Ube Purple Yam Latte (Printable)

Vibrant purple yam meets espresso in this creamy, naturally sweet Filipino-inspired beverage.

# What You Need:

→ Ube Base

01 - 1/4 cup ube halaya (purple yam jam)
02 - 2 tablespoons water
03 - 1 tablespoon sweetened condensed milk (optional)

→ Latte Components

04 - 2 shots (2 fluid ounces) hot espresso or strong brewed coffee
05 - 1 cup whole milk or non-dairy milk
06 - 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
07 - Ice cubes (optional for iced version)

→ Garnish

08 - Whipped cream (optional)
09 - Pinch of ube powder or purple yam flakes

# How to Make It:

01 - Combine ube halaya, water, and condensed milk in a small saucepan over low heat. Stir continuously until smooth and warmed through, about 2-3 minutes. Remove from heat and whisk in vanilla extract until fully incorporated.
02 - For hot latte: Steam or heat milk until frothy but not boiling. For iced latte: Use cold milk and prepare serving glasses with ice cubes.
03 - Divide the warm ube mixture evenly between two mugs or glasses, spreading it across the bottom of each vessel.
04 - Pour one shot of espresso (or 1 fluid ounce strong coffee) into each glass over the ube base.
05 - Pour steamed or cold milk over the espresso and ube mixture. Stir thoroughly to combine all layers and achieve a uniform purple color throughout.
06 - Top with whipped cream and sprinkle ube powder or yam flakes over the surface, if desired. Serve immediately while hot or chilled.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • The color alone stops conversations dead—people literally lean over to ask what you're drinking
  • Ube brings this nutty, vanilla-adjacent warmth you can't get from any other flavor
  • Takes fifteen minutes flat but tastes like something you'd wait twenty minutes in line for
02 -
  • Ube halaya varies wildly in sweetness between brands—taste before you add condensed milk.
  • The color settles quickly if you let it sit, so stir before serving if you want that Instagram swirl effect.
03 -
  • Make the ube base in bulk and store it in the fridge for weekday lattes that take thirty seconds
  • Clear glasses show off that purple color best—save the opaque mugs for coffee that doesn't look like magic

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