This cool and creamy Starbucks Matcha Latte Recipe brings all the sweet and earthy flavor to the comfort of your own home! It’s a super easy iced matcha latte recipe you can make in less than 5 minutes!
I love a good latte, whether it’s a classic almond milk latte, soy milk latte, or even a lavender tea latte. Matcha green tea lattes have become all the rage lately!
What is matcha? Matcha is a powder made from green tea. Unlike green tea, which comes in a tea bag, matcha is a powder you stir in hot water or milk.
It’s a healthy alternative to coffee or other high-caffeine drinks. It is earthy in flavor. Sweetened and served over ice, it’s a refreshing summer drink!
The Starbucks matcha latte has been on the menu for quite some time. Maybe you’ve enjoyed it or seen people walk out of Starbucks with an enjoyable bright green drink and wondered what they were drinking.
Since a grande Matcha Latte at Starbucks can run you $4 or more, 200 calories, 5 grams of fat, and 28 grams of sugar, I thought I should try making my own healthier version at home.
This frothy copycat drink recipe is easy and only requires a few simple pantry ingredients! It’s also all-natural, lower in sugar, and lower in calories.
Jump to:
- What is matcha powder?
- Is matcha good for you?
- What is the difference between green tea and matcha?
- Can you make a matcha tea latte with green tea bags?
- 🥣 Latte Ingredients and Notes
- What are the different grades of matcha?
- 📋 Starbucks Matcha Latte Instructions
- Does matcha have caffeine?
- ❓ Recipe FAQS
- 💭 Expert Tips
- ❄️ How to Store
- 🍵 More matcha recipes!
- Recipe
What is matcha powder?
Matcha powder is made from green tea leaves. It is grown in a shady area and harvested after 3-4 weeks. The stems and veins are removed, and the leaves are dried and ground into powder.
Is matcha good for you?
Yes! Matcha drinks are good for you as long as you’re not consuming them with too much sugar. There are many health benefits of matcha. It is high in antioxidants which can help reduce cell damage. In some studies, matcha tea has been shown to prevent or minimize liver damage. Because it includes caffeine, and L-theanine, it has been shown to improve brain function. It has also been shown to improve heart health and help lose weight. Be sure to try these 17 Must Tray Matcha Recipes.
What is the difference between green tea and matcha?
There are several differences between the two. The first and most noticeable is that they taste different. Green tea has a lighter flavor, whereas matcha has a bold.
Green tea is often served with hot water, whereas matcha is served with milk and sugar and thus has a creamier and sweeter flavor when prepared.
Both matcha and green tea are made from the same plant, the Camellia sinensis plant. However, they are processed differently.
Most green tea comes from China, while most matcha comes from Japan. Green tea is made using the entire leaf by sun-drying, basket-firing, pan-firing, oven-drying, tumbling, or steaming. This takes away the bitter flavor.
On the other hand, Matcha is made by removing the stems and veins, then quickly steaming them, then grinding them into a fine powder. The result is a vibrant green color but a more bitter flavor.
Can you make a matcha tea latte with green tea bags?
No, you can’t make a matcha latte using green tea. They are two different things, and the result will be different. You can steep your green tea bags in hot water and add a bit of milk and maple syrup, but the color, taste, and texture will not be the same.
🥣 Latte Ingredients and Notes
Matcha Powder: When you buy matcha powder, there are two types you’ll find. Ones include added sugars, other ingredients, and pure matcha powder. Get the kind that is pure matcha powder, no extra stuff! You can find it online, at Whole Foods, or in Asian markets.
Dairy-Free Milk: I used unsweetened almond milk for my recipe, but I also recommend oat milk, soy milk, cashew milk, or light coconut milk. Oat and soy milk will allow the flavor of the matcha to shine through. In contrast, you’ll taste an undertone of coconut if you choose to go with coconut milk.
Maple Syrup: You can add more or less than one tablespoon of maple syrup to the recipe. However, I recommend starting with one, tasting, and adding more if you think it needs more sweetness.
Vanilla Extract: The vanilla extract hints at the flavor in the Starbucks version.
What are the different grades of matcha?
There are three main types of matcha powder; ceremonial, premium, and culinary. The kind that you use depends on the application.
Ceremonial grade matcha is the highest quality and the most expensive. It is used for preparing tea for the Japanese tea ceremony. It has a bright green color, is slightly sweeter, and is the most finely ground.
Premium grade matcha is slightly lower quality than ceremonial grade. It has a fine texture, a beautiful green color, and an earthy flavor. I recommend using premium-grade matcha for matcha lattes and drinks.
The lowest quality is culinary grade matcha, used for cooking and baking recipes. It has a slightly duller color than ceremonial and premium-grade matcha.
The best matcha powder to use for this recipe is premium-grade matcha. It will give you a depth of flavor and creamy texture without the highest price tag.
📋 Starbucks Matcha Latte Instructions
Add your milk of choice, matcha powder, maple syrup, and vanilla extract to your blender.
Cover and blend for 30 seconds to a minute until smooth and creamy.
Pour over ice, and serve! Enjoy immediately!
Does matcha have caffeine?
Yes! Matcha does have caffeine. This recipe has one teaspoon of matcha with about 68 grams of caffeine. A cup of coffee has about 100 grams of caffeine. Matcha contains slightly less caffeine than a typical cup of coffee.
❓ Recipe FAQS
The best milk to use is the one that is your favorite! Oat milk will give you a frothier texture, whereas coconut milk will give you a slightly sweeter undertone. You can also use whole milk or regular milk if you choose. If you allow the matcha to blend for a minute, it will become smooth and frothy and have an excellent flavor.
Blending it on high for at least a minute is the key to achieving a lump-free latte. This will dissolve any lumps that form.
All you need to do to create a warm latte is to steam the milk. You can do this by warming your milk on the stovetop and using a bamboo matcha whisk to create a frothy texture, then add the other ingredients whisking continuously until combined. If you still see lumps of matcha, place them in the blender and blend on high for 30 seconds to a minute. Then pour into a mug and enjoy!
Yes! You can certainly make this ahead of time. I recommend making it the night before if you like to have your latte in the morning. Blend all of the ingredients, and store them in an airtight container. The following day, shake it up and pour over ice. Enjoy!
Yes, you can use different sweeteners. I recommend using a syrup sweetener such as vegan honey, agave nectar, or simple syrup. If you don’t have a syrup sweetener, I recommend a natural sweetener such as coconut or organic cane sugar. Just be sure that the sugar dissolves fully.
💭 Expert Tips
- Use a blender for best results. Simply whisking the ingredients together will not be enough to remove any lumps and create a creamy, frothy texture.
- Use a matcha whisk to whisk together the matcha in warm water to dissolve before adding all of the ingredients to the blender.
- If you don’t have a blender use an electric milk frother or an electric whisk.
- Be sure to use fresh cold milk. This will result in a creamier consistency.
- Make sure to use pure matcha powder, not matcha mixes. This is a healthier option, with less sugar and calories. You’ll get all the benefits of matcha without any bad stuff!
❄️ How to Store
While you’ll likely make your latte fresh or the night before, you can make a large batch and store it in the fridge to enjoy throughout the week. Store your matcha green tea latte, and transfer it to an airtight container. I prefer a mason jar with a lid. Store it in the fridge for up to 5 days. When ready to enjoy, give it a good shake, and pour it over ice to enjoy.
🍵 More matcha recipes!
Recipe
Copycat Iced Starbucks Matcha Latte Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsweetened almond milk or milk of choice
- 1 teaspoon matcha powder pure matcha/no added sugars
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Add your milk of choice, matcha powder, maple syrup, and vanilla extract to your blender.
- Cover and blend for 30 seconds to a minute until smooth and creamy.
- Pour over ice, and serve! Enjoy immediately!
Video
Notes
- Half the calories than a regular Starbucks Grande Iced Matcha Latte.
- More than half the sugar as the original.
- Serve over ice.
- Enjoy right away!
Holliday
10 stars out of 5! Oh my gosh SO GOOD! I have been trying to make a good matcha latte for months and this is SO good. It’s perfect. Best recipe.
Anthony
I’m a new Starbucks Match tea snob. It’s so good and I have been missing out on this delicious drink.
I found this recipe and had to try since I just bought matcha tea.
And I was so good. Thank you.
Alison Corey
So glad you enjoyed it!
Caitlyn Erhardt
This is one of my favorite drinks from Starbucks! Can’t wait to try this homemade version it looks so yummy!
Beth
This drink is going to be my daughter’s favorite! So excited to share this recipe with her! Perfect for summer too!
Biana
This matcha latte looks amazing! A perfect summer drink.
Jeff Albom
So good, I’ve been wondering how to make these. Thanks for the recipe.