Ube, a vibrant purple yam native to the Philippines, has a naturally sweet, slightly nutty flavor that’s often compared to a mix of vanilla and sweet potato. Its rich taste pairs beautifully with the warm cinnamon notes of horchata, creating a drink that feels both nostalgic and refreshingly new. The combination of these two ingredients results in a creamy, flavorful beverage that’s as much a treat for the eyes as it is for the taste buds.

Ube Horchata
Equipment
- Fine-mesh strainer
- Pitcher
Ingredients
- 1 cup white rice rinsed
- 1 stick cinnamon
- 3 cups water
- 1 cup evaporated milk
- 0.5 cup ube halaya or ube extract
- 0.5 cup sweetened condensed milk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup ice for serving
Instructions
- In a bowl, combine rinsed white rice, cinnamon stick, and water. Cover and let soak for at least 4 hours or overnight.
- Transfer the soaked rice mixture to a blender. Blend on high speed until smooth.
- Pour the blended mixture through a fine-mesh strainer into a pitcher to remove solids.
- Stir in evaporated milk, ube halaya, condensed milk, and vanilla extract until fully combined.
- Pour over ice and serve chilled.
Notes
- Optional Equipment: A nut milk bag can be used instead of a fine-mesh strainer for a smoother texture.
- Customization: Adjust the sweetness by adding more or less condensed milk.
- Storage: Store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Stir before serving.
- Serving Tip: Top with extra ube halaya or a sprinkle of cinnamon for added flavor.
Nutrition
Why You’ll Love This Ube Horchata Recipe
I can’t wait for you to try this homemade ube horchata! This vibrant drink brings together the best of Filipino and Mexican flavors, creating a delicious fusion that stands out. With its rich, nutty ube taste and warm cinnamon-spiced sweetness, it just might become your new go-to favorite.
A Unique Twist on Classic Horchata
This ube horchata adds a new twist to the traditional Mexican rice drink. We mix 1 cup of white rice, ½ cup of almonds, and two cinnamon sticks. Then, we add 1 tablespoon of ube extract to make it a stunning purple color.
Visually Stunning Purple Hue
The vibrant purple color of this vegan ube horchata is eye-catching. It’s not just a drink; it’s a conversation starter! The natural hue comes from the ube extract, making it a magical, Instagram-worthy treat.
Perfect Balance of Flavors
This ube milk shake is special because of its perfect flavor mix. We use creamy rice milk and almond milk, sweetened with 3 tablespoons of sugar and a hint of vanilla. A pinch of cinnamon adds warmth, and the ube flavoring brings a unique nuttiness. For an extra treat, top it with ube-flavored whipped cream!
With just 12 minutes of prep time (plus soaking time), you can make this delicious drink for 4 servings. Trust me, once you try this homemade ube horchata, you’ll never go back to plain horchata again!
Chocolate gift assortments make the perfect treat for any occasion!
How Long Does It Take to Make Ube Horchata?
Making the perfect ube drink recipe is worth the effort. Let’s explore how to make this Filipino-Mexican fusion.
Preparation Time
Preparing ube horchata is surprisingly quick. You’ll spend about 30-40 minutes mixing and blending. This includes making the rice mixture and adding the ube purple yam.
Soaking Time
Patience is key for the best ube shake recipe. Soak white rice, cinnamon sticks, and almonds in water overnight or for at least 4 hours. This step is crucial for rich flavors and a creamy texture.
Blending and Straining
After soaking, blend the mixture thoroughly. This takes about 10 minutes, including straining. You’ll see your creation turn into a beautiful purple hue as you mix in the ube halaya and extract.
Step | Time |
---|---|
Preparation | 30-40 minutes |
Soaking | 4-12 hours |
Blending and Straining | 10 minutes |
Chilling | 2 hours |
After blending, chill your ube horchata for at least 2 hours before serving. This final step brings all the flavors together. It creates a refreshing and unique drink that combines the best of Filipino and Mexican cuisines.
What You’ll Need to Make Ube Horchata
Are you ready to explore ube drink recipes? Let’s get everything ready to make this tasty ube beverage! I’m excited to share my favorite ingredients and tools for the perfect ube horchata.
Essential Ingredients
To make this stunning ube milk tea, you’ll need a special mix of ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need to start:
- 1 cup Forbidden Rice
- 1/2 cup Ube Condensed Milk
- 1 cup Coconut Milk
- 1/3 cup Almonds
- 1/4 cup Shredded Coconut
- 1/4 cup Black Sesame Seeds
- 1/4 cup Cinnamon
- 3.5 cups Hot Water
Kitchen Tools and Equipment
To blend these ingredients into a smooth ube drink, you’ll need:
- High-speed blender
- Fine mesh strainer or nut milk bag
- Large bowl for soaking
- Airtight container for storage
Optional Additions for Customization
Want to make your ube horchata into a cocktail? Try this mix:
- 3 oz Purple Horchata
- 1 oz Coffee Flavored Vodka
- 3/4 oz Pineapple Rum
With these ingredients and tools, you’re ready to make a variety of ube treats and desserts. Remember, the secret to great ube horchata is in the prep. Soak your rice mixture for 1-2 hours in hot water. Toast your rice and spices for 4-5 minutes before blending. This care will give you a creamy, flavorful ube drink that will wow everyone!
Step-by-Step Instructions for Ube Horchata
Are you ready to make a batch of purple yam horchata? It’s simpler than you think! Let’s get started on making this tasty ube-flavored rice milk drink.
Soaking the Rice
Begin by soaking 1 cup of long-grain white rice in 4 cups of water overnight. This step makes the rice soft and flavorful. Don’t forget to add a cinnamon stick for extra taste!
Blending and Straining
In the morning, blend the rice mixture for 3-4 minutes until it’s smooth. Then, strain it through a fine-mesh sieve or cheesecloth. This step makes the base for our ube sweet treats.

Adding Ube and Other Ingredients
Now, it’s time for the ube! Mix in 1 cup of mashed ube or ube jam. Add 1/2 cup each of sugar and condensed milk, 1 cup of milk (or a dairy-free alternative), 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract, and a sprinkle of ground cinnamon. Stir well to mix all ingredients.
Chilling and Serving
Chill your purple yam horchata for at least 1-2 hours. When it’s ready, pour it over ice and garnish with a cinnamon stick. For a fun twist, try making ube horchata popsicles – a refreshing treat on hot days!
Ingredient | Amount |
---|---|
Rice | 1 cup |
Water | 4 cups |
Mashed Ube/Ube Jam | 1 cup |
Sugar | 1/2 cup |
Condensed Milk | 1/2 cup |
With just 3 minutes of prep and 5 minutes of cooking, you’ll have four servings of this delicious filipino horchata beverage. Each serving has 604 calories of pure ube-flavored goodness!
Creative Variations for Ube Horchata
Let’s dive into exciting twists on our favorite ube rice drink! I’m excited to share some creative variations that will elevate your ube horchata experience. These recipes mix ube’s rich flavors with horchata’s refreshing qualities, creating unique treats for any time.
Ube Horchata Latte
Start your day with a purple twist on your morning coffee. Add a shot of espresso to your chilled ube horchata for a caffeinated boost. This dairy-free ube drink latte will wake you up and delight your taste buds!
Ube Horchata Smoothie Bowl
For a nutritious breakfast, blend your ube horchata with frozen bananas and spinach. Top with granola, fresh fruit, and honey. This sweet potato-based horchata smoothie bowl is delicious and perfect for Instagram!
Ube Horchata Popsicles
Beat the heat with these refreshing treats! Pour your ube milk recipe into popsicle molds and freeze overnight. These purple popsicles will be the highlight of your next summer gathering.
Variation | Prep Time | Main Ingredients | Serving Suggestion |
---|---|---|---|
Ube Horchata Latte | 5 minutes | Ube horchata, espresso | Serve hot or over ice |
Ube Horchata Smoothie Bowl | 10 minutes | Ube horchata, frozen banana, spinach | Top with granola and fresh fruit |
Ube Horchata Popsicles | 5 minutes + freezing time | Ube horchata | Enjoy on a hot day |
These variations show how versatile ube horchata is. With its growing popularity in Filipino cuisine, ube has become a staple in many dishes, including horchata. Get creative and let your imagination run wild with these purple delights!
Health Benefits of Ube Horchata
Let’s explore the health benefits of our tasty ube-infused rice milk! This Filipino horchata drink is not just yummy. It’s also full of nutrients.
Nutritional Profile of Ube
Ube, the main ingredient in our purple sweet potato milk, is very nutritious. It’s loaded with antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. The purple color comes from anthocyanins, which are great for fighting inflammation.
Ube is also rich in vitamin C, potassium, and dietary fiber. These nutrients are good for your health.

Comparison with Traditional Horchata
Our ube horchata is better than traditional recipes in many ways. It has more nutrients. Here’s how they compare:
Nutrient | Ube Horchata | Traditional Horchata |
---|---|---|
Antioxidants | High (from ube) | Moderate |
Vitamin C | High | Low |
Fiber | High | Moderate |
Calories | 60-100 per serving | 60-100 per serving |
Potential Health Advantages
Drinking our ube horchata might have some surprising benefits. The antioxidants in ube could help fight inflammation and protect your cells. It’s also good for your skin, like dark chocolate.
The fiber in it helps with digestion. While it’s not a magic health drink, it’s a tasty way to get more nutrients!
If you want something similar, try a taro milk recipe. Taro, like ube, is full of vitamins and minerals. Whether you choose ube or taro, you’ll enjoy a delicious and nutritious treat!
How to Store and Keep Ube Horchata Fresh
I love making ube flavored horchata, but sometimes I end up with leftovers. Let’s talk about keeping this purple milk recipe fresh and tasty! Proper storage is key to enjoying your ube horchata for days to come.
Proper Storage Techniques
Always store your ube horchata in an airtight container. This prevents it from absorbing other flavors in your fridge and keeps it fresh. Pour it into a clean glass jar or a BPA-free plastic container with a tight-fitting lid. Chilling food preservation techniques are crucial for maintaining the quality of your ube horchata.
Shelf Life in the Refrigerator
When stored properly, your ube horchata will stay fresh in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. But let’s be honest, it rarely lasts that long in my house! The creamy texture and unique flavor of this purple yam smoothie-like drink make it irresistible.
Freezing and Thawing Tips
If you’ve made a big batch of ube horchata, freezing is a great option. Pour it into ice cube trays or freezer-safe jars. It’ll keep for up to 3 months frozen. When you’re ready to enjoy, thaw it in the fridge overnight. Here’s a pro tip: blend the thawed ube horchata to restore its creamy consistency.
Storage Method | Duration | Tips |
---|---|---|
Refrigeration | Up to 3 days | Use airtight container |
Freezing | Up to 3 months | Thaw overnight, blend before serving |
Room Temperature | Not recommended | Always keep chilled |
Get creative with your frozen ube horchata! Use the cubes in an ube milkshake or as fancy ice cubes in iced coffee. The possibilities are endless with this versatile purple milk recipe!
Indulge in the Sweet and Creamy Flavor of Ube Horchata
Ube horchata is a mix of Filipino and Mexican flavors. It’s made with purple yam and rice milk. This drink is exciting and familiar at the same time.
Perfect Occasions for Serving
Ube horchata is great for any time. It’s refreshing on hot days, perfect for brunch, and impressive at dinner parties. Its purple color will make your guests talk.
Try it with sticky buko pandan rice or ube treats for a full Filipino dessert experience.
Pairing Suggestions
This creamy drink goes well with many foods. It’s especially good with Filipino desserts. For a twist, pair it with Mexican dishes like vegan conchas or grilled corn.
Final Tips for the Best Ube Horchata Experience
Serve ube horchata cold in a clear glass. A sprinkle of cinnamon on top is a nice touch. You can adjust the ube extract to your liking.
For different tastes, use ube halaya or coconut condensed milk. Get creative and make your own version of this unique drink!
FAQ
What is Ube Horchata?
Ube Horchata is a unique drink that mixes Filipino purple yam (ube) with Mexican rice drink (horchata). It’s creamy and purple, with a sweet, cinnamon taste.
Is this Ube Horchata recipe vegan-friendly?
Yes! You can make it vegan by using plant-based milk and condensed milk. The main ingredients like rice and ube are already vegan.
How long does it take to make Ube Horchata?
It takes about 30 minutes to prepare. But, you need to soak rice overnight or for 4 hours. Then, blend and chill for 2 hours. So, it’s around 12-14 hours from start to finish.
Can I use ube extract instead of fresh ube?
Definitely! Mix ube extract with ube halaya for the best taste and color. It’s a good choice if you can’t find fresh ube.
How long can I store Ube Horchata in the refrigerator?
Store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. But, it’s best within 24-48 hours for the best taste.
Can Ube Horchata be frozen?
Yes! Freeze it for up to 3 months. Pour into ice cube trays or a container. Thaw in the fridge and blend to restore creaminess.
What are some creative ways to serve Ube Horchata?
Make an Ube Horchata Latte with espresso. Blend it into a smoothie bowl or freeze into popsicles. It’s also great over ice with cinnamon.
Are there any health benefits to drinking Ube Horchata?
Ube Horchata is a treat, but ube is nutritious. It has antioxidants, vitamin C, potassium, and fiber. The anthocyanins in ube are anti-inflammatory. But, enjoy it in moderation.
What can I pair with Ube Horchata?
It goes well with Filipino treats like Ube Cookies or Cinnamon Rolls. It also pairs with Mexican dishes like Vegan Conchas or Grilled Corn. It’s great with many cuisines!
Made this three times already – foolproof recipe that always impresses guests.