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Full transparency, this hot matcha latte recipe is not a recipe; it’s more of a method.
We all know that you need to mix matcha with milk and some sort of sweetener to make a matcha latte, duh! However, it’s the mixing method that’s super important, as well as the ingredients you use, that will make or break your matcha.
That said, I fully believe that my method and ingredient(s) choice yield the BEST matcha latte. I’m a little biased, but I stand by my statement as I’ve yet to try anything better. So, for all my girlies who love the Starbucks hot matcha latte, consider this your replacement recipe!
It’s creamy, frothy, sweet, and layered with notes of honey and vanilla bean. Like could a matcha latte get any better?
But First, Some Matcha 101
Before we dive into ingredient recommendations and mixing methods for this matcha latte, I wanted to give you a quick matcha debrief. If you want a full deep-dive into the world of matcha, read my matcha 101 guide here.
It’s super important that you use a ceremonial-grade matcha, not a culinary-grade version. Otherwise, your matcha will be super bitter, and it’ll taste grassy.
The key things to look for in matcha are color, texture, and taste. Ceremonial-grade matcha should be bright green (I’m talking super bright green) and finely sifted, not clumpy. Additionally, ceremonial grade matcha will have a bright and robust green tea flavor, with almost little to no bitter undernote. Whereas a culinary-grade matcha will be super bitter and dull green (almost army green) in color.
I highly recommend getting your matcha from Ippodo Tea. Their matcha is superb, and they have a variety of matcha grades to try based on your preference. I love their Ummon matcha and Sayaka matcha equally. Pro tip, if you like the Sayaka matcha, get the 100g bag as you’ll go through it fast, and it’s a better price.
Matcha Latte Ingredients & Equipment
Ok, the full recipe for this latte is below, but as always, I wanted to list the ingredients needed along with brand recommendations. Because, as I always say, the more simple the recipe, the more quality ingredients matter!
- Almond milk: Specifically homemade almond milk. Store-bought nut milk is almost always too watery and has zero frothing capacity to create foam. The only other milk I would recommend would be homemade cashew milk or regular cow’s milk if you’re not dairy-free.
- Ceremonial grade matcha: I cannot recommend Ippodo matcha enough. Their matcha quality is superb, and they have a variety of matcha grades to try based on your preferences. I love their Ummon matcha and Sayaka matcha equally. Pro tip, if you like the Sayaka matcha, get the 100g bag as you’ll go through it fast, and it’s a better price.
- Honey or maple syrup: Both taste amazing in this latte.
- Vanilla bean paste: While you can use vanilla extract, I’ve found that the extract does leave a slight bitter undernote in the latte because of the alcohol in the vanilla extract.
- Celtic sea salt: Trust, a tiny pinch of salt makes a world of difference.
In terms of equipment, all you need is a frother, preferably the Nespresso Aeroccino3 Frother or the Breville Electric Frother.
A Few Quick Notes
- The only two frothers I can recommend to make this hot matcha latte perfectly are the Nespresso Aeroccino3 Frother (which is the one I have) and the Breville Electric Frother. And for those of you wondering, yes, the frother yields the same results as a traditional bamboo whisk. In all honesty, I feel like the frother makes the matcha even more aerated and flavorful.
- If you don’t want to make homemade almond milk or cashew milk, you could try using Malk almond milk or Elmhurst almond or cashew milk. Both have wonderful ingredients and are pretty creamy. Plus, the flavor of both milk brands won’t clash with the matcha.
I hope you enjoy this matcha latte recipe and it becomes a staple part of your morning routine, just as it is for me!
XO, Yasmeen.
Print
The Best Hot Matcha Latte
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 minutes
- Total Time: 7 minutes
- Yield: 1 serving 1x
- Category: Drinks
- Cuisine: Japanese
Description
For all my girlies who love the Starbucks hot matcha latte, consider this your replacement recipe! It’s creamy, frothy, sweet, and layered with notes of honey and vanilla bean. Like could a matcha latte get any better?
Ingredients
- 1 cup almond milk or cashew milk
- 1 tsp ceremonial grade matcha
- 2 tsp honey
- 1/4 tsp vanilla bean paste or vanilla extract
- Pinch of celtic sea salt
Instructions
- Pour the almond milk into your frother, along with the matcha, vanilla bean paste, and celtic sea salt. Turn the frother on the hot setting. While the matcha froths, stream in the honey – this will ensure the honey doesn’t stick to the bottom of the frother.
- Once the matcha is done frothing, pour it into a mug and top it off with a splash of hot water.
I made this today and I truly enjoyed it! It was my first time having matcha. Bought the brand you use and a frother just to try this. It was worth it! I will be having this matcha latte more often! Thank you for sharing!!
Hi Gloria! I’m so so happy to hear that, made my day to read this! 🙂
I couldn’t agree with this recipe title more, this is definitely the best matcha latte ever. I was ordering matcha latte in cafes but I never made it myself until this girl taught me how to do it properly and now I know how matcha latte is actually supposed to taste, also how easy it is to make it yourself and how satisfying that is. I’m truly impressed with it, I make it almost every day in the afternoon, replacing my coffe which is, if you’d know me – coffe addict, almost impossible to believe, but true.
Awww so happy to hear this, thank you so much for sharing Dasa!
Yum! Used Truvia for honey but otherwise made it exactly like the recipe and it’s so tasty!
So happy you liked it Jessica! Thank you so much for leaving a review! 🙂
I was wondering why you only recommend almond or cashew milk? I find soymilk works quite well in a matcha latte.
Just haven’t tested this recipe with any other milks besides cashew and almond – don’t like recommending other milks if I haven’t tried it myself haha. But good to know it works with soymilk too!!