Iced Ube Coconut Cream Shaken Espresso (Starbucks Copycat)

If the warmer weather has you craving tropical coffee treats, you need to try my copycat Starbucks Ube Coconut Shaken Espresso recipe! The bold, slightly bitter punch of espresso is softened with coconut syrup and creamy oat milk, then topped with a vibrant purple-hued ube coconut cold foam for a drink that practically screams summer.

When Starbucks debuted the brown sugar shaken espresso, it felt like a whole new world of concentrated coffee goodness had arrived. Now, a half-dozen versions later, this dreamy ube coconut shaken espresso has come onto the scene like a tropical queen. They say purple is the color of royalty, so a purple crown of fluffy ube coconut cold foam surely has to as well. 🤷🏻‍♀️

The fantastically fresh flavor combo of vanilla-adjacent ube and tropical coconut is fast becoming a Starbucks summer favorite. You can get a similar vibe from Starbucks’ iced ube coconut macchiato or iced ube coconut latte. The difference here is that iced shaken espresso is a seriously high-octane drink with a higher espresso-to-milk ratio than the others.

In my mind, that makes this iced ube coconut shaken espresso the perfect way to start a long day. It’s like jumpstarting your body battery, but in a sweet, creamy, and satisfying way that feels like a treat! So, next time you’re preparing for an important meeting or need to survive a marathon work day, give this frosty refreshment a try. I have a feeling you’ll love it.

Jump to:

• What does it taste like?
• Why You’ll Love This Starbucks Shaken Espresso Recipe
• Ingredients Needed
• Substitutions
• How To Make Starbucks Iced Ube Coconut Shaken Espresso 
• Optional Variations & Dietary Adjustments
• Serving Suggestions
• Recipe Success Tips
• FAQs
• Homemade Ube Coconut Shaken Espresso Nutrition
• Other Starbucks Copycat Recipes
• Iced Ube Coconut Cream Shaken Espresso (Starbucks Copycat)

What does it taste like?

This iced ube coconut shaken espresso tastes like your favorite coffee drink took a tropical vacation. The shaken espresso base is bold and slightly frothy, with a smooth bitterness that gets mellowed out by the oat milk and sweet coconut syrup. It’s lightly nutty, subtly sweet, and super refreshing.

Then comes the ube coconut cold foam, which is where the magic really happens. It’s silky and cloud-like, with a delicate vanilla-meets-pistachio flavor from the ube, layered with creamy coconut sweetness. The flavor is unique but approachable, with a slightly earthy, gently sweet, dessert-like flavor.

As you sip, the foam slowly blends into the espresso, creating a beautifully balanced drink that’s equal parts bold and creamy. You get an initial hit of smooth coffee, followed by waves of coconut and ube that linger on the palate. It’s rich, aromatic, and perfectly balanced, like a cross between a shaken espresso and a coconut cream pie with a certain je ne sais quois from ube.

Why You’ll Love This Starbucks Shaken Espresso Recipe

• Quick & Easy - All it takes is 5 ingredients and 5 minutes to shake one up at home, making it way more convenient than waiting in a drive-thru line.
• Budget-Friendly - Spending $6-7 on a single drink at Starbucks feels almost criminal, especially when life is already so expensive anyway. Luckily, learning how to be your own barista will save you a ton in the long-run. As a prime example, you can make your own DIY coconut ube shaken espresso for less than $2!
• Bold Color, Mellow Flavor - The vibrant violet hue of ube may make you reluctant to try it, but the flavor is as friendly as Barney! If you like vanilla syrup and sweet pistachio sauce in your coffee, this festive Filipino favorite is going to be right up your alley.

Ingredients Needed

• Heavy Cream - Cold foam needs enough fat to hold its shape, and heavy cream is as decadent as they come. Just make sure it’s nice and cold!
• Coconut Syrup - My easy DIY is made with just 4 simple ingredients and costs way less than a bottle of Torani, but feel free to swap in store-bought if you prefer.
• Ube Extract - This is what imparts the beautiful plum hue and nutty vanilla custard flavor. A little bit goes a long way, so a bottle should last you a long time!
• Espresso - Because you can’t have shaken espresso without espresso.
• Oat Milk - This is the default option if you were to get a shaken espresso from Starbucks. If possible, make sure to reach for full-fat barista-style milk for the best frothability.
• Ice - Make sure to start with filtered water for the cleanest taste.

Substitutions

• Heavy Cream - Slightly lighter whipping cream will do the trick. You can also use your favorite plant-based whipping cream or full-fat canned coconut milk for a dairy-free option.
• Coconut Syrup - In a pinch, you can use vanilla syrup but you’ll miss out on the extra layer of tropical sweetness. To bring some of that flavor back, you can add a drop or two of coconut extract and/or use coconut milk instead of oatmilk.
• Espresso - Feel free to swap in 5 ounces of cold brew espresso for a smoother, less acidic, and slightly more caffeinated alternative.
• Oat Milk - You’re welcome to use any type of plant-based milk or any percentage of dairy milk you prefer. If you use plant-based, try to reach for a “barista blend” for the best mouthfeel.
• Ice - Need even more gas in the tank? Swap in coffee ice cubes so it’s caffeinated to the last drop. 

How To Make Starbucks Iced Ube Coconut Shaken Espresso 

Step 1: Make the Ube Coconut Cold Foam. In a small glass or jar, add heavy cream, coconut syrup, and a touch of ube extract. Give it a good frothing with a milk frother until it's nice and thick, creamy, and foamy. Set it aside for later.

Step 2: Chill & Sweeten. Start by adding some ice cubes to a mason jar. Pour in your freshly brewed espresso and 2 tablespoons of coconut syrup. 

Step 3: Shake. Seal up the jar and give it a few good shakes to combine everything and get it a little frothy.

Step 4: Add Milk. Take the shaken iced espresso and pour it into a tall glass, ice and all. Top it off with a splash of creamy oat milk and give it a gentle stir if you'd like.

Step 5: Top it Off. The final touch is spooning the vibrant ube coconut cold foam on top of the shaken espresso base. Now you're ready to sip and savor!

Optional Variations & Dietary Adjustments

• Protein Boost - Make an ube coconut protein cold foam to add a bit more staying power. You can also mix in protein powder or collagen to the shaken espresso base.
• Sugar-Free - Use sugar-free coconut syrup to make a diabetic-friendly version. My DIY syrup recipe has instructions!
• Dairy-Free/Vegan - The shaken espresso base is already dairy-free and vegan if you use oat milk as suggested. To make the cold foam vegan-friendly, swap in well-shaken full-fat canned coconut milk or vegan whipping cream instead.

Serving Suggestions

While this iced ube coconut shaken espresso has less sugar than some other Starbucks specialty drinks, between the syrup and caffeine boost I typically need a high-fiber or high-protein snack to help keep me from wigging out. A jar of my high protein coconut chia pudding is filling enough to keep me going until lunch.

If you’re not much of a breakfast-eater, keep it light with a blueberry protein muffin or a slice of high protein banana bread. If even that feels like too much to handle, matcha protein balls, coconut fat bombs, or any of your favorite protein ball recipes are perfect little 2-bite treats.

Recipe Success Tips

• Shake It Up. Don't skip the shaking step! Giving the espresso and coconut syrup a vigorous shake helps create the signature frothy texture you’d expect from a shaken espresso.
• Get The Foam Just Right. Be sure to froth cold cream, coconut syrup, and ube extract for at least 30 seconds to get a super thick and creamy cold foam topping. The cooler the ingredients are, the quicker it should froth to perfection.
• Adjust the Coconut Sweetness. My recipe is intended to copy the Starbucks recipe, so if theirs is too sweet for you, start with less coconut syrup and add more to taste as needed.
• Use Fresh, High-Quality Espresso. For the best flavor, use freshly brewed espresso or very strong coffee. The better the base, the more delicious your drink will be.

FAQs

Homemade Ube Coconut Shaken Espresso Nutrition

This iced ube coconut shaken espresso is a creamy, indulgent drink with a tropical twist. Each serving comes in at 335 calories, with 19 grams of fat largely from the cream in the ube coconut cold foam, which gives the drink its rich, velvety finish.

Carbohydrates total 39 grams, including 32 grams of sugar from the coconut syrup. This keeps the drink pleasantly sweet without being overly heavy, especially compared to other Starbucks-style drinks. If you’re concerned about the sugar content, you can use less syrup or swap in a sugar-free alternative. Sodium is relatively modest at 85 mg.

Protein is on the lower side at just 2 grams, as this recipe leans on cream and oat milk rather than higher-protein dairy options. You can easily boost the protein by swapping in dairy milk, making protein cold foam, or adding protein to the espresso base. 

All in all, this drink falls into the “treat yourself” category. Make sure to balance your day with nutrient dense foods, plenty of water, and a minimum of added sugars elsewhere. Enjoy every vibrantly purple, creamy, coconutty sip!

Total nutritional content per serving is:

• Calories: 335 calories
• Total Fat: 19 grams
• Protein: 2 grams
• Sodium: 85 mg
• Carbohydrates: 39 grams
• Sugar: 32 grams

*This nutritional information is an estimate and calculated based on the ingredients used to create the recipe. The nutritional value of your ingredients may differ slightly. Furthermore, this food is not intended to prevent, diagnose, cure, or treat any disease.

Other Starbucks Copycat Recipes

xoxo Megan