✔ Updated · lump-free matcha method + dairy-free and sweetness options
My copycat Starbucks iced matcha latte is a smooth, lightly sweet green tea drink made at home in about 5 minutes. Whisk sifted matcha until smooth, sweeten it with vanilla syrup and pour it over cold milk and ice.
At a glance
The one tip that matters: Never pour boiling water on matcha. Water around 175°F (80°C) keeps it smooth and grassy instead of bitter.
Why You'll Love This Iced Matcha Latte
- Ready in 5 minutes with four ingredients and no special equipment beyond a whisk or frother.
- No lumps, thanks to sifting the matcha and whisking it into a smooth shot first.
- Made your way: any milk, any syrup, and as sweet or as light as you like.
What Is Matcha?
I love that matcha is a finely ground powder made from shade-grown green tea leaves, traditionally from Japan. Because the whole leaf is whisked into the drink rather than steeped and removed, it has a brighter green color, a fuller grassy flavor and more body than regular green tea.
It does not dissolve the way instant coffee does. The fine powder floats and clumps in cold liquid, which is why I whisk it with a little warm water first. For more copycat drinks, browse our Starbucks recipes.
Ingredients for a Copycat Iced Matcha Latte
- Matcha powder: 2 teaspoons (about 4 grams) makes a balanced 16-ounce drink. Use 1 1/2 teaspoons for a milder flavor or a full tablespoon for a strong one.
- Warm water: just 2 tablespoons, around 175°F (80°C), to whisk the matcha into a smooth shot.
- Vanilla syrup: sweetens and softens the grassy edge. Make your own with our copycat Starbucks vanilla syrup, or use plain simple syrup, honey or orgeat almond syrup.
- Milk: whole milk is creamy and classic; oat milk is the creamiest dairy-free choice.
- Ice: a full glass keeps the drink cold without watering it down too fast.
Step-by-Step Photos
Here's how it comes together. Exact amounts, times and temperatures are in the recipe card below.
Tips for Success
- Sift the matcha. Matcha powder clumps as it sits. A few seconds through a small sieve is the easiest way to a lump-free latte.
- Use warm, not boiling, water. About 175°F (80°C) is ideal. Boiling water scorches matcha and makes it taste bitter and dull.
- Make a paste first. If you don't have a whisk or frother, stir the matcha with a tablespoon of the water into a smooth paste with a spoon, then add the rest.
- Pick a good matcha. A bright green ceremonial or latte-grade matcha tastes smoother and sweeter. Dull, olive-colored powder usually tastes harsh.
- Shake for froth. A lidded jar or cocktail shaker with the ice gives a creamy, well-mixed drink without any special equipment.
- Adjust the sweetness last. Taste after stirring and add syrup a teaspoon at a time. Unsweetened, the drink has an earthy, grassy flavor.
Starbucks Iced Matcha Latte (Copycat)
1
drink (16 oz)5
minutes0
minutes220
kcal5
minutesA copycat-style Starbucks iced matcha latte: sifted matcha whisked into a smooth shot with a little warm water, sweetened with vanilla syrup and poured over cold milk and ice. Ready in 5 minutes, with no lumps and any milk you like.
Ingredients
- Matcha Shot
4 g matcha green tea powder (2 teaspoons)
2 tablespoons warm water, about 175°F / 80°C (not boiling)
1 1/2 tablespoons vanilla syrup, or to taste
- To Serve
1 cup (240 ml) cold whole milk, or oat, almond, soy or coconut milk
1 cup ice cubes
Directions
- Whisk the Matcha
- Sift the matcha powder through a small fine-mesh sieve into a bowl, mug or jar. Sifting breaks up clumps so the latte comes out smooth.
- Add the warm water (about 175°F / 80°C, not boiling) and whisk with a bamboo whisk or handheld milk frother for 20 to 30 seconds, until smooth and lightly foamy with no lumps left.
- Stir in the vanilla syrup. Start with 1 tablespoon and add more if you like it sweeter.
- Build the Latte
- Fill a 16-ounce glass with ice and pour in the cold milk.
- Pour the sweetened matcha over the milk, stir well and serve right away.
- For a frothier, well-blended drink, shake everything with the ice in a lidded jar or cocktail shaker for 15 to 20 seconds, then pour into the glass.
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Variations
- Matcha with cold foam: froth 3 tablespoons of cold milk or cream with 1 teaspoon of vanilla syrup until thick and spoon it over the top.
- Strawberry matcha: spoon 2 tablespoons of mashed strawberries or strawberry syrup into the bottom of the glass before the ice and milk.
- Hot matcha latte: whisk the matcha shot as above, then top it with 1 cup of steamed, frothed milk and skip the ice.
- Other syrups: caramel, brown sugar, lavender or almond all pair well with matcha. Start with 1 tablespoon.
- More drinks to try: our Starbucks pistachio latte, vanilla latte, iced coffee and whipped dalgona coffee.
Making Iced Matcha Lattes for a Group
The recipe scales easily: multiply the matcha, water and syrup by the number of drinks and whisk them together in a jug. The sweetened matcha keeps, covered, in the fridge for up to 24 hours.
Give it a shake, then pour each serving over a glass of fresh ice and cold milk. Assemble the drinks just before serving, since melting ice dilutes them and the matcha settles if they stand.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is in a Starbucks iced matcha latte?
The drink is matcha green tea powder, milk, a sweetener and ice. This copycat-style version uses sifted matcha whisked with warm water, vanilla syrup for sweetness and cold whole milk poured over ice, and it works with any dairy-free milk.
How do you get the matcha to mix without lumps?
Sift the powder first, then whisk it with a small amount of warm water before it meets the cold milk. Matcha does not dissolve well in cold milk, so adding it straight to the glass leaves clumps. A bamboo whisk or handheld frother works best.
Can I make it dairy-free?
Yes. Oat milk gives the creamiest result, while almond, soy and coconut milk also work well. Use a barista-style or unsweetened milk and taste before adding syrup, since some plant milks are already sweetened.
How much caffeine is in an iced matcha latte?
Matcha contains caffeine because it is made from whole green tea leaves. Two teaspoons of matcha usually provide roughly 60 to 80 milligrams, depending on the brand, which is less than a typical cup of brewed coffee.
Can I make iced matcha lattes ahead of time?
Whisk and sweeten the matcha shots and keep them covered in the fridge for up to 24 hours. Shake or stir before using, then pour over fresh ice and cold milk. Mixing the full drink ahead lets the ice melt and the matcha settle.
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