5 Fun Ways to Spice Up Your Iced Matcha Lattes

Here are quick and easy matcha drink recipes to spice up your iced matcha lattes.

Iced matcha lattes have quickly become a healthier alternative for daily morning coffees or afternoon pick-me-ups.

While they have become super popular, some simple changes to this classic drink can make daily matcha doses that bit more exciting.

What is ‘matcha’?

Matcha is a Japanese green tea powder made up of ground-up green tea leaves. It is rich in antioxidants, which means it can prevent a multitude of diseases such as heart disease and even cancer. It also helps to reduce arthritis and boost brain function.

Though caffeine can be found in matcha, it is only ¼ less than the amount of caffeine in coffee. So unlike coffee, matcha eliminates the big highs followed by the big lows that coffee creates.

What other ways can I have my matcha?

While iced matcha lattes have become popular in the coffee world, there are other ways to enjoy this delicious drink. Below is a compilation of matcha drink variations and best of all, these recipes are simple, easy and quick to make.

Note that all recipes recommend using a matcha whisk to make the matcha mixture, however, mixing by hand works fine too.

FOR CAFFEINE CRAVINGS

Layered Iced Matcha-Dalgona Coffee

Missing the taste of coffee but don’t want to give in? Check out this matcha-dalgona coffee recipe. Dalgona coffee first took the world by storm through its rise in fame on TikTok during the first COVID-19 lockdown, but it has now entered into the matcha-scene. Dalgona coffee is essentially whipped instant coffee which means that it’ll make a regular iced matcha latte, fluffier, creamier and tastier.

Ingredients:

Matcha:

• 1 teaspoon matcha powder
• 2 tablespoons hot water
• 1 teaspoon sugar (or preferred sweetener)

Dalgona Coffee:

• 1 teaspoon instant coffee
• 2 tablespoons hot water
• 1 cup preferred milk
• Ice

Method:

1. Combine the instant coffee, sugar and hot water in a bowl. Whisk these ingredients together in a until mixture becomes creamy and glossy. Use an electric hand mixer if you’re in a hurry.
2. Rinse off the electric hand mixer.
3. In a separate bowl, make a regular matcha mixture by whisking matcha powder, sugar and hot water together until there are no clumps.
4. Place ice into a glass cup and pour over the matcha mixture.
5. Pour in milk and stop about where it just hits the top of the ice layer.
6. Use a spoon to scoop the dalgona coffee mixture and sit it above the ice to maintain the layers.
7. Sip and enjoy.

FOR A COZY AUTUMN DAY

Iced Chai-Matcha Latte Spice

Feeling like the classic iced chai tea latte from Starbucks? This homemade iced chai-matcha latte spice combines all the best flavours of sweetness and spice – except with this recipe, you don’t have to spend more than $5.

Ingredients:

• 1 teaspoon matcha powder
• ¼ cup hot water
• 2 chai tea bags
• 1-2 teaspoons sugar (or preferred sweetener)
• 1 cup preferred milk
• Ice

Optional to garnish:

• Cinnamon powder

Method:

1. In a small saucepan, bring the water to a boil. Once at boiling point, remove from the heat and add in the chai tea bags. Let them steep for 2-3 minutes.
2. Remove the tea bags.
3. Whisk matcha powder and sugar into the same saucepan. Set aside.
4. Add milk into a mason jar with ice. Note, if having as a warm drink, heat up the milk instead.
5. Optional: use handheld milk frother to frothen up the milk.
6. Pour in matcha/chai tea mixture into milk mixture.
7. Sip and enjoy.

FOR THE SWEET TOOTH

Matcha Hot White Chocolate

This matcha drink is bound to satisfy your sweet tooth. The sweetness of the white chocolate helps cancel out the slightly bitter taste of the matcha, making it the perfect pairing for a yummy drink.

Ingredients:

• 1 teaspoon matcha powder
• ½ cup hot water
• 1 cup preferred milk
• ⅛ cup white chocolate chips

Method:

1. Melt white chocolate on a saucepan or in the microwave.
2. Gradually add the milk into the white chocolate. Leave to rest.
3. Combine matcha powder and hot water into a mug and whisk until there are no lumps.
4. Add the white chocolate and milk mixture into the mug. Stir until thoroughly combined.
5. Sip and enjoy.

FOR A HEALTHY BREAKFAST

Matcha-Avo-Mango Smoothie

Starting off with this green smoothie will set your day off on the right tone, nourishing your body with all the right nutrients from the fruit and matcha powder. This recipe can even be done with banana and avo too.

Ingredients:

• 1 teaspoon matcha powder
• 1 ½ cups of preferred milk
• ¾ cup frozen mango
• ¼ cup frozen avocado

Optional:

• ⅛ teaspoon of vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon chia seeds
• Protein powder

Instructions:

1. Freeze mango and avocado in freezer overnight. Alternatively, buying them readily frozen or adding
   ice to the blend works great too.
2. Pour all ingredients into a blender, including optional ingredients.
3. Blend until mixture becomes thick and creamy.
4. Continue to add more milk if mixture is still lumpy.
5. Sip and enjoy.