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Matcha Latte

by Katerina

5 from 3 votes

Mar 23, 2023

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Warm and creamy, this matcha latte with milk foam is the zen drink you need to start your day. Sweetened with honey and hints of vanilla, it’s a comforting sip that’s easily turned into an iced one for a summer treat.

Creamy Homemade Matcha Latte

Full of Japanese vibes, sipping into this creamy matcha latte will remind you to breathe and take it easy in the morning. Topped with gorgeous milk foam and a sprinkle of matcha powder, preparing it will become something like a daily ritual.

Despite being loaded with natural caffeine, it’ll make you feel centered and zen— just what you need to start the day. Even with its hints of honey and vanilla, you’ll be surprised how easy it is to make. Prepped ahead for the week, you can keep it in the fridge for a grab-and-go drink that’s way quicker than drive-thru at Starbucks.

Served warm or on the rocks, this milky treat goes from a winter favorite to summer-perfect with some ice. You can also turn it into bubble tea! With so many tasty possibilities, it’ll be your new favorite way to enjoy green tea.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

If you love matcha, you won’t need much more convincing, but here are all the reasons why you’ll love this matcha latte:

• Caffeine-packed. With its natural caffeine properties, this drink is an excellent alternative to coffee in helping you stay awake and active.
• Starbucks copycat. This copycat recipe is better than Starbucks, so it’ll be a while before you return for a drink after trying your homemade version.
• Easy. With a microwave cheat and only 5 ingredients, this matcha latte is as simple as possible.
• Quick. Ready in 10 minutes, it’s a recipe you can throw together even while half-asleep in the morning.
• Prep-friendly. Made up to 5 days ahead, it’s a great drink to keep in the fridge throughout the week and sip on while you make your way to work.

What You’ll Need

With such few ingredients, this matcha latte uses high-quality ingredients for the best flavor. Check the recipe card at the bottom of the post for full ingredient amounts.

• Matcha powder: Use your favorite.
• Water
• Honey: Raw honey is best for this. Maple syrup is a good substitute.
• Pure vanilla extract
• Milk: I prefer full-fat milk for a creamier latter, but low-fat works too.

What is Matcha?

Matcha is an artisanal, finely ground green tea powder primarily consumed in Japan and other parts of East Asia. When prepared as a drink, matcha’s concentrated flavor comes from whisking the processed powder in hot water instead of only steeping the leaves like regular tea.

However, there are different matcha grades: ceremonial and culinary, with the last one being slightly more bitter. It’s got such a strong taste that it can also be used to flavor ice cream, mochis, cookies, and all kinds of sweet treats and drinks. Nowadays, matcha and matcha-based products are popular all over the world.

How to Make a Matcha Latte

If you can heat a bit of milk and whisk a fine green powder, making this matcha latte will be a success!

• Heat the milk. Add the milk to a small saucepan over medium heat. Keep an eye on it and stir frequently. Let it heat until hot but not boiling. Set aside. Don’t leave it unattended once it hits the stove because it can stick to the pot or form a film very easily.

• Whisk the matcha. Measure the matcha powder into a large mug. Add the hot water, then whisk vigorously with your bamboo whisk until you have a smooth mixture. Make sure to break up any lumps.

• Sweeten it. Add the honey and vanilla extract. Whisk until they’re well incorporated in the mixture.
• Add the milk. With a regular whisk, give your milk a good mix to aerate the liquid. Pour it into your mug with the matcha, honey, and vanilla.
• Serve. Taste the drink and adjust for sweetness if needed. Sprinkle it with extra matcha powder, and enjoy.

Tips & Variation Ideas

In this section you’ll find drink alternatives to this matcha latte and a couple of tips to reduce clean-up and even froth the milk.

• Make a matcha-espresso drink. This is another Starbucks copycat you can make using this drink as a base foundation. Pour the matcha latte into a tall serving glass. Add 1/2 to 1 cup of ice. Pour in 1/4 to 1/2 cup of milk. Then add 1/4 cup of your favorite espresso to top it off, being careful not to break through the matcha and milk layers. Enjoy!
• Froth the milk properly. Add the hot milk to a tall container or glass (this is so it doesn’t overflow). Tilt it so it’s at an angle, about 45 degrees. Slowly move the frother up and down for 20 to 30 seconds or until it’s nice and foamy. Incorporate it into your drink as usual.
• Use a jar. If you don’t have a frother, use a large jar to froth your milk instead. Make sure the milk doesn’t fill more than a third of it. Close it tightly and shake for up to a minute until frothy.
• Use agave syrup. This is a great way to add a bit of toasty, caramelized sweetness to your drink. Use it moderately and reduce the amount because it’s sweeter and way more intense than raw honey.
• Make it vegan. Plant-based alternatives like coconut or oat milk can instantly make your drink vegan. Coconut milk will give you the creamiest results, but feel free to use your favorite kind.
• Use the microwave. Heat the milk in 15 to 20-second intervals (stirring between each one) until it’s nice and hot to save yourself from cleaning a pot!
• Make bubble tea. Boil 1/4 cup of tapioca pearls according to package instructions, and add them to your drink with a bit of ice. You can also top off the glass with more milk if needed.

Are Matcha Lattes Healthy?

Yes! Since they’re made with whole leaves, matcha lattes are healthy and are usually packed with more anti-oxidants and anti-inflammatory properties than regular green tea. Both of these things can help support heart health, fight cancer, improve gut and skin health, and are good for weight loss. However, this is only true if you keep your matcha latte simple and light on sweeteners, like in this recipe.

Want to Make an Iced Matcha Latte Instead?

It’s very easy to make an iced matcha latte. In fact, here are three ways to do it, so pick your favorite:

1. Cold. Pop the prepared matcha into the fridge to fully cool before adding the milk (which you can also chill).
2. Icy. Don’t warm the milk. Once you whisk the matcha, add it to the blender with the remaining ingredients. Add 1/2 cup of extra milk and 1 to 2 cups of ice. Process it until cold to taste.
3. On the rocks. Add the matcha to a large serving glass. Fill it with ice to taste. Pour in the frothed milk and serve. For best results, chill the whisked matcha mixture in the freezer for 10 to 15 minutes before adding it to the glass.

Can I Make a Matcha Latte in Advance?

• Absolutely! It’ll be an iced matcha latte since it needs to be refrigerated, but it’ll be just as good. Store it in serving-size portions in glass jars or thermos for a grab-and-go drink. It can be refrigerated for up to 5 days, just don’t add any ice. Add the ice when serving or right before leaving the house so that the flavor isn’t watered down.
• If you want to reheat it, you can do so in the microwave in 30-second increments until hot. You can also use a small pot for 4 to 5 minutes over medium heat.

More Easy Drinks to Try

• Starbucks London Fog Drink
• Dirty Chai Latte
• Starbucks Cinnamon Dolce Latte
• Healthy Coffee Protein Smoothie
• Easy Whipped Coffee Recipe (Dalgona Coffee)

ENJOY!

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5 from 3 votes

Matcha Latte

by Katerina | Diethood

This creamy matcha latte with milk foam is an improved version of your favorite Starbucks drink. You'll love it warm or chilled!

Cook Time: 10 minutes minutes

Servings: 1 serving

Ingredients 

1x2x3x

• ▢ 1 ½ teaspoons matcha powder
• ▢ ¼ cup hot water
• ▢ 1 to 2 teaspoons honey,, according to taste
• ▢ ¼ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• ▢ ¾ cup hot milk

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Instructions 

• In a small saucepan over medium heat, warm the milk until hot. Stir frequently during the warming process to prevent the bottom of the milk from burning. Set aside.
• Measure the matcha powder into a large mug. Add the hot water, then whisk vigorously with your bamboo whisk until you have a smooth mixture with no lumps in it.
• Add the honey and vanilla extract.
• Using a regular whisk, give your milk a good mix to aerate the liquid. Pour into your mug with the matcha, honey, and vanilla. If you have a milk frother, you can use that to add a bit of foaminess to the top of your latte.
• Taste and adjust sweetener if needed. Enjoy!

Equipment

• Saucepan
• Bamboo Whisk
• Frother
• Glass Mugs

Notes

• Matcha Powder: The super fine powder yields a higher concentration of nutrients and a more robust flavor. Matcha is about ten times more potent than regular green tea, so I only use around 1 teaspoon of powder for my latte. 
• Milk: You can use your favorite milk, including oat or nut milk.
• Frothing the milk (optional): Add the hot milk to a tall glass, tilt it to about a 45-degree angle, and slowly move the frother up and down for 20 to 30 seconds or until it’s foamy. If you don’t have a frother, add the hot milk to a jar, close it tightly, and shake it vigorously for 1 minute or until frothy. 
• Iced Matcha Latte: Do not warm the milk. Once you whisk the matcha with the hot water, add it to a blender with the remaining ingredients. Add an extra 1/2 cup of milk and 1 to 2 cups of ice. Process it until combined and cold.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 152kcal | Carbohydrates: 14g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 22mg | Sodium: 73mg | Potassium: 280mg | Fiber: 0.01g | Sugar: 15g | Vitamin A: 596IU | Vitamin C: 0.04mg | Calcium: 227mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutritional info is an estimate and provided as courtesy. Values may vary according to the ingredients and tools used. Please use your preferred nutritional calculator for more detailed info.

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