The cafe version of an iced matcha latte can be very sweet. Many shops use a pre-sweetened matcha blend, so what looks like a grassy green tea drink is closer to a dessert. Making it at home means you decide how much sweetness goes in, which is the whole point if you’re replacing a can.
This iced matcha latte recipe uses five minutes, one bowl and three ingredients, with sweetener left optional.
Quick answer: Sift 1 teaspoon of matcha, whisk it with 2 tablespoons of 175°F water until frothy, then pour it over a glass of ice and 1 cup of cold milk. Add 1 to 2 teaspoons of maple syrup if you want. Matcha contains caffeine, as all tea does.
Ingredients
- 1 tsp matcha powder (about 2 g)
- 2 tbsp hot water, about 175°F (80°C), not boiling
- 1 cup cold milk of your choice (240 ml)
- 1 to 2 tsp maple syrup or honey, optional
- 1 cup ice
How to make an iced matcha latte
- Sift the matcha through a small sieve into a wide bowl or mug.
- Add the hot water. Whisk briskly in a zigzag motion, with a bamboo whisk, a small frother or a fork, for about 20 seconds until frothy and lump-free.
- If using sweetener, stir it into the matcha now while it’s warm and dissolves easily.
- Fill a tall glass with ice and pour in the cold milk.
- Pour the matcha slowly over the top and let it swirl down. Stir and drink.
Tips for a smoother matcha latte
Don’t skip the sieve. It’s the dull step that makes the difference between a smooth drink and one with green gravel at the bottom.
Mind the water. Boiling water makes matcha bitter. Let a kettle sit for a couple of minutes after it boils.
Add sweetener early. Stirring it into the warm matcha means it dissolves. Cold maple syrup sinks to the bottom of an iced glass and just sits there.
Taste, then decide. One teaspoon of matcha with plain milk is gently sweet on its own because milk has natural sugars. Many people find they don’t want any syrup at all by the second week.
Swaps and variations
- Vanilla matcha latte: a few drops of vanilla extract in the milk. It gives an impression of sweetness without adding sugar.
- Strawberry matcha latte: mash 3 hulled strawberries in the bottom of the glass, add ice and milk, then float the matcha on top. The strawberries sweeten the drink.
- Coconut: swap half the milk for unsweetened coconut milk.
- Sparkling matcha: skip the milk, whisk the matcha, and pour over ice and ¾ cup sparkling water for something closer to soda.
- Cut the matcha: use ½ teaspoon if you want less caffeine. Don’t use more than you need.
How an iced matcha latte replaces your can of soda
For a lot of people, the 3 p.m. can is a caffeine hit as much as a sweet one. An iced matcha latte answers that: it’s cold, it has caffeine, it has a ritual (the sifting, the whisking, the swirl in the glass), and it takes longer than opening a can, which is a feature. The FDA says caffeinated soft drinks contain about 23 to 83 mg of caffeine per 12 ounces, and green tea about 37 mg for the same amount, so you’re in a similar range of drink, though matcha varies with how much powder you use.
What it doesn’t have is fizz. If fizz is what you miss, try the sparkling version above, or keep a can of seltzer for the other moments.
Mind the caffeine in the late afternoon, though. If you’re sensitive to it or you sleep badly, have the matcha earlier and switch to something decaffeinated, like infused water, after lunch. The FDA also says that if you’re pregnant, trying to become pregnant or breastfeeding, you should talk to your health care provider about whether to limit caffeine.
Put it on your Swap Shelf
If you reach for a latte at the same time every day, it’s worth finding out whether it’s actually replacing the can. In FizzFree, add your matcha to your Swap Shelf and tap whether the swap worked.
FizzFree is a habit tracker and not medical advice. If you have a health condition or take medication, talk to your doctor before changing what you drink.
Questions
How much caffeine is in an iced matcha latte?
Matcha is made from the tea plant, so it contains caffeine, and the amount depends on how much powder you use. For comparison, the FDA lists about 37 mg in 12 ounces of brewed green tea and 23 to 83 mg in a 12-ounce caffeinated soda. Treat it as a caffeinated drink.
Why is my matcha latte clumpy or bitter?
Clumps mean the powder wasn't sifted or whisked enough. Bitterness usually means the water was boiling, which scorches the powder, or you used too much. Use water around 175°F (80°C), sift first, and start with 1 teaspoon.
What kind of matcha should I buy for lattes?
Look for a matcha labeled for lattes or everyday use. It's cheaper than ceremonial grades and stands up to milk. Check that the ingredient list says only green tea powder and that it comes in a sealed, opaque tin.
Can I make an iced matcha latte without a whisk?
Yes. Shake the matcha with the hot water in a small jar with a tight lid, or use a handheld frother. A fork works for a single serving. Sifting matters more than the tool.
How do I sweeten matcha without a lot of sugar?
Use 1 teaspoon of maple syrup or honey and taste. Vanilla extract (a few drops) makes milk taste sweeter without adding much. You can also use a sweetened plant milk, though then the label tells you the sugar, so check it.
FizzFree is a habit tracker and not medical advice. If you have a health condition or take medication, talk to your doctor before changing what you drink.