Trying to think of drinks that start with U? It is not the easiest letter in the food alphabet, but there are more options than you might expect. Some are everyday supermarket staples, some are traditional drinks from around the world, and a few are useful for quizzes, themed menus, school projects or alphabet food challenges.

This guide covers non-alcoholic drinks, hot drinks, soft drinks, milk-based options and alcoholic drinks beginning with U. I have also added practical notes on taste, where you might find them in the UK, and budget-friendly ideas where possible.

Drinks That Start With U: Quick List

Here is a quick overview before we get into the details.

Non-Alcoholic Drinks That Start With U

1. Ube Milk Tea

Ube milk tea is one of the most popular U drinks if you like bubble tea. Ube is a purple yam often used in Filipino desserts. It gives drinks a lovely violet colour and a sweet, nutty, vanilla-like flavour.

You will usually find ube milk tea in bubble tea shops, often with tapioca pearls, pudding, coconut jelly or brown sugar syrup. It can be fairly sweet, so if you are ordering out, ask for reduced sugar if that is an option.

Money-saving tip: bubble tea can be pricey, but you can make a cheaper version at home using ube powder, milk, tea and cooked tapioca pearls. Asian supermarkets and online shops often sell ube powder or ube flavouring.

2. Ube Latte

An ube latte is a creamy drink made with ube and milk. Some versions contain coffee, while others are more like a purple milk steamer. It can be served hot or iced.

For a simple homemade iced ube latte, mix a small amount of ube powder or ube jam with warm milk until smooth, then pour it over ice and top with more milk. If you want caffeine, add a shot of espresso or strong coffee.

It is a good one for an alphabet-themed brunch because it looks striking without needing lots of ingredients.

3. Ube Smoothie

An ube smoothie is thicker than an ube latte and usually made with milk, ice, ube, and sometimes banana or yoghurt. It is filling, sweet and dessert-like.

To keep costs down, use frozen banana to add creaminess instead of buying extra ice cream or cream. A spoonful of Greek-style yoghurt also works well if you want a thicker texture.

4. Ugli Fruit Juice

Ugli fruit juice is made from ugli fruit, a Jamaican citrus fruit. Despite the name, ugli fruit is simply a type of tangelo with a rough, greenish-yellow skin. The juice tastes somewhere between orange, grapefruit and tangerine.

In the UK, ugli fruit is not always available in every supermarket, but you may spot it in larger stores, greengrocers or specialist fruit shops when in season. If you do find it reduced, it is worth trying as a breakfast juice.

Practical tip: because ugli fruit can vary in sweetness, taste the juice before adding anything. A squeeze of lime can sharpen it, while a little honey can soften any bitterness.

5. UHT Milk

UHT milk stands for ultra-high temperature milk. It is heated to a high temperature for a short time and sealed in cartons, giving it a long shelf life before opening.

It may not sound exciting, but it is one of the most useful drinks beginning with U for families, students and anyone trying to avoid wasted food. It can be used in tea, coffee, cereal, sauces, baking, smoothies and hot chocolate.

ReducedGrub tip: keep a carton of UHT milk in the cupboard for emergencies. It saves last-minute trips to the corner shop, where milk often costs more. Once opened, follow the storage instructions on the carton and keep it chilled.

6. Unsweetened Iced Tea

Unsweetened iced tea is a simple drink made by brewing tea, cooling it and serving it over ice. Black tea, green tea, mint tea and fruit teas all work well.

It is a budget-friendly alternative to bottled soft drinks, especially in summer. Brew a large jug, chill it in the fridge and flavour it with lemon slices, mint, cucumber, berries or a splash of fruit juice.

If you are trying to reduce sugar, unsweetened iced tea is a handy option because you control exactly what goes into it.

7. Uji Matcha Latte

Uji matcha latte is a matcha latte made with matcha associated with Uji, a famous tea-growing area in Japan. Matcha is powdered green tea, whisked with water and topped with milk.

Good matcha can be expensive, so this is one to buy thoughtfully. For lattes, you do not always need the most premium ceremonial-grade matcha. A decent culinary or latte-grade matcha is usually enough, especially when mixed with milk.

Serve it hot in winter or iced with plenty of cold milk in warmer weather.

8. Uzvar

Uzvar is a traditional Ukrainian drink made by simmering dried fruits in water. Common ingredients include dried apples, pears, prunes, apricots and raisins. It is often gently sweetened with honey or sugar, although the dried fruit may make it sweet enough on its own.

Uzvar is a clever low-waste drink because it uses dried fruit, which keeps for ages in the cupboard. After simmering, you can also eat the softened fruit with porridge, yoghurt or rice pudding.

Basic uzvar idea: simmer a few handfuls of mixed dried fruit in a pan of water until the liquid is fruity and fragrant. Let it cool, strain if you like, and serve warm or chilled.

9. Uludag Gazoz

Uludag Gazoz is a Turkish carbonated soft drink. It is often described as a sweet, fruity lemonade-style fizzy drink. You may find it in Turkish grocery shops, international food stores or online.

It is useful for a drinks alphabet list because it is a proper named drink beginning with U, rather than just a description. Serve it chilled, on its own or alongside Turkish-style snacks such as flatbread, olives, grilled vegetables and dips.

Alcoholic Drinks That Start With U

The following drinks contain alcohol, so they are for adults only. Drink responsibly, and check labels for alcohol content and allergens.

10. Umeshu

Umeshu is a Japanese liqueur made by steeping ume fruit in alcohol and sugar. Ume is often called Japanese plum, though it is botanically closer to an apricot.

Umeshu is sweet, fruity and slightly tart. It can be served over ice, mixed with soda water, added to cocktails or poured in small amounts after a meal.

Budget note: a bottle can last a long time because it is usually served in small measures. If you are trying it for the first time, look for smaller bottles in Asian supermarkets rather than buying a large bottle straight away.

11. Umqombothi

Umqombothi is a traditional South African beer made with maize, maize malt, sorghum malt, yeast and water. It has cultural importance in South Africa and is very different from the clear lagers many UK shoppers are used to.

The flavour is often described as earthy, sour and grainy, with a cloudy appearance. It is not something you will find in every supermarket, but it may appear in specialist African food shops or cultural food events.

12. Unicum

Unicum is a Hungarian herbal liqueur made with a blend of herbs and spices. It is dark, bitter and usually served in small amounts as a digestif.

If you enjoy bitter drinks such as amaro, Fernet or herbal bitters, Unicum may be worth trying. It is bold rather than sweet, so it is not the best choice for someone who prefers fruity liqueurs.

13. Underberg

Underberg is a German herbal bitters sold in small paper-wrapped bottles. It is strong, bitter and intended to be served in tiny measures.

It is one of the more recognisable U drinks for cocktail fans and collectors of unusual mini bottles. Because the portions are small, it is easy to serve without opening a large bottle of liqueur.

14. Usquebaugh

Usquebaugh is a historic spiced whisky-style drink. The name comes from an old form of the phrase that eventually gave us the word whisky. Traditional versions included whisky or strong spirit flavoured with spices, herbs, citrus and sweeteners.

You are unlikely to find usquebaugh sitting on an average supermarket shelf, but it is a brilliant answer for food history fans or alphabet drink quizzes. Modern homemade versions are more like a spiced whisky liqueur.

Easy U Drink Ideas To Make At Home

If you are making a themed menu and need a drink beginning with U, these are the easiest options to pull together without spending a fortune.

• Unsweetened iced tea: brew tea, chill it, add lemon and ice.
• UHT milk hot chocolate: use cupboard milk, cocoa powder and a little sugar.
• Ube latte: mix ube powder or ube jam with milk and ice.
• Uzvar: simmer dried fruit in water and serve warm or cold.
• Ugli fruit spritz: mix ugli fruit juice with sparkling water.

Best Drinks Beginning With U For Different Occasions

Money-Saving Tips For Trying Unusual U Drinks

Some drinks that start with U are easy to buy, while others are a bit more niche. Here are a few ways to keep costs sensible.

• Check international supermarkets: Asian, Turkish, African and Eastern European shops often sell drinks you will not find in standard supermarkets.
• Buy small first: for liqueurs such as umeshu or Unicum, try a smaller bottle if available.
• Use dried fruit: uzvar is a good way to use up dried fruit left from Christmas baking or lunchbox snacks.
• Make iced tea at home: bottled iced tea is convenient, but homemade versions are much cheaper.
• Look for reduced fruit: citrus fruits such as ugli fruit can be juiced if they are ripe and marked down.
• Share speciality ingredients: ube powder, matcha and tapioca pearls go further if you split the cost with a friend or use them for several drinks.

FAQs About Drinks That Start With U

What is a common drink that starts with U?

UHT milk is probably the most common drink that starts with U in the UK. It is long-life milk sold in cartons and kept in the cupboard until opened.

What soft drinks start with U?

Soft drinks beginning with U include Uludag Gazoz, unsweetened iced tea, ugli fruit juice, ube milk tea and uzvar.

What alcoholic drinks start with U?

Alcoholic drinks that start with U include umeshu, umqombothi, Unicum, Underberg and usquebaugh.

Is ube a drink?

Ube itself is a purple yam, not a drink. However, it is used to make drinks such as ube milk tea, ube lattes and ube smoothies.

What does ugli fruit juice taste like?

Ugli fruit juice tastes like a mix of orange, grapefruit and tangerine. It is citrusy, juicy and sometimes slightly tart or bitter, depending on the fruit.

Can I make a U drink without buying special ingredients?

Yes. The easiest option is unsweetened iced tea. Brew ordinary tea bags, chill the tea, then serve it with ice and lemon. UHT milk is another simple U drink if you already have a carton in the cupboard.

Which U drink is best for a party?

For an alcohol-free party, ube milk tea or a jug of unsweetened iced tea works well. For adults, umeshu with soda water is an easy, refreshing serve.

Are there any hot drinks that start with U?

Yes. Hot drinks beginning with U include ube latte, Uji matcha latte, warm uzvar and hot chocolate made with UHT milk.