To make a matcha latte at home, sift 1 to 2g of matcha into a cup, whisk it with 30ml of hot water until smooth, then top with 200ml of steamed or frothed milk. This simple method takes under 5 minutes and needs no special equipment.
What you'll learn:
| Prep time | 5 minutes |
| Total time | 5 minutes |
| Servings | 1 |
| Difficulty | Easy |
This is the simple, everyday method for a hot matcha latte. Making it at home is usually fresher, cheaper, and easier to customise than buying one out. You also control the sweetness, which makes a huge difference to how “green” or dessert-like it tastes.
If you want the basics of the drink first, start with matcha latte. If you prefer matcha with just water (no milk), use our guide on how to make matcha.
Wondering about caffeine? This drink is usually gentler than coffee, but it depends on your dose. Here is the full breakdown: does matcha have caffeine.
Ingredients
- 1 to 2g matcha powder (about half to one level teaspoon)
- 30ml hot water (about 80°C)
- 200ml milk of choice (oat, dairy, almond, soy)
- Sweetener (optional) (honey, maple, sugar, or vanilla syrup)
For the smoothest latte, use a matcha you enjoy the taste of. If you are not sure what that means, read what is matcha for a quick overview of grades and flavour.
How to Make a Matcha Latte
- Sift the matcha into a cup or bowl. Sifting takes 10 seconds and prevents clumps. If you do not have a sifter, press it through a fine mesh strainer with the back of a spoon.
- Add 30ml hot water (80°C) and whisk until smooth and frothy. Whisk briskly in a W motion until you have a smooth, vivid green mixture with a light foam on top. If you are using a milk frother, keep it near the surface and move it around so it does not leave dry pockets.
- Heat your milk. You can steam it, warm it on the hob, or microwave it. For a cafe-style finish, froth it so you get a little foam.
- Pour the matcha into your cup, then top with hot milk. Pour slowly so the foam sits nicely on top. If you made matcha in a bowl, pour it into your mug first, then add the milk.
- Stir gently and add sweetener if you like. Taste before you add much. A little sweetness makes matcha more approachable, but too much can make it taste like sugar with a green aftertaste.
Common Matcha Latte Problems (and Fixes)
If your first latte does not taste great, it is usually one of these simple issues:
- It’s clumpy: sift the matcha, then whisk with water first. If you try to “stir it out” in milk, the lumps stick around.
- It tastes bitter: lower the water temperature (aim for 80°C), use a smaller serving (1g), or try a smoother matcha.
- It tastes watery: use less milk (170 to 180ml), or increase matcha to 2g.
- It tastes flat: add a pinch of sweetener or choose a naturally sweeter milk, like oat.
- It’s too sweet: reduce syrup, and make sure the matcha flavour is strong enough to balance it.
Choosing Milk (Quick Guide)
Milk changes the taste more than people expect. If you have tried matcha once and did not like it, switching milk is one of the fastest fixes.
| Milk | What it tastes like | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Oat | Creamy, slightly sweet | A classic coffee shop style latte |
| Dairy | Rich and smooth | A fuller, dessert-like cup |
| Soy | Balanced and neutral | Good foam and a clean finish |
| Almond | Lighter, nutty | A lighter latte with a nutty note |
Sweetener (How to Get It Right)
If you sweeten your latte, add a small amount, taste, then adjust. Matcha can taste “too green” without sweetness for some people, but it can also taste flat if it is over-sweetened.
Simple syrup and maple syrup mix easily. Honey is thicker, so stir it into hot milk first. If you use vanilla syrup, start with a small splash and let the matcha flavour stay in the lead.
Tips for the Best Results
- Use oat milk for the creamiest result - it is naturally sweet and tends to balance matcha well.
- Do not skip the whisk step - whisking matcha with water first is the main reason home lattes taste smoother than “matcha stirred into milk”.
- Keep the water under boiling - around 80°C helps avoid bitterness. If your latte tastes sharp, lowering the water temperature is often the fix.
- Start with 1g if you are new - you can always make the next one stronger, but an overly strong first latte puts people off.
- Froth the milk if you want it cafe-style - even a small amount of foam makes the drink feel richer.
Variations
Once you have the base drink down, flavours are easy. Keep the flavourings light so the matcha still tastes like matcha.
- Iced matcha latte: swap hot milk for cold milk and pour over ice. Follow the full recipe here: iced matcha latte.
- Strawberry matcha latte: add a little strawberry syrup or puree, usually best iced. See strawberry matcha latte.
- Vanilla matcha latte: a small amount of vanilla syrup rounds out bitterness. See vanilla matcha latte.
- Blueberry matcha: blueberry syrup pairs well with oat milk and tastes especially good cold. See blueberry matcha.
If you want the drink to taste more like “straight matcha”, use less sweetener and a smaller amount of milk. If you want it more like a cafe latte, froth the milk and add sweetness slowly until it tastes right.
Related reading
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best milk for a matcha latte?
Oat milk is a popular choice because it is creamy and slightly sweet, which softens matcha’s flavour. Dairy milk is richer, soy foams well, and almond milk is lighter with a nutty finish.
Can I make a matcha latte without a whisk?
Yes. A small electric frother works well, and a tight-lidded jar can work in a pinch. The main goal is to fully blend the matcha with water before you add milk.
How much matcha powder for a latte?
Most people use 1 to 2g. If you want it mild, start with 1g. If you want it stronger and more “coffee-like”, use 2g.
Is a matcha latte just matcha and milk?
Mostly, yes. The classic version is matcha whisked with a small amount of hot water, then topped with milk. Sweeteners and flavour syrups are optional.
Can I make this iced?
Yes. Use the same matcha base (matcha + 30ml hot water), then pour it over a glass of ice and top with cold milk. For exact steps and tips to avoid lumps, follow how to make an iced matcha latte.
How to make matcha latte at home?
Whisk 1 to 2g matcha with a little hot water until smooth, then add warm milk and sweeten to taste. A whisk or frother gives the smoothest texture.
Make This at Home
Making matcha lattes at home can save a lot of money, and you can dial in the sweetness and strength to your taste. Our matcha starter kit gives you the tools to whisk a smooth latte at home. If you already have the tools, start with our matcha powder.
More Matcha Recipes
Written by the Popcha team.