Description
Ube Milk Tea, also known as Ube Bubble Tea, is a creamy, vibrant purple Filipino-inspired drink made with sweet purple yam, milk, and chewy tapioca pearls. This eye-catching beverage is rich, nutty, and perfectly balanced with a refreshing milk tea base, making it a unique and delightful twist on classic bubble tea that’s easy to make at home.
Ingredients
226 g frozen ube, thawed (½ packet)
1 cup canned coconut milk
½ cup sugar
1 tbsp vanilla extract
1 tbsp ube extract
½–1 cup milk or evaporated milk
½ cup quick cook tapioca pearls
½ cup prepared ube base
2 cups chilled milk (dairy or plant-based)
A few ice cubes
Honey (optional, for sweetness)
Instructions
- Make the ube base: In a saucepan, combine thawed ube, coconut milk, sugar, and vanilla. Cook over medium heat, stirring, until thickened. Stir in ube extract. Add evaporated milk until thick but pourable. Store in the fridge for 4–5 days.
- Prepare the tapioca pearls: Cook pearls according to package instructions. Keep in warm water or coat with honey to prevent sticking.
- Blend the milk tea: In a blender, combine ½ cup ube base, chilled milk, and ice. Blend until smooth. Add honey if extra sweetness is desired.
- Assemble the drink: Divide tapioca pearls into 2 glasses. Optional: spread ube base along glass walls for decorative streaks. Pour in the blended milk tea and serve with wide straws.
Notes
- Use almond, oat, or soy milk for a dairy-free option.
- Add whipped cream or cheese foam for extra indulgence.
- Mix in black tea for a more traditional milk tea taste.
- Sweeten with condensed milk instead of sugar for creaminess.
- The ube base lasts up to 5 days in the fridge; pearls are best fresh.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Beverage
- Method: Blending
- Cuisine: Filipino
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 drink
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 24g
- Sodium: 65mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 44g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 5mg
