11 Best Starbucks Matcha Drinks (Hot and Cold) You Need to Try
Matcha is a hot new tea, and no wonder: Matcha powder from Japan is chock-full of EGCG — epigallocatechin gallate — which is believed to fight cancer.
It has also been linked to many benefits, including prevention of heart disease, weight loss, and prevention of type 2 diabetes. Also, Starbucks comes with matcha powder.
So what are the 11 best matcha drinks you need to try at Starbucks? I’m glad you asked because I have the list below.
The 11 Best Starbucks Matcha Drinks You Need to Try
11. Matcha Latte
If this is your first time trying matcha, you may want to steer clear of this drink, as there is nothing to “hide” the taste of matcha.
However, if you are already a matcha lover, consider ordering a very basic but essential matcha latte from Starbucks.
For Grande, it’s three scoops of matcha powder, plus the milk of your choice, steamed and topped with milk foam.
The result, according to Fresh Coffeehouse, is a slightly creamy, hot matcha-flavored “luxury latte drink.”
10. Iced Matcha Lemonade
Now, for those who need to enjoy matcha with ease, there is Iced Matcha Lemonade.
It mixes matcha green tea with sweet and tart lemonade for a lemony cold drink with a hint of matcha herbal notes.
Now, it’s an ideal drink for anyone who wants a cold drink, loves matcha with all its benefits, and wants a cup of caffeine to help them get through the day.
9. Iced Pineapple Matcha Drink
The Iced Pineapple Matcha Drink is another great drink for those who don’t fully understand the taste of matcha, which has a strong tropical flavor.
It combines coconut milk, matcha powder, pineapple ginger syrup, and ice cubes for a slightly creamy, slightly fruity, slightly matcha-flavored drink.
The iced pineapple matcha drink is currently discontinued in most areas, but if the syrup is still available in your area – or if Starbucks decides to bring it back – it’s a good one to try.
8. Matcha Cream Frappuccino
Usually Crème Frappuccinos is caffeine-free, but since it contains matcha powder, it contains caffeine (70 mg in Grande, to be exact).
It contains matcha powder, milk of your choice (all standard), Crème Frappuccino syrup, ice and whipped cream.
It’s so sweet and that color – the green of the matcha powder is tempered by the milk to make it a perfect mint color.
7. Iced Matcha Latte
If it’s a hot summer day and you’re looking for a matcha fix, a hot matcha latte probably won’t do you any favors.
So instead, ice it. An iced matcha latte has all the same ingredients as a regular matcha latte—matcha powder, milk of your choice—but no calories, including ice.
It’s a surprisingly refreshing drink with a small amount of caffeine, so it’s the perfect afternoon pick-me-up on a sunny day.
6. Matcha powder drink
At least at first, this off-the-menu Starbucks drink was brightly colored.
When you order, you’ll get a pink drink, which is now on the menu, with coconut milk, strawberry acai refreshing base and freeze-dried strawberries.
Then you ask the barista to put a layer of matcha powder and coconut milk on top or bottom.
Although the two ingredients of the drink are separated, the drink looks breathtaking. It gets a little fuzzy from there once they’re combined, but just as delicious.
The strawberry flavor complements the earthy and grassy flavors of matcha – making you feel like you’re in a strawberry field.
5. Green Tea Matcha
Those who like pure matcha taste must order green tea matcha.
Simply put, it’s matcha powder and water – no milk, no additives, nothing. You can put it on ice if you want it cold.
Starbucks matcha powder is slightly different than the matcha powder you buy from a health food store or online.
It’s actually a mix of matcha and sugar, so you can’t get any sugar-free matcha drinks.
It is scooped out and shaken vigorously or mixed to mix it into the drink.
For green tea matcha, you can bet the water and matcha powder are shaken well to completely dissolve the powder.
4. Green Drinks
Leave it to Starbucks fans to come up with a “secret menu” matcha drink, otherwise known as a green drink.
When ordering, you’ll ask for a cup of iced black tea, two (or three) scoops of matcha powder, and coconut milk.
The result is a creamy herbal blend that also has enough caffeine to keep you going when the day gets tough.
3. Cha Cha Latte
Chai and matcha? Together?
That’s the basis of this Cha Cha Latte, a drink beloved by fans.
This is a matcha green tea latte, but with chai syrup in place of the classic. Request one pump of Chai syrup for Tall, two for Grande and three for Venti.
The spiciness of the chai perfectly offsets and warms the herbal flavors of the matcha, making it an unforgettable drink.
2. Raspberry Iced Matcha Latte
Matcha fans on Reddit brought this change to the matcha latte.
“One of my favorite cold drinks is an iced matcha latte (in place of the classic) with coconut milk and raspberries,” they say.
They recommend two to four pumps of raspberry syrup, “depending on how sweet you like it,” plus a scoop of matcha powder, “because I like a strong tea flavor.”
Sounds good, right? Give it a try next time you crave matcha.
1. Peppermint Frappuccino
Another secret menu is the Peppermint Pow Frappuccino, which gives you a nice mint sweetness.
To order it, you’ll ask for a vanilla bean frappuccino with matcha scoops (the amount depends on the size of the drink and your preference) and mint syrup.
The result is like a mint milkshake, although the matcha green tea adds an extra sweet and grassy flavor.
If you want to take it to the next level, order a whipped cream on top.
To learn more, you can also read our posts on Does Starbucks Make Bulletproof Coffee, Does Starbucks Have Bagels, and How Starbucks Makes Cold Foam.
in conclusion
Matcha is known for its health benefits, from its association with cancer prevention to its heart health benefits.
Starbucks has four basic matcha drinks, but thanks to the creativity of loyal fans and followers — and its own customizations — you can try any of these 11 best matcha drinks at Starbucks and be happy leave.
