweetness. The result? A cool, comforting sip that’s both vibrant and mellow.
What is ube latte made of?
An ube latte is typically made with ube extract or ube halaya (purple yam jam), milk (coconut milk in this version), espresso or strong coffee, and ice. Some versions add sweetener or condensed milk for extra richness. This solo-friendly iced version combines all these flavors in a quick, easy-to-make glass.
Is an iced latte with coconut milk good?
Absolutely. An iced latte with coconut milk offers a light, creamy texture with a subtle tropical flavor. Coconut milk pairs especially well with the nutty-sweet profile of ube, making this latte refreshing and satisfying without feeling heavy. Plus, it’s dairy-free and easy on the stomach — perfect for sipping solo.
Is ube latte healthy?
An ube latte can be a balanced treat when made at home. Ube itself contains fiber and antioxidants. Using coconut milk adds healthy fats, and you control the sweetness. Skip sugary syrups and keep portions reasonable. Compared to many coffeehouse versions, this homemade iced ube coconut latte is a lighter, more mindful option.
Ready To Make Yours?
When the craving hits and your fridge feels uninspiring, remember this: an iced ube coconut latte is five minutes away. No special tools, no wasted ingredients — just a simple, colorful drink you’ll actually finish. Whether it’s your afternoon pick-me-up or a little self-care sip, this solo-friendly latte delivers creamy, purple joy in every glass. Now go make one. You deserve it.
P.S. Love easy solo recipes like this? Follow me on Pinterest and X (Twitter) for more simple ideas you can actually make for yourself — no crowd required.
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