Simple to make and customize, an iced matcha latte is a delicious Japanese-inspired drink that will give you gentle energy throughout the day. Better than the Starbucks version and this easy recipe can be made with no added sugar!
Matcha is everywhere these days isn't it? It seems you can't move for bumping into recipes for matcha drinks (like my easy matcha smoothie). But I maintain a simple iced matcha latte recipe is one of the best drinks out there.
An iced matcha latte consists of matcha powder whisked with a little hot water, poured over a glass of ice and topped with cold milk of choice (you may choose to add sweetener too).
When I visited Japan in 2018 I got completely hooked on the taste of matcha. Everything is flavoured with it there: ice cream, cookies, mochi, noodles - you name it!
So nowadays I love making a hot or iced matcha latte at home to remind me of that trip (and it's a fraction of the price it would be in a coffee shop). It's also an easy drink that's a delicious healthy replacement for your morning coffee, as it contains some caffeine. Try it!
What is matcha?
Matcha is a fine powder made from the blended green tea leaves of plants specifically grown in the shade. The shade gives matcha its bright green colour and strong taste (typically stronger than green tea).
Matcha has more caffeine than green tea, but less than most cups of coffee (on average, matcha has around 70mg caffeine per cup compared to 100-140mg in coffee), making it a nice alternative. Many people report that the caffeine buzz they get from matcha is gentler than that from coffee too (myself included!), making it a better choice for those with anxiety.
Being a type of green tea, matcha has many health benefits, such as being high in antioxidants, possibly helping to protect the liver and promoting brain function.
What's the difference between ceremonial grade and culinary matcha?
There are different grades of matcha. Ceremonial grade matcha is generally higher quality. It has a stronger taste (without bitterness) and a bright green colour. Culinary grade matcha on the other hand can be dull in colour, can have quite a bitter taste. It's better used in baking. If you're wondering which grade of matcha to go for: always use culinary grade for matcha lattes!
Iced matcha latte ingredients
Matcha powder - As mentioned, use high quality matcha powder for lattes. Go for a ceremonial grade one with a vibrant green color - matcha or green tea powder that's dull green typically won't taste very good/will be bitter.
Ice - I like using lots of small ice cubes so you don't get huge amounts of water in your latte when the ice melts.
Milk of choice - Personally I prefer soy milk or oat milk for matcha lattes. Soy milk is the most traditional, but any type including almond milk, cashew milk and regular whole milk can work.
Sweetener - This is totally optional. I personally like to use maple syrup or coconut sugar, but simple syrup, agave syrup or regular sugar will work fine. Use as much or as little as you like (I typically use about 1 tsp).
How to make an iced matcha latte
In a small bowl or matcha bowl, whisk together 1 teaspoon matcha powder and ¼ c up hot water using a matcha whisk (bamboo whisk) or handheld frother until no lumps remain. You want to get a good froth going here!
(If you don't have either of these, blend matcha and hot water together in a blender.)
Pour matcha mixture over a glass of ice.
Top up with 1 cup your choice of milk (the best part is watching the colours swirl together!), sweeten if desired using maple syrup, agave or sugar, mix well and enjoy.
Tips for a perfect iced matcha latte
Make it lump-free - As Salt-N-Pepa would say: whisk it real good. Matcha tends to clump together, so use that arm strength and whisk it and a small amount of water together thoroughly! Alternatively, you can blend matcha and hot water in a blender to ensure no clumps of matcha remain.
Don't use boiling water - Use recently-boiled but not boiling, as you can burn the matcha if the water is too hot.
Use a bamboo matcha whisk - By using a whisk that's made specifically for matcha, you'll find it's much easier to whisk out any lumps. A regular whisk will make this a lot more difficult!
Flavour variations
Strawberry iced matcha latte - Blend together about ⅓ cup strawberries and 1 teaspoon sugar. Pour this into a glass over ice, then pour over the cold milk and top with the whisked matcha/hot water mix.
Lavender iced matcha latte - Add 1 tablespoon lavender syrup as you whisk matcha powder and hot water, then pour over ice and top with milk as usual.
FAQs
You can just mix matcha powder with milk, but it will likely be very clumpy so I don't recommend it. Whisk it with hot water thoroughly first to ensure it's smooth and lump-free, then add milk.
From personal experience, I would say yes. I find the caffeine buzz I get from matcha is much gentler and more sustainable than the one I get from coffee. I typically also don't find I get a come-down from matcha in the same way I do from coffee.
No. Matcha is a powder made from a type of green tea leaves grown in the shade. It typically has a much brighter colour than regular green tea and is higher in caffeine.
More easy hot drinks
Best Easy Iced Matcha Latte
Special Equipment
- Matcha whisk, milk frother or blender
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon ceremonial matcha powder
- ¼ cup hot water (boiled but not boiling)
- Ice
- 1 cup milk of choice (I like soy or oat)
- Sweetener, to taste (I use about 1 teaspoon maple syrup)
Instructions
- In a small bowl, whisk together matcha powder and hot water using a matcha whisk or milk frother until no lumps remain (if you don't have either of these, blend matcha and hot water in a blender).
- Pour matcha over a glass of ice.
- Top up with cold milk of choice, sweeten if desired, mix and enjoy!
Notes
Nutritional information per serving
If you’ve tried this matcha iced latte recipe, please leave a comment or tip for others below. I'd love to know how you’ve made it your own!
Follow Vancouver with Love on Instagram, Pinterest and Facebook!
Juyali
I’ve been wanting to make a matcha latte at home, and this was perfect! Smooth, not bitter, and so refreshing.
Elizabeth
So happy to hear that Juyali! Glad you loved it. 🙂
Sonja
Believe it or not, I never had a matcha latte before. I know, I'm late to the party...
But I got some matcha powder for a recipe and figured I might as well see what else I can make with it when I stumbled over your recipe.
I was really surprised how delicious this was as an afternoon pick me up. And I felt all virtuous with the bright green drink in my hand. 🙂
Elizabeth
Haha! So happy you loved it. It can be an acquired taste so you never know. 🙂
Leslie
This is a classic Matcha Iced Latte recipe! I like just a smidge more maple syrup in mine..but still DELICIOUS!! 🙂
Elizabeth
Totally fair! Everyone likes a different level of sweetness. Sometimes I have mine with no sweetener at all - crazy!
Swathi
I agree with you this best easy iced matcha latte, I have made it twice . This is going to be in my kitchen.
Elizabeth
So happy to hear that! I love it too. 🙂
lilly
So yummy, I loved it. It was delicious and refreshing. I drink this at breakfast, and it’s the perfect start to my day!
Elizabeth
So happy you love it Lilly! I made it myself again today. 🙂
myGiftsy
This iced matcha latte looks so refreshing and vibrant! I love how creamy and energizing it seems — perfect for a hot day or a little pick-me-up. Can’t wait to try making this at home
Elizabeth
I hope you love it! It's one of my favourite drinks 🙂