This iced matcha latte takes about 3 minutes. Whisk matcha with a small amount of hot water until smooth, pour it over a glass of ice, and top with cold milk. Simple, refreshing, and easy to adjust to your taste.
What you'll learn:
| Prep time | 3 minutes |
| Total time | 3 minutes |
| Servings | 1 |
| Difficulty | Easy |
An iced matcha latte is popular for a reason. It is cold, bright green, and it tastes smooth when you get the mixing right. It also works with almost any milk, so it is easy to fit your preferences.
This is the iced version only. If you want the hot version, follow how to make a matcha latte. For the basics of what the drink is (not a recipe), see matcha latte.
If you are new to matcha in general, start with what is matcha. For the benefits angle, see matcha benefits.
Ingredients
- 1 to 2g matcha powder (about half to one level teaspoon)
- 30ml hot water (about 80°C)
- Ice cubes (enough to fill a tall glass)
- 200ml cold milk of choice (oat, dairy, almond, soy)
- Sweetener (optional) (honey, maple, sugar, or syrup)
The small amount of hot water is not about making the drink warm. It is the easiest way to dissolve matcha smoothly before it hits cold milk.
How to Make an Iced Matcha Latte
- Sift matcha into a small bowl or cup. Sifting prevents little dry lumps that are hard to fix once the drink is cold.
- Add 30ml hot water and whisk until smooth. Whisk briskly until you have a lump-free, vivid green mixture. This is the key step for an iced latte.
- Fill a tall glass with ice. More ice keeps the drink cold longer and helps keep the flavour crisp.
- Pour cold milk over the ice. If you are adding sweetener, you can mix it into the milk first so it dissolves evenly.
- Pour the matcha over the milk, or stir to combine. Pour slowly for the layered look. Stir if you want it fully mixed and evenly green.
Tips for the Best Results
- Whisk the matcha paste well - cold liquid does not dissolve matcha easily, so do the hard part in the warm water step.
- Pour slowly for the layered effect - matcha poured gently over milk will sit on top for a “two tone” look.
- Oat milk froths nicest - if you like a thicker, cafe-style texture, oat milk is usually the easiest win.
- Start with 1g if you are unsure - iced drinks can taste stronger, because cold reduces perceived sweetness.
- Use enough ice - a couple of cubes melts fast. Fill the glass for a colder, more consistent drink.
Sweeteners That Work in Cold Drinks
Some sweeteners dissolve better than others once the drink is cold. If you have ever ended up with syrup sitting at the bottom, this is why.
- Simple syrup: dissolves instantly, easiest option.
- Maple syrup: mixes well and tastes great with oat milk.
- Honey: can work, but it is thicker. Stir it into the milk before you add matcha.
- Sugar: can be grainy in cold milk unless it is fully dissolved first.
- No sweetener: totally fine if your milk is naturally sweet and your matcha is smooth.
Can You Make an Iced Matcha Latte Ahead of Time?
You can prepare the matcha “base” (matcha + warm water) a little ahead, but it is best fresh. Matcha can settle and lose its foam, and cold drinks show texture problems more than hot drinks.
If you want to prep, make the matcha base, cover it, then whisk again right before pouring it over milk and ice.
You can also make a small “matcha concentrate” (matcha + a little water) and keep it in the fridge for a few hours. Give it a quick whisk before using, then pour it over fresh ice and milk.
Variations
Once you like the base iced latte, you can add flavours. The main trick is keeping the matcha step the same, then adding the flavour to the milk.
- Strawberry matcha latte: add strawberry syrup or puree to the milk, then pour matcha on top. See strawberry matcha latte.
- Blueberry matcha: blueberry syrup gives a deeper fruit flavour and works well with oat milk. See blueberry matcha.
- Vanilla matcha latte: a small amount of vanilla syrup makes the drink taste more “dessert-like”. See vanilla matcha latte.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use cold water instead of hot to mix the matcha?
You can, but it is harder to get it smooth. Matcha dissolves better in warm water, so a small amount of hot water helps prevent gritty clumps in cold milk.
What's the best milk for an iced matcha latte?
Oat milk is a favourite because it is creamy and slightly sweet. Dairy milk is richer, soy is balanced and foams well, and almond milk is lighter with a nutty finish.
How do I get the layered look?
Fill the glass with ice, pour in cold milk, then pour the whisked matcha slowly over the back of a spoon. If you stir, you lose the layers, which is fine if you prefer it mixed.
Can I make this without a whisk?
Yes. A small electric frother works well. You can also shake matcha and warm water in a tight-lidded jar, but it usually creates larger bubbles and a less silky foam.
Is an iced matcha latte healthy?
It can be, especially if you keep added sugar low. The calories mostly come from the milk and any sweetener, so you can adjust those to fit your goals.
How to make a matcha latte iced?
Whisk matcha with a small amount of warm water first, then pour over cold milk and ice. Mixing matcha first helps avoid clumps and gritty texture.
Make This at Home
Perfect for summer, this is one of the easiest drinks to make daily at home. Our matcha kit gives you the tools to whisk smooth matcha without lumps. If you already have tools, start with our matcha powder.
More Matcha Recipes
Written by the Popcha team.