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This easy Iced Matcha Latte recipe makes a rich and creamy drink at home, better than from Starbucks. A healthy alternative to coffee, matcha latte is perfect in the morning or as an afternoon pick-me-up.

Hi there, my name is Matteo and I’m a former coffee addict. Probably because of my Italian roots, for years coffee has been my quick fix to sleepless nights and sluggish afternoons. Back to my senior year, I would drink minimum 3 cups a day – breakfast, morning break and afternoon pick-me-up. But luckily things have changed.

Now I just drink a couple of protein coffee per week, and sometimes I even use decaf. For the most part, I ditched my coffee dependence for matcha. I first tried it in Japan, and since then it’s been real love. It’s sweet and delicate, refreshing and satisfying at the same time. Plus, it’s a healthy choice! Matcha powder is a superb source of nutrients and antioxidants. Differently from coffee, it also contains caffeine but provides a sustained release of energy due to its combination with L-theanin.

What is matcha?
What is matcha latte made of?
Best matcha powder for iced latte
Best milks for diy matcha latte
How to make iced matcha latte at home
How to make iced matcha latte without bamboo whisk?
Success tips
What goes well with matcha?
Iced Matcha Latte Recipe

What is matcha?

Matcha is a type of green tea made by grinding special tea leaves into a fine powder. The name “matcha” comes from the two Japanese words matsu, “to rub, to daub, to paint” and cha, “tea”, because of its bright green color. This special green tea originates from Japan. It was first introduced in the 1100s in Japan by a Buddhist monk, who brought it from his travel in China. Acting as the protagonist of tea ceremonies, matcha has remained part of the Japanese culture.

Over recent years, matcha has gained popularity all around the world, partly thanks to its delicious taste and partly because of its health benefits. Matcha powder is often considered a superfood because it’s rich in antioxidants, vitamins and other nutrients. Further, it’s a natural source of caffeine. Sweet and subtly bitter, people like to use it for teas, drinks, desserts and even savory dishes.

What is matcha latte made of?

Making Starbucks matcha latte at home is very simple, and it requires just 4 ingredients. What is more, you can adjust the recipe to match your needs and likings. Here are some more details on what’s needed.

Matcha powder. The best matcha tea latte recipe uses ceremonial grade matcha powder. In comparison to the culinary grade, it has a more delicate flavor and a smoother texture.
Milk of choice. Iced matcha tea can be prepared with any type of milk you like, dairy or dairy-free. My favorite is vanilla almond milk, followed by oat milk and soy milk.
Maple syrup. A couple teaspoons of pure maple syrup or honey will sweeten the drink in a healthier way, without excessive amounts of refined sugar. One teaspoon is usually enough for me, but you should add more if it is necessary.
Water. You’ll need to dissolve the matcha powder into a quarter of a cup of hot water.

Best matcha powder for iced latte

There are many ways to consume matcha. You can find it in tea leaves, in sachets, or in powder. To make iced matcha latte at home, you will need the powder. However, not all products are the same. There are 2 different grades of matcha, ceremonial grade and culinary grade.

Ceremonial grade. This is the best, highest quality matcha powder made from shade-grown tea leaves. It’s characterized by a vibrant green color and delicate flavor, and is often used in traditional Japanese tea ceremonies.
Culinary grade. This is a more affordable option made from lower quality tea leaves. It’s also used for baking and beverages, but it tastes stronger and more bitter.

Best milks for diy matcha latte

The choice of milk plays a crucial role in preparing the best copycat Starbucks matcha latte at home. First of all, you should decide whether to use dairy or nondairy milk. Based on this, here are the best options.

Dairy-free iced matcha latte: Oat milk, almond milk, soy milk and macadamia milk will give your drink a rich and creamy taste. My favorite is matcha almond latte.
Regular iced latte: As they contain more fat, whole milk and semi-skimmed milk (lactose free if necessary) are generally better than skimmed milk.

How to make iced matcha latte at home

This easy matcha green latte Starbucks recipe is so quick and easy to make. It comes together in minutes and you won’t even need a balloon whisk, if you don’t have it. Read further for the step-by-step recipe, with or without matcha whisk.

Step 1 – Dissolve matcha in water.
In a small bowl, place a teaspoon of matcha powder and hot water. Whisk well, using a balloon whisk (or an electric coffee mixer), until the matcha has fully dissolved into the liquid. By now, there should be no lumps left.

Step 2 – Make matcha latte iced.
Pour into the matcha mixture ⅓ cup of the milk alongside maple syrup and optionally vanilla extract. Whisk to combine, adjusting with more sweetener if it is necessary. Add to a glass a couple of ice cubes and the remaining milk, then pour in the matcha drink. Give it a good mix and enjoy.

How to make iced matcha latte without bamboo whisk?

If you’ve always wanted to make matcha latte at home but don’t have a bamboo whisk, this recipe is for you. There are two main ways how you can achieve the same result using simple kitchen tools:

Matcha latte in a blender. Place tea powder and hot water into a small blender, then blend on low until combined. Add ⅓ cup of milk, maple syrup or honey, and blend once more. Serve with more milk and ice cubes.
Matcha latte with milk frother or electric whisk. Combine powdered tea leaves and hot water in a small bowl, then froth or whisk as you would do with bamboo whisk. All other recipe directions remain the same.

Success tips

Choose high quality matcha powder. The best matcha tea latte recipe uses ceremonial grade matcha powder, which is the highest quality green tea powder. It has a more delicate sweet flavor with a slightly bitter aftertaste.
Choose the best milk. I recommend picking a milk with good taste and creamy texture, such as oat milk or whole milk. For a healthy matcha latte, stick to unsweetened milk.
Sweeten to taste. This recipe does not provide precise amounts of maple syrup, as you should adjust the sweetness to your own likings. Start with about a teaspoon, and add more in case your green tea latte is missing some sweetness.
Use the right tools. The traditional recipe calls for a bamboo whisk, but you don’t really need one. As an alternative you can use an electric mixer, a milk frother, or a blender.
Mix very well. Be sure to whisk all ingredients very well, until the tea powder has dissolved completely into the liquids. There should be no green lumps left.

What goes well with matcha?

If you also like starting your day with iced matcha, here are some healthy breakfast recipes that pair perfectly with it. Give them a try for a delightful morning boost!

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