Vanilla Matcha Latte is the perfect way to enjoy a cup of matcha. It has a rich matcha flavor made creamy with vanilla and honey-infused milk. Make hot or iced in just 5 minutes!
Why go to Starbucks when it is so easy (and cheaper!) to make a delicious matcha latte at home in just a few minutes? We make matcha lattes every morning because it offers the perfect amount of caffeine without feeling jittery. Make the iced matcha latte when the weather is warm, and make the hot cozy version when it cools down in the fall and winter.
If you're new to matcha, this is an excellent introduction to the tea. Enjoy it as an afternoon pick-me-up or in the morning with a delicious breakfast like our Buttery Pumpkin Scones with Miso Glaze or Blackberry Lemon Bread.
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What is a matcha latte?
A latte typically includes espresso and steamed milk. In a matcha latte, we replace espresso with matcha tea. The blend of matcha and steamed milk is uniquely delicious, rich, and yet still light.
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 stronger green tea flavor. It is traditionally used in Japanese tea ceremonies, but is now used in various drink and baking recipes.
Ingredients
- Matcha powder - Matcha green tea leaves have a distinct earthy and sweet flavor. It gives the drink its signature light green color.
- Milk - You can use dairy or non-dairy milk, but we prefer oat milk for its rich flavor.
- Sweetener - We use honey or agave syrup because they are delicious natural sweeteners.
- Vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste - Vanilla extract adds complexity and sweetness to the latte. Use vanilla bean paste for a stronger vanilla flavor.
See recipe card for quantities.
Substitutions
- Regular green tea - Use a regular green tea instead of matcha.
- Hojicha powder - use hojicha powder instead of matcha powder to make a sweet and smoky Hojicha Tea Latte.
- Milk and milk alternatives - Use regular whole milk, cream, half and half. Or use a milk alternative like almond milk, oat milk, coconut milk, cashew milk, or soy milk. All of these milks will taste delicious with matcha.
Variations
- Extra sweet - Add extra sweetener, simple syrup, maple syrup, or honey to make this latte extra sweet.
- No sweetener - We sometimes enjoy our lattes with no sweetener for truer matcha flavor.
- Frothed milk - Add additional milk to a frother then pour the milk foam over the latte.
- No vanilla - Omit the vanilla bean paste or extract if you don't want the vanilla flavor.
- Extra vanilla - Add vanilla syrup for extra vanilla flavor.
Instructions
Hot Matcha Latte
- Warm milk in a saucepan on the stovetop over low-medium heat. Stir in sweetener and vanilla if desired. Remove from heat and set aside. Alternatively, add milk, sweetener, and vanilla to a milk frother and turn on to mix the ingredients. (Photo 1)
- Add 1 gram of matcha (about ½ teaspoon) to 2 oz (¼ cup) of hot water in a bowl. Whisk until foamy and frothy. (Photo 2)
- Pour into a mug and top with the warm milk. Enjoy immediately. (Photo 3, 4, and 5)
Iced Matcha Latte
- Add 1 gram of matcha (about ½ teaspoon) to 2 oz (¼ cup) of hot water in a chawan bowl. Whisk until foamy and frothy. (Photo 2)
- Add ice to a glass and add your milk of choice, and stir in sweetener and vanilla if desired. Pour in matcha and stir to chill. Enjoy immediately. (Photo 6)
Pro tip: For iced matcha lattes, chill your glasses in the fridge ahead of time to ensure your latte stays cold and fresh longer.
What to Serve with this Matcha Latte
Enjoy this refreshing latte on its own or with a delicious brunch or lunch. We love to serve it with Blackberry Lemon Bread, Homemade Cheddar and Bacon Biscuits, Brioche French Toast, or Scrambled Eggs with Cheese.
Recipe FAQs
The three different grades of matcha are culinary, premium, and ceremonial. Culinary grade matcha is used for casual drinks and baking, like our matcha cookies recipe. Premium matcha is a blend that is commonly used for lattes. Ceremonial matcha is the highest quality and is strictly used for drinking. For this recipe, we recommend using premium or ceremonial matcha to ensure your latte is packed with matcha flavor.
Yes, matcha naturally contains some caffeine. According to Matcha Bloom, caffeine in matcha is assimilated in a healthier way compared to coffee or black tea. Matcha caffeine 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 the sweetener. In order to make the drink healthier, use less sweetener.
You can buy matcha at Japanese markets, like Mitsuwa or Nijiya, some common chain grocery stores, and online retailers, including Matcha Bloom.
Yes, you can make this matcha latte 1 day ahead of time then place it in the fridge for the next day. Just pour it over ice then top it with fresh foam.
Equipment
This matcha latte recipe a couple common kitchen essentials. You will need a whisk or matcha whisk; mixing bowl or matcha bowl (chawan). In order to make frothed milk, a milk frother is a fantastic investment to add to your kitchen collection.
Storage
Hot matcha lattes are best enjoyed fresh. Iced matcha lattes can be refrigerated for and enjoyed the following day. You can also make the iced version up to 1 day ahead of time. In order to do so, make the iced matcha latte then store it in an air-tight jar in the refrigerator overnight. When you are ready to enjoy the iced vanilla latte, top it with fresh foam or whipped cream.
Top tips
- If you don’t have a bamboo whisk to whisk the matcha, use a metal whisk or milk frother.
- For iced matcha lattes, chill your glasses in the fridge to ensure your latte stays cold and fresh longer.
- Use premium or ceremonial grade matcha to ensure your latte has a true and rich matcha flavor.
Other Matcha Recipes
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Vanilla Matcha Latte
Equipment
- 1 whisk
- 1 matcha whisk optional
- 1 matcha bowl (chawan) optional
- 1 Milk frother optional
Ingredients
- ½ teaspoon matcha
- 2 oz hot water (¼ cup)
- ½ cup milk or non-dairy milk
- 1 teaspoon sweetener, honey or agave syrup optional
- ½ teaspoon vanilla bean paste or extract optional
- ice
Instructions
Hot Matcha Latte
- Warm milk in a saucepan on the stovetop over low-medium heat. Stir in sweetener and vanilla if desired. Remove from heat and set aside. Alternatively, add milk, sweetener, and vanilla to a milk frother and turn on to mix the ingredients.½ cup milk or non-dairy milk, 1 teaspoon sweetener, honey or agave syrup, ½ teaspoon vanilla bean paste or extract
- Add 1 gram of matcha (about ½ teaspoon) to 2 oz (¼ cup) of hot water in a bowl. Whisk until foamy and frothy. Pour into a mug and top with the warm milk. Enjoy immediately.½ teaspoon matcha, 2 oz hot water
Iced Matcha Latte
- Add 1 gram of matcha (about ½ teaspoon) to 2 oz (¼ cup) of hot water in a chawan bowl. Whisk until foamy and frothy.½ teaspoon matcha, 2 oz hot water
- Add ice to a glass and add your milk of choice, and stir in sweetener and vanilla if desired. Pour in matcha and stir to chill. Enjoy immediately.½ cup milk or non-dairy milk, 1 teaspoon sweetener, honey or agave syrup, ice, ½ teaspoon vanilla bean paste or extract
Notes
- Hot matcha lattes are best enjoyed immediately. The iced version can be refrigerated and be enjoyed the following day. You can also make the iced version up to 1 day ahead of time. In order to do so, make the iced matcha latte then store it in an air-tight jar in the refrigerator overnight. When you are ready to enjoy the iced vanilla latte, top it with fresh foam or whipped cream.
- If you don’t have a bamboo whisk to whisk the matcha, use a metal whisk or milk frother.
- For iced matcha latte, chill your glasses in the fridge to ensure your latte stays cold and fresh longer.
- Use ceremonial or premium grade matcha to ensure your latte has a true matcha flavor.
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