Ube recipe · Drinks
Ube Frappuccino Recipe (Starbucks-Style Ube Frappé)
A creamy, blended Starbucks-style ube frappuccino made with real ube powder — with or without coffee.
- Prep
- 5 min
- Cook / chill
- —
- Total
- 5 min
- Serves
- 1 large drink
This ube frappuccino recipe makes a thick, icy, Starbucks-style blended drink at home in 5 minutes. It is creamy, naturally purple and made with real ube — no syrup, no dye.
What is an ube frappuccino?
A frappuccino is a blended iced drink made with milk, ice and a sweet base. In an ube frappuccino (or ube frappé), the flavor comes from ube, the Filipino purple yam. We use Kapsoo ube powder, which blends straight into the milk.
The secret to a smooth, thick frappé
Coffee shops use a thickener so the drink does not separate. At home, a pinch of xanthan gum (optional) or a few spoonfuls of vanilla ice cream gives the same thick, smooth texture.
Prefer it lighter? Try our ube smoothie or iced ube latte.
Instructions
Step 1
Add the milk, ube powder, condensed milk, xanthan gum and espresso (if using) to a blender. Blend for 10 seconds to dissolve the powder.
Step 2
Add the ice and blend on high for 30–45 seconds, until thick and smooth.
Step 3
Taste and add a little more sweetener if needed.
Step 4
Pour into a tall glass, top with whipped cream and a pinch of ube powder, and serve immediately.
Tips & variations
- Replace the xanthan gum with 2 scoops of vanilla ice cream for a milkshake-style frappé.
- Coffee-free, it is naturally caffeine-free.
- Drizzle the glass with condensed milk before pouring for a café look.
Ube Frappuccino: FAQ
How do you make an ube frappuccino at home?
Blend 1 cup milk, 1½ tbsp ube powder and 2 tbsp condensed milk, then add 1½ cups ice and blend until thick. Top with whipped cream.
Does an ube frappuccino have coffee?
Only if you add espresso. Made with ube, milk and ice alone, it is caffeine-free.
Why does my frappuccino separate?
Coffee shops use a thickener. Add a small pinch of xanthan gum or a scoop of vanilla ice cream to keep it smooth.
Is this the Starbucks ube frappuccino?
It is a homemade Starbucks-style version made with real ube powder, so you can adjust the sweetness to your taste.
