How to Make a Matcha Latte (Hot & Iced) – Step-by-Step Guide

Whether you're looking for a cozy warm drink or a refreshing pick-me-up, a matcha latte is a delicious way to enjoy the benefits of green tea. Creamy, vibrant, and slightly earthy, these drinks are surprisingly simple to make at home. In this post, I’ll walk you through how to make both a hot and iced matcha latte.

 What is Matcha?

Matcha is a finely ground powder made from specially grown and processed green tea leaves. Unlike regular green tea, where you steep and remove the leaves, with matcha you’re consuming the whole leaf — meaning more antioxidants, more caffeine, and more flavor.

Materials & Ingredients You’ll Need

Ingredients:

1–2 tsp matcha powder (culinary or ceremonial grade)

2 oz hot water (not boiling, ~160–175°F / 70–80°C)

6–8 oz milk of your choice (dairy, oat, almond, soy, etc.)

Sweetener (optional: honey, maple syrup, agave, or sugar)

Ice (for iced version)

Tools:

Matcha whisk (chasen) or milk frother (electric works too)

Small bowl or mug

Spoon or small sifter

Measuring spoon

Saucepan or microwave (for warming milk)

Tall glass (for iced latte)

Cup or mug (for hot latte)

 Step-by-Step: How to Make a Hot Matcha Latte

 Place 1–2 tsp of powder into a bowl or mug through a small sifter to remove clumps. This ensures a smoother latte.

 Pour about 2 oz of hot water (not boiling!) into the bowl. Water that’s too hot can make matcha taste bitter.

 Use a bamboo whisk or milk frother to mix the matcha and water. Whisk in a zigzag “W” motion until a frothy layer forms on top. This step fully dissolves the powder and brings out the flavor.

 Heat 6–8 oz of milk in a saucepan or microwave until hot but not boiling. If you like your latte sweeter, add your sweetener at this stage and stir to dissolve.

 Pour the steamed milk into your mixture. Stir gently to combine — or pour the milk slowly over the matcha for that lovely layered effect.

Want it extra fancy? Froth a little milk and spoon it on top for a café-style finish.

Enjoy! Sip slowly and enjoy the warm, earthy vibes.

Step-by-Step: How to Make an Iced Matcha Latte

 Add 1–2 tsp of matcha powder into a cup or bowl using a sifter to remove clumps.

 Add about 2 oz of hot water (~160°F / 70°C) to the matcha powder.

 Whisk until smooth and frothy. Make sure there are no clumps left — this is the secret to a silky iced latte.

 Add a sweetener of your choice to the warm matcha mixture and stir to dissolve.

 Fill a tall glass with ice cubes.

 Add 6–8 oz of cold milk over the ice.

 Slowly pour the whisked matcha over the milk and ice. Watch the beautiful green swirl down into the milk!

 Stir well or leave it layered for that Instagram-worthy look. Drink up!

 Pro Tips

Choose the Right Matcha: Ceremonial grade is best for drinking, while culinary grade is slightly more bitter and better for baking or lattes with sweetener.

Water Temperature Matters: Never use boiling water — it scorches the matcha and ruins the flavor. 160-175° is ideal

No Whisk? No Problem: You can shake matcha and water in a jar with a tight lid or use an electric milk frother.

Try Flavor Twists: Add a dash of vanilla, cinnamon, or even lavender syrup for a unique spin.

Final Thoughts

Making a matcha latte at home is simple, customizable, and way more affordable than your favorite café version. Whether you're sipping it warm on a chilly morning or iced on a sunny afternoon, this vibrant drink is a great way to add a mindful moment to your day.

Give it a try and let me know — are you Team Hot or Team Iced?

If you are curious about the vast benefits of drinking matcha, check out our blog post that goes into more depth about this tea.