You know that magical purple yam flavor we Filipinos love so much? I turned it into an easy milk drink that tastes so good! Every time I make this Ube Milk, it reminds me of weekends at my Lola's house, where the kitchen always smelled like sweet ube halaya. Using just coconut evaporated milk and ube cookie butter, you can make this simple drink. The best part? You can use it in so many ways - make it into hot chocolate on rainy days, add it to your morning coffee, or just enjoy it cold with boba pearls.
I originally made this because I was missing Filipino flavors, and now my kids request it all the time! Whether you're craving ube far from home or just want to try something new, this recipe is super easy to make. Just two ingredients, five minutes, and you'll have the creamiest, most versatile ube drink base in your refrigerator.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Versatile Base: Perfect for lattes, hot chocolate, smoothies, boba tea, champorado (tsokolate), and biko
- Rich Purple Color: Natural purple hue from real ube
- Authentic Taste: Combines traditional Filipino ube with creamy coconut
- Easy to Make: Only 2 ingredients and 5 minutes needed
- Make-Ahead Friendly: Stores well for weekly drink prep
Ingredients
These two simple ingredients create magic together. The coconut evaporated milk provides a rich, creamy base with subtle tropical notes that perfectly complement the unique purple yam flavor of the ube cookie butter. Unlike regular milk, coconut evaporated milk adds depth and a silky texture that makes this drink special.
The ube cookie butter delivers that distinctive nutty, vanilla-like taste that Filipinos love, along with the beautiful purple color, all without artificial additives. Together, they create an authentic Filipino flavor experience that's both convenient and versatile.
- 1 Can (360ml) Coconut Evaporated Milk
- ¼ Cup Ube Cookie Butter
Equipment
- Blender: For the cold preparation method, ensures smooth incorporation of ube cookie butter
- Medium Saucepan: For the hot preparation method, allows gentle heating for proper melting
- Whisk: Helps achieve a smooth, lump-free consistency
- Glass Storage Jar (16 oz capacity): Maintains freshness and prevents absorption of refrigerator odors
- Measuring Cups: Ensures proper ratios for consistent results
How To Make
- Choose your preparation method - either cold blender method or hot stovetop method.
- For the cold method:
- Add one can (360ml) of coconut evaporated milk and ¼ cup of ube cookie butter to your blender.
- Blend for 30-45 seconds on medium speed until the mixture is completely smooth with no lumps.
- Pour into a clean glass jar.
- For the hot method:
- Combine one can (360ml) of coconut evaporated milk and ¼ cup of ube cookie butter in a medium saucepan.
- Place over medium heat (165°F/74°C).
- Whisk continuously as the mixture heats, making sure the cookie butter melts completely and incorporates into the milk.
- Once the mixture is smooth and fully combined, remove from heat.
- Let it cool to room temperature.
- Storage and use:
- Pour your finished ube milk into a clean 16-ounce glass jar with a tight-fitting lid.
- If you notice any separation, give it a gentle stir.
- Refrigerate immediately.
- Before each use, shake or stir well.
- The ube milk will stay fresh in the refrigerator for up to 7 days.
- Use it chilled for cold drinks or gently reheat for hot beverages.
- For hot drinks, warm only the amount you plan to use, never boil the mixture.
Tips from Lola's Kitchen
- Room Temperature Ingredients: Always start with ingredients at room temperature for better blending and smoother results.
- The Shake Before Use Rule: Natural separation will occur during storage - this is normal! Simply shake or stir well before each use.
- Creaminess Boost: For extra richness, add 1 tablespoon of coconut cream (kakang gata) to your mixture.
- Quality Water Matters: When diluting for certain recipes, use filtered water for the cleanest taste.
- Glass Over Plastic: Store in glass containers rather than plastic to maintain freshness and prevent flavor changes.
- Perfect Temperature: For hot applications, warm gently only until heated through - never allow the mixture to boil as this can affect the flavor.
- Consistency Control: Adjust thickness by adding small amounts of warm water (to thin) or additional ube cookie butter (to thicken).
Troubleshooting
- Separation occurs: This is completely natural and normal - simply shake or stir before each use
- Mixture is too thick: Gradually add warm water, one tablespoon at a time, until you reach your desired consistency
- Mixture is too thin: Add 1-2 teaspoons additional ube cookie butter and whisk until fully incorporated
- Grainy texture: Either blend longer in a high-powered blender or gently heat while whisking to smooth out
- Color not purple enough: Add additional ube cookie butter 1 teaspoon at a time until desired color is achieved
Substitutions
- Coconut Evaporated Milk: Can be replaced with regular evaporated milk or full-fat coconut milk
- Ube Cookie Butter: Substitute with ube halaya (traditional ube jam) or combine ube extract with regular cookie butter
- Sweetener options: Adjust sweetness with palm sugar, coconut sugar, or honey to taste
- Dairy-free version: Use plant-based milk like oat or almond milk combined with coconut cream for richness
- Lower calorie option: Use light coconut milk and reduce cookie butter to 3 tablespoons
Storage & Reheating
- Refrigeration: Store in an airtight glass container in the refrigerator for up to 7 days
- Preparation for use: Shake well or stir vigorously before each use to recombine any separated ingredients
- Gentle reheating: Warm small portions in the microwave in 15-second intervals, stirring between each
- Stovetop warming: Heat gently over low heat, stirring constantly to prevent scorching
- Important note: Never allow the mixture to boil when reheating as this can alter the flavor and texture
FAQ
Where can I buy Coconut Evaporated Milk?
Coconut evaporated milk can be found in Asian grocery stores or international sections of major supermarkets. Look for brands like Coconut Tree or UFC. If unavailable locally, it can be purchased online through specialty food retailers.
Can I replace Coconut Evaporated Milk with Regular Evaporated Milk?
Yes, regular evaporated milk works well as a substitute, though you'll miss the subtle coconut flavor that complements the ube. The texture will remain similar, but the flavor profile will be slightly different.
Can I use any milk I want for this recipe?
While you can experiment with different milk varieties, full-fat options work best for the creamiest results. Plant-based milks can be used but may require additional thickening with more ube cookie butter.
Where can I find Ube Cookie Butter?
Ube cookie butter can be found in Filipino specialty stores or some Asian markets that carry Filipino products. It's sometimes available seasonally at specialty food stores or can be purchased online from Filipino food retailers.
Can I make Ube Cookie Butter at home?
Yes! You can make homemade ube cookie butter by blending cookie butter (like Biscoff) with ube extract or ube halaya until well combined. There are many recipes available online for completely from-scratch versions as well.
Can I use Ube Halaya instead of Cookie Butter?
Absolutely! Use the same amount of ube halaya (purple yam jam) as a substitute. The texture might be slightly different, and the ube flavor will likely be more intense, which many people prefer.
How can I make this recipe less sweet?
To reduce sweetness, use unsweetened coconut milk instead of coconut evaporated milk and add your own preferred sweetener to taste. You can also dilute the final product with additional milk.
Is this drink safe for children?
Yes, ube milk is perfectly safe for children and often becomes a favorite due to its fun purple color and naturally sweet flavor. It's a great way to introduce kids to Filipino flavors.
Can I freeze unused portions of ube milk?
While freezing is possible, the texture may change slightly upon thawing. If you do freeze it, use within one month and shake very well after thawing to recombine any separated ingredients.
Related
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
Ube Milk Recipe (Gatas na Ube)
Equipment
- Blender (for cold preparation method) Ensures smooth incorporation of ube cookie butter
- Medium Saucepan (for hot preparation method Allows gentle heating for proper melting
- Whisk Helps achieve smooth consistency
- Glass Storage Jar (16 oz capacity Maintains freshness and prevents absorption of refrigerator odors
- Measuring cups Ensures proper ratios for consistent results
Ingredients
- 1 Can 360ml Coconut Evaporated Milk
- ¼ Cup Ube Cookie Butter
Instructions
- First, choose your preferred method - either cold blender method or hot stovetop method.
- For the cold method, simply add one can (360ml) of coconut evaporated milk and ¼ cup of ube cookie butter to your blender. Blend for 30-45 seconds on medium speed until the mixture is completely smooth with no lumps. Pour into a clean glass jar.
- For the hot method, combine one can (360ml) of coconut evaporated milk and ¼ cup of ube cookie butter in a medium saucepan. Place over medium heat (165°F/74°C). Whisk continuously as the mixture heats, making sure the cookie butter melts completely and incorporates into the milk. Once the mixture is smooth and fully combined, remove from heat. Let it cool to room temperature.
- Pour your finished ube milk into a clean 16-ounce glass jar with a tight-fitting lid. If you notice any separation, give it a gentle stir. Refrigerate immediately. Before each use, shake or stir well. The ube milk will stay fresh in the refrigerator for up to 7 days. Use it chilled for cold drinks or gently reheat for hot beverages. For hot drinks, warm only the amount you plan to use, never boil the mixture.
- For best results, always start with room temperature ingredients. If the mixture is too thick, gradually add warm water until you reach your desired consistency. If it's too thin, whisk in additional ube cookie butter one teaspoon at a time.
Tips from Lola's Kitchen
- Always use room temperature ingredients for better blending
- Stir well before each use as natural separation may occur
- For extra creaminess, add 1 tablespoon coconut cream (kakang gata)
- Use filtered water when diluting for best taste
- Store in glass rather than plastic to maintain freshness
Nutrition
The Story Behind Ube Milk
Ube milk is a modern twist on the Philippines' love affair with ube, the beloved purple yam that's been a staple in Filipino desserts for generations. While traditional ube treats like ube halaya (purple yam jam) and ube ice cream have been around for decades, this drink innovation brings our favorite purple ingredient into everyday beverages.
The inspiration for this ube milk recipe comes from the growing popularity of Filipino flavors worldwide, especially in coffee shops and bubble tea cafes. As ube gained international attention, creative home cooks began experimenting with ways to incorporate this uniquely Filipino flavor into daily drinks. The combination of coconut evaporated milk with ube emerged as a perfect match – the rich, creamy coconut milk enhances ube's naturally nutty, vanilla-like taste.
What makes this recipe special is how it transforms the traditional ube experience into something new while keeping its Filipino soul intact. It's similar to how Filipinos have always enjoyed gatas (milk) with traditional kakanin (rice cakes) like biko or puto, but now in a convenient drink form. The use of coconut evaporated milk instead of regular milk isn't just a flavor choice – it's a nod to our cuisine's love for gata (coconut milk) in both sweet and savory dishes.
Today, ube milk has become a pantry staple in many Filipino-American households, bridging the gap between traditional Filipino flavors and modern drink trends. Whether you're making your morning kape (coffee), afternoon milk tea, or evening tsokolate (hot chocolate), this purple drink base helps keep our connection to Filipino food culture alive, one glass at a time.
From local Filipino kitchens to international cafes, this vibrant purple drink has helped introduce more people to the wonderful world of ube and Filipino flavors. It's become especially popular on social media, where its stunning color and versatility have made it a favorite among food photographers and home cooks alike. Who knew our humble purple yam would become such a global sensation?
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