Vanilla Matcha Latte 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) - 6 oz (180ml) milk of choice - 1/4 tsp pure vanilla extract OR 1 tsp vanilla simple syrup - Optional: 1 tsp honey or maple syrup

For vanilla simple syrup: combine 1/2 cup sugar, 1/2 cup water, and 1 vanilla bean (or 1 tsp extract) in a saucepan. Simmer 5 minutes, cool, and store in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.

How to Make It

1. Sift 1 tsp (2g) matcha into a bowl or cup. 2. Add 2 oz of 175F water and whisk vigorously in a W motion for 20 to 30 seconds until frothy. 3. Steam or heat 6 oz of milk to 150F (65C) for a hot latte, or use cold milk for an iced version. 4. Add vanilla extract or vanilla simple syrup to the milk and stir to combine. 5. Pour the vanilla milk over the whisked matcha. For an iced latte, fill a glass with ice, add cold vanilla milk, then pour matcha over the top. 6. Taste and add sweetener if desired.

Vanilla Options Compared

The type of vanilla you use affects the flavor significantly.

Tips for the Best Result

Add vanilla to the milk, not the matcha paste. Vanilla mixes more evenly into milk than into the concentrated matcha.

Use 175F water for whisking. Hotter water makes matcha bitter, which the vanilla cannot fully mask.

For an iced vanilla matcha latte, use vanilla simple syrup rather than extract -- it dissolves better in cold liquid.

Oat milk is the best dairy-free pairing for vanilla matcha -- its natural sweetness complements the vanilla without competing with the matcha.