Ube milk tea (Ube bubble tea)
Sweet, creamy, and vibrant, Ube Milk Tea is the ultimate refreshing drink for warm days. This delightful beverage shines with its beautiful purple hue and unique flavor, making it perfect for summer gatherings, brunches, or simply treating yourself. With its sweet and earthy notes from ube combined with rich coconut milk, Ube Bubble Tea offers a delicious twist on traditional milk tea that everyone will love!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Easy to Make: This recipe can be whipped up in just 45 minutes, making it perfect for beginners.
- Unique Flavor: The combination of ube and coconut milk creates an irresistible taste that stands out.
- Versatile Drink: Enjoy it as a breakfast treat or a dessert; Ube Milk Tea fits any occasion.
- Customizable: Adjust sweetness or add toppings like tapioca pearls to suit your preferences.
- Eye-Catching Presentation: Its vibrant purple color makes it as fun to look at as it is to drink!
Tools and Preparation
Before diving into this delicious recipe, gather your tools and equipment. Having everything ready will streamline the process and ensure that you enjoy making your Ube Milk Tea.
Essential Tools and Equipment
- Blender
- Saucepan
- Measuring cups
- Measuring spoons
- Strainer (if needed)
Importance of Each Tool
- Blender: Essential for mixing the ingredients smoothly, ensuring a creamy texture in your Ube Milk Tea.
- Saucepan: Used for cooking tapioca pearls quickly and efficiently.
- Measuring cups: Ensures precise ingredient measurements for the perfect flavor balance.
Ingredients
For the Ube Base
- 226 g frozen ube, thawed (½ packet, frozen ube)
- 1 cup coconut milk (canned coconut milk)
- ½ cup sugar
- 1 tbsp vanilla extract
- 1 tbsp ube extract
For the Milk Tea
- ½ – 1 cup milk or evaporated milk
- 2 cups of chilled milk (you can also use a plant-based milk)
- A few ice cubes
- Honey (optional)
For the Tapioca Pearls
- ½ cup quick cook tapioca pearls
How to Make Ube milk tea (Ube bubble tea)
Step 1: Prepare the Tapioca Pearls
- Bring water to a boil in a saucepan.
- Add the quick-cook tapioca pearls and stir gently.
- Cook according to package instructions until they are soft and chewy.
- Drain the pearls and rinse them under cold water.
Step 2: Make the Ube Base
- In a blender, combine thawed ube, coconut milk, sugar, vanilla extract, and ube extract.
- Blend until smooth and creamy.
Step 3: Combine Ingredients
- In a large bowl or pitcher, mix your ube base with chilled milk (and evaporated milk if using).
- Taste the mixture and adjust sweetness by adding honey if desired.
Step 4: Assemble Your Ube Bubble Tea
- Fill two glasses with ice cubes.
- Divide cooked tapioca pearls between the glasses.
- Pour the ube milk mixture over the pearls until filled.
Enjoy this colorful and delicious Ube Milk Tea any time you crave something refreshing!
How to Serve Ube milk tea (Ube bubble tea)
Ube milk tea, also known as Ube bubble tea, is a delightful and vibrant drink that can be served in various ways. Whether you’re enjoying it on a hot summer day or as an indulgent treat, here are some creative serving suggestions to enhance your experience.
With Toppings
- Tapioca Pearls: The chewy texture of tapioca pearls complements the creamy ube milk tea perfectly.
- Coconut Flakes: Add a sprinkle of toasted coconut for extra crunch and tropical flavor.
- Whipped Cream: Top your drink with whipped cream for a decadent finish.
Chilled Variations
- Iced Ube Milk Tea: Serve it over ice to make it more refreshing on warm days.
- Blended Ube Bubble Tea: Blend the ingredients with ice for a smoothie-like texture.
In Unique Glassware
- Mason Jars: Serve in mason jars for a rustic feel that’s perfect for outdoor gatherings.
- Clear Cups: Use clear cups to showcase the beautiful purple hue of the ube milk tea.
Sweet Enhancements
- Drizzle of Honey: Add honey on top for an extra touch of sweetness.
- Chocolate Syrup: A swirl of chocolate syrup can create a deliciously unique flavor combination.
How to Perfect Ube milk tea (Ube bubble tea)
Creating the perfect Ube milk tea requires just a few simple tips. Follow these suggestions to ensure your drink is both delicious and visually appealing.
- Use Fresh Ingredients: Always opt for fresh or high-quality frozen ube to enhance the flavor.
- Chill Your Milk: Using chilled milk helps maintain the refreshing nature of the drink, especially when served over ice.
- Adjust Sweetness to Taste: Start with less sugar and adjust according to your preference; you can always add more!
- Experiment with Milk Types: Different milks, like almond or oat milk, can change the flavor profile and make it more unique.
Best Side Dishes for Ube milk tea (Ube bubble tea)
Pairing side dishes with your Ube milk tea can elevate your snack experience. Here are some delightful options that complement the flavors of this sweet treat.
- Ube Cake: A moist cake infused with ube flavors pairs perfectly with the drink.
- Spring Rolls: Crispy spring rolls filled with vegetables provide a nice contrast to the creamy drink.
- Mochi Balls: Chewy mochi balls add a fun texture and are often filled with sweet surprises.
- Banana Q: Fried bananas coated in caramelized sugar offer a sweet crunch that matches well with ube.
- Pancit Canton: This savory noodle dish balances out the sweetness of ube milk tea beautifully.
- Kakanin: Traditional Filipino rice cakes like puto or bibingka are great companions for this drink.
- Fruit Salad: A light fruit salad adds freshness and complements the flavors without overwhelming them.
- Cheese Sticks: Crispy cheese sticks provide a savory bite that contrasts nicely with sweet ube milk tea.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Making Ube Milk Tea can be a delightful experience, but a few common mistakes can lead to less-than-perfect results.
- Ingredient Selection: Using low-quality or expired ingredients will affect the taste. Always choose fresh ube and quality coconut milk for the best flavor.
- Incorrect Ratios: Not measuring ingredients accurately can throw off the balance of flavors. Use precise measurements for sugar and ube extract to achieve the perfect sweetness.
- Skipping the Tapioca Pearls: Omitting tapioca pearls means missing out on the classic bubble tea experience. Don’t skip this step; they add texture and fun!
- Ignoring Cooling Time: Serving Ube Milk Tea warm can change its creamy texture. Allow it to chill properly before serving for optimum refreshment.
- Not Blending Properly: Failing to blend the ube mixture thoroughly can result in a lumpy drink. Make sure to blend until smooth for that velvety consistency.

Storage & Reheating Instructions
Refrigerator Storage
- Store Ube Milk Tea in an airtight container.
- It can last up to 3 days in the fridge.
Freezing Ube milk tea (Ube bubble tea)
- Freeze in a freezer-safe container or bag.
- Best used within 1 month for optimal flavor.
Reheating Ube milk tea (Ube bubble tea)
- Oven: Preheat to 350°F (175°C) and heat in a covered oven-safe container until warm.
- Microwave: Heat in short bursts of 30 seconds, stirring in between, until warm.
- Stovetop: Warm over low heat, stirring gently until heated through.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Ube milk tea (Ube bubble tea)?
Ube milk tea (Ube bubble tea) is a creamy drink made with ube, coconut milk, and sweeteners like sugar. It’s often served with tapioca pearls.
How do I make my Ube milk tea sweeter?
To enhance sweetness in your Ube milk tea, you can add more sugar or honey according to your preference during preparation.
Can I use different types of milk?
Yes! You can use plant-based milks such as almond or oat milk instead of regular dairy milk for a vegan option.
Where can I find ube extract?
Ube extract is typically available at Asian grocery stores or online retailers specializing in Filipino ingredients.
Is Ube milk tea healthy?
While it contains sugar and calories, ube is rich in antioxidants and vitamins. Moderation is key to enjoying it as part of a balanced diet.
Final Thoughts
This Ube Milk Tea recipe offers a sweet, creamy escape that’s perfect for any occasion. Its vibrant color and delightful flavor make it an eye-catching treat. Feel free to customize it by adjusting sweetness levels or experimenting with different types of milk. Enjoy making this refreshing drink!
Ube Milk Tea (Ube Bubble Tea)
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: Serves 2
Description
Indulge in the vibrant flavors of Ube Milk Tea, also known as Ube Bubble Tea—a delightful drink that combines sweet ube and creamy coconut milk for a refreshing treat. With its stunning purple hue, this beverage is perfect for summer gatherings or simply enjoying at home. This easy-to-make recipe is ideal for all skill levels, allowing you to impress friends and family with a unique twist on traditional bubble tea. Customize it with your favorite toppings, and elevate your drink experience with every sip!
Ingredients
- 226 g frozen ube (thawed)
- 1 cup coconut milk
- ½ cup sugar
- 1 tbsp vanilla extract
- ½ – 1 cup milk (or evaporated milk)
- ½ cup quick-cook tapioca pearls
- Ice cubes
Instructions
- Prepare the tapioca pearls by boiling water in a saucepan, adding pearls, and cooking until soft. Drain and rinse.
- Blend thawed ube with coconut milk, sugar, vanilla extract until smooth.
- Mix the ube base with chilled milk in a pitcher; adjust sweetness if desired.
- Assemble by filling glasses with ice, adding tapioca pearls, and pouring the ube mixture over.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Beverage
- Method: Blending
- Cuisine: Filipino
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 glass (250 ml)
- Calories: 330
- Sugar: 40g
- Sodium: 100mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 55g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
