Sip a refreshing matcha latte for an easy energy boost that won’t lead to a crash. I’m teaching you how to make a matcha latte for a great dairy-free beverage + coffee alternative.
My plant-based matcha latte can help boost metabolism, burn calories, calm the mind, enhance mood and concentration, as well as relax the body. Pretty awesome stuff, right? This interesting drink has been trending for a reason; it’s a delicious way to get in some extra goodness into your day. I like making an almond milk matcha latte, to enjoy a dairy-free beverage.
Table of Contents
What is Matcha?
Matcha is a type of tea that dates bake to 7th century China. The Chinese used it to make green tea, while the Japanese invented the matcha latte drink (after a Japanese Buddhist monk took matcha tea seeds home from China) that we know and love in America today.
Matcha is considered the highest quality tea Japan has, and is used in Japanese tea ceremonies that date back to the 1500’s. The tea ceremony has 4 basic principles: harmony, respect, purity, and tranquility.
How to Buy the Best Matcha
While you can now buy matcha pretty much anywhere, I suggest getting it from a Japanese grocery store, as these will have higher quality, more authentically branded tea.
If you don’t have a Japanese grocer near you, then Amazon can be a good alternative. Look for organic to get the highest quality, and Japanese sourced as well.
Dairy Milk vs Almond milk
My journey with nut milk began in 2009 when I heard someone say “humans are the only mammal to drink milk into adulthood.” That stuck with me in a weird way and I began looking into alternatives that would be creamy as well as protein rich and nutrient dense.
Nut milk is where I landed and what I drink most often now. But just like dairy milk, I soon found out that plant based milk isn’t all created equally.
Lots of brands try to fortify their non-dairy milk with synthetic vitamins, minerals, and gums to compete with dairy milk, yet it’s just not necessary. I use green smoothies as well as plant-based meals to fuel my body as naturally as possible, so I want my milk to do the same. Elmhurst is my go-to brand for nut milk because they are simple as it gets: water + milked nuts.
Nut-Free Milk Options
If you aren’t able to drink nut milk, there are more great options available! For this matcha latte, I recommend swapping almond milk with oat milk, as it is a super creamy alternative. You can also use rice milk, hemp milk, or coconut milk (the one in the carton, not the can).
Because I want to know exactly what’s in my milk of choice, I’ve got great homemade plant-based milk recipes.
How to Make a Matcha Latte
You need 2 hot liquids to make an almond milk matcha latte. First, heat 1/4 cup of water until boiling. Then heat up the almond milk (or your milk of choice) in a sauce pan until hot, but not boiling. While your milk is heating, add the matcha powder to a mug then pour over the 1/4 cup boiling water.
If you want some foam in your latte- the best part in my opinion!- then blend your heated milk in a blender for 10-15 seconds. Add this to the matcha + water mixture. You can also achieve the foam by adding the milk directly to the mug after heating, then using a matcha whisk and whisking by hand.
Some people like the earthy taste of matcha by itself, while others will add a bit of maple syrup just before drinking, to sweeten up their latte. Either way is fine!
More Plant-Based Beverages
I love taking dairy-filled beverages and making delicious, plant based alternatives. If dairy is your jam, then no problem! Yet if you feel better without dairy like I do, then these recipes are for you:
- Turmeric golden milk
- Almond milk steamer
- Homemade hot chocolate
- Lavender chamomile tea
- Cinnamon dulce latte
- Homemade Strawberry Lemonade
Now, gather your ingredients and get to creating! This is a fun afternoon pick-me-up or a refreshing mid morning beverage. And don’t forget to leave a comment + rating below to let me know how you liked this almond milk matcha latte.
Creamy Matcha Latte
Ingredients
- 1 cup almond milk
- 1 ½ tsp matcha powder
- ¼ cup boiling water
- ½ tsp vanilla extract optional
Instructions
- Heat almond milk in a small saucepan until very hot, but not boiling.
- Scoop matcha powder into a mug and whisk in 1/4 cup boiling water to make a paste.
- If using vanilla, stir into the hot milk. For a frothy texture, place almond milk in blender and blend for 10-15 seconds on high. Or use the matcha whisk to froth the milk by hand.
- Pour the almond milk into the mug with the matcha tea, adding any foam to the top. Drink immediately.
Notes
- For an iced latte use the same ingredients and follow these instructions instead:
- Whisk matcha powder with boiling water to make a paste. Let cool slightly. Stir in vanilla and 1-2 tablespoons of the Milked Almonds. The mixture should be pour-able.
- Fill a tall glass with crushed ice and add the matcha mixture. Fill the glass to the top with remaining Milked Almonds. Drink immediately.
Love it. Afternoon special treat
I made this for my wife and I. She loves matcha. I never had matcha before, so I thought I give it a try. This was so delicious and refreshing. I doubled the matcha and vanilla and I use cashew milk I made from your recipe. This drink is definitely in the rotation this summer.
Iced for summer sounds delish!
I made this and it was SO GOOD! I honestly didn’t know it was that easy to do.
Yum! I’m definitely trying the iced version. Perfect for summer!
Love the iced version for summer!
I usually have my matcha hot, but this looked too good to resist.
It is delicious. Thank you for sharing.
So glad you tried it Terry!
This is seriously an amazingly simple and delicious recipe! Feel free to adjust it to work best for you. If you’ve never tried a nut milk, I challenge you to try it with this recipe. It’s amazing!
Yes, Matcha latte is so so good – my favorite drink at Starbucks, but costly and not sure how healthy their ingredients are – so I make my own at home – I add coconut oil which gives is a good flavor and rich smooth consistency…I have noticed though matcha makes me break out – maybe getting rid of toxins??
Hi Wilma,
Ohh…love the idea of adding coconut oil to this recipe! Noticing break outs from matcha, it could be a food allergy. If it continues, I’d take a food sensitivity or allergy test to see if it could be the root of your skin problems,
Hey,
I’m new to your site and I’m wondering if there are any recipes that can be blended in batches and then frozen for later?
Thanks
Hi L,
You totally can freeze our green smoothie recipes. When you’re ready to enjoy, simply pop in the refrigerator overnight to thaw. Just a heads up. Our recipes are free of any yucky additives or stabilizers, so separation is completely natural. Just give your smoothie a quick shake + you’re ready to go! 🙂
Can you substitute chocolate almond milk in the matcha tea latte?
Hi Tracy,
I’ve actually never tried combining chocolate + matcha – but it’s definitely worth a try! 🙂
should i start with thrive fresh start or Lets eat? Something else?
Hi Wayne,
YAY! Love your interest in our meal plans and where you start is really up to you and your personal goals. Both Thrive and Fresh Start are great ways to cleanse your body. Both are vegan meal plans designed to cleanse, detox and reset your body. Each day we’ll plan out your meals, snacks, and beverages to help you reach your health + wellness goals.
If you’re new to plant-based meals, or are cooking for others or a family – Let’s Eat can be a great introduction to adding more veggies + vegetarian meals to your evening dinner plate!
i must buy more milk bags because the ones I use to use are used up.
should i make my own almond milk, cashew milk , peanut milk etc?
Hi Wayne,
We love making our own plant-based milks! Check out our recipes for almond milk + coconut milk here…
https://simplegreensmoothies.com/diy-almond-milk
https://simplegreensmoothies.com/how-to-make-coconut-milk
Elmhurst vs Silk almond milk cashew milk coconut milk How do they compare. I don’t see anything added to silk and I buy it cheaper in grocery store. Tell me your thoughts.
Hi Wayne,
For me it’s all about the ingredients. Elmhurst’s product has 5 ingredients almonds, water, salt, cane sugar + natural flavors. There’s less processing, less additives, and Elmhurst offers the most protein than any other almond milk out there! Learn more about their process here…
I usually buy a local organic cow’s milk for the little I use in my morning tea and to make yogurt. However I ran out one day so I tried making cashew milk. So easy and delicious and it didn’t change the taste of my tea, which I find almond milk does. It will be my go to milk for everything but yogurt!
Hi Eve,
I love cashew milk + it’s so creamy!! Perfect for your morning tea or coffee!