Matcha Green Tea Lemonade is a bright and refreshing twist on an Arnold Palmer. It comes together in a few minutes with just 3 ingredients. Make this better-than-Starbucks matcha lemonade on a warm afternoon or whenever you need the perfect boost of caffeine!
Cool down on a hot afternoon with an iced matcha lemonade! It's incredibly refreshing and the matcha offers health benefits, including antioxidants and a boost in brain function. Use homemade or store-bought lemonade with minimal ingredients to get the full flavor of the matcha without a sugar crash. You can also dilute our Homemade Sweet and Sour Drink Mix for a tart lemon-lime twist.
Increase the recipe and make a whole pitcher for a summer BBQ and serve it with any of our summer recipes! Add mint leaves and sliced lemons for garnish.
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About Match Lemonade
- Taste - The earthy matcha and sweet lemonade create a uniquely delicious and refreshing combination. The matcha has an earthy green tea flavor and the lemonade is tart and sweet.
- Texture - It is light and smooth like water.
- Effort - All you need to do is add is mix the matcha then add the ice and lemonade.
- Time - Prep takes under 5 minutes!
What is Matcha?
Matcha green tea is a traditional Japanese tea that has gained International popularity in the last few years. It is made by taking young tea leaves and grinding them into a green powder. Since it is 100% green tea leaves, it is much more concentrated than regular green tea and as a result has a much stronger green tea flavor. It is traditionally used in Japanese tea ceremonies, but is now used in various drink and baking recipes.
Ingredients
- Matcha tea powder - Matcha green tea leaves have a distinct earthy and sweet flavor.
- Lemonade - We love to use Trader Joe's lemonade because it is sweet but not too sweet. We recommend using minimally processed store-bought lemonade so you can control the sweetness.
- Ice - Ice cubes are a refreshing addition. You can refrigerate the matcha lemonade for the same affect.
- Mint - Mint provides a subtly cool and sweet accent.
- Lemon wedge - Add a squeeze of lemon for extra brightness.
See recipe card for quantities.
Substitutions
- Limeade - You can replace lemonade with limeade if you prefer the taste.
- Regular green tea - If you don't have matcha, you can use another green tea for this recipe.
- Jade Citrus Mint Tea - If you want to make a Starbucks Green Tea Lemonade copycat, use Teavana's Jade Citrus Mint tea. It has rich flavor with hints of spearmint and lemongrass.
- Homemade lemonade - Use homemade fresh lemonade if you have time or prefer the extra fresh taste.
Variations
- Peach green tea lemonade - Add peach juice for a sweet zing.
- Less sweet - You can use a low sugar lemonade to make the mix less sweet.
- Extra sweet - Mix in a little sugar, liquid cane sugar, or simple syrup to make this drink extra sweet.
- Extra lemony - Add lemon juice or lemon zest to make it extra lemony.
- Sparkling matcha lemonade - Use sparkling lemonade or add a splash of sparkling soda to carbonate the lemonade.
- Ginger - Add grated fresh ginger or â…› teaspoon ginger powder for zestiness.
Instructions
- Whisk matcha - Add 1 gram of matcha (about 1 teaspoon) to 2 oz (¼ cup) of hot water in a bowl. Whisk until foamy and frothy. Use a bamboo whisk or frother. If you do not have either, you can also add sifted matcha and water in a jar or cocktail shaker and vigorously shake until no clumps remain.
- Stir in lemonade - Add ice to a glass and pour lemonade. Then top lemonade with matcha. Give it a stir and garnish with mint and a lemon wedge (it should be a vibrant green). Enjoy immediately.
Pro Tip: Chill the lemonade before you stir it in. This will make your green tea lemonade extra chilled and refreshing.
What to Serve with Matcha Lemonade
Enjoy this invigorating drink on its own or with a delicious brunch or lunch. We love to serve it with Chicken Katsu Curry (Japanese Chicken Cutlet Curry), Blackberry Lemon Bread, Homemade Cheddar and Bacon Biscuits, Sourdough French Toast, or Bacon and Egg Breakfast Rice Bowl.
Recipe FAQs
The three different grades of matcha are culinary, premium, and ceremonial. Culinary grade matcha is used for cooking and casual drinks, like our matcha lemonade recipe. Premium matcha is a blend that is commonly used for lattes in cafes. Ceremonial grade matcha is the highest quality matcha that is strictly used for drinking and is made of premium leaves from the first tea harvest.
Yes, matcha naturally contains some caffeine. According to Matcha Bloom, caffeine in matcha is assimilated in a very different and much healthier way compared to coffee or black tea. The caffeine in matcha binds to the larger catechin molecules, that also act as powerful antioxidants, and is released into the bloodstream slowly over time as the catechins are broken down. This results in caffeine that provides sustained energy for up to 8 hours and and minimal crash.
Yes, matcha has been known to promote weight loss, increase energy levels, and support brain and heart health. The only ingredient that isn't super healthy is lemonade. In order to make the drink healthier, use a low sugar organic lemonade.
You can buy matcha at Japanese markets, like Mitsuwa or Nijiya, some common chain grocery stores, and online retailers, including Matcha Bloom.
Storage
Refrigerate leftover iced green tea lemonade in a sealed jar or pitcher for up to 1 week. These ingredients don't stand up well to freezing.
Top tips
- If you don’t have a bamboo whisk to whisk the matcha, use a metal whisk or milk frother.
- Chill your glasses in the fridge ahead of time to ensure your lemonade stays cold and fresh longer.
Other Matcha Recipes
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Matcha Green Tea Lemonade
Equipment
- 1 whisk
- 1 matcha whisk optional
- 1 matcha bowl (chawan) optional
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon matcha
- 2 oz hot water (¼ cup)
- 4 oz lemonade (½ cup)
- ice
- mint optional
- lemon wedge optional
Instructions
- Whisk matcha - Add 1 gram of matcha (about 1 teaspoon) to 2 oz (¼ cup) of hot water. Whisk until foamy and frothy.1 teaspoon matcha, 2 oz hot water
- Stir in lemonade - Add ice to a glass and pour lemonade. Top lemonade with matcha. Give it a stir and garnish with mint and a lemon wedge. Enjoy immediately.4 oz lemonade, ice, mint, lemon wedge
Notes
- If you don’t have a bamboo whisk (chasen), use a frother. If you do not have either, you can also add sifted matcha and water in a jar or cocktail shaker and vigorously shake until no clumps remain.
- Chill your glasses in the fridge ahead of time to ensure your lemonade stays cold and fresh longer.
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