The iced matcha latte is the summer favourite among matcha drinks: bright green, creamy and cold, and mixed in five minutes – with no queue at the café. Here is the basic recipe, the most important mistakes (keyword: lumps) and the bubble tea version with tapioca pearls.
Ingredients for 1 glass (approx. 300 ml)
- 1–2 tsp matcha powder (culinary grade is perfectly sufficient)
- 50 ml hot water, maximum 80 °C
- 200 ml cold milk – or oat/soy milk for the vegan version
- 1–2 tsp sugar syrup or honey, to taste
- Ice cubes
Preparation – step by step
- Mix the matcha: Stir the powder into the hot water (max. 80 °C!) until you have a smooth, lump-free paste. A bamboo whisk or a small balloon whisk works best – or shake it vigorously in a sealable container.
- Sweeten: Stir the syrup or honey straight into the warm paste, that way it dissolves completely.
- Build the glass: Fill the glass generously with ice cubes and pour in the cold milk.
- Layer: Slowly pour the matcha paste over the milk – this creates the typical green-and-white gradient. Stir before drinking.
The bubble tea version: iced matcha with boba
The latte becomes a full bubble tea if you put 40 g of cooked tapioca pearls at the bottom of the glass (cooking instructions on the pack: 15 to 20 minutes) and serve it with an XXL straw from the accessories. If you like a fruity surprise, use popping boba in lychee instead. The complete starter package is available as the Bubble Tea Set Matcha Latte with 6 servings.
The 3 most common mistakes
- Water that is too hot: Above 80 °C matcha turns bitter. Let the water cool briefly.
- Powder straight into cold milk: That gives you lumps. Always mix it into a paste with hot water first.
- Too much powder: 1 to 2 tsp is enough. More makes the drink harsh instead of creamy.
Frequently asked questions
Can I make an iced matcha latte without sugar?
Yes – simply leave out the syrup. With a slightly sweet oat milk the drink tastes well rounded even unsweetened.
Which matcha powder is best for an iced matcha latte?
Culinary grade: strong enough to hold its own against milk and ice, and considerably cheaper than ceremonial grade. More on this in the big matcha guide.
How much caffeine does an iced matcha latte contain?
With 2 tsp of matcha, around 60 to 70 mg – comparable to an espresso, but gentler in its effect thanks to the L-theanine.
Can the drink be made vegan?
Yes: oat or soy milk instead of cow's milk, syrup instead of honey – matcha and tapioca pearls are naturally vegan.
Buy matcha powder → Free shipping from CHF 79, delivery within 1 to 3 working days throughout Switzerland.