Healthy coconut milk matcha latte (green tea latte) that does not compromise on taste! Enjoy this iced latte, or opt for the warm version.
Step-by-step photos are included for you to make this green tea latte with coconut milk without fail!
Why You Will Love This Coconut Matcha Latte
Ingredients
Five simple ingredients for this green tea with coconut milk!
- Matcha powder: Opt for ceremonial grade for the best result, although it will also work with culinary grade matcha.
- Hot water: To dissolve the matcha powder.
- Coconut milk: Creamy, dairy-free milk alternative with a subtle coconut flavor.
- Opt for drinking coconut milk for a lighter flavor, or the canned ones commonly used for cooking for a creamier version!
- Maple syrup (optional): Balances the bitterness of the matcha. Skip if your coconut milk already contains sugar.
- Ice cubes (only if making the cold version): The savior for the summer!
Which Coconut Milk Can I Use?
I know I know, buying coconut milk can be a headache! Below are the 3 types of coconut milk you can use and their differences.
1. Regular Drinking Coconut Milk
Packaging: Comes in tall carton boxes of 32oz (or about 1 liter). Can be found in the plant-based milk section in your grocery stores. Most Asian grocery stores do NOT sell them.
Sweetened or Unsweetened: Usually comes sweetened.
Does it Froth Well: Depends on the brand. Most could froth but not as well as the barista coconut milk and canned coconut milk.
2. Barista Coconut Milk
Packaging: Similar packaging to your regular drinking coconut milk, but it will have the word “barista” on it, or some other information to indicate that it’s best consumed in lattes.
Sweetened or Unsweetened: Usually comes sweetened.
Does it Froth Well: Yes. They are made specifically to froth well when warmed.
3. Canned Coconut Milk (Full-fat Coconut Milk)
Packaging: Usually canned. It could also come in smaller carton boxes of less than 17oz (500ml). These are also sold in Asian supermarkets.
Sweetened or Unsweetened: Comes unsweetened. They have a higher fat content than the drinking ones so you would need to add a bit of water for this recipe.
Does it Froth Well: Yes when warmed. Not so much when cold.
Since this is much thicker than the other two coconut milk, you need to add a bit of water to thin it down.
Do NOT use canned coconut cream since they have a much higher fat percentage. Also, do NOT use coconut water since it is not ‘milky’.
Step-by-step Instructions
Step 1: Matcha Prep
Sift matcha powder into a flat-bottomed bowl (if you have a matcha whisk) or serving cup (if you don’t have a matcha whisk).
Add hot water (around 60℃ to 80℃) to the matcha. If your kettle doesn’t have the option to stop at a certain temperature, just stop it when the kettle is hot, but before the water boils.
Use your matcha whisk to whisk matcha in a zig-zag motion (instead of the usual circular motion) for 20-30 seconds.
If you don’t have a bamboo whisk, use a handheld frother to froth for 5-10 seconds.
Step 2a: For a Warm Matcha Latte
Warm your coconut milk in the microwave for about 45 seconds.
Add optional sweetener to the milk, stir, then froth.
Pour milk into the serving cup with the matcha. Sift a bit more matcha on top for decoration, and enjoy!
Step 2b: For Iced Matcha Latte
Add ice cubes to the serving cup with the matcha.
Pour cold coconut milk slowly into the cup to create a marbled look. Before drinking, stir, taste test and add optional sweetener if desired, and enjoy your matcha coconut latte!
If you’d like to see the step-by-step photos on how to make a cold matcha latte, please see my oat matcha latte post.
Top Tips
- Quality Matcha: Ceremonial grade is ideal, but culinary matcha would work if you’re fine with it.
- Proper water temperature: Use hot water between 60-80℃ (NOT boiling water which is at 100℃) to avoid burning the matcha.
- Sift: Sift your matcha powder as this helps the flavor to combine well. You can skip sifting and it will still be delicious, but you just won’t get the best matcha experience.
- Sweetener: Drinking coconut milk usually comes sweetened so I don’t usually add extra sweetener. However, if you’re using canned coconut milk, please add a bit of liquid sweetener.
- Coconut milk: Opt for drinking coconut milk (the ones in cartons) for a lighter drink. For a creamier drink, use canned coconut milk.
- Ice cubes: Do not add too many ice cubes as that dilutes the latte.
What Pairs Nicely with Matcha?
Matcha pairs well with fruits like mango (e.g. this Mango Matcha Latte), blueberries (e.g. this Matcha Blueberry Flax Seed Pudding), and strawberries. It also pairs great with dark chocolate (like in my Matcha Dark Chocolate Baked Oats)!
And here’s the best part: it pairs well with…more matcha! Try my Double Matcha Mochi Ice Cream if you’re a big fan of matcha!
What Flavors Go Best in a Matcha Latte?
Flavors like coconut (and therefore this iced coconut matcha green tea latte), vanilla (like in this vanilla matcha latte), and almond enhance the earthy taste of matcha, while additions like lavender (like in this Starbucks-copycat Lavender Matcha Latte) and blueberry add a unique twist!
Matcha latte also goes well with oat milk, so try this oat milk matcha latte recipe!
Are Matcha Lattes Healthy?
Matcha itself is packed with many healthy benefits as it is rich in antioxidants, boosts brain healthy, and could prevent diseases like cancer and heart disease, as explained by Healthline.
However, the cons to matcha lattes is that most contain excessive added sugar. This is another reason why you’d want to make your lattes at home instead of buying them!
Another thing you might want to keep an eye out for is the calorie content. Canned coconut milk is quite dense in calories so opt for the boxed coconut milk for a lite version!
Serving Suggestions
I like drinking my coconut milk matcha latte in the morning or as an afternoon pick-me-up.
For Japanese-theme snack time, they’re great with my Nutella Mochi Daifuku and my Matcha Ice Cream Mochi!
Storage Instructions
This healthy coconut matcha latte is best consumed fresh. So please do not make it in advance and expect it to turn out well.
Having said that, feel free to store leftovers in the fridge for up to 12 hours. Consume as soon as possible.
FAQ
Want More Drinks and Matcha Recipes?
Check out my Korean Strawberry Oat Milk or my Healthy Nutella Milkshake (without ice cream) for more refreshing drinks!
For more matcha recipes, try this Matcha Flax Seed Pudding or my Matcha Baked Oats for a healthy breakfast. Or make this Matcha Affogato by simply combining ice cream & matcha!
Coconut Milk Matcha Latte (Green Tea Latte, Hot or Iced)
Equipment
- 1 small sieve
- 1 handheld frother
- 1 matcha whisk/chasen (optional)
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon matcha powder about 2 bamboo matcha teaspoon/chashaku
- 2 Tablespoons hot water about 60℃ to 80℃ (140°F to 175°F), so do NOT use boiling water which would have been at 100℃ (212℉)
- ¾ cup coconut milk please see notes below
- ½ to 2 teaspoons maple syrup (optional) please see notes below
- ½ to 1 cup ice cubes (only if making the cold version)
Instructions
For Warm Matcha Latte
- Sift your matcha powder into a small bowl with a flat bottom (if you have a matcha whisk), or sift directly into your serving cup (if you do NOT have a matcha whisk).
- Add 2 Tablespoons of hot water to the matcha.Remember that you do NOT want boiling water since this will burn the matcha. If your kettle doesn't have the option to stop at a certain temperature, just stop it when the kettle is hot, but BEFORE the water boils.
- Whisk your matcha.If you use a matcha whisk, whisk in a zig-zag direction (similar to the letter W or Z), so going up and down, and NOT the regular circular direction. Whisk until some bubbles are formed, for about 20-30 seconds. Then transfer into your serving cup.If you do NOT have a matcha whisk, use your frother to whisk your matcha for about 5-10 seconds, just enough so that the matcha is mixed completely but without any excessive frothing.
- In a separate cup, warm your coconut milk in the microwave for about 45 seconds. Then add the optional sweetener, stir, and use the frother to froth your milk until its volume almost doubles.
- Pour your milk into the serving cup which already contains the matcha by now. Sift a bit more matcha powder on top for décor, and enjoy!
For Cold Matcha Latte
- Follow steps 1 to 3 in the direction above.
- Add ice cubes to your serving cup which should contain the matcha already by now. The ice cubes should fill at least half of the cup.
- Pour in your cold milk slowly to create that marbled look. Stir to combine, see if you'd like to add the optional sweetener, then enjoy!
Notes
- For a lighter version, use coconut milk meant for drinking (the ones in carton boxes).
- For a creamier version, use full-fat coconut milk that’s usually used for cooking (the canned ones). Mix 3/4 cup of the canned coconut milk with 1/4 cup of water to thin it out to get a creamy version.
- If this is unclear, please read my blog post above for the full explanation.
- Usually, the boxed coconut milk comes sweetened since it’s meant for drinking. Therefore, I don’t usually add extra sweeteners.
- However, the canned coconut milk needs a bit of sweetness to counter its savory tones. So add 1/2 to 2 teaspoons of liquid sweetener to balance the bitterness from the matcha.
- Feel free to use any liquid sweetener like agave, maple syrup, or honey if you’re not vegan.
- For the full tips and tricks on how to make the best matcha latte with coconut milk, please read the full post above.
Thanks for the recipe, didn’t know coconut and matcha pair well.