Ube Latte: The Viral Purple Coffee You Can Make in 5 Minutes

Ube latte tastes like magic in a mug — but when you’re making it for one, who wants to hunt down complicated ingredients or scale a giant batch? If you’ve ever craved that rich, nutty-sweet purple drink and thought “Does this really need to be a whole production?” — the answer is no. You can whip up a cozy, café-worthy ube latte right in your kitchen, no fancy equipment needed. Let’s do it, solo style.

ube latte on white countertop in bright kitchen
A creamy ube latte served in a glass mug on a bright white kitchen counter.
Table of Contents

This purple coffee drink is trending because it hits the sweet spot of Instagram-worthy looks + unique flavor + DIY appeal — especially for solo home cooks.

Here’s why so many are making it at home:

  • That purple color — it looks gorgeous on social feeds.
  • New flavor experience — people are seeking flavors beyond vanilla and caramel. Ube’s coconut-vanilla-nutty notes feel fresh.
  • Global fusionthis ube-flavored coffee brings together Filipino ingredients and Western coffee culture.
  • DIY-friendly — You don’t need barista skills to make it. Perfect for cooking-for-one fans who want to try something fun without buying a ton of ingredients.

With more folks trying new recipes at home, this trendy purple latte became a viral hit — and for solo sippers, it’s a quick way to treat yourself to something different.

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overhead ube latte with milk swirl on kitchen counter

Ube Latte Recipe

  • Author: Meals For One
  • Prep Time: 2 minutes
  • Cook Time: 3 minutes
  • Total Time: 5 minutes
  • Yield: 1 serving
  • Category: Drinks
  • Method: Stovetop / Hand-frothing
  • Cuisine: Filipino fusion

Description

Learn how to make ube latte — a creamy, sweet, purple coffee drink — right at home with simple ingredients.


Ingredients

1–2 teaspoons ube halaya or ½ teaspoon ube extract

¾ cup milk of choice

1 shot espresso or ¼ cup strong brewed coffee

Optional: sweetener of choice

Optional: ice


Instructions

1. Warm the ube halaya or ube extract with milk in a small saucepan or microwave-safe cup. Whisk until fully blended.

2. Froth the ube-milk mixture using a frother, whisk, or by shaking in a jar.

3. Brew 1 shot espresso or ¼ cup strong brewed coffee.

4. Pour the warm, frothy ube-milk mixture into a mug.

5. Slowly pour the espresso into the mug. For layered look, pour gently; or stir to combine.

6. Taste and adjust sweetness if needed. Serve immediately — hot or over ice.


Notes

  • Adjust sweetness depending on the brand of ube halaya used.
  • Use high-quality ube extract for best flavor if not using halaya.
  • Experiment with different types of milk for varied texture and taste.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 mug
  • Calories: 110
  • Sugar: 5g
  • Sodium: 50mg
  • Fat: 4g
  • Saturated Fat: 2g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 2g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 15g
  • Fiber: 1g
  • Protein: 5g
  • Cholesterol: 10mg

Keywords: ube latte, how to make ube latte, ube drink, ube coffee, solo coffee drink

How To Make Ube Latte (Ingredients + Step-by-Step)

whisking ube halaya with milk for ube latte
Whisking ube halaya with milk to prepare an ube latte.

Ingredients for One Ube Latte

  • 1–2 teaspoons ube halaya (purple yam jam) or ½ teaspoon high-quality ube extract
  • ¾ cup milk (any kind: whole, oat, almond — your call)
  • 1 shot espresso or ¼ cup strong brewed coffee
  • Optional: sweetener of choice (if needed; many ube halayas are already sweet)
  • Optional: ice (if making iced ube latte)

How To Make Ube Latte Step by Step

Step 1: Warm the ube + milk
In a small saucepan or microwave-safe cup, combine ube halaya (or ube extract) with your milk. Warm gently and whisk until smooth and fully blended. Don’t let it boil — just heat enough to mix.

Step 2: Froth the milk
If you like your ube latte creamy and café-style, froth the ube-milk mixture. You can use a milk frother, whisk vigorously by hand, or shake it in a jar with a tight lid.

Step 3: Brew your coffee
Make one shot of espresso or about ¼ cup strong brewed coffee. Freshly brewed gives the best flavor.

Step 4: Assemble your ube latte
Pour the warm, frothy ube-milk mixture into your mug. Slowly add the espresso or coffee. For pretty layers, pour gently over a spoon. For a fully blended drink, stir to combine.

Step 5: Taste and adjust
Taste your ube latte — if it needs more sweetness, add a little sugar or syrup to your liking. If making it iced, pour the latte over ice.

Enjoy immediately! You’ve now mastered how to make ube latte — quick, cozy, and made just for one.

If you love this cozy version, you’ll definitely want to try my Iced Ube Coconut Latte too. It’s a refreshing twist on the classic, perfect for warmer days or when you’re craving something cool and creamy.

Common mistakes to avoid when making ube latte

Making this purple yam latte for one is simple, but there are a few pitfalls to watch out for:

  1. Using too much ube: A little goes a long way. Too much ube halaya or extract can overpower the drink or make it gummy.
  2. Forgetting to adjust sweetness: If your ube halaya is already sweetened, you may not need any extra sugar.
  3. Using low-quality extract: Cheap extracts can taste artificial. Go for brands labeled for culinary use.
  4. Skipping the froth: Even a quick hand-whisk of your milk makes this ube-flavored coffee feel café-quality.
  5. Not blending properly: If using extract and milk only, whisk well to avoid clumps. Ube halaya may need a quick warm-up to dissolve smoothly.

FAQ

What is ube latte made of?

An ube latte is made with ube halaya (purple yam jam) or ube extract, milk (dairy or non-dairy), and espresso or strong coffee. Optional: sweetener, depending on your taste and the sweetness of your ube base.

What is the flavor of ube?

Ube tastes like a mix of vanilla, coconut, and mild nuttiness. It’s sweet but earthy. In this ube-flavored coffee, the flavor pairs beautifully with creamy milk and espresso.

Is it healthy?

This purple yam latte can be a lighter option if you use unsweetened milk and control the sweetener. Ube offers antioxidants and fiber — the drink’s healthiness depends on your ingredient choices.

What is ube drink?

Ube drink” refers to any beverage flavored with ube — the purple yam. That includes ube latte, ube milk tea, smoothies, milkshakes, and more. Ube latte is one of the most popular variations for coffee lovers.

What fruit is ube?

Ube is not a fruit — it’s a purple yam (a tuber). It’s commonly used in Filipino desserts and drinks, prized for its color and flavor.

One Last Sip: Why You’ll Want To Make Ube Latte Again

If you’ve been curious about the ube latte craze, now’s the perfect time to try it — solo style. One cup, five minutes, no big commitment. With its creamy texture, stunning color, and unique flavor, this ube drink turns an ordinary coffee break into a small moment of joy.

And since you’re making it yourself, you can tweak it to your exact taste. No long café lines, no oversized batch. Just you, your mug, and a cozy purple treat.

Looking for more solo-friendly ideas? Check out my One-Pot Breakfasts for quick and tasty ways to start your day.

P.S. Love recipes for one? Follow me on Pinterest and X (Twitter) for more solo cooking inspiration. I’m always sharing new easy and fun ideas you can make just for yourself.

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