Matcha Latte Recipe (Starbucks Copycat)

My new copycat Starbucks Matcha Latte recipe is the perfect solution to your mid-afternoon energy slump. This deliciously creamy, lightly sweetened coconut green tea drink is a low-octane alternative to coffee, providing just enough caffeine to restore your vibrance.

As much as I love all things coffee, sometimes all that dark, roasty goodness is just a little too much. Whenever that happens, I turn to my favorite tea drinks! Compared to java, tea has far less caffeine and more antioxidants—just what a tired, stressed-out working mama needs. 

But of the tea varieties (black, white, rooibos, green, or herbal), there’s something particularly special about the green tea known as matcha. Not only is the color spectacularly bright and cheerful (making it a great option for dark, dreary winter days), the preparation includes the entire tea leaf—providing a more intense flavor and nutritional profile than steeped tea.

Starbucks recently changed their matcha latte powder to more closely represent the traditional Japanese preparation. Before, it came pre-mixed with a ton of sugar; now it’s made with pure matcha powder, so your lattes can be served sweetened or unsweetened. My recipe below is similarly customizable—just the way any drink order should be. 😉

I personally love making a matcha coconut milk latte sweetened with a touch of homemade coconut syrup—the tropical undertones mesh beautifully with the earthy, grassy flavor of matcha green tea. That said, you’re welcome to swap in whatever milk or syrup you prefer!

Jump to:

• What’s a matcha latte?
• What does it taste like?
• Why You’ll Love This Matcha Green Tea Latte Recipe
• Ingredients Needed
• Substitutions
• How To Make A Matcha Latte At Home
• Optional Variations & Dietary Adjustments
• Serving Suggestions
• Recipe Success Tips
• FAQs
• Homemade Starbucks Matcha Latte Nutrition
• Other Matcha Recipes
• Matcha Latte Recipe (Starbucks Copycat)

What’s a matcha latte?

A regular latte is a blend of espresso and steamed milk—a matcha green tea latte swaps out the coffee in favor of this special Japanese powdered tea. As with coffee lattes, tea lattes come in various forms and flavors—they can be iced, flavored with different sauces or syrups, or made with any type of dairy or plant-based milk.

What does it taste like?

If you’ve ever tasted green tea or green tea-flavored products, you’re familiar with the earthy, grassy flavor profile they bring to the table. In short, matcha tastes very green! In this DIY matcha latte, we give it an island-inspired makeover—adding a dose of sweetness via coconut-flavored syrup and a lovely creaminess with steamed coconut milk.

Why You’ll Love This Matcha Green Tea Latte Recipe

• Fresh & Cozy - While these two adjectives aren’t usually paired up, the clean flavor of matcha powder is balanced by the warmth and richness of the sweetened, steamed milk.
• Super Simple - All you need are 4 ingredients and 5 minutes to make one. Can’t beat that! 
• Cheaper & More Customizable - Ordering a Starbucks matcha green tea latte will easily set you back $5, and you’re limited to the milks and syrups they carry. When you make your own at home, you’ll be paying pennies on the dollar and have the ability to use whatever milk or syrup you prefer!

Ingredients Needed

• Pure Matcha Powder - When purchasing your matcha powder, note that there are three classifications to choose from. I recommend using ceremonial grade, which is considered the highest class, followed by premium and culinary grades. (Starbucks matcha latte powder is made from a blend, so choosing the creme de la creme of matcha varieties means your homemade version will be even tastier.)
• Water - If possible, start with filtered water for the cleanest taste.
• Coconut Milk - I used the refrigerated kind that comes in a carton so it wouldn’t be too thick. That said, canned coconut milk can also be used for a bréve-style richness. If you’re going the carton route, opt for a barista blend for the best froth-ability.
• Coconut Syrup - My homemade recipe calls for just 4 ingredients (including white sugar and water), so it’s very inexpensive to make at home. You are welcome to use store-bought for convenience.

Substitutions

• Pure Matcha Powder - So long as you’re reaching for 100% matcha, you’re in the clear—you don’t have to splurge on ceremonial grade if you want to save a bit of money. If you don’t have matcha, you can make a green tea latte using tea bags (like I do with Earl Grey tea in my London Fog recipe).
• Water - Japanese matcha is generally made with only water, no milk. Feel free to invert it and use only milk for a richer consistency.
• Coconut Milk - You’re welcome to use any variety of dairy or plant-based milk you prefer. If you opt for plant-based, barista blends are preferred.
• Coconut Syrup - You can just as easily omit the coconut syrup or swap in the syrup of your choice. A vanilla matcha latte or matcha lavender latte both sound divine!

How To Make A Matcha Latte At Home

Step 1: Sift. Using a  fine mesh strainer or sifter, sift your matcha powder into a mug to remove any clumps.

Step 2: Whisk. Heat ⅓ cup water in the microwave until boiling (about 45-60 seconds), then pour the hot water carefully into the mug with the matcha. Using the matcha whisk, whisk for about 30 seconds until well combined.

Step 3: Assemble. Heat the milk in the microwave in 30-second increments or on the stove until just steaming (do not boil). Pour in the milk and the syrup (if using). Stir, then drink up!

Optional Variations & Dietary Adjustments

• Classic Starbucks Matcha Green Tea Latte Recipe - If you were to order this drink at your local branch without making any modifications to your order, it’d be made with classic syrup (a.k.a. plain simple syrup) and whole milk.
• Other Vegan Milks - Feel free to make an almond milk matcha latte, oat milk matcha latte, or soy matcha latte depending on your preferences. 
• Iced Matcha Latte - Make your matcha nice and frosty by serving it over ice. You can also try my iced lavender cream oat milk matcha latte for a fun, springy twist. 
• Dirty Matcha Latte - Add extra get-up-and-go to your mug with a shot of French press espresso.

Serving Suggestions

Generally speaking, I keep things pretty simple when I make my matcha lattes at home. They’re perfectly delicious without any extra bells and whistles! That said, there are plenty of ways for you to make your tea time extra special:

• Top It - A whimsical dollop of whipped cream, a handful of marshmallows, some white chocolate shavings, or a light dusting of edible glitter is a great way to embrace your inner child.
• Go Gourmet - Try sprinkling on some edible flower petals, toasted coconut, and/or crushed pistachios for a grown-up garnish with textural interest.
• Paired Up - The umami flavor of matcha makes it an excellent drink for pairing with both sweet and savory foods—everything from avocado toasts and quiches to almond croissants and truffles.
• Affogato-Style - Add a scoop of vanilla or green tea ice cream for a delightful dessert-meets-drink with opposing temperatures.

Recipe Success Tips

• Use high-quality matcha powder. As with most things, you get what you pay for! Also, make sure it’s nice and fresh—it should have a vibrant green hue. If it looks dingy or like an olive green, you probably need to refresh your batch.
• Sift the matcha to make sure there aren’t any clumps! The traditional bamboo whisk will also help to incorporate it smoothly and seamlessly—especially if you move it in an M or W pattern rather than an O. If you don’t want to buy a special whisk, use a milk frother instead.
• Don’t boil the water, which can make the matcha turn bitter. Aim for around 175ºF. 
• Beware of stains! Matcha’s bright green hue makes it beautiful (and a perfect natural green dye), but you may not want that color everywhere. Make sure to clean any spills from your countertop and rinse off any equipment that might take on color.

FAQs

Homemade Starbucks Matcha Latte Nutrition

At just 107 calories and 4 grams of fat per serving, this coconut matcha latte is one of the lightest drink options I have on the site. The only thing to keep an eye on are the 20 grams of carbs per latte—16 of which are sugars. To cut back, feel free to use sugar-free syrup or omit it entirely. With only 1 gram of protein and 11 milligrams of sodium, there’s not much to worry about. (Note that these values may change depending on the type of milk you use.) 

But the true benefits of matcha lattes are nothing to sniff at—this verdant green powder is loaded with up to 10x more polyphenols than regular green tea. Furthermore, animal studies indicate that consuming matcha alongside fat (like what you’d find in milk) improves its positive impacts on metabolic function by decreasing weight gain velocity, improving serum glucose and lipid profiles, and reducing inflammatory cytokines.

Studies have shown that this mother lode of antioxidants has wide-ranging health implications including the ability to lower blood pressure, reduce LDL (bad) cholesterol, improve insulin resistance, reduce oxidative stress and inflammation, and improve overall functioning and episodic memories (key indicators of brain health).

All in all, this Starbucks matcha latte recipe is a smart choice—enjoy every sip guilt-free!

Total nutritional content per serving is:

• Calories: 107 calories
• Total Fat: 4 grams
• Protein: 1 gram
• Sodium: 11 mg
• Carbohydrates: 20 grams
• Sugar: 16 grams

*This nutritional information is an estimate and calculated based on the ingredients used to create the recipe. The nutritional value of your ingredients may differ slightly. Furthermore, this food is not intended to prevent, diagnose, cure, or treat any disease.

Other Matcha Recipes

xoxo Megan