Matcha Mocktail Recipe

Classic Matcha Sparkling Mocktail

This is the base recipe -- a sparkling matcha lime mocktail that works as a cocktail substitute at any occasion.

What You Need

- 1 tsp (2g) ceremonial or premium grade matcha - 2 oz (60ml) hot water at 175F (80C) - 4 oz (120ml) sparkling water or club soda - 1 oz (30ml) fresh lime juice - 1 tbsp simple syrup (adjust to taste) - Ice - Garnish: lime wheel, fresh mint, cucumber slice

How to Make It

1. Sift 1 tsp (2g) matcha into a small bowl. 2. Add 2 oz of 175F water and whisk vigorously in a W motion for 20 to 30 seconds until frothy. 3. Let the matcha cool for 2 to 3 minutes (so it does not flatten the sparkling water). 4. Fill a glass with ice. 5. Add lime juice and simple syrup to the glass and stir. 6. Pour the cooled matcha over the ice. 7. Top with sparkling water. Stir gently once. 8. Garnish with a lime wheel and mint sprig.

Mocktail Variations

Matcha mojito mocktail: Muddle 6 fresh mint leaves with simple syrup. Add lime juice, matcha shot, and top with sparkling water.

Matcha cucumber cooler: Add 3 to 4 thin cucumber slices to the glass. Muddle lightly. Add matcha, lime, and sparkling water.

Matcha ginger mocktail: Replace simple syrup with ginger simple syrup (simmer equal parts sugar, water, and sliced ginger for 10 minutes).

Matcha lychee mocktail: Add 2 oz lychee juice and reduce simple syrup. Top with sparkling water.

Matcha yuzu mocktail: Replace lime juice with yuzu juice for a more complex, floral citrus flavor.

Tips for the Best Result

Cool the matcha before adding sparkling water. Hot liquid flattens carbonation. Let the matcha shot cool for 2 to 3 minutes before combining.

Add sparkling water last and stir gently. Vigorous stirring releases carbonation.

Use fresh citrus juice. Bottled lime juice has a flat, slightly bitter flavor that does not work as well in mocktails.

For a party batch: multiply the matcha and lime juice by the number of servings. Add sparkling water to each glass individually just before serving.