How to Make Ube Shaved Ice at Home

The ube syrup

Great ube shaved ice starts with a real-fruit syrup rather than a neon bottle. Simmer a simple syrup of roughly equal parts sugar and water, then work in ube — fresh, frozen or as a quality puree — and strain until smooth.

Ube is nutty, vanilla-sweet, so taste as you go and brighten it with a little citrus to keep the flavor lively. Ube is a purple yam prized as much for its color as its flavor.

Shaving the snow

Freeze a clear block of ice slowly, let it temper on the counter for a few minutes, then shave it into loose, fluffy ribbons. Pile the snow tall and pour your syrup over the top so it soaks down through every layer.

Flavor after shaving, never before — that's the secret to snow that tastes great from the first spoon to the last.

Toppings for ube

To finish, lean into pairings that flatter ube. We love it with coconut and toasted milk.

• Fresh fruit cut into little cubes
• A chewy topping like boba, mochi or jelly
• A drizzle of condensed milk or coconut cream
• A tiny sugar blossom, because presentation is half the fun

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