Vanilla Matcha Latte Recipe

This simple vanilla matcha latte recipe is an easy, quick, and inexpensive way to enjoy the coffee shop favorite at home. Hot or iced, this green tea latte is ready in less than 5 minutes, packed with antioxidants, and absolutely delicious. 

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I’ve been making this iced vanilla matcha latte, at home, almost every day. 

Sometimes, it’s my morning caffeine. Other times, it’s the perfect afternoon pick-me-up.

It’s incredibly easy-to-make, ready in a few minutes, and refreshingly delicious in that unique matcha way. 

For more matcha drinks, check out: Matcha Coffee, Matcha Chai Latte, Strawberry Matcha Latte, and/or Iced Matcha Oatmilk Latte. 

Simple Ingredients

Making your own latte at home is way faster and cheaper than going to your local coffee shop. 

This vanilla matcha latte recipe only includes four basic ingredients. Five, if you choose to add a sweetener.

Matcha Powder

Matcha green tea powder is the star ingredient in all matcha recipes.

It consists of whole green tea leaves that have been ground into a fine powder. 

There are different grades of matcha. The two main grades are ceremonial grade and culinary grade matcha. 

For homemade lattes, I recommend using a higher quality matcha tea powder. 

You definitely don’t have to use an expensive ceremonial matcha though. 

Lately, I’ve been using this Rishi Organic Everyday Matcha Powder or this Jade Leaf Organic Matcha Green Tea Powder - Premium Second Harvest Culinary Grade. 

Both consist of bright green powder, which is a sign of good quality matcha. 

They’re also full of that classic earthy flavor without the bitterness of some matcha powders, so you can enjoy a delicious matcha latte on a budget. 

The Rishi Organic Everyday Matcha Powder is available in some grocery stores. I usually buy it at Wegmans (Is anyone else obsessed with Wegmans? I’d go everyday if I could.😂)

Vanilla 

This wouldn’t be a vanilla matcha latte without some type of vanilla. 

I prefer to use Vanilla Extract. It’s quick, easy, and most people already have it in their pantry. 

It brings a wonderful complexity and warmth to the matcha flavor. 

Another option is to use a vanilla syrup. I will be posting how to make a homemade vanilla syrup very, very soon. 

If you like sweet drinks, vanilla syrup may be a better option for you. Most vanilla syrups already include sugar, so you would not need to add any more.

I personally don't add sweetener to this vanilla matcha latte. Vanilla and matcha are a tasty combo on their own.

Milk of Choice

You can add any type of milk to this latte.

My personal favorites to use in this recipe are nonfat milk and oat milk. 

Nonfat milk helps to keep the calories down while also tasting the closest to coffee shop lattes.

With nonfat milk and no sweetener, this vanilla matcha latte has around 105 calories.

Oat milk makes a creamy vanilla matcha latte. Whole milk creates a creamy texture as well. 

So, if you're looking for a creamy vanilla matcha latte recipe, I recommend using one of them.

With oat milk and no sweetener, this recipe has about 145 calories.

With whole milk and no sweetener, it has around 165 calories.

To make a vegan latte, feel free to use nut milks or other non-dairy milks - like coconut milk, almond milk, cashew milk, soy milk, etc. All of them are good choices for this recipe. 

Warm Water

Warm water is used to prepare the matcha.

Boiling water is too harsh for delicate matcha powder. If you use boiling water, the matcha may taste too bitter. 

The traditional way of preparing matcha is to whisk warm water and matcha powder together in a small bowl with a bamboo whisk, like this Bamboo Matcha whisk. 

If you have a small whisk at home, you can use that. Or you can use a milk frother!

I like to use this battery-operated, handheld milk frother to prepare the matcha mixture. It works BEAUTIFULLY! 

It allows me to easily and quickly make a smooth matcha shot so I can enjoy a clump-free iced matcha latte every single time. 

Pro tip - When using a milk frother to prepare the matcha, it is best to do so in a deeper bowl or glass. The thing is powerful. In a shallow bowl, the matcha mixture will splash everywhere.

I like to prepare the matcha in the same glass that I will be using to drink the latte, if it's tall enough. Less dishes! Woo!

Or I use this Anchor Hocking 5-ounce measuring glass, as shown in the photos above and below.

Sweetener (optional)

I recommend trying the recipe as it is written in the recipe card before adding any sweetener or even using vanilla syrup instead of vanilla extract. 

If you would prefer a sweeter drink, add your sweetener of choice in small increments until you reach your own desired sweetness. 

This is the perfect way to ensure you love your own matcha latte. 

You can even try different sweeteners, like maple syrup, agave nectar, brown sugar, or granulated sugar. 

Another option is to use sweetened milk as your milk of choice. 

Iced or Hot Latte?

Easily make an iced vanilla matcha latte by using cold milk and adding ice cubes. It’s that simple. 

The iced version is absolutely perfect on hot summer days. SO refreshing. It’s my favorite way to boost my energy levels while enjoying all the health benefits that matcha can offer. 

To read more about the health benefits of matcha, check out - Healthline’s “7 Proven Ways Matcha Tea Improves Your Health".

Another option is to make this vanilla matcha latte recipe into a frosty treat!!

Pour the iced version of the latte (ice cubes and all) in a blender and mix.

I use a Blendjet, which is incredibly convenient and easy to clean. Click here to get 12% off your own Blendjet mixer. 

Prefer hot matcha lattes?

Simply heat your milk of choice in a small saucepan on the stove top over medium heat or in a mug in the microwave until it reaches your desired temperature. 

Combine the heated milk and matcha mixture in your serving mug. Then enjoy!

Does a vanilla matcha latte have caffeine?

Yes, it does. 

This recipe includes 1 ½ teaspoon of matcha powder. 

If you would like less matcha flavor or less caffeine, you can reduce the amount to 1 teaspoon of matcha powder. 

According to “Matcha vs. Coffee: Which is Healthier?” on usnews.com, “A ½ teaspoon of powdered matcha has about 20 to 29 milligrams of caffeine.”

So this vanilla matcha recipe, as written in the recipe card below, has 60 to 117 milligrams of caffeine. 

Can I make this latte ahead of time?

For the best flavor, I recommend making this vanilla matcha latte right before drinking it.

But, any leftovers can be stored, preferably in an airtight container, for up to three days. 

The matcha mixture will settle at the bottom of the drink. Mix well before consuming. 

The best way to store and mix this latte is in a mason jar with a lid. 

Right before enjoying, simply shake the mason jar. With the lid on, of course!

Looking for more homemade latte and tea recipes? You may like:
- Homemade Matcha Coffee Recipe
- How to Make Starbucks Chai Tea Latte Iced
- Starbucks Hot Matcha Green Tea Latte Recipe
- Green Tea Lemonade Recipe