If you have ever been to Starbucks and not been in the mood for coffee, you may have considered ordering one of their matcha drinks. Matcha green tea is full of history and tradition in its native Japan, but today baristas use it to make beverages across the globe. Starbucks offers several drinks made with matcha powder for customers to choose from.
So what are the best Starbucks matcha drinks, and how are they made? We will look at all those questions today.
Five Popular Matcha Drinks at Starbucks
With so many choices, we have boiled down the five best green tea lattes and drinks you can find on the Starbucks menu.
1. Hot Matcha Tea Latte
If you want to stick to something simple but delicious, the Hot Matcha Tea Latte is a great choice to dip your toe into the world of green tea lattes. Baristas make it with just two ingredients: milk and Starbucks matcha powder. You can order it in short, tall, grande, or venti.
For those wishing to add some extra flavor to the drink, Starbucks offers extra flavorers, toppings, and sweeteners. And if you need an extra pick-me-up, you can add a shot of espresso to give it some kick.
Preparing this Matcha green tea latte is a simple process. Baristas steam the hot milk and sweetened matcha powder to create a rich, tasty drink. If you are new to green tea, this is a solid choice to try.
2. Iced Matcha Tea Latte
If iced drinks are more your speed, you can try an Iced Matcha Latte to grasp the taste of a green tea latte. Like its hot counterpart, baristas make this drink simply, albeit with one more ingredient this time. Made with milk, ice, and Starbucks matcha powder, you can order this drink tall, grande, or venti.
If you are feeling adventurous and want to try something new, try adding vanilla syrup or use oat milk to the drink. You can also order matcha cold foam for the maximum matcha flavor.
Preparation isn’t much different than the hot latte variety, but instead of using hot milk, it is cold and ice is added instead. And baristas use a shaker to blend the mixture instead of using a steam wand.
3. Matcha Crème Frappuccino® Blended Beverage
The Matcha Crème Frappuccino® Blended Beverage is perfect when you need some extra flavor and sweetness to your morning or afternoon drink. Starbucks expanded the simplicity of a latte to make a more complex but rich drink. You shouldn’t miss this if you like Frappuccino drinks.
Aside from the staple ingredients used in Starbucks’s matcha lattes, the Frappuccino adds complementary whipped cream and a few pumps of Classic Syrup to the party. These additions lead to a much sweeter drink that will perk you up and deliver a great taste. The beverage also includes creme frappuccino syrup.
Baristas combine matcha powder, milk, syrups, and iced cubes and then blend them with the Frappuccino blender. They finish the drink off with whipped cream on top.
4. Iced Matcha Lemonade
While milk and matcha may go together like peas and carrots, Starbucks offers other options for those interested in matcha. For a refreshing and more fruity take on matcha, Starbucks offers the Iced Matcha Lemonade. It is a lighter choice than some of the other drinks on the list, while still being full of flavor.
There are three ingredients found in the Iced Matcha Lemonade, and they are all in its name. A combination of ice, lemonade, and matcha powder makes a vibrant drink perfect for a hot day or a trip home from work.
Preparation for an Iced Matcha Lemonade is easy. The barista mixes all the ingredients and shakes until they have combined into a homogeneous drink.
5. Iced Pineapple Matcha Drink
Looking for something fruity but not a big fan of lemonade? No problem, as Starbucks offers an Iced Pineapple Matcha Drink that gives you a fruity flavor with the added boost of coconut milk. Aside from the coconut milk and matcha powder, baristas add their pineapple ginger syrup. Starbucks serves all of this over ice for a refreshing summer drink.
Coconut milk is an incredibly healthy ingredient that medical experts have linked to several potential benefits. These benefits range from lower cholesterol to weight loss. And it isn’t just good for you, it packs a big flavor punch. When combined with pineapple ginger syrup, it gives an almost tropical flavor.
About the Starbucks Matcha Powder
Matcha is simply Japanese green tea that producers ground into a powder. It is as rich in flavor as it is in tradition. Today, matcha tea blend is available in many countries, and tea drinkers everywhere enjoy it.
Starbucks sweetens its matcha green tea powder with sugar, making it different than more traditional matcha powders. There is no sugar-free option for matcha powder at Starbucks; if you are cutting down on sugar, you may want to avoid these drinks.
When you want to try making these at home, you can use any matcha powder you can get your hands on. If you like, you can add sugar to simulate Starbucks or enjoy it as is.
How Much Caffeine is In Starbucks Matcha Drinks
Green tea contains caffeine, and matcha is no exception. Luckily for those averse to the drug, matcha contains less caffeine than a typical cup of coffee or a shot of espresso. Of course, the size of the drink will determine the number of matcha scoops and the caffeine level.
While the caffeine level may fluctuate slightly, in general, a short has 30 mg of caffeine, a tall 55 mg, a grande 80 mg, and a venti 110 mg. A healthy adult can enjoy up to 400 mg of caffeine daily without side effects.
Can You Make Starbucks Matcha Drinks at Home?
With the right ingredients and tools, you can make your matcha drinks from the comfort of your home. For a detailed guide on creating your own Starbucks-style Matcha Latte at home, complete with step-by-step instructions, check out our Starbucks Matcha Latte Recipe.
To begin, you will need to pick up a few basic staples, including matcha powder, sugar, milk, and any sweeteners and toppings you would like.
When purchasing matcha powder, it is not necessary to purchase the most expensive varieties that companies label with descriptors like ceremonial grade. A basic green tea powder will serve you well for making mixed drinks. Additionally, you should keep leftover matcha in an airtight container to prevent it from getting stale.
For iced drinks like the Ice Pineapple or Lemonade options, you will need some form of shaker to agitate and mix the ingredients. If you want to make a latte or frappuccino you will need to purchase a blender to achieve the frothiness those drinks boast.
The Secret Menu — Matcha Cold Foam
If you are in the know, there are several items on the Starbucks secret menu you can order. For matcha lovers, we have Matcha Cold Foam. The foam is simply whipped cream combined with matcha powder and then frothed. The barista will then top your drink with the concoction rather than standard whipped cream.
If you want even more matcha flavor in your drink, or want to bring matcha to a drink that doesn’t have any, this is an excellent choice for an addition. To order it, just tell your barista you would like to top it with matcha cold foam and they will take care of the rest.
Final Thoughts
Making matcha green tea is a sometimes difficult process that necessitates specialty equipment. If you want to enjoy the taste of matcha with a simpler preparation and more sweetness, Starbucks has many options on the menu for you to choose from. From hot lattes to iced drinks mixed with fruit, you can find plenty of choices for your matcha cravings at Starbucks.
If you are handy in the kitchen, you can even create some of these drinks from the comfort of your own home for an even cheaper price. If you’re craving matcha, check out any of these drinks or try making them yourself.
