Iced Matcha Latte

As a self-proclaimed matcha addict/expert, I truly believe that this is the best-iced matcha latte recipe out there. This latte uses a mix of creamy almond milk, honey, and vanilla bean paste for an elevated matcha latte that will have you swear off the cafe stuff for good! 

Full transparency, this recipe is more of a rubric, as you can use any type of liquid sweetener and milk, but it’s the ratios and ingredient choices you make that matter most. Additionally, this iced matcha latte recipe is by no means traditional, as I prefer using a frother as opposed to a bamboo whisk. I’ll expand more on why I think the frother is just as good below.

So for all my girlies who tried matcha once at a cafe and hated it because it was weak, tasted like grass, was way too sweet, etc. make this recipe and thank me later!

What Is Matcha?

Matcha is a type of green tea that is made by grinding young green tea leaves into a powder. 

Matcha leaves are grown in shade, which increases the amount of chlorophyll content in the leaves; making them full of nutrients. Which in turn makes the flavor less bitter and much brighter and bold. Additionally, the leaves are ground with granite stones in a dark room to preserve the nutrients and prevent oxidation. 

If you want to dive deeper into matcha, highly recommend reading through my matcha guide. 

Iced Matcha Latte Ingredients

The simpler the recipe, the more quality ingredients matter. So here’s everything you’ll need along with ingredient recommendations! 

• Ceremonial grade matcha: I cannot stress the importance of high-quality matcha enough! Ippodo Tea is my favorite matcha brand – love their Ummon and Sayaka matcha grades. 
• Almond milk: Cashew milk or regular milk also works well here as they’re both super creamy and neutral in flavor.
• Honey: Honey pairs so well with matcha and adds a subtle sweetness that helps balance out some of the bitter notes of the matcha. Feel free to use maple syrup if you like or leave it out entirely.
• Vanilla bean paste: I love Rodelle or Simply Organics vanilla bean paste. Both do have cane sugar, but since this recipe uses such a small amount, I feel like it’s negligible. And yes, you can swap in vanilla extract, but the vanilla bean paste packs a lot more flavor!
• Kosher salt: Trust me, a tiny pinch of salt makes a world of difference and helps intensify all the flavors in the latte.

How to Make the Best Iced Matcha Latte

This iced vanilla bean matcha latte couldn’t be easier to make! Simply add the water along with the matcha, vanilla bean paste, and kosher salt. Froth the matcha on the cold setting, and while the frother is still going, stream in the honey. Streaming in the honey will ensure it doesn’t stick to the frother whisk or sides. Then just pour over a glass of ice, followed by the almond milk or milk of choice. 

Now I know there is some debate around using a frother vs. bamboo whisk for matcha. So I wanted to quickly debrief the purpose of the bamboo whisk and why the frother achieves the same result. 

The argument is that a chasen (aka a bamboo whisk that has been used for centuries) will help suspend and separate the matcha into the water (which tends to clump when it hits water or any liquid). And while that is true, a high-powered electric frother achieves the same result that a chasen does. So really it’s a matter of preference and using the tools you already have on hand. But ultimately, you’ll achieve the same result using a frother or a chasen. 

One thing I will note is that if your matcha is a tad clumpy, sift it before frothing it. Regardless if you’re using a chasen or electric frother. 

FAQ’s 

• Is matcha healthier than coffee? While coffee does have antioxidants, matcha has that and so much more! Matcha is super high in antioxidants and gives you long-lasting energy, rather than the caffeine crash that you get from coffee. It also contains EGCg (which has been shown to have anticancer properties), as well as L-Theanine which is great for anxiety and stress relief and better immunity. That said, I drink both coffee and matcha because I love both haha! 
• Is matcha tea healthier than green tea? Technically yes. When you use the entire tea leaf, aka ground matcha powder, you’ll get all the nutrients, rather than a fraction that you would get from steeping the tea leaves.
• What milk goes best with matcha? Any neutral creamy milk, such as almond milk, cashew milk, or regular milk. 
• But can I make this matcha latte recipe hot? Absolutely! I have a dedicated hot matcha latte recipe right here.

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