The Best (and Easiest) Matcha Cocktail Recipes

For en vogue drinks lovers who are keen to try out the trendiest serves of the moment, it’s high time you take a dip into the glorious, green world of matcha cocktails. 

Matcha is a finely ground powder made from green tea leaves that is thought to have originated in 10th century East Asia and is particularly associated with Japanese tea ceremonies. In the modern West, matcha first gained modest popularity as a wellness booster thanks to containing high levels of antioxidants and vitamins A, B, C, E, and K. 

But where it was once a rather obscure health food ingredient, matcha has recently become one of the most prolific “it flavours” on the scene. With its earthy, grassy taste now being infused into teas, lattes, smoothies, ice creams, cakes, and more – matcha has undeniably taken over.  

Never one to be behind the times, we at VIP Bottles have put together a list of the best matcha cocktail recipes which elevate this humble green tea powder into some brilliantly unique boozy creations. Including gin, sake, vodka, and rum-based recipes, our guide to matcha cocktails contains the perfect mix to suit every taste.  

Matcha Martini Twist 

The earthy, nutty flavours of matcha are a great accompaniment to botanical-rich gin, making it the ideal ingredient for a seriously herbaceous martini twist.   

You can use any gin to create a Matcha Martini, but we’ve opted for the Aloe & Cucumber Gin from Whitley Neill because these refreshing “green” flavours are a perfect pairing for matcha’s emerald hue. With an added dash of ginger and lemon, this blend comes together to deliver an incredibly aromatic palate of garden-freshness. 

Ingredients: 

  • ½ tsp Matcha Powder 
  • 50ml Whitley Neill Aloe & Cucumber Gin 
  • 30ml Bottega Ginger Liqueur 
  • 10ml Lemon Juice 
  • 10ml Agave Nectar 
  • Cucumber, to garnish 
  • Ice 

Method:  

  1. In a small cup, thoroughly whisk the matcha and gin together until the powder has dissolved 
  2. Add the gin and matcha mixture to a cocktail shaker along with the ginger liqueur, lemon juice, and agave. Shake well 
  3. Add several ice cubes to the shaker and give it a second, vigorous shake  
  4. Strain into a chilled martini glass and garnish with a thin cucumber ribbon 

 

Sake Spiked Matcha Latte 

Most people know matcha as the star ingredient of the Matcha Latte, a deliciously creamy, prettily pastel-coloured drink. If you love the latte, you’re certain to be crazy about this exquisite spiked Sake version. 

Sake is a Japanese rice wine with a very subtle, sweet palate of fruits and nuts. Adding Sake to a Matcha Latte brings an ultra indulgent touch to this fancy brew, creating a herbal, honeyed, coconutty serve that is unlike anything you’ve tasted before.  

The recipe below is for an iced matcha latte, but you could easily turn this into a hot drink by simply mixing the ingredients (minus the ice) in a pan and warming on a low heat for 2-3 minutes.  

Ingredients:  

  • 1 tsp Matcha Powder
  • 30ml Hot Water 
  • 60ml Daiginjo Sake 
  • 60ml Coconut Milk 
  • 60ml Coconut Cream 
  • 15ml Simple Syrup 
  • Ice 

Method:  

  1. Whisk together the matcha and hot water until the powder is completely dissolved and leave to cool 
  2. Once cooled, pour the matcha mixture, Sake, coconut milk, coconut cream, and simple syrup into a tall glass filled with ice and stir thoroughly 

 

Yuzu & Matcha Vodka Cocktail 

Green tea and yuzu are a real match(a) made in heaven. Yuzu is a citrus fruit grown mostly in Japan and Korea with a divine taste that is halfway between lemon and lime.  

Effen Yuzu Citrus Vodka is a brilliant cultivation of these zesty flavours, carrying a crisp, clean texture that is excellent for making cocktails. Mixed with a dash of matcha powder, a fruity dose of apple and lemon juices, and a sprig of refreshing mint leaves, you’ve got a truly summery serve. 

Ingredients: 

  • 45ml Effen Yuzu Citrus Vodka 
  • 45ml Apple Juice 
  • 10ml Lemon Juice 
  • 10ml Simple Syrup  
  • ½ tsp Matcha Powder 
  • 5 Mint Leaves 
  • Ice 

Method: 

  1. Whisk together the matcha and lemon juice until the powder is dissolved and a smooth liquid is formed 
  2. To this matcha and lemon mixture, add the mint leaves and simple syrup and muddle together 
  3. Pour this, the vodka, the apple juice, and several ice cubes to a cocktail shaker 
  4. Shake well and strain into a tumbler 

 

Matcha Mojito 

There’s nothing more refreshing than a mojito. This classic combination of white rum, lime juice, soda water, mint, and sugar is loved for its sweet, summery flavours and pared back simplicity. 

Adding matcha to your mojito is going to really accentuate the lime and mint flavours, in addition to bringing a light, grassy tone to amplify this serve’s tropical vibes. A Matcha Mojito is a brilliant cocktail for garden parties, so you’re guaranteed to impress your guests if you quadruple the ingredients below and serve up this cocktail in a large pitcher.  

Ingredients: 

  • 50ml White Rum 
  • 150ml Soda Water  
  • 1 Lime 
  • 1 tsp Granulated Sugar 
  • ½ tsp Matcha Powder 
  • Sprig of Mint 
  • Ice 

Method: 

  1. Quarter the lime, juice it, and save the wedges to garnish 
  2. Whisk the lime juice with the matcha until the powder has dissolved 
  3. To the lime and matcha, add the mint leaves and sugar and muddle together 
  4. Pour this mixture into a tall glass half filled with ice before adding the rum and soda water 
  5. Give your mojito a good mix and garnish with the lime wedges 

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