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    Home » Recipes » Matcha

    Matcha Mint Julep - A Green Tea Cocktail

    Published: Jul 7, 2020 Modified: Jul 7, 2020 by Candice

    JUMP TO RECIPE PIN RECIPE

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

    Top view of a matcha cocktail filled with crushed ice and garnished with a sprig of mint.

    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.

    Ingredients for a matcha cocktail including water and ice, mint, matcha, bourbon, and brown sugar.

    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).

    Mixing matcha and bourbon in a bowl, then mixing simple syrup and mint in a glass.

    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.

    Pouring matcha into a cocktail next to a glass of green tea cocktail garnished with mint and a stirrer.

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

    A green tea cocktail fulled with crushed ice and garnished with mint.

    If you're looking for other easy & refreshing cocktails, check out these favorites:

    • Sour Cherry Gin Limeade
    • Kiwi Bellini with Mint
    • Negroni Bianco

    More Matcha, Please!

    The following are some of my other matcha drink favorites. Or peruse some of my favorite matcha recipes here.

    • Dalgona-Style Matcha Latte
    • Matcha Affogato
    • Matcha Bubble Tea

    And of course, the crowd-pleasing matcha green tea ice cream.

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

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    Print Recipe
    5 from 11 votes

    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.
    Prep Time5 mins
    Cook Time3 mins
    Total Time8 mins
    Course: Drinks
    Cuisine: American, Japanese
    Servings: 1
    Calories: 206kcal
    Author: Candice

    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.

    Notes

    *You can use any sugar that dissolves in warm water for the simple syrup, but the flavor from the brown sugar is lovely and recommended.
    Let the simple syrup cool, then keep in a sealed container in the refrigerator. It will last for up to one month, so feel free to scale up the recipe 1:1.
    If you don't have a matcha whisk (chawan) you can use a regular whisk or a fork. Just make sure to get rid of all the clumps.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 206kcal | Carbohydrates: 15g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 13mg | Potassium: 141mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 13g | Vitamin A: 625IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 24mg | Iron: 1mg
    Did you try this recipe?Don't forget to leave a rating and/or comment! And tag @ProportionalPlate on TikTok or Instagram... I'd love to see what you're making.

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    1. Sara

      July 18, 2020 at 11:44 am

      5 stars
      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!

      Reply
      • Candice

        July 21, 2020 at 10:51 am

        So glad to hear you love the drink and the brown sugar simple syrup, Sara!

        Reply
    2. Veronika

      July 17, 2020 at 1:11 pm

      5 stars
      This drink is so refreshing and delicious! Love adding matcha to my drinks and baked goods! You need to try this recipe!

      Reply
      • Candice

        July 24, 2020 at 8:10 am

        I'm so glad to hear it, Veronika... cheers!

        Reply
    3. Tammy

      July 17, 2020 at 11:28 am

      5 stars
      Ooh what a unique combo! This is so refreshing and very pretty too! Definitely something to try 😀

      Reply
      • Candice

        July 24, 2020 at 11:13 am

        So glad to hear it, Tammy!

        Reply
    4. Ramona

      July 17, 2020 at 4:18 am

      5 stars
      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.

      Reply
      • Candice

        July 21, 2020 at 2:59 pm

        I'm so glad to hear it, Ramona... enjoy!

        Reply
    5. Karen

      July 14, 2020 at 6:58 am

      I'm reading this while drinking my morning matcha - I must mix one of these babies later in the day lol!

      Reply
      • Candice

        July 17, 2020 at 8:37 am

        Yes! I hope you do... and can't wait to hear what you think, Karen!

        Reply
    6. Marta

      July 13, 2020 at 8:27 pm

      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.

      Reply
      • Candice

        July 24, 2020 at 11:12 am

        Can't wait to hear what you both think!

        Reply
    7. Dennis

      July 13, 2020 at 5:39 pm

      5 stars
      Oh I couldn't wait to try this cocktail! Your matcha mint julep is really tasty and refreshing!

      Reply
      • Candice

        July 21, 2020 at 2:56 pm

        I'm so glad to hear it, Dennis.. thank you!

        Reply
    8. Kathryn Donangelo

      July 13, 2020 at 4:37 pm

      5 stars
      This mint julep is so refreshing and easy to make your own cocktail at home! Thank you!

      Reply
      • Candice

        July 17, 2020 at 8:38 am

        I'm so glad you found it easy to make and refreshing, Kathryn!

        Reply
    9. Amanda

      July 13, 2020 at 12:44 pm

      5 stars
      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.

      Reply
      • Candice

        July 17, 2020 at 8:38 am

        I am so glad to hear you liked it, Amanda 🙂 Thank you!

        Reply

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    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!

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    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!

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