Easy and Refreshing Ube Horchata Recipe

This purple drink is quickly becoming a favorite of many, and it’s not hard to see why!

Ube horchata is the perfect beverage for those looking to try something new and exciting but also refreshing and comforting at the same time.

Ube horchata is a unique twist on the classic horchata, a traditional Latin American drink made with rice milk, nuts, and cinnamon. This delightful drink combines the nutty flavors of horchata with the vibrant purple hue and subtle sweetness of ube.

And now, you can learn how to make it at home with this easy recipe!

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Table of Contents

What does Ube Horchata taste like?

Ube horchata has a distinctive nutty, sweet flavor with a subtle earthy taste. Much like classic horchata, it has the flavor of rice and almonds with a hint of cinnamon.

But what sets it apart from classic horchata is the addition of ube, a purple yam widely used in Filipino dishes.

The ube adds a unique sweetness and subtle earthy flavor, along with the vibrant purple color that makes it so visually appealing.

The ube flavor complements the other ingredients without overpowering them, resulting in a really refreshing and satisfying drink.

If you have never tasted ube before, it has a flavor profile somewhere between vanilla and sweet potato, and it’s sure to leave a lasting impression on your taste buds.

How did Ube Horchata come to be?

Ube horchata, a refreshing and vibrant twist on the traditional Mexican beverage, has been making waves in recent years.

While there isn’t much info to pinpoint the exact origin of this beverage, it was likely born through the fusion of Mexican and Filipino-American cultures in California.

As these cultures interact and share their foods, drinks like ube horchata may have been created as a result.

From personal experience, I have noticed that ube horchata was appearing in boba shops, pop-up stands, and even in restaurants across California and other regions with large Filipino American communities.

If you’ve ever had the ube horchata at Senor Sisig in the Bay Area or at Calajo Catering in LA, you know why it’s quickly becoming a sought-after drink!

If you have any knowledge about the history of Ube Horchata, feel free to share in the comments below!

What to eat with Ube Horchata:

Ube horchata makes a great pairing for spicy, savory foods in both Mexican and Filipino cuisine. Some popular choices include tacos, burritos, adobo chicken or pork, and lumpia.

Here are a few food ideas that you can enjoy with your homemade ube horchata:

Air Fryer Pork Belly Sisig

Kinilaw na Talaba (Filipino Oyster Ceviche)

Air Fryer Veggie Lumpia

Beef Nilaga with Roasted Bone Marrow (Nilagang Baka)

Mouth-Watering Pork & Shrimp Siomai

You can also try this fusion beverage with other fusion foods like Korean tacos or Filipino-style burritos.

As with many fusion cuisines, the possibilities are endless, so feel free to get creative with your food pairings!

And let us know in the comments if you have any favorite dishes that go well with ube horchata.

Can I use Ube extract to make Ube Horchata?

Yes, you can use ube extract to make ube horchata. We use a combination of ube extract and ube halaya (jam) in our recipe to get the perfect balance of flavor and color.

Fresh ube can be hard to find in some areas, so ube extract is a great substitute.

Note 1. When it comes to ube extract, it’s important to know that the flavor of ube extract can vary between brands, so you may need to adjust the amount used in your recipe to get the desired taste. In addition, using too much extract can result in a bitter taste, which is why we recommend using a combination of extract and ube jam for the best results.

How about ube powder? While ube powder is made from the same root vegetable as fresh ube, it is typically used for baking and may not provide the same flavor and color intensity as ube extract. In drinks, they do not provide the same intensity of flavor as ube extract or ube halaya.

How can I make this Ube Horchata recipe dairy-free or vegan?

If you’re looking to make this ube horchata recipe dairy-free or vegan, it’s easy to do so!

Simply substitute the the evaporated milk for a dairy-free alternative, such as coconut condensed milk or cashew cream. Also, make sure to use plant-based milk like almond or oat milk instead of regular cow’s milk.

I am lactose intolerant and prefer to make this recipe with oat milk. I use regular evaporated milk since I don’t usually have any reactions to it, but you can also find many dairy-free milk options (canned or powdered) at some grocery stores.

If you would like to make your own vegan evaporated milk, simply reduce your vegan milk over the stove until about 50-60% of the volume has evaporated.

Note 2: You can play with the thickness of the ube horchata by selecting your preferred milk. For example, an oat-milk-based horchata will be thicker than an almond milk-based one or a skim milk-based one.

Equipment needed for making Ube Horchata:

Blender – You will need a blender to mix the ingredients together and achieve a smooth and creamy texture for your ube horchata. We used our Ninja blender which is quite powerful, but we had to blend the recipe in batches because of its small size. If you have a standard-sized blender, you should be able to make the entire recipe in one go.

Fine Mesh Strainer – After blending the ingredients together, you will need to strain the mixture through a fine mesh strainer. This will remove any remaining chunks and create a smooth texture for your drink. Alternatively, you may use a cheesecloth instead of a fine mesh strainer.

Pitcher for mixing and serving – You will need a large pitcher or container to mix together the horchata base with the remaining milk and condensed milk.

Container for storing – This is needed to soak the rice and almonds overnight before blending. Any container will do as long as it is airtight. We used a container from the Our Place Container Collection.

How to Store and Serve Ube Horchata?

To store your ube horchata, transfer it to an airtight container and keep it in the refrigerator for up to three days. Before serving, give it a good shake or stir as some separation may occur.

Serving this drink over ice is a popular choice, but you can also serve it chilled without ice. We also like to add a sprinkle of cinnamon on top for a little extra flavor and visual appeal.

Ingredients

• 1 cup white rice
• 2 cinnamon sticks broken by hand
• ¼ cup chopped almonds
• 2 cups water for soaking

• ½ cup ube halaya
• 12 oz evaporated milk
• 2½ cups milk of choice oat, almond, whole, skim, etc.
• ½ tsp ube extract
• ground cinnamon for garnish
• cinnamon stick for garnish

Recipe

1. In an airtight container, combine the rice, cinnamon sticks, and almonds in 2 cups water.

2. Let the mixture soak in the fridge overnight.

3. Blend the mixture along with ube halaya.

4. Strain and discard the solids.

5. In a pitcher, combine the strained liquid, evaporated milk, milk of choice, and ube extract. Mix well.

6. Serve over ice. Garnish with ground cinnamon and a fresh cinnamon stick.

Final Thoughts

Sip on this deliciously creamy and vibrant Ube Horchata for a unique twist on the classic Mexican drink. Serve it up at your next gathering or simply enjoy it as a refreshing treat on a hot day!

We hope you enjoy this recipe! Share your creations on Instagram and tag us @itsforkandspoon!

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References & Further Reading

https://www.seattletimes.com/pacific-nw-magazine/whats-in-the-creamy-concoction-horchata-it-depends-on-where-you-are/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Horchata