Creamy, frothy and gently sweet, this homemade Starbucks matcha latte recipe gives you that familiar coffee-shop drink without leaving the house. It’s made with just three ingredients and is ready in around five minutes.
You can prepare this hot matcha latte using a blender, milk frother or traditional matcha whisk, so there’s no specialist equipment required. The result is smooth, vibrant and easy to adjust depending on how strong or sweet you like your matcha.
Prefer yours cold? Try my Starbucks Iced Matcha Latte instead.
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💚 Why You’ll Love This Starbucks Matcha Latte
- Ready in five minutes: Perfect for busy mornings or whenever you fancy a quick homemade café-style drink.
- Only three ingredients: All you need is matcha powder, plant milk and vanilla syrup.
- Smooth and frothy: Make it with a blender, milk frother or matcha whisk, depending on what you have available.
- Easy to customise: Adjust the matcha, sweetness and choice of plant milk to make it exactly how you like it.
- Cheaper than the coffee-shop version: Enjoy your favourite hot Starbucks-style matcha latte at home for a fraction of the price.
It is perfect with a side of cookies (I recommend my Matcha cookies, Vegan S'mores Cookies or Vegan Mochi Donuts if you're feeling fancy).
Hi, I'm Romy 👋
I'm a vegan recipe developer & food photographer. I test recipes weekly and share what actually works (and what doesn't).
I’ve been hooked on matcha for years, 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 Starbucks Matcha Latte at home - and after plenty of matcha-fueled testing… here we are!
This homemade version captures everything I love about the original Starbucks Matcha Green Tea Latte - and honestly, it might even be better. You can tweak the sweetness and creaminess to your exact preference, making it truly your own.
🍵 What Is a Starbucks Matcha Latte?
A Starbucks matcha latte is a creamy green tea drink made by combining matcha powder with milk and sweetener. Unlike regular brewed green tea, matcha is whisked directly into the drink, giving it a richer flavour, vibrant colour and slightly earthy finish.
This homemade version uses plant milk and vanilla syrup for a smooth, gently sweet flavour similar to the Starbucks drink, but you can easily adjust the strength and sweetness to suit your taste.
🗒️ Starbucks Matcha Latte Ingredients
To make this delicious Starbucks-inspired Matcha Latte, you only need 3 ingredients:
- Matcha Powder - Use a vibrant, good-quality latte-grade or premium culinary matcha. Ceremonial matcha also works, but it is generally more expensive and isn’t essential once the matcha is mixed with milk and syrup. My go-to brands in the UK are Clearspring or Teapigs. Great US alternatives are Encha, Ippodo, Matcha Konomi and Jade Leaf.
- Milk - I love using soy or oat milk for that creamy-but-neutral taste. Almond adds nuttiness; coconut gives a rich sweetness.
- Vanilla Syrup - I use vanilla syrup to control the sweetness and give the latte a café-style flavour. Starbucks formulations vary between countries and may use a pre-sweetened matcha blend rather than adding vanilla syrup separately.
🥄 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.
📖 How to Make a Starbucks Matcha Latte at Home
You can make this Starbucks-style matcha latte using a blender, electric milk frother or traditional matcha whisk. For the smoothest result, sift the matcha powder first and heat the milk until hot but not boiling.
Option 1: Blender Method
Safety note: Check that your blender is suitable for hot liquids and follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
Step 1 - Warm the milk: Heat the plant milk in the microwave or a small saucepan until hot and steaming, but not boiling.
Step 2- Add the liquids: Pour the warm milk and vanilla syrup into a heat-safe blender.
Step 3 - Add the matcha: Sift the matcha powder over the milk. Adding it last helps prevent it from collecting around the bottom and corners of the blender.
Step 4 - Blend: Start on a low setting, then blend for 20-30 seconds until the matcha is fully incorporated and the latte is smooth and frothy.
Step 5 - Serve: Taste and adjust the sweetness if needed, then pour into a mug and serve immediately.
Option 2: Milk Frother Method
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 milk frother doesn’t have a heating function, warm the milk separately before adding it.
Step 1 - Add the ingredients: Pour the plant milk into your milk frother, followed by the vanilla syrup and sifted matcha powder. Stay below the frother’s maximum fill line.
Step 2 - Froth: Select the hot froth setting and run for 1-2 minutes, or until the matcha is fully incorporated and the milk is hot and frothy.
Step 3 - Serve: Pour into a mug, taste and add a little more syrup if needed.
How to Make It Without a Blender or Milk Frother
- Sift the matcha powder into a mug or small bowl.
- Add 2 tablespoons of warm plant milk and whisk briskly until smooth and free from lumps.
- Stir in the vanilla syrup.
- Gradually pour in the remaining warm milk, whisking as you go.
- Serve immediately.
➕ Starbucks Matcha Latte 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:
Flavor Boosts
- 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.
- 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.
- Spices - Cinnamon, nutmeg, or even a dash of cardamom can add a warming twist to your matcha latte, especially in the colder months.
- 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.
Fun Twists
- 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.
- Iced Matcha Latte - For a chilled, refreshing twist, blend it with ice cubes and serve cold for those warm days.
🍵 Serving Tips
Serve in your favorite mug, sprinkle with extra matcha powder, and enjoy hot for that authentic Starbucks vibe
You can enjoy matcha latte on its own or alongside a light snack, such as fresh fruit, cookies or energy bites.
Matcha lattes 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!
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💡 Tips for a Smooth and Frothy Matcha Latte
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 powder
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 158°F-176°F (70°C-80°C).
Too hot, and it’ll taste bitter; too cold, and it won’t dissolve properly.
Sweeten to taste
Start with 1-2 teaspoon vanilla syrup for one serving, then 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 for 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, less bitter than culinary grade, which can be a little more grassy or harsh, and closer to the Starbucks taste.
❓ Starbucks Matcha Latte Copycat - FAQ
A Starbucks Matcha Latte is made from pre-sweetened matcha powder, steamed milk, and sometimes a hint of vanilla. It has a creamy texture, slightly grassy green tea flavor, and a gentle caffeine boost. This homemade copycat version lets you control sweetness, milk type, and matcha quality while skipping additives.
Starbucks uses a pre-sweetened green tea powder blend, so it’s naturally sweeter than plain matcha. For your home copycat, use ceremonial or latte-grade matcha powder. Popular US brands include Encha, Ippodo, and Matcha Konomi.
Barista-style plant milks like oat or almond give the best creaminess and froth. Coconut milk adds natural sweetness, and soy gives a neutral, smooth texture. Heat before blending or frothing for a café-style latte
Yes! Swap the pre-sweetened Starbucks powder with plain matcha and add a sugar-free syrup, maple syrup, or agave to taste. You’ll still get that creamy latte flavor without added sugar.
You can, but the flavor will be less vibrant and less creamy than using matcha powder. Green tea bags won’t froth or create the signature green color and smooth texture of a matcha latte.
Clumps form when matcha isn’t sifted or whisked properly. Sift the powder before mixing, use a small whisk (chasen), handheld frother, or blender, and mix with a small amount of hot (not boiling) liquid first.
🌱 More Matcha Recipes You'll Love
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.
Did you make this recipe? If so, will you do me a huge favor and leave a review and star 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
- Heat the plant milk in the microwave or a small saucepan until hot and steaming but not boiling.
- Pour the warm milk and vanilla syrup into a heat-safe blender, then sift the matcha powder over the top.
- Start on a low setting, then blend for 20-30 seconds until smooth, frothy and free from visible matcha clumps.
- Taste and add more vanilla syrup if needed, then blend briefly to combine.
- Pour into a mug and serve immediately.
Notes
- Milk frother method: Add the plant milk, vanilla syrup and sifted matcha to your frother and select the hot setting. Froth for 1-2 minutes, or until smooth and foamy. Check your frother’s instructions first, as some models recommend adding syrups or powders after frothing.
- Whisk method: Sift the matcha into a mug and whisk it with 2 tablespoons of warm plant milk until smooth. Stir in the vanilla syrup, then gradually whisk in the remaining warm milk.
- Matcha powder: Use a vibrant, good-quality latte-grade or premium culinary matcha. Sifting it first helps prevent clumps.
- Plant milk: Oat and soy milk usually create the creamiest, frothiest result, but almond, coconut or cashew milk also work.
- Sweetness: Adjust the vanilla syrup to taste. Different brands vary in sweetness, so start with less and add more as needed.
- Temperature: Heat the milk until steaming but not boiling, as very high heat can make matcha taste more bitter.
- Blender safety: Only blend warm liquids if your blender is designed for them, and follow the manufacturer’s guidance.
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romylondonuk says
Thank you so much, Eugenia! so glad you like the blog post 🙂