Matcha Lemonade Recipe

Recipe at a Glance

One serving, 5 minutes total.

What You Need

- 1 tsp (2g) ceremonial or premium grade matcha - 2 oz (60ml) hot water at 175F (80C) - 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice (about 1 lemon) - 1 to 2 tbsp simple syrup (adjust to taste) - 4 oz (120ml) cold water - Ice - Optional: lemon slices and mint for garnish

For simple syrup: combine equal parts sugar and water, heat until dissolved, cool. Store in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.

How to Make It

1. Sift 1 tsp (2g) matcha into a small bowl or cup. 2. Add 2 oz of 175F water and whisk vigorously in a W motion for 20 to 30 seconds until frothy. Set aside to cool for 1 to 2 minutes. 3. In a glass, combine lemon juice, simple syrup, and cold water. Stir to combine. 4. Fill the glass with ice. 5. Pour the whisked matcha over the lemonade. It will layer beautifully before mixing. 6. Stir gently before drinking, or leave layered for presentation.

Tips for the Best Result

Use fresh lemon juice, not bottled. Fresh lemon juice has a brighter, cleaner flavor that pairs better with matcha.

Always dissolve matcha in hot water first. Cold lemon juice will not dissolve matcha -- you will get clumps.

Adjust sweetness to taste. Matcha lemonade should be tart and refreshing. Start with 1 tbsp simple syrup and add more if needed.

For a sparkling version, replace the cold water with sparkling water or club soda.

Variations

Sparkling matcha lemonade: Replace cold water with sparkling water for a fizzy version.

Strawberry matcha lemonade: Add 2 tbsp strawberry puree to the lemonade base.

Mint matcha lemonade: Muddle 4 to 5 fresh mint leaves in the glass before adding lemonade.

Honey matcha lemonade: Replace simple syrup with honey for a more complex sweetness.