Dunkin’ Marshmallow Ube Drink Recipe

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Dunkin’ has once again cast a spell over our taste buds, conjuring up a magical potion that’s as captivating in color as it is in flavor—the Dunkin’ Marshmallow Ube. This concoction merges the rich, creamy essence of ube, a beloved purple yam with a sweet, nutty zest, with the warm, comforting hug of marshmallow. It’s a treat that pays homage to the vibrancy of fall and dances delightfully on the palate, celebrating the whimsy of the Halloween season.

How to make Dunkin’ Marshmallow Ube

Dunkin’ Marshmallow Ube is a seasonal drink offered by Dunkin‘ that combines ube, a purple yam popular in Filipino cuisine, with marshmallow flavor. It typically features a creamy blend of flavors, often topped with whipped cream and a sprinkle of ube flavoring or color.

Ingredients

• Ube Extract: 1 to 2 teaspoons, depending on how intense you want the flavor. Ube extract captures the essence of the Philippine purple yam, offering a vibrant color and a sweet, slightly nutty taste.
• Marshmallow Syrup: 2 tablespoons for that creamy, sugary twist that pairs so wonderfully with the ube.
• Espresso or Strong Brewed Coffee: 1 shot (about 1 ounce) if using espresso or 1 cup if opting for coffee. This is the backbone of any macchiato, delivering that necessary caffeine punch.
• Milk: 1 cup, steamed if making a hot version or cold if you prefer iced. Choose full-fat milk for a richer texture or any plant-based alternative for a lighter version.
• Whipped Cream: A dollop for topping because what’s a treat without a little extra indulgence?
• Optional: Purple food coloring to enhance the color if your ube extract isn’t vibrant enough. Adjust according to your visual preference.
• Purple Sprinkles or Edible Glitter: For garnish, add that final enchanting touch.

Instructions

1. Prepare the Coffee Base: Begin by brewing your espresso or coffee. If you aim for authenticity to Dunkin’s offering, an espresso machine or a Nespresso with a dark roast capsule would work best. However, a strong drip coffee is a perfectly fine substitute.
2. Mix in the Magic: In a large cup, combine the hot coffee or espresso with the ube extract and marshmallow syrup. Stir well until everything is beautifully blended. If you’re going for an iced version, let the mixture cool down for a few minutes before proceeding to the next step.
3. Milk Preparation: For the hot version, steam your milk until it’s frothy and pour it into your ube and marshmallow mixture. For an iced potion macchiato, simply pour cold milk over the mixture. If using, add a drop or two of purple food coloring to achieve that desired mystical hue.
4. Final Flourish: Top your concoction with a generous dollop of whipped cream. Sprinkle some purple sprinkles or edible glitter over it to capture that magical Halloween vibe.
5. Serve and enjoy: Your Dunkin’ Marshmallow Ube-inspired beverage is now ready to enchant your taste buds. Serve hot or with ice, according to preference.

Tips for Perfecting Your Potion

• Flavor Balance: Start with a small amount of ube extract and marshmallow syrup, then adjust according to your taste. It’s easier to add more than to fix an overly sweet or strong flavor.
• Color Magic: The allure of this drink lies in its vibrant purple hue. If your ube extract is more on the bland side, don’t hesitate to enhance the color with a bit of food coloring.
• Steam Milk like a Pro: For those making the hot version, achieving frothy milk without a steamer can be tricky. A good hack is to shake hot milk vigorously in a jar (with a lid on) or use a handheld frother.
• Presentation Matters: Serve this special brew in a clear glass to showcase its mesmerizing layers. The visual contrast between the dark coffee or espresso and the purple milk, topped with cream, makes it all the more inviting.

What to serve with

Pairing the right treats with your homemade Dunkin’ Marshmallow Ube can elevate the entire experience, making it not just about sipping a delicious drink but indulging in a complete sensory delight.

1. Ube Pastries

• Ube Scones or Muffins: Ube scones or muffins can amplify the sweet and nutty essence of ube in your drink. The subtle flavors in these baked goods ensure they don’t overpower your Dunkin’ Marshmallow Ube but instead enhance the ube experience.
• Ube Pancakes: Serving ube pancakes for a brunch can be a fantastic idea. The light and fluffy pancakes with a hint of ube work wonderfully with the ube and marshmallow flavors of your drink.

2. Sweet Complements

• Fluffy Donuts: A classic pairing for any coffee-based beverage, donuts can be especially delightful with the Dunkin’ Marshmallow Ube. Opt for vanilla, glazed, or flavors that won’t clash with ube, such as coconut or even a simple cinnamon donut.
• Pastel Macarons: The light, sweet, and slightly chewy texture of macarons, particularly in complementary flavors like vanilla, almond, or even lavender, would pair beautifully with the beverage, mirroring its whimsy and color.

3. Savory Snacks

• Cheese and Crackers: A plate of mild cheeses and an assortment of crackers can offer a nice savory balance to the sweetness of your macchiato. Choose cheeses that are not overly sharp to maintain the delicate flavor balance.
• Quiche or Savory Pies: A small slice of quiche or savory pies, perhaps with a spinach and feta or ham and cheese filling, can be a delightful savory contrast to the sweet and creamy flavors of the Dunkin’ Marshmallow Ube.

4. Fresh Fruits and Dips

• Fruit Platter: A platter of fresh fruits like strawberries, blueberries, slices of mango, and pineapple can add a refreshing and healthy touch to your serving table. These fruits can introduce a refreshing acidity and natural sweetness that complements the drink’s richness.
• Chocolate or Caramel Dip: If you’re already going for fruits, offering a chocolate or caramel dip can turn the occasion into a more decadent affair, providing a sweet counterpoint to both the fruits and the beverage.

5. Light Desserts

• Angel Food Cake: This light, fluffy cake would not compete with the richness of your Dunkin’ Marshmallow Ube, making it an excellent choice for those looking for a mildly sweet dessert option.
• Custard or Panna Cotta: A simple, creamy dessert-like custard or panna cotta, perhaps with a hint of vanilla or a dollop of fruit compote, can be a sublime match for the creamy, dreamy qualities of the beverage.

Ingredients Substitutes

When making a homemade version of Dunkin’s Marshmallow Ube, you may need to substitute some ingredients depending on availability or dietary preferences. Here’s a detailed guide on possible substitutes for the key ingredients in this unique beverage:

Ube (Purple Yam)

Original Ingredient: Ube is a purple yam commonly used in Filipino cuisine, renowned for its vibrant purple color and sweet, nutty flavor.

Substitutes:

• Ube Extract or Flavoring: If fresh or frozen ube is not available, ube extract or flavoring can be used to impart the characteristic ube flavor to your drink.
• Taro: Some use taro as an alternative, although the flavor is not identical and the color is more muted. Taro can provide a similar starchy, slightly sweet taste.
• Sweet Potato: Purple sweet potatoes are a more accessible substitute and can provide a similar color and a sweet, starchy base for the drink.

Marshmallow Flavor

Original Ingredient: The marshmallow flavor in this drink could come in the form of syrup or actual marshmallows melted into the drink.

Substitutes:

• Vanilla Syrup: Vanilla is a common flavor component of marshmallows, so using vanilla syrup can provide some of the sweet, aromatic profiles expected with marshmallow flavor.
• Marshmallow Creme or Fluff: For a similar sweetness and texture, marshmallow creme or fluff can be incorporated into the drink.

Milk

Original Ingredient: The milk in a Dunkin’ Marshmallow Ube contributes to the creamy texture of the beverage.

Substitutes:

• Dairy-Free Milk: For lactose-intolerant or vegan consumers, almond milk, soy milk, coconut milk, or oat milk can be excellent dairy-free options. Note that each alternative will bring its unique flavor and texture.
• Lactose-Free Milk: For those who are lactose intolerant but still want the creaminess of dairy, lactose-free milk is a good substitution.
• Half-and-Half or Cream: For an even richer and creamier texture, half-and-half or cream can be used, although this will increase the calorie content of the drink.

Coffee or Espresso

Original Ingredient: Traditional macchiato beverages include espresso for a robust flavor.

Substitutes:

• Strong Brewed Coffee: If you don’t have an espresso machine, using strongly brewed coffee can be an alternative, although it will not be as concentrated in flavor.
• Decaffeinated Espresso: For those wanting to avoid caffeine, decaffeinated espresso is a straightforward substitute for regular espresso.

Sweeteners

Original Ingredient: Sugar or syrup may be used to sweeten the drink to taste.

Substitutes:

• Alternative Sweeteners: For those seeking to avoid refined sugar, alternatives like honey, agave nectar, stevia, or monk fruit sweetener can be used to adjust sweetness levels.
• Sugar-Free Syrups: A variety of sugar-free syrups are available for individuals monitoring their sugar intake.
• Maple Syrup: For a touch of natural sweetness with an added flavor dimension, maple syrup can be a lovely addition.

Final Thoughts

Making your Dunkin’ Marshmallow Ube at home is not just about recreating a trendy drink; it’s about infusing a bit of magic and sweetness into your day. This recipe is a passport to a world where flavors delight and spirits uplift.