Starbucks-Style Matcha Latte (Iced or Hot)
Make a smooth, creamy Starbucks-style matcha latte at home. Enjoy it hot or iced, with easy tips for a silky, café-quality drink every time.
Servings 1 serves
Calories 162kcal
Equipment
- Milk frother optional
Ingredients
- 2 tsp matcha powder Grande = 3 tsp; Venti = 4 tsp
- 2 tsp sugar adjust to taste; Grande = 2–3 tsp; Venti = 3 tsp; skip if using sweetened matcha
- 7 oz oat milk 200 ml; Grande = 9.5 oz (280 ml); Venti = 14 oz (415 ml)
- 2-3 tbsp hot water 30–45 ml
- 1 cup ice for iced version only
- 1 pump vanilla syrup optional; Grande = 1–2 pumps; Venti = 2 pumps
Instructions
- Place the matcha powder in a small cup or bowl. Add sugar if using unsweetened matcha.
- Pour in 2–3 tablespoons of hot water (160–175°F / 70–80°C) and whisk with a small whisk, fork, or milk frother until smooth and lump-free. Skipping this step often leads to clumps that won’t break down later.
- For an iced latte, fill a shaker cup or mason jar with ice. For a hot latte, skip the ice.
- Add the milk and flavored syrup (if using) to the shaker or frother, then add the prepared matcha paste.
- Shake vigorously for 15–20 seconds if iced, or froth until hot and creamy if making a hot version.
- Pour into your cup and serve immediately.
Notes
1. Choosing your matcha powder
Latte-grade matcha (unsweetened) – The best choice for Starbucks-style lattes in the U.S. when paired with sugar. It’s processed for a bolder flavor that holds up to milk, but it’s not sweet on its own. Add sugar to mimic Starbucks’ sweetened matcha blend.
Sweetened drinking matcha – Starbucks uses a ~50/50 sugar–matcha blend. If you find a “matcha latte mix” or “sweetened matcha” product, it will already have sugar added. In that case, follow the same matcha measurements in the recipe and skip the sugar.
Ceremonial-grade matcha (unsweetened) – Premium option with a fresher, more delicate flavor. Can be used if you prefer a high-end drink, but it’s not necessary for a Starbucks copycat and will still need sugar for authentic sweetness.
2. Sweetness
For unsweetened latte-grade or ceremonial matcha, add 2–3 tsp sugar for a grande-size drink (adjust to taste). For the closest match to Starbucks, mix your matcha with an equal weight of sugar ahead of time to create your own sweetened blend.
If using sweetened drinking matcha, no extra sugar is needed.
3. Why the hot water paste step matters
Matcha doesn’t dissolve like instant coffee — it suspends in liquid. Adding hot water first and whisking into a smooth paste breaks up clumps before mixing with milk. Skipping this step often results in a gritty or uneven drink, especially iced lattes.
4. Milk choice
Oatly Barista Edition oat milk is the closest to Starbucks’ texture for oat milk drinks. Vanilla soy milk is another at-home favorite for a creamy, slightly sweeter base.
Nutrition
Calories: 162kcal | Carbohydrates: 28g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 2g | Sodium: 108mg | Potassium: 99mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 24g | Vitamin A: 813IU | Calcium: 297mg | Iron: 3mg