The Best Matcha Latte Recipe to Make at Home

Looking for a creamy, delicious way to enjoy matcha tea? This easy-peasy matcha latte recipe delivers the perfect balance of smooth flavor and calm energy.

With its slightly sweet, earthy taste, a dose of protein powder, and the creamy milk of your choice, this warm beverage makes a nourishing morning jumpstart or afternoon pick-me-up.

Keep reading to see why we love this simple and healthy matcha latte recipe and learn how to make it at home anytime.

Matcha is a Japanese green tea made from the leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant. Unlike many other types of tea that seep tea bags or loose leaves in hot water, matcha tea leaves are ground into a fine powder.

The chlorophyll in the leaves gives matcha its signature green color. But the shade can vary depending on what kind of matcha powder you use.

Types of matcha include:

• Culinary-grade matcha. Culinary matcha has a bright, vegetal flavor and tastes more bitter than other types. It’s best for adding to baked goods and smoothies.

• Standard-grade matcha. Standard high-quality matcha is a vibrant green color with a smooth, creamy taste. It’s ideal for making a matcha latte and has a nice bitter-meets-sweet flavor.

• Ceremonial-grade matcha. This is the highest-quality matcha, usually whisked into hot water during traditional Japanese tea ceremonies. It’s light and bright in color and has a sweet-meets-savory flavor.

How is this matcha latte recipe better than the rest? Let us count the ways!

It’s Easy, Delicious, and Interesting

Whipping up a matcha latte at home is a great way to switch things up if you’re bored of coffee lattes, mochas, or plain mugs of green tea leaves or chai.

And you don’t need to trek to a coffee shop or spend all your cash at Starbucks since you can make it home.

You can also make whatever swaps you want with this matcha latte recipe. It doesn’t really matter what type of milk you use — the matcha powder will froth up when you whisk it.

Best yet, it only takes five minutes to make.

It Can Energize and Calm You

Matcha is packed with antioxidants and L-theanine, an amino acid that can promote calm and focus.

Matcha tends to have more caffeine than most other green teas. With around 19 to 44 milligrams (mg) of caffeine per gram, there are roughly 40 to 180 milligrams of caffeine per cup with a typical serving of matcha powder (2 to 4 grams).

Matcha lovers, and even some research, claim that Matcha leads to a smooth, focused energy that can help you avoid the jitters or crashes you might get from having too much coffee.

Drinking matcha regularly might also offer health benefits like reducing inflammation and protection against oxidative stress — mainly through a high concentration of catechins.

Long story short, it’s a stellar option for anyone who wants a boost of energy while also calming their senses and mind — a great alternative to coffee.

It’ll Help You Increase Your Protein Intake

Our matcha latte recipe calls for protein powder, which can help your drink do even more.

Getting enough protein while also incorporating strength training can help you build and preserve lean muscle. More protein and exercise means more muscle, which helps burn more calories throughout the day, even at rest.

What’s more, protein promotes satiety (a feeling of fullness after eating), making it easier to avoid overeating and control portion sizes. So, it’s a vital part of any weight loss or fitness plan.

All this is to say: Our matcha green tea latte recipe takes things up a notch with protein powder.

Here are all the ingredients you’ll need to make our healthy matcha latte recipe (aka the best matcha latte recipe, if we do say so ourselves):

• Matcha green tea powder. We recommend using ceremonial or standard-grade matcha for the best flavor and quality.

• Vanilla protein powder. Some recipes call for a dash of vanilla extract, but this is a good way to reap the benefits of that flavor while also upping your protein intake to support muscle strength and weight loss. Whey protein powder is great, though you can use a plant-based option like soy or pea protein.

• Liquid monk fruit or allulose. These are low-calorie, natural sweetener alternatives to classic cane sugar and simple syrup. You can also use maple syrup or agave if you have those handy, though these will add some calories to your drink.

• Milk of choice. We like to use unsweetened vanilla almond milk. Other non-dairy milk options include oat milk, cashew milk, coconut milk, and soy milk. If using dairy milk, opt for a low-fat version instead of whole milk if you’re aiming for a calorie deficit.

Here’s how to make our healthy matcha latte recipe the simple way:

• Literally, just blend all the ingredients together in a mug with a matcha whisk or an electric milk frother.

• Enjoy!

Have more time? You can fine-tune your barista skills and embrace the calming ritual of making matcha — it’s such a grounding way to start your morning routine or get your afternoon back on track. Here’s what to do:

1. Get your ingredients and supplies together. You’ll need a small sieve, a bamboo whisk, a mug, and a bowl.

2. Gently sift your matcha powder and protein powder over the sieve and into the bowl.

3. Pour your milk or hot water into the bowl. You can heat the milk beforehand or keep it cool if you’re making an iced matcha latte recipe.

4. Whisk the matcha for 30 seconds to a minute, repeatedly making a “W” shape. It’ll be done when it looks frothy, well-blended, and smooth.

5. Pour your hot matcha mixture into a mug, and enjoy!

Ingredients:

• ½ tsp. matcha green tea powder

• 2 scoops vanilla protein powder

• ½ tsp. liquid monk fruit or allulose

• 10 to 12 oz. unsweetened vanilla almond milk

Directions:

Blend all the ingredients together in a mug.

If you like this hearty beverage, you might also appreciate our protein coffee shake recipe.