Ever wanted to recreate a Matcha Latte from your favorite cafe? Look no further. This Matcha Latte Recipe produces a cafe-style drink that’s perfectly creamy, colorful, and has zero chalkiness or bitterness. Plus, you’ll be able to customize your drink to your preference, no more guessing, no more trial and error. Once you learn the base ratio, your options are hot, iced, dairy-free, and sweetened or unsweetened!
What Is a Matcha Latte?
A matcha latte begins with matcha powder and a small amount of hot water. This is mixed, and then it’s topped with your favorite kind of milk. It’s important to keep matcha lattes whisked. A well-made Latte will be free of those annoying matcha clumps. A good matcha recipe will optimize the balance of sweetness and prevent clumps.
Equipment You’ll Need
- Small bowl or wide mug (for whisking)
- Fine mesh sieve (optional, but helps prevent clumps)
- Bamboo whisk (chasen) or handheld milk frother
- Kettle (or microwave-safe cup)
- Measuring spoons/cups
If you like bowl-style dinners, you may also like this Barbacoa Recipe.
Methods
Below is the technology of a basic latte with some recommended customizations.
- As far as the ritual of ceremonial versus culinary grade matcha, culinary is more affordable.
- For your water, be careful as boiling water can cause the latte to become unusable.
- Whole milk will be more creamy; while oat milk is recommended for frothing.
- To flavor your latte, you may add different sweeteners.
- A pinch of salt is optional for flavor.
- Please note, with milk are of your choosing.
- Do note oat milk is recommended for frothing,
Hot Matcha Latte Recipe
Notes
- Full Recipe~ 300 ml
- Our Recipe 355 ml
Ingredients
- 1.5 tsp matcha powder
- 30 ml hot water
- 240 ml milk
- 1 tsp of your loving sweetener, optional
- 1/4 tsp vanilla
- (optional) a pinch
Instructions
- For the 1st step, sifting matcha is optional, but recommended.
- To do this, matcha is sifted into a bowl.
- You are encouraged to sift matcha beforehand, as this is a small step, and eliminates possible clumping in the matcha.
- Heat the water and then, in a ‘W’ motion, whisk for ~ 20 s, for a smooth and frothy consistency.
- A milk frother may be helpful at this point. If so, froth for 10 ~ 15 s and then stir.
Step 3: Milk Preparation
Steaming the milk will be the next step. Once the milk is steaming, you will want to create the foam. This can be achieved using a frother, by whisking the milk, or even by shaking the milk, as the milk will be in a jar, then microwaving the jar for a short time will help as well.
Step 4: Milk Combination
After that, pour the milk into the matcha. After that, you add the sweetener and if you want to use vanilla, add that in too. Finally stir. Now you can Enjoy the matcha latte recipe which is both bright and creamy.
Iced Matcha Latte (Same Flavor, Colder and Cleaner)
Iced Matcha is an excellent and refreshing version, perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients (for 1 serving)
- 1 to 1 1/2 tsp matcha
- 2 tbsp (30 ml) hot water
- 3/4 cup (180 ml) cold milk
- 1/2 cup ice (or more to fill the glass)
- Sweetener to taste (for easy dissolving, simple syrup works)
Instructions
To start, use the hot water to whisk the matcha until it is smoothed out. Then you fill the cup with ice, and pour the cold milk in. Lastly, just pour the matcha in and stir it all together.
This method for iced helps to create more of a matcha flavor, and it helps the recipe remain smooth.
Best Matcha-to-Milk Ratio (Easy to Remember)
- A matcha to milk count you can rely on, is:
- 1 tsp matcha + 2 tbsp hot water + 1 cup milk
- If you want a stronger matcha, you would use 1 1/2 tsp matcha. For a milder matcha, you would use 1 tsp and add more vanilla.
Popular Variations
1) Vanilla matcha latte
Add half a teaspoon of vanilla and a light sweetener. This makes the latte taste less grassy and smoother.
2) Coconut matcha latte
Use coconut milk beverage (carton) and add a little honey for a rounded sweetness.
3) Strawberry matcha latte (layered)
Add two to three tablespoons of strawberry puree to your glass first, then add milk and ice and matcha last. Now you can make a café-style layered drink at home!
4) Dirty matcha (espresso + matcha)
Add a shot of espresso, but keep the matcha at 1 tsp. The flavors of the matcha and espresso won’t directly clash with each other.
All variations begin with the same matcha latte recipe base, so as you can see, you won’t have to re-learn the method.
How to Make It Taste Better (Key Tips)
- Don’t use boiling water, Hot water around 160–175°F (70–80°C) to keep the taste as smooth as it can.
- Use a tiny pinch of salt. This can actually reduce the bitterness your drink can have.
- Choose the right matcha. If the matcha tastes bad, use a better grade, with slightly more milk and sweet.
- Sweeten smarter. for iced drinks, use simple syrup.
Make-Ahead and Storage
Matcha is best fresh, but you can prep a bit to save time.
Matcha Concentrate (2-3 servings)
First combine:
- 1 tbsp matcha + 6 tbsp hot water
Store in fridge for up to 24 hours and shake before you use it. Now your matcha latte recipe is complete with a 1-minute pour and stir.
Difficulties
It tastes bitter
Usually it’s because the water is at a high temperature and/or the matcha is strong. Lower the temperature or maybe add a little vanilla or increase the amount of milk.
It’s clumpy
Usually it’s because the matcha wasn’t sifted or it wasn’t whisked enough. Make sure you sift next time and whisk using a “W” motion for longer.
It tastes watery
You either used too much ice or not enough matcha. Make sure you use the amount of hot water as 2 tbsp and increase the amount of matcha you used.
It tastes grassy
It might be the brand of matcha you used. This problem can usually be solved with a small sweetener and vanilla.
Once you master your variables, the matcha latte recipe remains very stable.
Questions
Does matcha have caffeine?
Yes. That said, the amount of caffeine differs depending on brand and how much you use.
Do you have to have a whisk or a frother?
No. You can make your own frother by getting a jar, adding matcha + hot water, and shaking. Then you can pour through a small strainer.
Which milk works best?
Whole milk is the creamiest. However, oat milk, which is super sweet, is a good milk to use because it froths well. Almond milk is lightest so you’ll get the tea flavor a lot more.
Can I use culinary matcha?
Definitely. This type of matcha is best for lattes. Additionally, if culinary matcha is overwhelmingly bitter, use 1 tsp of matcha, a little bit of sweetener, and don’t use boiling water.
Conclusion
This matcha latte recipe is the easiest way to make a drink with a smooth texture and creaminess at home. Start by whisking matcha with hot, NOT boiling, water. Then, pour in frothed milk. Sweetener is optional. Plus, better matcha lattes are just a ratio away. Once you have the right ratio, you can make your drink hot, iced, or flavored in just a few minutes and avoid clumps or any bitterness.
