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The dazzling Ube Horchata turns an old-school Mexican rice beverage into a gorgeous purple treat that catches your eye and wows your taste buds. When you mix the natural ube sweetness with cinnamon-infused rice milk, you get a drink that stands out from the crowd—perfect for hot days or when you want to impress at gatherings.
I whipped up this mixed-culture drink for my kid's birthday celebration, and everyone fell in love with it right away. Both youngsters and grown-ups couldn't get enough—they all snapped pictures of the bright purple color before they'd even tried it.
Ingredients
Step-by-Step Instructions
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The ube powder really makes this drink pop. I stumbled on it at a Filipino store ages ago and have been playing around with it since then. It's got this gentle earthy sweetness that reminds me a bit of taro but with that striking purple element that always gets my guests grinning.
Storage Tips
Making It Your Own
Cultural Fusion
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Recipe FAQs
- → What is ube and how does it taste?
Ube is a purple yam from the Philippines that shows up in lots of Filipino sweet treats. It's got a gentle sweetness with an earthy touch, kind of like vanilla but with a bit of nuttiness thrown in. People love its bright purple color that makes food and drinks look amazing.
- → Can I make this drink ahead of time?
You can totally prep the ube horchata mix up to a day before and keep it in your fridge. Just remember to add the ice right when you're ready to serve so it doesn't get watery. Give it a good stir before pouring since the ingredients might settle and separate a bit.
- → Where can I find ube extract and powder?
You'll spot ube extract and powder at Asian grocery stores, especially ones that carry Filipino items. Don't worry if you can't find them locally - they're easy to grab online from food specialty shops or big websites like Amazon. Check the international foods area or baking section when shopping in stores.
- → Can I substitute the rice milk with another type of milk?
Sure thing! You can swap rice milk for almond milk, oat milk, or just regular cow's milk. The taste will change a little with each different milk, but your drink will still be tasty. Rice milk gives you that authentic horchata feel if you want to stay true to tradition.
- → What other garnishes pair well with ube horchata?
An extra dash of cinnamon on top looks great, just like in the pictures. You might also try a light sprinkle of ube powder, a cinnamon stick to stir with, a dollop of coconut cream on top, or even a small scoop of vanilla ice cream if you want to make it extra special.
- → Is this drink served hot or cold?
You'll want to enjoy ube horchata cold over ice. It's meant to be a refreshing drink, perfect when it's hot outside. Blending it with ice gives it a slightly slushy feel that's really satisfying. That said, you could try warming it up gently if you're feeling experimental and want a cozy version.