Matcha Lemonade: Starbucks Copycat Recipe

Name: Matcha Lemonade: Starbucks Copycat Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Total time: 5 min
Ingredients: 1 cup cold water; 1 lemon (juiced); 2 tsp maple syrup; 1 tsp matcha powder; 2 tbsp warm water

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This deliciously sweet, tart, and earthy matcha lemonade recipe is just like the one you get at Starbucks, only with fewer calories and WAY less sugar! It’s a refreshing lemonade green tea you can enjoy all summer long!

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Matcha is my new favorite ingredient! I’ve made matcha cookies, matcha muffins, matcha latte, and dalgona matcha!

This matcha lemonade recipe is the perfect drink to enjoy poolside, or wherever you plan to spend your summer days. It’s half lemonade, half matcha tea.

It’s lightly sweetened with a refreshing tart lemon flavor, plus a hint of caffeine to get you through the day! I make a cup full of ice and put it in my to-go cup to take with me while I run errands and shuffle my kids from one activity to the next.

This simple recipe takes about 5 minutes and requires four simple ingredients. It makes one large serving or two smaller servings.

Why You’ll Love This Matcha Lemonade

Refreshing: This lemonade makes a cool, refreshing summer drink anytime you want that bright, summery flavor.
Better-for-You: It has a quarter of the calories of the Starbucks drink and less than a quarter of the sugar.
Healthy: This matcha lemonade is loaded with antioxidants and vitamin C.
Quick and Easy: It only takes four simple ingredients and 5 minutes to make.

Ingredients

Ice cold water, maple syrup, matcha powder, lemon, and warm water on countertop.

Ice Cold Water: Use fresh, filtered, cold water for the best results.
Lemon Juice: Lemon juice gives the lemonade that bright, citrus blast we love in lemonade.
Pure Matcha Powder: This earthy green tea powder packs a powerful punch. Many different types of matcha are available, with varying costs. Ceremonial-grade matcha is the most expensive while cooking matcha is the least expensive. I recommend a mid-tier matcha for this recipe.
Warm Water: Mix the matcha with a touch of warm water before adding it to your drink.
Maple Syrup: To add sweetness with no refined sugar, use a touch of maple syrup.

See the recipe card at the end of the post for a full list of ingredients and their exact amounts.

Substitutions

Fresh lemon juice is best, but you can use bottled lemon juice in a pinch.
Try a tasty twist with lime juice instead.
You can use simple syrup instead of maple syrup if you prefer.
If you’re not vegan, honey makes an excellent sweetener for this lemonade. Since honey is quite thick, dilute two tablespoons with one tablespoon of hot water.

How to Make Copycat Starbucks Matcha Lemonade

Using a citrus juicer, squeeze the juice from one lemon. Remove any seeds from the juice. One lemon yields about ¼ cup of lemon juice.
Add the lemon juice, ½ cup of water, and the maple syrup to a cup with a sealable lid. Secure the lid and shake until combined.
Add the matcha powder and warm water to a small bowl. If you have one, use a matcha whisk to combine. Then, add the mixture to the cup with the lemon juice, secure the lid, and shake until combined.
Fill two glasses with ice and pour the lemonade into each one. Enjoy!

Two glasses of matcha lemonade on countertop.

FAQ

What is matcha?

Matcha is a powdered green tea made from finely ground Camellia Sinensis leaves.

What does matcha taste like?

Matcha has a complex earthy flavor that’s often described as vegetal and sweet with a slightly bitter note.

Is matcha healthy?

Matcha is one of those rare items that’s as healthy as people claim. This powdered tea is a health food powerhouse loaded with antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, and fiber, and it’s been associated with improved brain, heart, and gut health.

Does bottled lemon juice change the flavor of this lemonade?

Bottle lemon juice will change the flavor profile of the lemonade somewhat and will probably require you to use more maple syrup or your sweetener of choice. This is because bottled lemon juice is usually a bit more bitter than fresh lemon juice and can often taste dull.

Is this matcha lemonade healthy?

This matcha lemonade is very healthy. It’s made with lemon juice and matcha powder and naturally sweetened with maple syrup. That means it’s packed with vitamins and minerals and has zero refined sugar.

Expert Tips

Use your favorite matcha powder brand. Matcha varies in cost, ranging from $10 to $80. The greener the matcha powder, the more expensive it is. I recommend starting with a mid-cost matcha to see if you like it before investing in a pricey one.
Garnish with fresh lemon slices.

Serving Suggestions

This matcha green tea makes a beautiful afternoon pick-me-up. Its bright lemon flavor makes it a great drink to pair with sweet-flavored recipes like vegan lemon cookies, lemon tart, or blueberry scones.

Storage

Refrigerator: Strain the lemonade into a resealable jar or bottle to remove the ice and prevent dilution—then store for up to 24 hours.

More refreshing summer drinks!

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