Name: Easy Iced Matcha Latte (5 Ingredients!)
Prep time: 5 min
Total time: 5 min
Ingredients: 2 tsp Matcha Green Tea Powder (culinary grade); 4 tbsp Warm Water (Approximately 80°C/ 176°F ); 2 tsp Maple Syrup (optional); Dairy-Free Milk (of choice); Ice Cubes

Interesting question for you today, friends: what’s the longest you’ve ever gone without sleeping?

My record stands at 30 hours. Definitely don’t recommend. During that time I drank 3 cups of coffee, 1 cup of masala chai and 1 green tea. If only I’d known about iced matcha lattes back then – perhaps I wouldn’t have been so delirious by the end of it.

Well, I guess that’s what happens when you don’t stay on top of your deadlines. And today I’ve got a deadline for you: make this iced matcha latte ASAP. And hand in your homework by leaving a rating/review below, or tagging me on Instagram. I’m watching you!!

what is matcha?

Matcha is a powdered green tea produced in Japan. The vibrant colour is a result of briefly steaming the leaves before they are dried, similar to how broccoli goes bright green when you boil it!

During the process of making matcha, the dried green tea leaves are grinded into a fine powder. The process is actually really fascinating – if you’re a bit of a food geek like me, you’ll love this mini documentary on making matcha from Matcha Konomi on YouTube. If you’ve ever wondered why matcha is so expensive, it’s definitely worth a watch!

Despite being consumed in Japan for centuries, matcha is becoming a lot more popular in the Western world these days – you can even buy iced matcha lattes in Starbucks now! But here are 3 reasons why you should make this iced matcha latte at home instead:

This homemade version contains less sugar than Starbucks as it is naturally sweetened with maple syrup!
It’s far cheaper in the long run to purchase some high-quality matcha powder and make your own lattes at home.
We’re pretty impatient over here – Starbucks is 20 minutes away but this homemade version can be in your cup in less than 5 minutes!

does matcha have caffeine in it?

Yes! Matcha contains caffeine – about half that of a cup of coffee. But don’t be fooled – the boost you get from drinking coffee is temporary and leaves you feeling sluggish afterwards, whereas the caffeine boost from drinking matcha is sustained.

So despite containing less caffeine, matcha will actually give you that buzz for longer AND you won’t feel sluggish after drinking it. That’s a win-win!

two iced matcha lattes in glasses photographed from the top

benefits of drinking matcha:

Why is matcha so good for you? Because it’s the entire form of the leaf!

Tea made from tea leaves, such as masala chai, is very delicious but contains less nutrients than matcha. This is because we discard the tea leaves – all those nutrients go to waste!

As matcha is a powdered form of the dried tea leaves, there’s no discard when preparing it, meaning we can get maximum nutrients from it!

Interested in reading more about why matcha is so good for you? Check out the book How Not To Die by Dr Michael Greger – I cannot recommend this book enough!!

How to make an iced matcha latte in 4 easy steps:

The best thing about this iced matcha latte recipe? You can make it with 5 ingredients in just 4 simple steps! Let’s do this:

Step one: Whisk the matcha.

To our matcha bowl (chawan) we’re going to add the matcha green tea powder and whisk it with our matcha whisk (chasen).

The matcha whisk is specifically designed for separating lumps in the matcha and has a lot more prongs than a standard kitchen whisk. If you don’t have a chawan or chasen, you can make matcha using a mixing bowl and stainless steel whisk, but you may have a few more lumps in your matcha.

Before adding water to the matcha, I like to briefly whisk the matcha to reduce the number of lumps. I learnt this tip from Remy at Veggiekins – check out her blog for some seriously adorable vegan + gf treats!

matcha whisk in a bowl with matcha powder

Step two: prepare the matcha

Next we’ll prepare the matcha by adding a few tablespoons hot water and whisking with the matcha whisk. The aim here is to make a runny paste which is velvety smooth. A chawan has a perfectly rounded interior which makes whisking matcha easier – it’s actually quite a satisfying process!

At this point you can add any additional things such as vanilla extract, agave or maple syrup. This is optional, but I like adding a little sweetness to help balance the earthiness of the matcha.

Step 3: add milk and ice to your favourite glasses.

I highly reccomend using a creamy dairy-free milk such as oat milk or almond milk for this recipe. You could also try making your iced matcha with light coconut milk!

You’ll want to fill the glasses fairly high as the matcha is quite intense. Though if your glass is particularly large, you may want to fill it 2/3 of the way to begin with, then add more milk to taste following adding the matcha. It’s really up to personal preference how creamy you like your iced matcha.

We’ll also add some ice to the glasses. It wouldn’t be an iced matcha latte without ice right?

Step four: add the matcha!

This is my favourite step – pouring the matcha into the creamy milk and watching those beautiful swirls develop!

Before serving, simply give the matcha a quick stir with your reusable straw and enjoy!

Tips for making perfect iced matcha lattes:

Make sure to use the right matcha. The main two types available to the Western market are culinary grade and ceremonial grade. Ceremonial is best for drinking alone with water, whereas culinary grade is suitable for use in smoothies, energy balls, and of course iced lattes like this one!
Whisk the matcha before adding water. This helps to avoid having lumps in your matcha. No one likes lumps, right?
The temperature of your water is important. If the water is too hot, this can make your matcha taste bitter. The optimum temperature for matcha is 80 °C/ 176 °F.

overhead photograph of two iced matcha lattes

Now you’re all set to make the perfect iced matcha! I hope you learned something about matcha along the way too – it’s pretty fascinating isn’t it?

As always, I’d love to know what you think of this recipe by leaving a rating and comment below. You can also tag me in your creations on Instagram!

more drinks to cool you down this summer:

This cherry lemonade is sure to quench your thirst. It’s also a beautiful red colour!
If you’re a sucker for green drinks you’ll love my green smoothie recipe – it’s four of your five a day!
Looking for more smoothie recipes? Get your FREE smoothie eBook when you sign up to my mailing list!

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