MATCHAVanilla Matcha Latte
The quick answer
Whisk 1 teaspoon of ceremonial matcha into 2 oz of 175 F water until smooth. Add 1 tablespoon of vanilla syrup to the matcha base, then pour over ice and 8 oz of milk. The vanilla rounds off any bitterness and makes this one of the most beginner-friendly matcha drinks to make at home.
Vanilla and matcha is one of those flavor combinations that sounds simple but tastes genuinely luxurious, especially when the vanilla syrup is homemade and the matcha is good quality.
Vanilla syrup does two things in this recipe: it sweetens the drink and it softens the grassy edge of matcha for people who are new to it. A tablespoon of vanilla syrup has about 40 calories and pairs naturally with the slightly floral, umami notes in ceremonial-grade matcha. You can use store-bought syrup, but homemade vanilla simple syrup with real vanilla extract tastes noticeably better.
The order you layer the drink matters for both flavor and appearance. Add the vanilla syrup to the matcha concentrate first, before the milk, so it incorporates fully into the base. If you add it on top of the milk, it sinks unevenly and you get pockets of very sweet and not-sweet-enough in the same sip.
Oat milk is the default recommendation here because its natural sweetness amplifies the vanilla without adding any extra syrup. Vanilla oat milk (like Oatly Barista or Planet Oat) makes this drink even easier. You can cut the syrup to half a tablespoon when using sweetened milk.
This drink works equally well hot or iced. For the hot version, warm the milk to 150 F and froth it before pouring. For iced, build the drink over a full glass of ice so it stays cold and dilutes slowly. Both versions need the same 30-second whisking step for the matcha.
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 ran this recipe past a group of self-described matcha skeptics, and the vanilla version converted three of them into regular matcha drinkers. The vanilla takes the edge off and lets the natural green tea flavor come through without the bitterness. It is our top recommendation for matcha beginners.
Pro tips
- Homemade vanilla syrup made with 1 cup sugar, 1 cup water, and 1 tsp pure vanilla extract tastes significantly better than the bottled version.
- For a hot vanilla matcha latte, skip the ice, froth the milk, and pour it last over the sweetened matcha base.
- Vanilla oat milk is a great shortcut that eliminates the need for separate syrup.
- Add a pinch of sea salt to the matcha concentrate. It reduces bitterness and enhances the vanilla flavor.
- A sprinkle of ceremonial matcha powder on top of the finished drink makes it look exactly like a cafe order.
Frequently asked questions
What vanilla syrup does Starbucks use in matcha lattes?
Starbucks uses their house-made vanilla syrup, which is a simple sugar syrup with natural vanilla flavor. You can replicate it by simmering equal parts water and white sugar with 1 tsp of pure vanilla extract until dissolved. Cool before using.
Can I use vanilla extract instead of vanilla syrup?
Yes, but use just 1/4 teaspoon since extract is much more concentrated than syrup. Pure vanilla extract gives a deeper, more complex flavor than imitation vanilla. Add it directly to the matcha concentrate and adjust sweetener separately, since extract adds no sugar on its own.
Is a vanilla matcha latte healthier than a Starbucks version?
A Starbucks grande Matcha Green Tea Latte has 240 calories and 32 grams of sugar. A homemade vanilla matcha latte with oat milk and 1 tbsp of syrup has about 130 calories and 12-15 grams of sugar. You control the sweetness level completely.
Can I make a vanilla matcha latte dairy-free?
Yes, oat milk is the best option for a dairy-free vanilla matcha latte. It has a creamy texture and mild sweetness that works perfectly with vanilla. Coconut milk adds a tropical note that pairs well too. Almond milk is thinner but still works.
