JOA Mom
Introduction
Ube latte is a creamy and visually stunning purple drink loved in cafés worldwide 💜
Hi everyone, JOA Mom here 👩🍳
Have you been seeing those vibrant purple drinks all over social media lately? That’s ube — a popular ingredient from the Philippines that’s gaining attention in cafés around the world thanks to its natural sweetness and unique color.
This root vegetable, scientifically known as Dioscorea alata, has been used in Filipino cuisine for a long time, especially in desserts like ube halaya (a sweet jam). Recently, it has become a popular ingredient in home cafés and dessert recipes worldwide.
As a mom, I’m always looking for ways to make simple ingredients feel a little more special, and ube is one of those ingredients that can instantly transform a drink ✨
Today, I’m going to show you how to make this trendy Ube latte at home with a Korean café-style twist. Instead of a regular latte, we’ll top it with a soft and slightly savory cheese foam, creating a drink where sweetness, creaminess, and a subtle saltiness come together nicely.
In Korea, drinks topped with milk foam or cheese foam are very popular in cafés. These are often known as cream-style lattes, where the balance between the sweet base and the light, slightly salty cream is key ☕
If you want to recreate this Korean café-style Ube latte at home, this is a great recipe to try 😊
This homemade Ube latte is especially nice when you want a café-style treat without going out.
Nutrition / Why this combo
Ube (purple yam) is naturally sweet and contains anthocyanins, which give it its vibrant purple color 💜 It also provides dietary fiber and vitamin C.
According to Healthline, a trusted source for nutrition and health information, ube contains antioxidants and nutrients that may support overall well-being.
Because ube has a mild and smooth flavor, it pairs well with dairy 🥛 Adding cheese foam brings a creamy texture and a slight saltiness, which helps balance the sweetness of the drink.
This combination follows a familiar dessert structure of carbohydrates and dairy, making it both comforting and satisfying when enjoyed in moderation.
However, like most sweet drinks, it’s best to enjoy Ube latte in reasonable amounts 🍰
Cooking Tip
To achieve that Korean café-style look and taste, both layered visuals and foam texture are important ✨
- Fully dissolve the ube base to create a smooth and even color
- Pour the milk slowly to create natural layers
- Make the cheese foam thick enough so it stays on top
For a more aesthetic finish, you can mix a small amount of ube base into the cheese foam to create a light purple tone 💜
Taking a little extra time on layering makes your Ube latte look much closer to a real café-style drink.
If you want your Ube latte to look clean and distinct in the glass, pouring slowly really makes a difference.
Ingredients
For a 14oz (approx. 414ml) serving
🍠 Ube Base
- 7g ube powder
- 30g hot water
- 10g vanilla syrup
🥛 Latte
- 150g milk (cold or warm)
- 10g condensed milk
- Ice (for iced version)
🧀 Cheese Foam
- 20g cream cheese
- 10g condensed milk
- 30g milk
- 30g heavy cream
5 Simple Steps
1️⃣ Prepare the Ube Base
In a cup, mix the ube powder with warm water.
Make sure to dissolve it completely until smooth with no lumps.
Then add the vanilla syrup and mix once more.
2️⃣ Make the Cheese Foam
In a bowl, combine cream cheese, condensed milk, milk, and heavy cream, then whisk until smooth.
The texture should be creamy and slightly thick.
It should not be too runny — it needs to hold its shape when placed on top.
You can use the cheese foam as is, or add a small amount of ube powder to give it a light purple color 💜
3️⃣ Add Ice and Milk
Mix the condensed milk into the milk until fully dissolved.
Add ice to your glass, then pour in the milk first 🧊
4️⃣ Pour the Ube Base
Slowly pour the prepared ube base over the milk.
Pour gently so the purple mixture blends naturally into the milk for a layered look.
5️⃣ Top with Cheese Foam
Gently spoon the cheese foam on top.
Add it slowly so the layers stay intact.
Serve immediately ✨
You can stir before drinking or enjoy the layers as you sip.
JOA Mom’s Experience
At first, I wasn’t sure if ube and cheese foam would go well together, but after trying it, it turned out to be a really nice combination 😊
The cheese foam is easier to make than it looks, and when I prepared the ube base in advance and made fresh foam each time, it felt like a café-style drink at home.
Ube has a gentle sweetness, and the slight saltiness from the foam makes the flavor feel more balanced rather than overly sweet.
Overall, Ube latte tastes somewhere between taro and purple sweet potato — soft, mild, and comforting 💜
Personally, this became one of those drinks I make when I want something a little special without too much effort.
Once I got used to making it, this Ube latte started feeling like one of the easiest café drinks to recreate at home.
FAQ
Q. Can I make it without cheese foam?
A. Yes! You can skip it or replace it with milk foam or whipped cream for a lighter version.
Q. What can I use instead of ube powder?
A. Ube jam or ube puree can be used as a substitute.
Q. Is it very sweet?
A. It’s moderately sweet. You can adjust the sweetness by reducing the condensed milk.
Q. Can I make it hot?
A. Yes, just heat the milk and skip the ice.
Storage
🧊 Refrigerator
- Ube base: up to 2 days (store in an airtight container)
- Cheese foam: best used within 1 day
❄️ Freezer
- Not recommended
🔥 Reheating
- Warm the latte without the cheese foam and add fresh foam after heating
Closing
Ube latte is more than just a colorful drink — it’s a fun way to bring global ingredients into your everyday routine 🌍
By adding cheese foam, a topping commonly used in Korean cafés, this drink becomes a richer and more satisfying dessert-style latte.
The balance of sweetness, creaminess, and slight saltiness makes it feel more special than a regular drink.
Korean café culture focuses not only on taste but also on presentation and overall experience ☕
Beautiful layers, soft textures, and visually appealing colors all play an important role.
This recipe captures that feeling well while still being simple enough to make at home.
If you’re looking for a drink that feels both trendy and comforting, this Ube latte is definitely worth trying.
And if you want to pair it with a dessert, Shanghai Butter Rice Cake makes a great combination.
It’s one of those small treats that can turn an ordinary day into something a little more special 💜
