Ube Hot Latte with Marshmallows: Cozy Purple Yam Drink

Ube Hot Latte with Marshmallows: Cozy Purple Yam Drink
Key Takeaways
  • This cozy ube hot latte takes under 5 minutes and only needs ube powder, water, milk, and marshmallows.
  • Rehydrating the ube powder first with a splash of water prevents clumps and creates a smooth, vibrant purple base.
  • Frothed milk gives the latte a creamy, café-quality texture you can make at home with a simple frother.
  • Naturally caffeine-free — perfect as an evening treat or for anyone avoiding coffee.
  • Top with marshmallows for a purple hot chocolate vibe that looks as good as it tastes.

There is something about a warm purple drink on a weekend morning that just hits different. This ube hot latte is our go-to comfort drink — naturally sweet, caffeine-free, and impossibly pretty in a clear mug. It tastes like a hug from a vanilla-scented cloud.

The trick is rehydrating the ube powder into a smooth paste before adding it to the milk. Skip that step and you get clumps. Do it right and you get a silky, layered purple latte that looks like it came from a specialty café. Check out our ube latte recipe for more.

Finished ube hot latte in a clear glass mug with marshmallows and purple layers

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Ingredients

Everything you need for one ube hot latte:

Explore our ube latte recipe for more.

  • 1 tablespoon Ube Bae organic ube powder
  • 1–2 tablespoons hot water (for rehydrating)
  • 1 cup milk (any kind — whole, oat, almond, or coconut)
  • Marshmallows for topping (optional but highly recommended)
Pro Tip: Use a clear glass mug if you have one. The layered purple-to-white gradient is half the experience — and it makes a great photo.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Add the ube powder. Scoop 1 tablespoon of ube powder into a small bowl. A matcha bowl or any small mixing bowl works perfectly. Check out our ube drink guide for more.

Step 2: Rehydrate with water. Pour 1 to 2 tablespoons of hot water over the powder. This dissolves the ube and prevents lumps when you add it to the milk.

Step 3: Whisk until smooth. Use a bamboo matcha whisk or a small regular whisk to mix the ube and water into a smooth, deep purple paste. No visible clumps — this is the key to a silky latte.

Explore our ube drink guide for more.

Step 4: Heat and froth the milk. Warm your milk on the stove or in the microwave until hot but not boiling. Froth it with a handheld milk frother or steam wand until light and foamy. Check out our what ube tastes like for more.

Step 5: Combine. Pour the ube paste into your mug, then add the frothed milk. The purple will swirl and layer with the white milk, creating that signature gradient look. Give it a gentle stir if you want it fully mixed, or leave it layered for the visual effect.

Step 6: Top with marshmallows. Drop a few large marshmallows on top of the foam. They will slowly soften in the heat and add a sweet, pillowy layer to every sip.

Explore our what ube tastes like for more.

Pro Tip: For an even richer version, use a tablespoon of sweetened condensed milk instead of marshmallows. It melts into the latte and adds a creamy Filipino-style sweetness.

Why Rehydrate First?

If you dump ube powder straight into hot milk, it clumps. The starch in the powder seizes up and creates little purple balls that no amount of stirring will fix. Mixing the powder with a small amount of water first breaks it down into a smooth liquid that blends seamlessly into milk. Check out our how ube compares to matcha for more.

This is the same technique used for matcha — and for the same reason. Treat your ube powder like a premium ingredient and it rewards you with a perfectly smooth drink every time.

Variations

Iced ube latte: Make the ube paste the same way, then pour it over a glass of ice and add cold milk. Skip the frothing — or froth cold milk for an extra creamy iced version.

Explore our ube vs matcha for more.

Ube hot chocolate: Add a tablespoon of white chocolate chips or cocoa powder to the hot milk before frothing. The chocolate and ube combination is rich and indulgent.

Ube chai latte: Steep a chai tea bag in the hot milk for 3 minutes before frothing, then add the ube paste. The warm spices pair surprisingly well with ube's vanilla notes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does an ube latte have caffeine?
No. Ube is naturally caffeine-free, so an ube latte made with just ube powder and milk contains zero caffeine. This makes it a perfect evening drink or a coffee alternative for anyone sensitive to caffeine. If you want a caffeinated version, add a shot of espresso.
What milk works best for an ube latte?
Whole milk gives the creamiest result and froths the best. Oat milk is the best dairy-free option — it froths well and has a naturally sweet flavor that complements ube. Coconut milk adds a tropical twist. Almond milk works but produces thinner foam.
Do I need a milk frother?
It helps but is not required. A handheld battery-powered frother costs under $10 and makes a huge difference. In a pinch, you can shake hot milk vigorously in a sealed jar for 30 seconds, or whisk it briskly in a saucepan. The latte will taste the same without frothing — it just will not have the foamy café texture.
Can I make this iced instead of hot?
Absolutely. Make the ube paste with hot water as usual (this is still needed to dissolve the powder), then pour it over a tall glass of ice and top with cold milk. The hot paste and cold milk create beautiful purple swirls. For an iced version with foam, froth cold milk separately and spoon it on top.
How sweet is an ube latte without added sugar?
Mildly sweet. Ube has a natural subtle sweetness — less than a vanilla latte but more than plain milk. Most people find it pleasant without any sweetener. If you want it sweeter, add a teaspoon of honey, maple syrup, or condensed milk. The marshmallow topping also adds sweetness as it melts.
Make Your Ube Latte This Weekend

Our organic ube powder dissolves smoothly into hot or cold drinks. One bag makes over 30 lattes — that is less than $0.90 per cup for a café-quality purple latte at home.

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