Iced Ube Coconut Latte: A Tropical Sip with a Purple Twist

This vibrant Iced Ube Coconut Latte brings together the bright, fruity-chocolate undertones of our Colombian Coffee | Medium Roast with creamy coconut milk and a show-stopping purple ube cold foam. Colombian coffee grown at high altitude develops pronounced citrus and berry notes balanced by a smooth chocolate finish—an ideal canvas for the earthy sweetness of ube and tropical richness of coconut milk. Starbucks Reserve introduced this style of latte as their “first-ever…beverage made with ube,” pouring Espresso and coconut milk over ice before crowning it with ube coconut cold foam and a sprinkle of coconut flakes About Starbucks Reserve. By choosing a medium roast, the coffee’s origin characteristics shine through without overpowering the exotic layers, creating a balanced, visually arresting, and dairy-free iced coffee experience.

Ube latte in a glass with a purple base, topped with coffee, cream, and shredded coconut.

📖 The Story Behind the Sip

Starbucks Reserve celebrated this formulation on their spring menu as the “first-ever beverage made with ube,” highlighting their pour-over of espresso and coconut milk over ice, topped with rich ube coconut cold foam and toasted coconut flakes About Starbucks. By featuring ube—a once-niche root vegetable now trending globally—you’re part of a movement that embraces exotic flavors and celebrates cultural heritage through coffee innovation.

☕ Ingredients (Serves 1)

  • 2 shots espresso — brewed with our Colombian Coffee | Medium Roast with Fruity Chocolate Notes
  • ¾ cup unsweetened coconut milk (preferably full-fat for body)
  • 2 tbsp ube halaya (Filipino purple yam jam) or ½ tsp ube extract + sweetener to taste
  • ¼ cup coconut cream, chilled (for whipped ube foam)
  • Ice cubes
  • Optional garnishes: shredded coconut, purple yam flakes, edible flowers

🌀 Step-By-Step Instructions

1. Make the Ube Cold Foam

  • Chill your tools. Place a metal bowl and whisk (or frother attachment) in the freezer for 5–10 minutes for better aeration and stability of foam.
  • Whip the cream. Combine chilled coconut cream and ube halaya (or ube extract + sweetener) in the cold bowl. Whip at medium speed until soft peaks form—similar to whipped cream consistency. Chill until assembly.

2. Brew the Colombian Espresso

  • Pull espresso shots. Use our medium-roast Colombian coffee for 2 strong shots (about 2 oz total). This roast’s fruit-chocolate profile complements the ube’s earthy sweetness.
  • Let it rest. Allow espresso to cool for 30 seconds so it doesn’t deflate the foam when layered.

3. Assemble Your Latte

  • Layer the base. Fill a tall glass with ice cubes. Pour in ¾ cup coconut milk.
  • Add espresso. Slowly pour espresso over the back of a spoon to maintain distinct layers of white coconut milk and dark coffee.
  • Top with foam. Gently spoon or pipe the chilled ube cold foam onto the surface.
  • Garnish & serve. Sprinkle shredded coconut, purple yam flakes, or edible flowers for extra elegance.

🌴 Why You’ll Love This Latte

  • Exotic Ingredient Spotlight: Ube (Dioscorea alata) is prized in Filipino desserts for its vibrant color and subtle nuttiness—here, it transforms your cold coffee into a botanical showstopper.
  • Balanced Flavor Profile: Our medium roast preserves bright citrus and berry notes that echo the ube, while the chocolate undertones ground the sweetness, avoiding an overly sugary finish.
  • Dairy-Free & Inclusive: Coconut milk and cream make this drink vegan-friendly and ideal for lactose-intolerant guests, without sacrificing creaminess.
  • Instagram-Ready Layers: The tri-color effect—white coconut milk, dark espresso, and purple foam—ensures a scroll-stopping photo.

🌟 Pro Tips for Perfection

  • Control Sweetness: Taste your ube foam as you whip; adjust with more halaya or extract to suit your preference.
  • Enhance Foam Stability: Add a pinch of tapioca starch or a stabilizer like aquafaba (chickpea water) for longer-lasting peaks.
  • Optimal Layering: Pour coffee slowly over a spoon to prevent mixing.
  • Advance Prep: Whip extra ube foam ahead of time and store chilled for up to 24 hours for quick assembly.

🛒 Shop This Recipe

🐝 Bee-Tastic Tip

Pair your Iced Ube Coconut Latte with a honey-drizzled gluten-free pastry to highlight our pollinator mission—remember, $2 from every coffee order supports bee conservation on our partner farms.

📸 Share Your Creation

We want to see your tropical latte artistry! Tag @BeeTasticOfficial and use #BeeTasticBrews for a chance to be featured on our page. Let the purple hues and sweet swirls inspire your next viral post!

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