Love the creamy, frothy Starbucks Matcha Latte but want to skip the queue (and the price tag)? This copycat Starbucks Matcha Latte recipe brings all the cozy green tea goodness into your kitchen in under 5 minutes.
It’s sweet, earthy and super easy to make at home - whether you're using a blender, milk frother or traditional matcha whisk.
If you're craving that iconic Starbucks flavor, you're going to love this homemade version. Plus, you can fully customize it to your taste and sweetness preference. Win-win.
With this copycat Starbucks recipe, you can bring the delicious sweet flavor of hot Matcha Latte from Starbucks into your home! This drink is super easy to make and ready in just 5 minutes or less. If you're a fan of green tea, you definitely need to try this latte recipe!
❤️ Why You’ll Love This Starbucks Matcha Latte Recipe
- Inspired by the hot Matcha Green Tea Latte from Starbucks
- Ready in 5 minutes or less
- Creamy, frothy and comforting
- Easy to make with just 3 ingredients
- Contains a smooth caffeine boost without the coffee jitters
- Naturally vegan and customizable
- Budget-friendly compared to your regular coffee shop run!
It is also perfect with a side of cookies (I recommend my Matcha cookies, Vegan S'mores Cookies or Vegan Mochi Donuts if you're feeling fancy).
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I’ve been hooked on matcha since I first tried it - but my true obsession began in 2018 in Singapore, sipping a Starbucks Matcha Latte that was next level. Ever since, I’ve been on a mission to recreate that creamy, just-sweet-enough drink at home, and after plenty of matcha-fuelled testing... here we are.
This homemade version captures everything I love about the original Matcha Green Tea Latte that Starbucks offers - and honestly, it might even be better. Especially when you can tweak it to your own perfect sweetness and creaminess levels.
🍵 What Is a Starbucks Matcha Latte?
The Starbucks Matcha Latte is a hot drink made from sweetened matcha powder, milk, and sometimes a dash of vanilla flavor. It’s got a creamy texture, a slightly grassy flavor from the green tea and a gentle caffeine lift.
At Starbucks, the green tea powder is actually a blend of matcha and sugar, which is why it's pre-sweetened - and you can’t order it unsweetened.
This homemade version is made from simple ingredients and gives you full control over the sweetness, milk type, and matcha quality. Plus, you’re skipping all the additives and making it your own.
🗒️ Ingredients & Notes
To make this delicious Starbucks-inspired Matcha Latte, you only need 3 ingredients:
- Matcha Powder - Go for a good-quality ceremonial or latte-grade powder. My go-to brands in the UK are Clearspring or Teapigs.
- Milk - love using soya or oat milk for that creamy-but-neutral taste. Almond adds nuttiness; coconut gives a rich sweetness.
- Vanilla Syrup - Starbucks-style vibes come from 1–2 pumps of vanilla syrup. I usually opt for sugar-free, or you can DIY your own (or just mix maple syrup with a splash of vanilla extract).
🥄 Equipment
- a high-speed blender or electric milk frother
If you don't have a blender or frother to hand, please see the notes on alternative options for making this green tea latte below.
📖 Instructions (Step-by-Step)
Below you can find the steps for making Matcha Latte in a blender and making Matcha Latte in a milk frother. For best results, read the full instructions first and follow these steps to make a delicious Green Tea Latte in just a few minutes.
Option 1: Using a Blender
Step 1 - Warm the milk - Use the microwave or stove.
Step 2 - Add to blender - Pour in the hot milk and vanilla syrup.
Step 3 - Add matcha last - This prevents the powder from sticking to the corners.
Step 4 - Blend - High-speed for 30–60 seconds until frothy and smooth.
Option 2: Using a Milk Frother
If you have a milk frother, then making matcha latte has become even easier! I personally use a Dualit milk frother, which has the ability to make both hot and cold froth. I love this in particular, as it saves me having to heat the plant milk in advance.
If your frother does not heat the milk, then please heat the plant milk in the microwave or on the stovetop beforehand.
Step 1 - Heat the milk, if your frother doesn’t have a heating function.
Step 3 - Sprinkle in the matcha green tea powder.
Step 4 - Froth on the hot setting for 1–2 minutes.
Step 5 - Pour and serve – So creamy and effortless!
🍵 Serving Tips
Serve your latte in your favorite mug, sprinkle with a little extra matcha green tea powder and enjoy hot.
You can enjoy matcha latte on its own or alongside a light snack, such as fresh fruit, cookies or energy bites. They are also a great drink for a brunch spread and delicious served alongside savory items like avocado toast or a breakfast sandwich.
Matcha is also delicious cold - try this Iced Matcha Latte version for a refreshing latte that's perfect for summer!
📌 If you love Pinterest you can pin any of the images to your boards!
💡 Expert Tips
Making the perfect matcha latte is all about balancing flavors and textures. Here are my top tips for getting it just right:
- Sift the matcha - To avoid clumps, always sift your matcha powder before adding it to your milk. This ensures a smooth, velvety texture in your latte.
- Use hot (but not boiling) water - If you want to whisk the matcha separately before adding it to the milk, be sure to use water that's around 70°C-80°C (158°F–176°F). Too hot, and it’ll taste bitter; too cold, and it won’t dissolve properly.
- Sweeten to taste - Start with a little vanilla syrup and adjust based on your preferences. If you want a less sweet option, try maple syrup or even a pinch of stevia.
- Froth it well - Frothing the milk is key to that Starbucks-style creaminess. Use a milk frother, hand whisk, or blender to get the perfect frothy top.
- Don’t skip the matcha quality - If you can, go for ceremonial grade matcha - it’s smoother and less bitter than culinary grade, which can be a little more grassy or harsh.
How to make Matcha Latte without a blender or milk frother
If you don't have a blender or milk frother to hand, here's how you can still make this delicious drink using a traditional matcha whisk:
- Whisk the matcha powder in 2 tablespoon of the plant milk until no lumps are left.
- Slowly stir in the vanilla syrup.
- Carefully add the preheated milk and continue to whisk more vigorously to combine all ingredients.
- Serve the latte whilst still hot.
➕ Optional Additions & Variations
You can easily customize your matcha latte to suit your tastes or add some fun twists. Here are some ideas to mix things up:
- Matcha Vanilla Latte - For an extra boost of vanilla flavor, add more vanilla syrup or use a vanilla-flavored milk alternative like vanilla almond milk.
- Iced Matcha Latte - For a chilled, refreshing twist, blend it with ice cubes and serve cold for those warm days.
- Sweetened Condensed Coconut Milk – Try adding a spoonful of sweetened condensed coconut milk for a rich, sweet flavor that’s perfect if you're feeling indulgent.
- Spices - Cinnamon, nutmeg, or even a dash of cardamom can add a warming twist to your matcha latte, especially in the colder months.
- Minty Matcha - Add a few fresh mint leaves to your matcha latte for a cooling, fresh taste. Muddle them in the bottom of your glass before pouring the matcha latte over.
- Matcha Latte with Boba – Want to make it like a matcha bubble tea? Add chewy tapioca pearls to your iced matcha latte for a fun twist.
- Syrup Flavors - Add a splash of almond syrup for a nutty sweetness (marzipan matcha latte, anyone?!), or go for a Brown Sugar Syrup to give your matcha latte a rich, caramel-like flavor. Both syrups are great for adding extra depth and a little sweetness to your drink.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
A matcha latte is a drink made with matcha green tea powder, milk and a sweetener, such as sugar, maple syrup or flavored syrup. It can be served both hot and cold and it’s a great alternative to latte made with coffee.
Matcha is a type of green tea made from whole green tea leaves. The leaves are covered before the harvest to keep their bright green color. Once harvested, the leaves are ground into a fine green tea powder.
Matcha is known for its earthy taste and is often used in traditional Japanese tea ceremonies. It is packed with nutrients and antioxidants, which may offer health benefits like improved heart health and brain function.
Yes, matcha contains caffeine. A matcha latte contains roughly half the caffeine of an equally sized latte.
No, in order to make a matcha latte, you need matcha powder. Matcha latte can't be made with green tea teabags.
The Starbucks matcha blend contains just two ingredients: sugar and matcha green tea powder - so it can’t be ordered unsweetened. But at home, you can skip the sweetener or use a sugar-free option instead.
Starbucks uses a pre-sweetened matcha blend made with matcha powder and sugar, so you can’t order it unsweetened. They use their own VIA instant matcha mix, which comes in portioned sachets to ensure consistency across cafés. This blend isn’t available in the UK or US - only in select locations in Asia like Japan and Singapore.
Matcha is rich in antioxidants and generally considered healthy, but the Starbucks version contains added sugar, making it less so. At home, you can control the sweetness and make a healthier version.
Matcha lattes can be a healthy option - as long as you are mindful of how much sugar or sweetener you add to your drink. Making matcha lattes at home can give you more control over the amount of added sugar in your drink.
The matcha powder itself is a rich source of antioxidants that may provide protection against various diseases.
Use your favorite milk for a matcha latte! I recommend sweetened soya or oat milk, but almond milk adds a nuttier flavor, and coconut milk makes it creamier and sweeter.
Matcha can come in all kinds of grades and qualities. My personal favorites are Clearspring and Teapigs, but if you're unsure where to get great quality matcha powder from, check Amazon or your local health food store.
Matcha powder is made from ground green tea leaves and doesn't dissolve in water. To blend it smoothly in your matcha latte, whisk vigorously to suspend the particles in the liquid.
🌱 More Matcha Recipes
If you love matcha, try my homemade Matcha Cookies with White Chocolate Chips or my Matcha Energy Balls - they are both the perfect sweet snack for matcha lovers!
🥛 More Starbucks Drinks to Make at Home
- Iced Vanilla Latte (Starbucks Copycat)
- Starbucks Matcha Lemonade
- Iced Matcha Latte (Starbucks Copycat)
- Starbucks Pumpkin Cold Foam
If you're a Starbucks fan, then also try the Strawberry Matcha Latte Starbucks Copycat recipe by SugarYums! It's easy to make vegan - just use agave and opt for vegan milk and cream.
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Did you make this recipe? If so, will you do me a huge favor and leave a review and rating & let me know how you liked this recipe? THANK YOU! ❤️
📖 Recipe Card
Matcha Latte (Starbucks Copycat)
Equipment
- 1 high-speed blender or milk frother
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon green tea matcha powder
- 1 cup plant milk (250 ml)
- 1 tablespoon sugar-free vanilla syrup
Instructions
- If your high-speed blender does not come with a heating function, simply preheat your milk in the microwave for 60-90 seconds, or on the stove. It should be hot, but drinkable temperature. Adjust the heating time if needed.
- Pour the milk into your blender, followed by the matcha powder and your vanilla syrup. If you're using any optional flavourings like almond or brown sugar syrup, add those now too.
- Blend on high for 20–30 seconds, or until the matcha is fully dissolved and the mixture looks smooth and frothy. There should be no green powder or streaks left.
- Pause and give it a quick taste. Add more sweetener or a splash more milk if needed, then blend again briefly to mix it in.
- Pour the blended matcha latte into a serving glass. If making an iced version, pour it over ice. For a hot version, you can gently heat the blended drink in a small saucepan before serving. Stir if needed, then sip and enjoy straight away!
Notes
- Blender Alternative: Instead of a blender, you can also use an electric milk frother. Please see the equipment notes in the blog post above.
- Matcha Type: Use a high-quality culinary or ceremonial grade matcha powder for the best flavour and colour. Ceremonial grade will give you a smoother and more vibrant drink, while culinary grade is great if you're mixing it with syrups or milk alternatives.
- Sweetener Options: You can use maple syrup, vanilla syrup, agave, brown sugar syrup, or any liquid sweetener you love. Start with 1–2 teaspoons and adjust to taste.
- Milk Alternatives: Oat milk and almond milk both work beautifully here. Go for a barista-style version if you want a creamier texture or better froth.
- Hot or Iced: This latte is super versatile - make it hot for a cosy vibe or iced for a refreshing pick-me-up. For the iced version, blend with ice or pour over ice cubes.
- Serving Tip: If you're going for aesthetics, whisk the matcha separately and pour it over the milk for a pretty layered look - just make sure your milk is cold if you're serving it iced so the layers stay defined.
- Blending Tip: For the smoothest result, use a matcha whisk (chasen), handheld milk frother, or electric blender to get rid of lumps.
- Flavour Additions: Customise your latte with extras like vanilla, almond or brown sugar syrup, a splash of coconut milk, or a dash of warming spices like cinnamon or nutmeg.
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Eugenia Dominy
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romylondonuk
Thank you so much, Eugenia! so glad you like the blog post 🙂