Strawberry Ube Latte Recipe — How to Make This Viral Purple Drink
What Is a Strawberry Ube Latte?
A strawberry ube latte takes the classic ube latte one step further: strawberry jam sits at the base of the cup, creating a natural red-to-purple gradient as the ube mixture is poured over the ice.
The result looks like it was designed for social media — because two naturally vibrant ingredients create that layered effect on their own, with no artificial dye needed.
The flavours work together just as well as the colours: ube's mildly sweet, vanilla-nutty profile pairs naturally with strawberry's bright, tangy fruitiness. Neither overwhelms the other.
What You'll Need
Ube Powder — 10g
Hot Water — 80g
All Purpose Creamer — 20–30g
Milk (any variety) — 200–250g
Strawberry Jam — 20g
Sugar Syrup — Reduced, to taste
Ice — Fill cup to 80%
Important on sweetness: The strawberry jam is already sweet. Use significantly less sugar syrup than in the classic recipe — you want both the strawberry and ube flavours clearly present, not masked by sugar.
Step-by-Step Method
Step 1 — Dissolve the ube powder
Add 10g of ube powder to 80g of hot water. Stir until completely smooth — deep, vivid purple with no lumps remaining.
Café tip: Batch-prepare ube base in a squeeze bottle at shift start. Portion 80–90g per order for consistent ratios and fast service.
Step 2 — Add creamer and milk
While the ube mixture is still warm, stir in 20–30g of all purpose creamer until fully dissolved. Add 200–250g of milk and stir to combine.
Step 3 — Sweeten lightly
Add a small amount of sugar syrup — less than the classic recipe. The ube mixture should taste gently sweet and creamy, not sugary. The strawberry jam adds the rest of the sweetness once assembled.
Step 4 — Add strawberry jam to the cup
Spoon 20g of strawberry jam directly into the bottom of the serving cup. Do not stir — it stays at the base and creates the layering effect as the drink is built over it.
Step 5 — Add ice
Fill the cup with ice to approximately 80% full, on top of the jam.
Step 6 — Pour and serve
Pour the ube latte mixture slowly over the ice. The purple ube will flow down through the ice toward the red strawberry base, creating a natural gradient in the cup.
Serve immediately with a wide straw. Let the customer stir before drinking to combine the flavours — that moment of breaking the layers is part of the experience.
Do not pre-stir. The layered presentation is the point.
Recipe Summary
Ube Powder: 10g
Hot Water: 80g
All Purpose Creamer: 20–30g
Milk: 200–250g
Strawberry Jam: 20g
Sugar Syrup: Reduce to taste
Ice: Fill cup to 80%
Result: A smooth, creamy ube latte with a vivid strawberry base, natural purple-red gradient, and balanced sweetness from both fruits. Serves 1 (approx. 380–420ml).
Variations to Try
Strawberry Ube Bubble Tea: Add cooked tapioca pearls to the cup before the ice. The pearls sit alongside the jam at the base for a fully loaded boba version.
Mango Ube Latte: Swap strawberry jam for mango jam or puree. Warm orange-to-purple gradient with a tropical flavour profile.
Raspberry Ube Latte: Raspberry jam creates a deeper red-purple contrast and a slightly more tart result — popular with customers who prefer less sweetness.
Where to Buy Ube Powder in Australia
UTea Australia stocks 100% Pure Ube Powder (Purple Yam) in 500g bags — 100% natural, no fillers, no artificial colours, no added sugar. Available retail and wholesale (20-bag carton), with free metro shipping on orders over $200.
Shop now: utea.com.au/products/pure-ube-powder-purple-yam-500g-100-natural-made-for-lattes-bubble-tea
Wholesale enquiries: admin@utea.com.au | 0429 180 864
Also see: Classic Ube Latte Recipe | 5 Easy Ube Recipes for Cafés and Home
