A matcha mint julep is easy to make with just 5 ingredients - matcha, mint, brown sugar & water (brown sugar simple syrup!), and bourbon.

This refreshing iced tea cocktail is perfect for anything from a happy hour pick-me-up to a derby party and satisfies bourbon and green tea lovers, alike. Serve over crushed ice with a sprig of mint.
What alcohol and flavors go well with green tea?
ALCOHOL: You can mix green tea with rum, vodka, gin, whiskey, or in this case, bourbon. Green tea has a delicate flavor, so it tastes great when you keep the cocktail simple, with simple ingredients.
FLAVORS: Some of my favorite green tea flavor pairings include lavender, rose, strawberry, mint, orange, and chocolate.
Note: This green tea cocktail has caffeine. It is about half the amount of caffeine as espresso and about the same amount as a cup of coffee. The caffeine in matcha is long-lasting and less likely to give you jitters than coffee.
How to Make a Matcha Mint Julep
The Equipment & Ingredients
To make this recipe, you will need bourbon, water, fresh mint, culinary grade matcha powder, bourbon, and crushed ice.

The following are affiliate links to purchase the equipment and matcha I use in this recipe. These are external links and will open in a new tab:
- Matcha whisk (optional) - you can also use a regular whisk.
- Culinary grade matcha
- 1 ½ cup measuring cup you can put on the stove (optional) - the link is to the set I own and love, but you can also use a small saucepan.
- Muddler
Start With a Brown Sugar Simple Syrup
For the simple syrup, add ¼ cup of brown sugar and ¼ cup of water to a saucepan. Turn the heat to medium and stir until dissolved. Let cool, then keep in a sealed container in the refrigerator. The simple syrup will last for up to one month, so feel free to scale up the recipe 1:1.
The Cocktail
Mix the bourbon and culinary grade matcha powder in a small bowl (photo 1). Whisk them together to remove all the clumps, preferably with a matcha whisk (photo 2).
Tip: You can also sift in the matcha powder to help reduce clumping. If you don't have a matcha whisk, you can use a regular whisk or fork.
In an old fashioned glass, rocks glass, or julep cup add the mint leaves and simple syrup (photo 3). Muddle until the leaves just start to break down (photo 4).

Fill the glass ¾ full with crushed ice and then add the bourbon/matcha mixture (photo 5). Stir the ice until the glass starts to frost (photo 6). You can also do this in a cocktail shaker, but it isn't necessary.

Then add more crushed ice to fill the glass as full as you can, and garnish with a sprig of mint. Serve immediately.

If you're looking for other easy & refreshing cocktails, check out these favorites:
More Matcha, Please!
The following are some of my other matcha drink favorites. Or peruse some of my favorite matcha recipes here.
And of course, the crowd-pleasing matcha green tea ice cream.
★ Did you make this recipe? Please give it a star rating below!★
I love hearing from you! You can also FOLLOW ME on INSTAGRAM, FACEBOOK, TWITTER, and PINTEREST to see more delicious food and what I’m up to.
Matcha Mint Julep - A Green Tea Cocktail
Ingredients
Brown Sugar Simple Syrup
- ¼ cup brown sugar or other sugar
- ¼ cup water
Matcha Mint Julep
- 1 teaspoon matcha powder culinary grade
- 10 mint leaves
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar simple syrup or other simple syrup
- 2 ounces bourbon ¼ cup
- 1 sprig of mint for garnish
Instructions
- For the simple syrup, add ¼ cup of brown sugar* and ¼ cup of water to a saucepan. Turn the heat to medium and stir until dissolved. Let cool, then keep in a sealed container in the refrigerator.
- Mix the bourbon and matcha powder in a small bowl. Whisk together to remove all the clumps, preferably with a matcha whisk. You can also sift in the matcha powder to help reduce clumping.
- In an old fashioned or rocks glass, add the mint leaves and 1 tablespoon of simple syrup. Muddle until the leaves just start to break down.
- Fill the glass ¾ full with crushed ice and add the bourbon/matcha mixture.
- Stir until the glass starts to frost, then add more crushed ice to fill and garnish with a sprig of mint. Serve immediately.
Sara
YUM! This is such a fun twist on a mint julep! The brown sugar simple syrup really gives it a richer, more flavorful depth. The matcha is so delicious and so bright! I love it!
Candice
So glad to hear you love the drink and the brown sugar simple syrup, Sara!
Veronika
This drink is so refreshing and delicious! Love adding matcha to my drinks and baked goods! You need to try this recipe!
Candice
I'm so glad to hear it, Veronika... cheers!
Tammy
Ooh what a unique combo! This is so refreshing and very pretty too! Definitely something to try 😀
Candice
So glad to hear it, Tammy!
Ramona
This green tea cocktail is soo refreshing and the colour of the tea is beautiful! I've been meaning to make a drink like this for some time and i finally found the perfect recipe! Thank you for sharing this.
Candice
I'm so glad to hear it, Ramona... enjoy!
Karen
I'm reading this while drinking my morning matcha - I must mix one of these babies later in the day lol!
Candice
Yes! I hope you do... and can't wait to hear what you think, Karen!
Marta
I have a whole jar of matcha that I bought spur of the moment and haven't figured out what to use it in. This looks perfect for my bourbon-loving hubby.
Candice
Can't wait to hear what you both think!
Dennis
Oh I couldn't wait to try this cocktail! Your matcha mint julep is really tasty and refreshing!
Candice
I'm so glad to hear it, Dennis.. thank you!
Kathryn Donangelo
This mint julep is so refreshing and easy to make your own cocktail at home! Thank you!
Candice
I'm so glad you found it easy to make and refreshing, Kathryn!
Amanda
This is such a fun twist on a mint julep! The matcha adds such a lively flavor and beautiful color that's perfect for summer cocktails.
Candice
I am so glad to hear you liked it, Amanda 🙂 Thank you!