Minty Iced Matcha Latte
Learn how to make creamy iced matcha lattes here! This recipe is naturally sweetened and dairy free. I add mint to make them extra refreshing (optional).
Updated by Kathryne Taylor on September 12, 2024
I’m finally sharing this iced matcha latte recipe. We had to cut either the warm chai lattes or this one from my new cookbook, and I decided to share the more recognizable recipe in the book. I adore them both equally. This chilled matcha latte kept me going on some long writing days. I remember pouring several glasses at my desk, straight from the blender.
Matcha is still relatively new to me. It’s powdered green tea leaves that have been served at Japanese ceremonies for centuries. Since you’re essentially consuming the entire leaves rather than straining out the leaves, matcha tea offers somewhere between three and 137 times the amount of EGCG in regular green tea. That’s a lot of antioxidants.
Matcha dissolves begrudgingly when whisked into warm water. Warm matcha tea is still a bit much for me, though—it tastes green and ambiguously plant-like. I absolutely love matcha in creamy, cold, iced latte form, however.
I make homemade matcha lattes by blending matcha with cashews, natural sweetener, vanilla extract and mint (either fresh or mint extract). I’m basically making matcha cashew milk and serving it over ice. It’s creamy and delicious, and you don’t have to strain it if you have a great blender like this Vitamix (affiliate link).
Minty Iced Matcha Latte
Learn how to make creamy iced matcha lattes! This recipe is naturally sweetened and dairy free. I add mint to make them extra refreshing, but you can skip it if you’d prefer a more traditional matcha latte. Recipe yields 5 cups, or 4 servings of 1 ¼ cups each.
Ingredients
- 1 cup raw cashews, soaked for at least 4 hours if you do not have a high-powered blender (see step 1)
- 2 to 4 tablespoons honey or maple syrup
- Handful of fresh mint leaves (plus a few more sprigs for garnish) or ½ teaspoon peppermint extract
- 2 tablespoons matcha green tea
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- Dash of salt
- 4 cups water, divided
Instructions
- For ease in blending, soak the cashews in water at least 4 hours, or overnight in the refrigerator. If you have a high-powered blender such as a Vitamix or Blendtec, you can skip this step. (I am lazy and let my Vitamix do the work, but I should mention that soaked cashews may be easier to digest.)
- If you soaked your cashews, drain them and rinse until the water runs clear. Place the cashews in your blender bowl. Add 2 tablespoons honey or maple syrup, followed by the mint, matcha, vanilla, and a dash of salt.
- Add 2 cups of water (you’ll add the rest later), and securely fasten the lid. Start blending on the lowest setting and increase the speed until the cashews are totally pulverized. This could take 2 minutes in a high-powered blender or longer in a regular blender.
- Pour in the remaining 2 cups water. Secure the lid and blend again. Taste, and blend in an additional tablespoon or 2 of sweetener if it doesn’t taste amazing yet. If your blender can’t blend the cashews into creamy oblivion no matter how long you blend, strain the milk through a fine mesh strainer.
- Fill a drinking glass with ice and pour the mixture over it. Garnish with a sprig of mint, if you have one.
- Store leftover matcha latte in a covered container (a mason jar is perfect) in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. It settles over time, so you’ll need to shake the jar or thoroughly whisk the contents again before serving.
Notes
Change it up: For warm tea, warm the tea using your blender’s soup function, or in a saucepan on the stove over medium-high heat, stirring frequently, just until the mixture comes to a simmer.
Make it vegan: Use maple syrup instead of honey.
Nutrition
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice. See our full nutrition disclosure here.
I’m trying to access the “tiny form” link and I keep getting what appears to be an error message: “You need permission.” Am I doing something wrong?
I am having the same issue.
same!
Same here – the form has not been made public.
I am having the same problem as well! :(
same here!
Still not working. The form says need permission!
So sorry guys—just fixed it!
Same :(
Sorry about that. Just fixed it!
I can’t access it either. Google suggested the following: “I received a Google Form from you, but I can’t open it because it’s restricted to people within your organization. If you would like me to fill it out, follow the instructions here: https://support.google.com/docs?p=open_form“
tried to access the form but said i didn’t have permission.
Sorry about that. Just fixed it!
These look so fun!
And yes, once Kate gets a moment she’ll probably have to reset the google form access.
Same here! I’m sure that Kate will fix this glitch!
Sorry about that. Just fixed it!
Can’t wait to try this recipe! I tried clicking the link to enter for the sweepstakes, but it says I don’t have permission–can you fix that please? Thanks!
Sorry about that. Just fixed it!
I also don’t seem to access the giveaway form. It says I am not authorized…
Sorry about that. Just fixed it!
anyone else having trouble with the tiny form? It says i need permission. :) but this latte looks delish!
Sorry about that. Just fixed it!
Same permission issue. Ruh roh!
Sorry about that. Just fixed it!
The link to enter the giveaway isn’t open…
Sorry about that. Just fixed it!
Same form problem
Hi! I love your website :) I am having difficulty in entering the contest for the Vitamix. Can you please verify that the link works? I would LOVE to have the chance to win!!!
Thank you!
Sorry about that. Just fixed it!
Thank you!! Success!
Kate, First, thank you for feeding me–I use your recipes all the time! Second, this latte recipe sounds delicious as I gave up coffee a few years ago, but love tea. And bizarrely-third, I’ve been dreaming of a Vitamix so much so that I’ve dropped hints that I’d love one for my birthday in July! Needless to say, my fingers are crossed; I’ll check back when everything’s workin’. Thanks again, Hannah
Yay, thanks, Hannah! The form is fixed if you want to come back and enter! I added a bonus entry if you share a recipe on Instagram. I hope you get your Vitamix one way or the other! :)
The latte looks amazing! What an awesome giveaway!
Thank you! I hope you entered. ;)
US only. Bummer
And Canada, if that helps! If not, I’m sorry to disappoint.
Oh my gosh, that does help! I’m not sure how I missed the “and Canada” part. Thanks!
I love all of your recipes and Iwouldn’t mind if I won the Vita Mix
Haha! Best of luck, Elva!
This looks so delicious. Haven’t tried cashew milk before, but wait to try this recipe.
I hope you do! It’s creamy and full of nutty goodness.
I think you’ll find it creamy and delicious!
Oh no! I accidentally submitted a second answer instead of my Instagram name in the field for the answer my second entry. Would love to still be entered in this giveaway, if there’s a way! Thanks Kate!! Can’t wait to make this iced latte.
Hey Linzy! No worries, I just fixed it on the backend so you have two legit entries. :)
Woohoo! Thank you! :)
I’m definitely trying this recipe tomorrow. I don’t have any cashews left and have to buy more.
I’ve got to say, I’m really loving your cookbook and so is my very lucky hubby I made the pineapple pico de gallo today and OMG we’re in heaven. It has the honor of being showcased on my kitchen counter for all to see. I’m such a dork but I really love the photos and showcasing them adds to the ambiance in the kitchen. Lol
Thank you for all of your hard work and your blog, too. I know I’ve benefitted greatly from your delicious and healthy recipes.
This is too kind, Faith-Anne! I love that you’re showing off my photographs. I work really hard on them! I’m so glad you enjoy the book.
Me too.
Me too, meaning I can’t find the entry link?
And just ordering matcha for the first time and here is my first recipe to try. Thank you!
Hi Abbe, hope you love this latte! I do. :) Here’s the link!
going out to the garden to pick mint right now. I will substitute a bit of stevia for the sweetener. think this will be my summer morning tea-thanks.
Lucky duck! It’s a life goal of mine to have a big, fresh herb garden. Enjoy your minty lattes!
I made this recipe as written and it turned out delicious! My end result was much greener than in your photos so I took a picture of the brand of Japanese matcha that I used. I happen to love the green color :)
https://www.instagram.com/muchastapas/
Yours looks so good! I think my matcha powder has been sitting in my cupboard a bit too long—it was more green at first!
Oh, I’d love to win – thank you for the chance!
This recipe looks like a winner, too…yum!
Best of luck, Brenna!
I am still unable to access the entry form. Any advice?
Hi Stephanie, that’s strange. If you click here, can you access it?
Single-serving smoothie containers, yes! Now I just need to get a dishwasher. :)
This latte looks so refreshing!
Right? So simple, but so genius!
I’ve been saving for a Vitamix for what seems like forever! This new one is so chic- I love it!
This latte also sounds amazing! I bought some Matcha a while back, but have been so intimidated to make anything with it- now just may be the time! Thanks for sharing this recipe :)
I hope you try it, Jess! This was simple, even for a matcha newbie like me. :)
Just made this as my mid-morning snack, and it’s really delicious and refreshing without being too sweet (used a total 3 T of honey). Question: if dairy isn’t an issue for me, any reason not to substitute 4 cups of regular milk for the cashews and water? Or was there a particular nutritional reason for the cashew/water mixture?
Hi Lisa! So glad you enjoyed it. I love the cashew base since it’s extra creamy and nutritious. I don’t think it’d be quite as luxurious with whole milk, but you might still enjoy it. You’ll still need to use the blender to get the matcha and honey to incorporate.
OK, I can’t remember the name of the salad right now but I made the arugula salad with roasted broccoli, sweet potatoes and red bell peppers with toasted pepitas, feta, sundried tomatoes and the chiptotle balsamic vinaigrette. My goal is to through the entire cookbook over the next few months and this was the first recipe I picked. So good!!! Next is the mango lassi breakfast recipe and then the creamy arugula and goat cheese salad. Such a wonderful book! I bought a copy for my neice, who is vegan and can’t wait to give it to her!
Awesome! Thank you, Betsy! I’m so glad you’re happy with the book, and thank you for sharing it with your niece, too.
The form won’t let me type in my name or email??
That should be fixed now, Katie!
Great, Thanks so much!
Love this recipe!!! Love starting the day with this <3 <3
Thanks, Victoria!
nice recipe
for this summer it’s a perfect drink to chill..!!!
going good…keep updating…!!
Thanks! And that’s exactly what I was thinking–something cool and refreshing for the summer heat.
My boyfriend’s Mom has two (!!!) Vitamixes and swears by them!
Thanks so much for sharing this giveaway with us — I’ve entered and hope to cook something from your fab cookbook this weekend and take a photo!
What a lucky duck your boyfriend’s mom is! Best of luck in the giveaway, and make sure to tag #cookieandkate on Instagram if you take a photo of your dish. :)
Hi. Can I use unsalted roasted cashews vs raw for this or plain cashew milk? Thanks!
Hmm.. I’m not sure if the roasted ones will work, Kathleen, though I haven’t tried it myself. You can definitely use just plain cashew milk as a substitute. That should work just fine!
Goodness me this recipe looks incredible! I can’t wait to try this! Yum! Thank you so much for sharing!
Let me know how it goes, Amanda!
Can I use store bought cashew milk? My sad little blender isn’t up the the job of making nut milk–even soaked nuts. Thanks!
I haven’t done it myself, but I think it should work just fine!
My favorite recipe using Matcha is putting it in panne cotta. It turns a lovely shade of green and is such a cooling dessert with a lift for those hot “dog days” of summer. A friend just recommended your site–awesome recipes–I entered the Vita Mix drawing–fingers crossed!
Matcha panne cotta sounds delicious, Aunt Min! Good luck in the giveaway. :)
mmm, I’m obsessed with matcha lattes. love the addition of fresh mint!
Yes! The mint makes it extra perky.
Delicious! Perfect for the 5th 90-degree day in a row. Thank you for sharing!
Whew! I hope this keeps you cool, Johanna.
Absolutely delicious.
This is a summer time night shift wonder drink. Thank you!
Haha! I love that. Thanks, Liz!
I never knew cashew nuts can be used for latte. Thanks for wonderful recipe; this will be really refreshing in summers!
You’re welcome!
Just wanted to chime in on this recipe. It’s so yummy! I used cashew milk from the store and halved the amount as I didn’t have quite enough matcha. I used two cups of cashew milk total and it turned out great! Very yummy poured over ice on this warm summer day. Thank you!
I’m glad you like it, Erin! Thanks for the review.
nice recipe, but 1/2 tsp peppermint extract seems like way too much. I put in about 1/4 tsp and even that much felt pretty overpowering.
I’m sorry to hear that! Sometimes mint can be too much for some.
I am so long overdue in thanking you for all your recipes and basically making it possible for me to eat most nights. I just made this matcha latte on Sunday, and then again today. I’m in love. Especially with how flexible the recipe can be. I cut the honey, vanilla extract and matcha in half (otherwise too sweet and too caffeinated for me) and when making it today i ran out of cashews so i just added a handful of walnuts to make up the difference (turns out they’re great soaked, too). It may sound like it’s not your recipe anymore but it absolutely is and it’s delicious and so satiating. Instead of reaching for ice cream as my treat at night, I’m reaching for this. Thank you!!!!
Can you substitute a nut for the cashews? Cashews are a “no-no” on my eating plan. Thank you
Hi Felicity, you could try oat milk, coconut milk, almond milk, or any substitute. If you’re not making the cashew milk and using a substitute in liquid state, you could whip this up with a milk frother and the mint, vanilla, and matcha.
Made your Minty Iced Matcha Latte recipe this morning. So happy to have some left over to enjoy later. I used 3 Tbsp. of maple syrup, used peppermint extract, and soaked my cashews overnight. Fabulous!
As cashews can get expensive, can I make this recipe with cashew milk?
Hi Pat, you should be able to substitute pre-made cashew milk if you prefer.