Emma discovered matcha when she saw me making green tea one morning and asked why my drink looked like "fairy juice." That question led us to create this iced matcha latte recipe that's become our summer morning ritual. What started as curiosity about the bright green powder turned into our favorite way to start warm days - creamy, refreshing, and just sweet enough to make even matcha haters change their minds.
Why You'll Love This Iced Matcha Latte
This iced matcha latte wins over everyone who tries it, even people who think they hate green tea. Emma went from making faces at anything green to asking for matcha lattes every afternoon. The creamy milk balances out the earthy matcha taste, creating this smooth drink that's way more interesting than regular iced tea but not as jittery as coffee.
What makes this recipe work is how much money it saves. Coffee shops charge crazy amounts for matcha drinks, but you can make this at home for pennies. Plus, you control exactly how sweet it is and what kind of milk goes in. Emma loves hers with oat milk and extra honey, while I prefer mine with regular milk and just a touch of maple syrup.
Jump to:
- Why You'll Love This Iced Matcha Latte
- Ingredients for Perfect Iced Matcha Latte
- How To Make Iced Matcha Latte Step By Step
- Storage Tips That Iced Matcha Latte Work
- Iced Matcha Latte Variations
- Equipment For Iced Matcha Latte
- Smart Swaps for Different Needs
- Why This Iced Matcha Latte Works
- Top Tip
- The Recipe That Got Passed Down From My Aunt's Kitchen
- FAQ
- Time to Make Your Perfect Matcha Moment!
- Related
- Pairing
- Iced Matcha Latte
Ingredients for Perfect Iced Matcha Latte
The Matcha Base:
- High-quality matcha powder
- Hot water
- Your favorite sweetener
- Pinch of salt
The Creamy Part:
- Milk of choice
- Ice cubes
- Vanilla extract
Nice to Have:
- Bamboo whisk
- Fine mesh strainer
- Tall glasses
Emma's Favorites:
- Whipped cream on top
- Extra honey for sweetness
- Oat milk
See recipe card for quantities.
How To Make Iced Matcha Latte Step By Step
Make the Matcha Base (5 minutes):
- Sift matcha powder into a small bowl
- Add a tiny pinch of salt and your sweetener
- Pour in hot water
- Whisk like crazy until it's smooth and frothy
- Let it cool while you prep everything else
Prep Your Glass:
- Fill a tall glass with ice cubes
- Pour in your cold milk
- Save room for the matcha mixture
Put It All Together:
- Add whipped cream if you're feeling fancy
- Pour the cooled matcha mixture over the milk
- Stir gently to mix
- Taste and add more sweetener if needed
Storage Tips That Iced Matcha Latte Work
Matcha Powder Storage:
- Keep in airtight container in the fridge
- Use within 6 months of opening
- Never store in direct sunlight
- Don't let moisture get in (it clumps everything)
Pre-Made Base:
- Make matcha mixture ahead and store in fridge
- Keeps for 2-3 days max
- Whisk again before using (it separates)
- Don't add ice until ready to drink
What Doesn't Work:
- Using old matcha (tastes bitter)
- Making the whole drink ahead (ice melts)
- Freezing matcha powder (changes texture)
- Leaving mixed matcha out overnight
Iced Matcha Latte Variations
Fruit Fusion:
- Strawberry matcha (blend in fresh berries)
- Mango matcha (add mango puree)
- Peach matcha (summer favorite)
- Berry matcha (mixed berry syrup)
Dessert Style:
- Vanilla bean matcha (extra vanilla extract)
- Chocolate matcha (cocoa powder swirl)
- Caramel matcha (caramel sauce drizzle)
- Cookie dough matcha (almond extract + brown sugar)
Grown-Up Versions:
- Lavender matcha (dried lavender buds)
- Rose matcha (rose water - just a drop)
- Mint matcha (fresh mint leaves)
- Ginger matcha (tiny bit of fresh ginger)
Emma's Creations:
- Cotton candy matcha (pink food coloring)
- Birthday cake matcha (vanilla + sprinkles)
- S'mores matcha (chocolate syrup + graham cracker rim)
- Unicorn matcha (whipped cream + edible glitter)
Equipment For Iced Matcha Latte
- Small bowl for mixing matcha
- Wire whisk or bamboo whisk
- Fine mesh sifter (gets out lumps)
- Measuring spoons
- Tall glasses for serving
Smart Swaps for Different Needs
Milk Options:
- Whole milk → Oat milk (Emma's favorite)
- Regular milk → Almond milk (lighter taste)
- Dairy milk → Coconut milk (creamy and sweet)
- Any milk → Soy milk (froths up really nice)
Sweetener Changes:
- Honey → Maple syrup (deeper flavor)
- Sugar → Stevia (for less calories)
- Regular → Brown sugar (adds molasses notes)
- Sweet → Unsweetened (if you like it earthy)
Matcha Swaps:
- Ceremonial grade → Culinary grade (cheaper option)
- Regular → Flavored matcha (vanilla or strawberry)
- Pure → Matcha powder with sugar already added
Fun Additions:
- Basic → Mix in a little cocoa powder
- Plain → Add vanilla extract
- Regular → Throw in some mint leaves
- Standard → Top with cinnamon
Why This Iced Matcha Latte Works
Emma used to wrinkle her nose at anything green until we figured out this iced matcha latte recipe together. Now she asks for it almost daily, which tells you everything you need to know. The secret isn't just the matcha - it's how the salt brings out the sweetness, the milk cuts the earthiness, and the cold temperature makes everything taste smoother. Even people who say they hate green tea end up loving this drink.
What really makes this recipe work is the temperature trick. Hot matcha tastes strong and grassy, but when you cool it down and add milk, it becomes this creamy, almost dessert-like drink. Emma discovered that if you make it too sweet, it's like drinking candy, but if you don't add enough sweetener, it tastes like grass water. Getting that balance right is what turns matcha haters into matcha lovers.
Top Tip
- Always sift your matcha powder first, even if it looks fine in the container. Those tiny lumps are sneaky and will never dissolve no matter how much you whisk. Emma learned this the hard way when she skipped sifting and ended up with chunky green bits floating around that made her drink taste gritty. A simple fine mesh strainer takes 30 seconds and makes all the difference.
- The other thing that'll ruin your iced matcha latte is pouring hot matcha directly over ice. I used to rush this step when Emma was impatient for her drink, but hot matcha over ice just melts everything and creates a watery mess. Now we make the matcha base first, let it cool while we prep everything else, and sometimes even stick it in the fridge for a few minutes. The extra wait time is totally worth it for that perfect creamy consistency.
The Recipe That Got Passed Down From My Aunt's Kitchen
My aunt lived in Japan for three years in her twenties and came back obsessed with matcha. While everyone else was making regular green tea, she had this whole ritual for making iced matcha that seemed way too complicated back then. She'd sift the powder through this tiny strainer, measure the water temperature with a thermometer, and add just a pinch of sea salt that she claimed "woke up the flavors."
I thought she was being dramatic until Emma and I tried making matcha lattes without her tricks. Ours tasted bitter and lumpy compared to hers. Turns out my aunt was right about everything - the sifting gets rid of clumps, the water temperature keeps it from getting bitter, and that tiny bit of salt really does make the sweetness pop. Now our iced matcha latte tastes just like the ones she used to make, and Emma swears she can taste the difference when we skip any of my aunt's steps.
FAQ
Is the iced matcha latte healthy?
Matcha is packed with antioxidants and gives you energy without the jitters that coffee can cause. Our homemade version is healthier than coffee shop drinks because you control the sugar. Plus, if you use plant milk, it's even better for you than regular dairy versions.
Why is Gen Z obsessed with matcha?
Matcha looks great on social media with that bright green color, plus it gives steady energy without crashes. Emma says it's because it tastes like "nature candy" and makes you feel fancy. The ritual of making it is also relaxing, which appeals to people wanting mindful moments.
What is an iced matcha latte?
It's basically green tea powder mixed with a little hot water to make a concentrate, then poured over ice and milk. Think of it like an iced coffee but with matcha instead of coffee beans. The result is creamy, slightly sweet, and has this earthy-but-refreshing taste.
Is matcha stronger than coffee?
Matcha has less caffeine than coffee but gives you longer-lasting energy without the crash. Emma can drink this iced matcha latte in the afternoon and still sleep fine, while coffee would keep her up all night. The energy feels more gentle and steady.
Time to Make Your Perfect Matcha Moment!
Now you have all the secrets to making the perfect iced matcha latte - from my aunt's sifting tricks to Emma's favorite flavor combinations. This vibrant green drink proves that healthy can taste great, and you don't need to spend a fortune at coffee shops to enjoy something special.
Ready for more refreshing drinks? Cool down with our Healthy Strawberry Milkshake Recipe that tastes like summer in a glass. Craving something indulgent? Our The Best Oreo Milkshake Recipe delivers all the cookies-and-cream goodness you want. Need something bright and zesty? Our The Best Creamy Lemonade Recipe is perfect for hot days when you want something tangy and sweet!
Celebrate your matcha mastery by tagging we can’t wait to admire your gorgeous lattes!
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Related
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Pairing
These are my favorite dishes to serve with Iced Matcha Latte
Iced Matcha Latte
Equipment
- 1 Small bowl (For whisking matcha)
- 1 Fine mesh strainer (To sift matcha powder)
- 1 Bamboo whisk (Or small wire whisk)
- 1 Measuring spoons (For matcha, sweetener, and salt)
- 1 Tall glass (To serve)
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon Matcha powder - High‑quality sifted
- pinch — Salt - Enhances sweetness
- 1–2 teaspoon Sweetener - Honey maple syrup, or sugar
- 2 tablespoon Hot water - 175°F not boiling
- 1cup Milk - Oat almond, dairy, etc.
- handful Ice cubes
- ½tsp teaspoon Vanilla extract - Optional
- — — Optional Extras: - Whipped cream extra honey
Instructions
- Sift matcha powder and salt into a mixing bowl
- Whisk matcha, hot water, and sweetener until frothy
- Fill a tall glass with ice and pour in your milk
- Pour the matcha over milk, stir gently, and serve
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