How to make iced matcha green tea latte recipe

What is iced matcha latte?

An iced matcha latte is a refreshing drink made by combining matcha green tea powder with cold milk and ice.

It's a cool and delightful twist on the traditional hot matcha latte, offering a great option for those who enjoy cold and creamy drinks, especially during warmer months.

This iced version became very popular, mainly because it's sold in many coffee shops like Starbucks.

It can be enjoyed at various times and occasions and especially as a summer refreshment since its cooling and energizing properties make it an ideal alternative to hot beverages.

It is also great as a morning boost, an afternoon pick-me-up or post-exercise rehydration.

What does iced matcha latte taste like?

Iced matcha latte combines the earthy, grassy flavor of matcha with the creamy and refreshing taste of a latte. Keep in mind that the taste can vary depending on the quality of the tea used and any additional flavorings or sweeteners added.

High-quality ceremonial grade matcha tends to be smoother and more mellow with a less bitter taste, while culinary grade matcha has a stronger flavor and is often used in cooking and baking like ice creams.

Ingredients

To make this easy iced matcha green tea latte, you'll need the following simple ingredients:

• Matcha green tea powder
• Cold water (filtered or bottled spring water)
• Ice cubes
• Sweetener of choice (such as honey, maple syrup, stevia, agave syrup, or sugar), optional
• Cold milk (preferably plant-based, such as oat milk, almond milk or coconut milk).

Ingredient notes

Why to use dairy-free milk to make a matcha latte?

When consuming matcha, you're benefitting from natural antioxidants, called catechins, which can help protect cells from oxidative damage caused by free radicals and contribute to overall well-being. Catechins belong to the larger family of polyphenols, which are known for their health-promoting properties.

Milk contains proteins, primarily caseins, which can bind to these catechins in tea. When catechins bind to proteins in milk, they may form complexes that are less easily absorbed by the body. 

That's why dairy milk may reduce some of the health benefits of tea, including antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.

What milk to use?

Any dairy-free, plant-based milk will do.

I generally like almond milk for a lot of recipes but for this green tea matcha latte, oat milk was my favorite. My suggestion is to experiment and try a lot of different milk types until you find the one that best suits your personal preference.

The most popular options are oat, almond, cashew, coconut, rice, soy milk.

That being said, you can also use a dairy whole milk if that's what you prefer.

Cold water: Many iced matcha latte recipes start with hot water, but this is not necessary because with matcha tea you don't have to brew it.

Consuming the whole green tea leaves in the form of a fine powder ensures that you get all the nutrients without losing any health benefits. 

Variations

The taste of matcha really shines in this latte recipe and I usually don't find any reason to add other flavorings to this drink. However, here are some popular variations for this iced recipe:

Vanilla matcha latte: Add ¼ of a teaspoon of vanilla extract or use a vanilla flavored milk.

Cinnamon: Add a pinch of cinnamon to the matcha powder before adding the rest of the ingredients.

Mint: Green tea and mint is one of the most popular flavor combinations. Add a drop of mint extract or a few fresh mint leaves to your drink to make it more interesting. 

Strawberry or pineapple juice: Replace part of the water or the milk with some strawberry or pineapple juice. It will give a fruity, refreshing dimension to your drink.

Protein Boost: Consider adding a scoop of your favorite protein powder or collagen powder for an extra nutritional boost and even creamier texture.

Without any milk: Cold brew matcha is simply made by mixing matcha in cold water. It is one of the best ways to enjoy the true taste of matcha green tea without.

All you need to do is add the matcha powder and the sweetener to a bottle of cold water and then mix with an electric frother or shake it up. This way you can make your own cold brew matcha in under a minute.

Instructions

You can make this recipe in two different ways.

With a blender, which is the easiest way and without a blender. If you prefer to make it without a blender, the only thing you should be mindful of is to properly mix the powdered tea with the water in order to break all the lumps.

Here's a step by step guide for how to make an iced matcha latte.

Without a blender:

1st step: Sift the matcha powder.

Sift the matcha powder into a glass, cup or small bowl. Sifting helps prevent clumps and ensures a smooth mixture.

2nd step: Add the cold water and mix.

Add a small amount of cold water (about 2 ounces or 60 ml) to the matcha powder (use cold water to preserve the iced nature of the drink).

Whisk the mixture well using a bamboo whisk (chasen), also known as matcha whisk, or an electric milk frother until the matcha is fully dissolved.

Alternatively, if you don't have a frother or a whisk you will first add just a small quantity of water (about 1-2 teaspoons) and mix with a small spoon until you get a thick matcha paste. Mix the paste until all the lumps are dissolved and gradually add the rest of the water.

3rd step: Sweeten (Optional).

If desired, add the sweetener of your choice like maple syrup, honey or sugar to the matcha mixture and stir until it's well incorporated. Usually, 2-3 teaspoons are enough. Taste and adjust the quantity of the sweetener.

4th step: Pour over a glass of ice and cold milk.

Transfer the ice cubes and the cold milk to a serving glass and pour over the matcha mixture. Give the latte a good stir to mix all the ingredients together. Enjoy!

With a blender:

This is the easiest, one-step way to make this iced matcha latte recipe:

Put all the ingredients besides the ice to the bowl of your blender and blend for 20 seconds or until everything is combined and there are no lumps. Pour in a glass and fill with ice. Serve.

Food pairing

Here are some food suggestions that pair well with an iced matcha latte.

These options complement the flavors of matcha while offering a balance of textures and tastes:

• Fresh berries: Enjoy a bowl of mixed berries like strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, or blackberries alongside your iced matcha latte. The natural sweetness of the berries will complement the earthy notes of matcha.
• Yogurt parfait: Another healthy option where the creaminess of the yogurt complements the latte.
• Acai bowl: The tropical flavors of the acai bowl go perfectly with the herbal taste of matcha.
• Avocado toast: A whole-grain toast with mashed avocado, some sesame seeds and a dash of lemon juice will make an interesting contrast with the matcha's earthiness.
• Overnight oats: A great breakfast idea for a morning boost.
• Energy bites: These healthy bites offer a satisfying blend of textures and flavors.
• Sliced apple or banana with a nut butter (see here how to make almond butter) and a touch of honey: Great afternoon snack idea!
• Dark chocolate: A small piece of dark chocolate (70% cocoa or higher) can offer a delightful contrast to the flavors of matcha, plus extra antioxidants.

Storage

Iced matcha should be consumed within 24 to 48 hours after preparation. This ensures that the beverage maintains its flavor, freshness, and safety.

To store it properly, Transfer it to an airtight container (a mason jar tightly closed with a lid i sperfect for this) and keep it in the refrigerator within 1 hour of preparation.

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