• Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • TikTok
Subscribe & never miss a recipe →
  • Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Proportional Plate
  • RECIPES
  • LIFESTYLE
  • DESIGN
  • ABOUT
menu icon
go to homepage
  • RECIPES
  • LIFESTYLE
  • DESIGN
  • ABOUT
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • TikTok
  • search icon
    Homepage link
    • RECIPES
    • LIFESTYLE
    • DESIGN
    • ABOUT
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • TikTok
  • ×
    Home » Recipes » Drinks

    Top 11 Best Matcha Drinks Ever

    Published: Jun 3, 2022 Modified: Jun 3, 2022 by Candice

    Green drinks with large title text.

    What is it about matcha that's just so good? It's earthy, slightly sweet, calming, and never fails to make you feel comforted. I've been baking with matcha for a long time and no matter what recipe I try, it just keeps getting better!

    I'm showing you how to make 11 of the best-ever matcha drinks, with something for everyone. I've got hot drinks, cold drinks, sweet drinks, all with a heaping of amazing matcha! Plus I'm sharing a bonus recipe that'll put an end to watery matcha lattes.

    Green drinks with large title text.
    TABLE OF CONTENTS hide
    1 What is Matcha?
    2 The Matcha Brands I Buy for Drinks
    3 Top 11 Matcha Drinks
    4 Bonus: A trick for no more diluted matcha lattes!
    5 Matcha Drink FAQs
    6 Craving more matcha recipes?
    7 Read More

    What is Matcha?

    Matcha, or green tea powder, is a finely ground light green powder that comes from Japan. Japanese green tea comes from the plant camellia sinensis. The green tea leaves from this plant are ground up and then that powder is added to water to make matcha drinks, or baked into recipes.

    Matcha powder is actually insoluble in water. When added to hot or cold water and is stirred, it doesn't dissolve but is instead suspended in the liquid to give it a green color all over.

    Matcha has a very distinct and recognizable flavor. It's earthy and grassy, with a slight sweetness to it. Lower quality matcha is often more bitter, so you'll find that it's mixed with more sugar to counteract the bitterness. High quality matcha tastes amazing as it is.

    The Matcha Brands I Buy for Drinks

    Not all matcha is created equal – it's important to choose the matcha that best fits the purpose. This means choosing a matcha brand and type that works the best for the particular recipe that you're making whether that's a latte or ice cream or a simple traditional matcha.

    For lattes, I like to use these matcha brands:

    • Mizuba Culinary Organic Matcha
    • Encha Latte Grade Pure Organic Matcha

    What I would say about latte grade matcha is that it's a slight step up from culinary grade matcha, which is my choice for baking and cooking.

    A word of caution is to never buy any matcha that has added sugar or other ingredients. You always want to buy pure matcha from Uji, Japan. You can sweeten to your preference afterward.

    For baking and cooking, I buy these matcha brands:

    • Encha Culinary Grade Pure Organic Matcha
    • Mizuba Culinary Organic Matcha
    • MatchaLove Culinary Matcha

    For traditional matcha, I buy these matcha powders:

    Just like wine there are many different varieties of matcha, all which taste great, but have completely different flavor profiles and some will resonate with you more than others. I encourage you to taste different matcha powders to find the one that you like. You have to taste test to find the best one for you and there's no right or wrong answer – it's completely personal preference.

    I really like Ippodo ceremonial grade matcha because they describe the flavors of their matcha on a spectrum with accessible terms, like sweet and grassy. This means they put each matcha on a flavor scale and help you navigate to the flavors you will most enjoy. 

    Many companies describe the flavor profile of matcha but it's useful to have descriptions that compare them to one another to help you make the best choice. 

    • Mizuba Gokou Matcha
    • Encha Ceremonial Grade 1st Harvest Pure Organic Matcha
    • Ippodo Ummon, though Sayaka is a great place to start as a beginner.
    • Mizuba Kokoro Ceremonial Matcha

    Traditional matcha definitely requires ceremonial grade matcha. When it comes to ceremonial grade matcha, I encourage you to think about different matcha choices as similar to choices of wine. 

    Top 11 Matcha Drinks

    Dalgona-Style Matcha Latte

    Get whippin' your matcha and aquafaba to make this stunning dalgona matcha latte. Once you've enjoyed your lattes whipped, there's no going back.

    1.

    Dalgona Matcha Latte
    This Dalgona Matcha Latte recipe is a sweet latte topped with whipped matcha foam - it's delicious and it looks gorgeous!
    Check out this recipe

    Matcha Boba Bubble Tea

    You can easily make amazing boba right at home, and they are so fun and tasty to have with matcha tea. The chewy boba with matcha is dreamy.

    2.

    Matcha Boba Tea
    Homemade bubble tea is the perfect afternoon pick-me-up! By combining three favorites - matcha, latte, and bubble tea, it's a beverage everyone will enjoy!
    Check out this recipe

    Simple Matcha Latte

    Take matcha, add any dairy or non-dairy milk you like, and you have a fabulous matcha latte! My guide shows you how to make it with any equipment you have on hand.

    3.

    Matcha Latte 4 Ways
    4 different ways to make a matcha latte in less than 10 minutes! Plus, a comparison of the different options, which matcha to use, and more!
    Check out this recipe

    Lavender Matcha Latte

    The lavender season comes in the summer and lasts from June to August. You can make the most of it by making this delectable lavender latte with your own dried lavender.

    4.

    Lavender Matcha Latte
    Combining a sweet matcha latte with the delicate floral taste of lavender, this lavender matcha latte is the perfect, calming drink for lavender season.
    Check out this recipe
    Green latte with lavender sprig.

    Matcha Mint Julep

    If you're looking to spruce up your happy hour, this caffeinated cocktail is a must for any matcha lover.

    5.

    Matcha Mint Julep - A Green Tea Cocktail
    A matcha mint julep is easy to make with just 5 ingredients - matcha, mint, brown sugar & water (brown sugar simple syrup!), and bourbon.
    Check out this recipe

    Matcha Rose Latte

    Rose is another fantastic matcha flavor pairing. The floral flavor is subtle and makes every sip that bit more special.

    6.

    Matcha Rose Latte
    Combining a sweet matcha latte with the delicate floral taste of rose water, this matcha rose latte is your new dream drink.
    Check out this recipe
    Bowl of matcha with roses.

    Matcha Affogato

    To round us out, I'm showing you the ultimate after-dinner treat. Take cold ice cream and add matcha tea for the yummiest affogato. An impressive way to end any meal! Double it up by using matcha ice cream instead of vanilla!

    7.

    Matcha Affogato
    Warm, bright green traditional matcha ever so slightly melts the cold ice cream with this matcha affogato afternoon pick-me-up. Get ready for a matcha float that's less than 10 minutes away from your enjoyment!
    Check out this recipe
    Green ice cream float.

    Matcha Mint Latte

    Add the subtle flavor of peppermint to the matcha for a sweet, creamy, minty latte.

    8.

    Matcha Mint Latte
    Matcha and mint are an incredible pairing - this hot drink is refreshing and creamy with the cool crisp tang of peppermint with every sip.
    Check out this recipe
    Green latte with a mint leaf on top.

    Matcha Lemonade

    Long hot afternoons in the back yard call for a cool, sweet refreshment. Say 'yes please!' to this matcha lemonade, which is kind of the matcha version of an Arnold Palmer (half iced tea, half lemonade)

    9.

    Matcha Lemonade
    This matcha version of a summer favorite takes lemonade to a new level! Move over Arnold Palmer, there’s a new iced tea lemonade in town!
    Check out this recipe
    Glass of iced green tea with lemon slices.

    Traditional 2-Ingredient Matcha

    When it comes to matcha, you have to include the basics. Matcha and water is all you need to make a soothing, traditional matcha to start your day.

    10.

    Traditional 2-Ingredient Matcha
    Traditional matcha without any special equipment. You can also sift the matcha into a jar, pour in the water, and shake well.
    Check out this recipe

    Matcha Sekanjabin

    You are in for a real treat with this matcha Sekanjabin! Simply whisk matcha together with the Sekanjabin syrup and a sprig of mint for a refreshing, unique cool beverage.

    11.

    Matcha Sekanjabin
    Make your favorite version of sekanjabin – a wonderfully tangy sweet and sour syrup that makes my favorite refreshing and cold summer drink.
    Check out this recipe
    Green drink with ice and mint.

    Bonus: A trick for no more diluted matcha lattes!

    Know that sad, watery latte you get when your ice has melted your iced latte? Well, no more! Make matcha latte ice cubes and your problems are solved.

    12.

    Matcha Latte Ice Cubes
    If you drink iced matcha lattes, you may (like me) not be a fan of the watering down that happens from using regular ice cubes. Well, here is the solution – matcha latte ice cubes!
    Check out this recipe
    Green ice cubes in a bowl.

    Matcha Drink FAQs

    Should I use matcha differently in hot and cold drinks?

    Not really. Matcha is insoluble in water, so hot water and cold water don't really make a difference in how you use it. You may taste a difference in flavor depending on whether the matcha is in hot or cold water, but really it's about how you prefer to drink your matcha.

    When should I use culinary grade matcha?

    You should use culinary-grade matcha for matcha lattes, baking purposes, or any time you're adding anything other than water. You don't need a higher grade for these, although some companies will try to upsell you on the ceremonial grade.

    When should I use ceremonial grade matcha?

    This quality of matcha should only be used for preparation with water and nothing else. This powder is made with the highest quality tea leaves and processed the most gently, but you'll only appreciate the difference in ceremonial grade matcha when it's prepared as tea with water.

    Should I sift my matcha into drinks?

    If I have time, I like to sift my matcha for a smoother consistency in my drinks, but it's not a requirement. It aids in removing clumps.

    What matcha should I buy for drinks?

    When using any ingredients other than water, you'll want to use culinary grade matcha. Look for matcha from Uji, Japan where the only ingredient is green tea. If you're looking to get started you can shop my favorite culinary grade matcha here or shop for this matcha brand I like on Amazon.

    Craving more matcha recipes?

    I have amazing matcha recipes for every occasion, so give these showstoppers a try!

    • Matcha Macaron Ice Cream Sandwiches
    • Matcha Fudge
    • Matcha Toffee
    • Matcha Crème Brûlée

    ★ Did you make this recipe? Please give it a star rating below!★

    I love hearing from you! You can also FOLLOW ME on INSTAGRAM, TIKTOK, and PINTEREST to see more delicious food and what I’m up to.

    Read More

    • 9 Tea-Related Gifts for Tea Lovers
    • 9 Useful Kitchen Tools I Use All Year Round
    « Khoresh Gheymeh - Meat and Split Pea Stew
    7 Nights of Seasonal Summer Meals »
    19 shares

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    Woman with a flower.

    Meet Candice

    On this blog, I get to share the food that I love, and get to enjoy in my own home. My Persian Jewish heritage influences most of my recipes, and my travels inspire them. And I'm sure you'll notice my love for everything matcha. Welcome, and enjoy!

    READ MORE
    • TikTok
    • Pinterest
    • Instagram

    Spring Recipes

    • 9 Nowruz Recipes & The Ultimate Guide to the Persian New Year
    • Noon Berenji - Cardamom Rose Cookies
    • Saffron Cod - Mahi ba Zafferan
    • Kuku Sabzi

    As Featured In

    Collage of logos.

    Fan Favorites

    • Persimmon Bread & Baking with Persimmons
    • Dalgona Matcha Latte
    • Matcha Green Tea Ice Cream
    • Quick & Easy Steak Taco Recipe

    Woman with a flower.

    Meet Candice

    On this blog, I get to share the food that I love, and get to enjoy in my own home. My Persian Jewish heritage influences most of my recipes, and my travels inspire them. And I'm sure you'll notice my love for everything matcha. Welcome, and enjoy!

    READ MORE
    • TikTok
    • Pinterest
    • Instagram

    Spring Recipes

    • 4 Ways to Make a Matcha Latte without a Whisk
    • Saffron Bamieh
    • Doogh
    • Matcha Lace Cookies (like Florentines)

    As Featured In

    Collage of logos.

    Fan Favorites

    • Easy Homemade Gnocchi
    • Pasta Puttanesca
    • Cardamom Krumkake with Mascarpone Filling
    • Cranberry Orange Scones

    Footer

    ^ back to top


    • TikTok
    • Pinterest
    • Instagram
    • About
    • Recipes
    • Subscribe
    • Proportional Plate LLC Accessibility Statement
    • Disclosure and Privacy Policy

    As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

    © 2023 Proportional Plate LLC

    19 shares