MATCHAMatcha Lemonade
The quick answer
Whisk 1 teaspoon of matcha into 2 oz of 175 F water until smooth. Add 2 tablespoons of fresh lemon juice and 1 tablespoon of simple syrup to the matcha base. Pour over a glass of ice and top with 6 oz of sparkling or still water. Stir and serve immediately.
Matcha lemonade is what happens when earthy green tea meets bright citrus, and the combination is more refreshing than either drink alone on a hot afternoon.
The acidity in lemon juice interacts with chlorophyll in matcha, which can slightly mute the green color over time. This is completely normal and does not affect the flavor. If you want to preserve the brightest green for photos, add the lemon juice to the glass at the same time as the matcha rather than mixing them in the concentrate first.
Fresh lemon juice is worth the extra 30 seconds of squeezing here. Bottled lemon juice has a flat, slightly chemical aftertaste that fights the clean, vegetal notes in matcha. One medium lemon gives about 2-3 tablespoons of juice, which is just right for one serving. Adjust to taste because lemon acidity varies by season.
Sparkling water adds a fizzy lift that makes this drink feel more like a soda than a tea drink. It is a great option for people who find plain matcha too dense or grassy. Still water works fine too, but the carbonation in sparkling water amplifies the refreshing quality, especially on hot days.
Sweetener balance matters more in matcha lemonade than in a latte because there is no milk to soften the edges. Start with 1 tablespoon of simple syrup and taste before adding more. Honey dissolves unevenly in cold water, so simple syrup or agave give a more consistent sweetness throughout the drink.
Dial it in before you make it
Dial in matcha, water, and milk for a smooth, un-bitter latte.
Matcha Ratio Calculator
| Ingredient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Matcha powder | 1.5 tsp (3 g) |
| Hot / warm water (to whisk) | 2 fl oz |
| Milk (or milk alternative) | 10 fl oz |
| Suggested sweetener (honey / syrup) | 1.5 tsp |
- 1. Sift matcha into a bowl or cup.
- 2. Add 2 fl oz warm water (~175°F / 80°C) and whisk in a W-motion until smooth.
- 3. Pour over ice, add your milk, and sweeten to taste.
1 tsp matcha ≈ 2 g. Standard ratio is 1 tsp per 8 oz of drink.
Make it
Makes 1 drink
Ingredients
Steps
We tested this recipe with Starbucks Matcha Lemonade as the benchmark. The homemade version with fresh lemon juice tasted brighter and less cloyingly sweet. It also cost about $0.80 per glass versus $5.50 for the same size at Starbucks. It is now a permanent fixture in our summer drink lineup.
Pro tips
- Use culinary-grade matcha here if you have it. The citrus is strong enough to balance any bitterness, so the premium ceremonial grade is less critical.
- Add a few lemon slices or a sprig of mint as garnish. It improves the presentation considerably.
- For a sweeter drink, use lemonade instead of plain water. Cut the simple syrup in half to avoid over-sweetening.
- Matcha lemonade separates quickly. Stir again after 60 seconds if you set it down.
- Freeze lemon juice into ice cubes. As they melt, they add more citrus flavor instead of diluting the drink.
Frequently asked questions
What does Starbucks put in their matcha lemonade?
Starbucks Matcha Lemonade is made with their sweetened matcha powder blend, lemonade, and water. Their matcha blend includes sugar, so the drink is quite sweet. This homemade version uses plain matcha and lets you control sweetness with separate simple syrup.
Can I use bottled lemonade for matcha lemonade?
Yes. Use 6-8 oz of bottled lemonade in place of the water and fresh lemon juice. Cut the simple syrup to 1 teaspoon since bottled lemonade is already sweetened. Simply Lemonade and Trader Joe's fresh lemonade are both good store-bought options.
Does the lemon change the color of matcha?
Yes, slightly. Lemon juice is acidic and reacts with the chlorophyll in matcha, shifting the color from bright green toward a more olive or yellow-green tone over about 5-10 minutes. It is purely visual and does not affect flavor or nutrition.
Is matcha lemonade caffeinated?
Yes, from the matcha. One teaspoon of matcha contributes about 70 mg of caffeine. The lemon juice and water add no caffeine. This makes matcha lemonade a solid afternoon pick-me-up that is lighter than coffee but more energizing than plain lemonade.
