A Thoughtful Guide to Making Matcha Lattes Your Own
This guide is not meant to be a strict recipe you follow step by step. Instead, it’s a framework—one that helps you understand how matcha lattes are built, so you can confidently adjust them to suit your own taste.
Once you understand the balance between matcha, milk, and sweetness, making a great matcha latte becomes intuitive. At the end of this article, we’ll link to specific recipes if you prefer exact measurements—but first, let’s talk fundamentals.
The Core Structure of a Matcha Latte
At its simplest, a matcha latte is made from three elements:
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matcha
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milk
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a sweetener (optional, but common)
After extensive testing, we’ve found that a balanced starting point looks like this:
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1.5 teaspoons matcha
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1 oz (30 ml) water
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6 oz (170 ml) milk
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1 teaspoon sweetener
This is the ratio we use for our classic matcha latte. Think of it as a baseline rather than a rule. From here, you can adjust intensity, creaminess, and sweetness until it feels right for you.
Mixing Matcha and Water: The Step That Matters Most
One of the most overlooked aspects of matcha lattes is how matcha is mixed with water.
Matcha does not dissolve—it suspends. That means your goal is to evenly break up clumps and create a smooth, concentrated matcha base before milk is added.
We prefer starting with a thick matcha shot by mixing matcha and water first, either directly in the cup or in a separate bowl.
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A bamboo whisk is ideal
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A milk frother can work in a pinch
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A fork or spoon usually creates more clumps than it solves
If you enjoy layered iced lattes, add sweetener to the milk first. Sweetened milk is slightly heavier, which helps the matcha float momentarily for a clean visual separation.
For taller glasses, a bamboo whisk with a longer handle makes mixing much easier.
Choosing the Right Milk
We’ve tested everything from dairy milk to oat, almond, soy, coconut, and rice milk. All can work—but they behave differently.
Some things to keep in mind:
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Oat and rice milk are naturally sweet
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Many alternative milks contain added sugars
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Steamed milk tastes sweeter than cold milk
If your milk already has sweetness, reduce or skip added sweetener entirely.
There’s no single “best” milk—only what complements the matcha and matches your preference.
Sweeteners: Less Is Usually More
Our personal preference is powdered brown sugar or a simple syrup made from it. It dissolves easily and adds gentle caramel notes without overpowering the matcha.
Other common options:
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Honey or maple syrup (popular and reliable)
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Stevia or monk fruit (effective, but some brands leave an aftertaste)
For iced matcha lattes, avoid granulated sugar—it doesn’t dissolve well in cold liquid. Liquid sweeteners or syrups work best.
And yes, you can make matcha lattes without sweetener. Steamed milk provides natural sweetness, though we usually prefer just a touch of added sugar for balance.
Making Iced Matcha Lattes: Two Key Differences
Iced matcha lattes aren’t fundamentally different—but two factors matter more:
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Sweetener solubility
Cold drinks require liquid or easily dissolvable sweeteners. -
Matcha quality
Cold milk lacks the natural sweetness that heat brings out. Using lower-quality matcha often leads to bitterness, which then requires more sugar to mask.
Using better matcha upfront usually results in a cleaner, less sweet drink.
What Matcha Works Best for Lattes?
For lattes, an entry-level ceremonial-grade matcha is ideal. Most reputable brands price these between $18–$25 per ounce.
Higher-end matcha can be used, but much of its nuance is lost once milk and sweetener are added.
For YUZUKI-style lattes:
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Choose matcha that’s smooth, low in bitterness, and versatile
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Avoid strongly astringent culinary-grade matcha for drinks
Good latte matcha should support milk—not fight it.
Are Matcha Lattes Healthy?
They can be—but the details matter.
Matcha itself is very low in calories. What changes the nutritional profile is:
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the type of milk
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the amount of sweetener
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portion size
Things to watch:
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Sugary or heavily sweetened milks
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More than 2 teaspoons of sugar per cup
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High saturated fat (especially in coconut milk)
A well-balanced matcha latte can absolutely be part of a daily routine—especially when sweetness is kept in check.
Energy, Caffeine, and Focus
Matcha lattes can help you stay alert thanks to matcha’s caffeine content.
On average:
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1 teaspoon of matcha contains ~70 mg caffeine
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The presence of L-theanine slows caffeine absorption
The result is steadier energy that often lasts around four hours, without the sharp spike and crash associated with coffee.
If you increase the amount of matcha, the caffeine increases accordingly—so adjust based on your sensitivity.
Final Thoughts
Matcha lattes aren’t about perfection—they’re about balance.
Once you understand the role each ingredient plays, you can confidently tweak ratios, swap milks, or adjust sweetness without guesswork. That’s when making matcha becomes less about following instructions and more about creating something that fits your rhythm.
For those who prefer exact recipes, we’ve created a growing collection you can explore next.
And if you’ve developed a matcha latte you love, we’re always open to learning from our community.
