An iced matcha latte is matcha whisked smooth in cold water and poured over ice and cold milk. With 1 g of matcha, 30 ml of cold water and about 200 ml of milk or plant-based drink, it’s ready in three minutes. Because you use cold water, the matcha is less likely to turn bitter.
What do you need for an iced matcha latte?
For 1 glass:
- 1 g Organic Matcha Powder (half a teaspoon)
- 30 ml cold water
- a glass full of ice cubes
- about 200 ml cold milk, plant-based drink or water
- syrup or honey, to taste (optional)
How do you make an iced matcha latte?
- Whisk 1 g of matcha (half a teaspoon) until smooth in 30 ml of cold water, using a whisk or a shaker.
- Fill a glass with ice and about 200 ml of cold milk, plant-based drink or water.
- Pour the matcha over the top and give it a quick stir.
For the familiar layered look, pour the matcha slowly over the back of a spoon. It then sits on top of the milk until you stir.
Can you make matcha with cold water?
Yes, although matcha doesn’t really dissolve: it spreads through the water as fine particles. It mixes in less easily in cold water than in warm, so whisk or shake for a little longer. The easiest way is a shaker or a jar with a lid: add the matcha and the cold water and shake for 10 to 15 seconds. That way, you don’t need a whisk.
Why does matcha sink to the bottom?
Because matcha is made up of fine particles of leaf, it sinks after a while. That’s normal and isn’t a sign of poor quality. Give your iced matcha latte a quick stir just before you drink it. It’s best drunk fresh: after a few hours in the fridge, the colour starts to fade.
How do you sweeten an iced matcha latte?
Use a liquid sweetener such as maple syrup, agave syrup or honey. Sugar doesn’t dissolve well in cold milk and ends up at the bottom of the glass. Stir the sweetener into the matcha before you pour it over the ice.
Iced matcha latte variations
- Strawberry: mash a few strawberries with a teaspoon of syrup in the bottom of the glass, then add ice and milk and pour the matcha over the top.
- Coconut: use cold coconut drink as the base for a smooth, tropical flavour.
- Vanilla: stir a few drops of vanilla extract into the cold milk.
- With protein: shake the matcha with a serving of unflavoured protein powder and the cold milk in a shaker. See our protein matcha latte recipe for the full method.
For a hot version, follow our matcha latte recipe.
Frequently asked questions
Can you make an iced matcha latte without a whisk?
Yes. Put the matcha and 30 ml of cold water in a shaker or a jar with a lid and shake for 10 to 15 seconds. A milk frother works too.
How much caffeine is in an iced matcha latte?
An iced matcha latte made with 1 g of matcha contains about 32 mg of caffeine, the same as a hot matcha latte. Use more powder and you get proportionally more caffeine.
Can you make an iced matcha latte with water?
Yes. With cold water instead of milk, you get a fresh, light iced matcha that puts the flavour of the tea first. With milk, it’s creamier and smoother.
Can you make an iced matcha latte in advance?
It tastes best fresh. After a few hours, the matcha sinks to the bottom and the colour fades. To save time, get the cold milk and ice ready and whisk the matcha just before you drink it.
Give it a go
For this recipe, we use Ekopura Organic Matcha Powder: ceremonial grade matcha from Shizuoka, organic, with just one ingredient. A 90 g pouch is enough for 90 glasses. Our guide to what matcha is tells you more about its origin, taste and caffeine.
