Here’s my quick and easy iced latte recipe flavoured with ube, the beloved Filipino purple yam. This recipe uses instant coffee for ease. It’s toasty, nutty, and floral, all in one sip!

Apologies for the lack of professional photography (will update eventually), I made this at two in the morning, after having a desire for caffeine while doomscrolling in bed.

Recipe Rundown

Ingredients

This drink uses coffee as the base, and a creamy foam made with coconut cream, granulated sugar, ube extract, and a pinch of salt.

Instructions

Simply prepare the foam by combining everything together and whisking vigorously until light and fluffy. Pour your coffee into a glass filled with ice, then top it off with the creamy coconut foam.

What is ube?

Ube (pronounced oo-beh) is a Filipino purple yam used in many different dishes (primarily sweet) in the form of jam, drink flavourings, and/or filling for pastries. For a more information on its uses, you can read my in-depth guide here.

Quick tips

You can purchase ube extract in most Filipino groceries, they come in a small tiny bottle next to other extracts. And yes, this drink can be made hot!

Table of Contents

Ingredients and Substitutions

*The Recipe Card below includes all the full measurements for these ingredients!

Instant coffee: For most convenience, I used instant coffee, but feel free to go for newly brewed, cold brew, or fresh espresso. You can also omit the coffee and replace this entirely with milk or coconut water.

Coconut cream: This will be the foamy component of the latte that will add some creaminess as well.

Substitutes: You may use coconut milk, the foam may just be less thick and more on the watery side. Heavy cream can also work.

Ube extract: This can be found in most Filipino groceries and some Asian supermarkets.

White sugar: To add a bit of sweetness to the drink.

Substitutes: You can use brown sugar, maple syrup, agave, or even condensed milk.

Salt: This helps to offset the sweetness of the foam. If you like salted foams, feel free to add more!

Ice: To keep things refreshing.

Instructions

Start by preparing your coffee according to packaged instructions. Set aside the coffee to cool briefly.

Prepare the foam by combining together the coconut cream, sugar, ube extract, and salt. Whisk this vigorously until thick and fluffy (alternatively, you may add everything into a mason jar and shake until thickened).

To a glass, add a generous serving of ice. Pour in the cooled coffee. Top with the coconut-ube foam mixture. Enjoy!

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

Where can I buy Ube Extract?

You can purchase this in most Filipino groceries, they come in a small tiny bottle next to other extracts. You may also find this in some Asian or Western groceries in the baking or seasonings aisle.

Can I make this hot?

Yes, just omit the ice! Also be sure that your coffee is extra hot so that the coconut foam doesn’t cool down your drink too much.

What does ube taste like?

Ube has notes of vanilla (sometimes people also say white chocolate) with an earthy, nutty taste (similar to pistachios). If you’d like to learn more about what ube is and its uses, I made a in-depth guide here.