This cold brew matcha tea is the ultimate pick-me-up you deserve! Made using just THREE simple ingredients, it's the best way to enjoy this Japanese green tea on a hot summer day!
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Matcha is rarely a crowd-pleaser. In fact, it’s quite a decisive topic - you either love it or hate it. Whenever I share my matcha cookies, the responses vary from super excited to put off simply by their green look. What side of the great matcha divide are you on?!
If you're a fan of all things matcha (like me) or just want to switch out your morning coffee for something different, this delicious beverage is a MUST-TRY!
💌 Why I Adore This Recipe
- Only three ingredients: water, matcha & ice
- No special equipment is needed
- Made within seconds
- Can add sweetener if desired
- It keeps you alert longer than coffee
Did you know? If you dislike the slightly bitter taste of matcha, give this a try! Matcha contains tannin, a bitter and astringent chemical compound (Source: Decanter). However, very few tannins will infuse into your tea if you're cold-brewing matcha. You will notice a much less bitter matcha flavor compared to hot matcha.
🌱 What is Matcha Cold Brew
Cold Brew is a method of making tea or coffee that involves no hot water whatsoever.
It might sound fancy or complicated, but it really isn't!
Cold brew coffee has been growing in popularity as it's a great way to batch-make a huge mason jar of coffee and have it ready for the week ahead.
The good thing about matcha cold brew is that it's even easier! It doesn't require grinding coffee beans or using a filter and is MUCH quicker.
While cold brew coffee usually takes around 12 hours to steep, you can prepare this matcha in a matter of seconds (or minutes at most). It's also practically fail-proof and so tasty!
🥛 Ingredients
You'll need just a few ingredients to make this cold brew tea.
Ingredient Details
Matcha Powder - If you can spring for more high-quality matcha, I would encourage you to do so. Look at the color. If your matcha is vibrant green, this indicates that young (more premium) leaves were picked. In baked goods and sweet drinks, you can usually get away with using lower-quality matcha because other ingredients will mask its taste. Here we're only using three super simple ingredients and no sweetener, so you'll want to opt for the best quality. I used Premium Ceremonial matcha from Moicha Matcha (not sponsored).
Water - I use tap water, but you can use filtered water instead.
Ice cubes - I recommend large ice cubes. They will melt slower, so they won't dilute the flavor and will keep the drink cold longer.
Sweetener - yes or no? I don’t think it needs sugar, but you can add some if you feel like it. Make sure it dissolves properly! You don’t want to be left with a clump of sweetener at the bottom. You can also add stevia to keep it sugar-free.
🥄 Equipment
- One teaspoon - to measure out the matcha
- One shaker bottle - to shake the drink
- Two glasses - to serve the drink
Don't have a shaker bottle with a metal shaker ball? Use an empty & clean peanut butter jar and a large ice cube instead! Make sure you have a lid that fits perfectly too. You can also use a regular water bottle.
⏲️ Steps
Follow this simple tutorial to bring a delicious cold-brew Japanese matcha to life in your kitchen!
Hint - find the FULL recipe with exact ingredients in the recipe card at the bottom of this page.
Step 1 - Add matcha and cool water to your shaker bottle (or jar).
Step 2 - Add the shaker ball. Secure the lid and shake vigorously for about 60 seconds (or longer if desired).
Step 3 - Fill a glass with ice cubes.
Step 4 - Pour the cold brewed matcha on top. Enjoy!
💡 Pro Tips
- Adjust the amount of matcha according to your personal preference.
- Use ceremonial grade matcha (as opposed to culinary grade) for best results.
- Use cold filtered water if you fancy, but there's no need if you have drinkable tap water.
- Shake vigorously - it’s a bit of a workout, but it will be worth it!
- You can dilute it with cold milk - I like oat, almond, or coconut milk.
- Add vanilla extract or flavor syrup (like caramel, mint, pumpkin spice, etc.) if desired.
❓FAQ
Yes, absolutely!
Simply triple or quadruple this recipe.
Remember that no matter how well you’ve shaken it, some matcha will eventually sink to the bottom. Stir again before serving.
Yes, matcha is generally quite high in caffeine. It contains more caffeine per serving than regular green tea. However, it contains less caffeine than coffee.
Remember that the caffeine content also depends on how much powder you use.
There are various reasons for that. It could be that you're not shaking the bottle vigorously enough.
It might also be that you're not using enough matcha powder, so it won't be able to form a perfect foam at the top.
Last but not least, it could also be due to lower-quality matcha.
📦 Storage
This tea is typically served immediately after making it.
However, you can store it for later in a large, airtight container. Remember to remove any ice cubes. Give it a good stir before serving again.
💪 Health Benefits
Matcha is a Japanese green tea powder made from whole tea leaves. It's packed with amino acids such as L-Theanine, improving mental clarity and keeping you alert for longer (Source: Aiya America).
Additionally, matcha is very high in antioxidants. It's generally considered healthier than regular green tea (Source: Healthline). Healthy & so tasty - it doesn't get much better than that!
🍹 More Unique & Unusual Drinks
- Apple Cider Vinegar & Lemon Juice Drink
- Strawberry Latte
- Homemade Frozen Lemonade Concentrate
- Ginger Milk Tea
- Almond Milk Latte
Got questions about making this cold brewed matcha? Let me know in the comments below, and I'll help!
Tried out this matcha cold brew recipe? You can help me by leaving a star rating and comment below. Your feedback supports my blog and helps me bring you more free recipes!
🍴Recipe
Cold Brew Matcha - Easy Iced Green Tea in Seconds
EQUIPMENT
- 1 teaspoon
- 1 shaker bottle
- 2 glasses
INGREDIENTS
- 1 teaspoon matcha powder
- 1.5 cups (350 ml) cold water
- 1 cup ice cubes to serve
INSTRUCTIONS
- Add matcha and cool water to your shaker bottle (see the notes below if you don't have a shaker bottle).1 teaspoon matcha powder, 1.5 cups cold water
- Add the shaker ball. Secure the lid tightly and shake vigorously for about 60 seconds (or longer if desired).1 cup ice cubes
- Fill your two glasses with ice cubes and pour matcha on top. Enjoy!
Notes
- Too strong? Dilute it with cold milk. (oat, almond, coconut, etc).
- Sugary version - Add liquid sweeteners (like agave syrup or maple syrup) if desired.
- Sweet, but no sugar? Add a few pinches of stevia.
Nutrition
Disclaimer: The nutritional information above is calculated automatically. The author of this post cannot guarantee 100% accuracy of this data.
Ella says
Refreshing, simple & tasty! I added a little maple syrup (about 1 tsp per portion). Just perfect!