Super easy to make and refreshing, this iced version of traditional matcha green tea is made using the cold brew technique and it’s perfect for matcha purists.
Iced Matcha Green Tea
This one’s for all you matcha purists out there. You know who you are.
The only ingredients need to make iced matcha is cold water, matcha, and ice.
If you wish, you can add a little sweetener like honey or sugar but this is a version made just like the hot whisked matcha drink which also doesn’t add anything sweet.
Matcha is meant to paired with something sweet though, so I would recommend drinking your iced matcha with dessert like a slice of cake or sweet mochi.
How to Cold Brew Matcha
What does it mean when you cold brew matcha? It means you’re mixing matcha with cold water. THAT’S IT.
The term “cold brew matcha” is an eye roller for me since it’s trying to make something so simple sound way fancier than it is.
No matcha bowls or whisks needed. The secret to getting smooth, clump-free matcha is shaking water and matcha in an airtight container, like a cocktail shaker or a jar with a tight lid.
I was shocked at how efficient the water bottle worked in creating perfect, cold brew matcha tea.
I’ve always used traditional matcha tools like a bamboo whisk but I’ve been making things harder for myself. This method is far better and quicker.
What I Used to Make This Iced Matcha
- Matcha
The brighter the green, the more expensive. Find matcha that costs between $25 – $50 for this drink. You can get a little more expensive since you’re not diluting it with anything other than ice and water. - Water
Use filtered water if possible for a better tasting iced matcha. - Ice
Use filtered water to make ice too, if possible.
Photo Credit: amazon.com
Matcha Quality
Matcha is a Japanese powered green tea that is produced/created through a very particular process that makes it much more expensive than most other kinds of tea.
It’s not unheard of to find small tins of matcha for $90. But you’ll also see matcha for just $10.
The more expensive the matcha is, the brighter the green and better the quality.
There’s also fake matcha out in the market that’ll be marked as ‘powdered green tea’ instead of matcha. Those are poor quality Chinese versions that don’t go through the painstaking process as matcha does in Japan.
Go for the brightest green in the $25-$50 price range to make this drink since it’s not diluted with milk and you’ll get the full impact of the matcha taste.
How to Make Iced, Cold Brewed Matcha, Step-by-Step
Start with a glass filled with ice. I like these smaller cubed ones using this ice cube tray.
Next, pour 3/4 cup cold water. If you have filtered water, that would be best to really bring out the matcha flavor.
Ok, here’s the workout portion of this recipe.
Into a cocktail shaker, add cold water followed by a teaspoon of matcha.
Shake, shake, shake. Shake, shake, shake vigorously for about 10-20 seconds.
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Into the glass of ice water, pour in the cold matcha tea.
It’s so fun to watch the matcha green swirling around. Make this for your guests at your next get-together and they’ll be wowed. It’s mesmerizing.
Give it a little swirl to make sure the matcha is well incorporated into the cold water and sip away!
Pairing Matcha
This iced matcha doesn’t have any sugar or honey to sweeten. I would strongly suggest pairing it — with what is traditionally paired with matcha — something sweet. The sugary treat gives the matcha a nice balance.
You want to have something sugary. Think mochi, and if you can get them, I would recommend wagashi, bite-sized Japanese confections. Also, any pastry would go well with matcha.
RELATED: Iced Matcha Watermelon
Iced Matcha (Cold Brew Matcha)
INGREDIENTS
- 1 cup cold water
- 1 cup ice
- 1 teaspoon matcha
INSTRUCTIONS
- Fill glass with ice and 3/4 cup cold water.
- Into a cocktail shaker, pour in remaining 1/4 cup water and then matcha. Close lid and shake vigorously for 10-20 seconds.
- Pour matcha into the ice water glass and stir well before drinking.
Have A Great Day
Hi! I want to try this with my family but they don’t like the taste of pure matcha. I want to add sugar but how may tbsp should I add per glass?
Hi Nicole, maybe a matcha latte would be a better option to ease into drinking matcha: https://www.ohhowcivilized.com/iced-matcha-green-tea-latte/
How do you make a pitcher of matcha tea?
How much should I use and can I pre make it to drink through out the days?
Hi Valerie, to make a pitcher, combine 4 teaspoons of matcha into 4 cups of cold water. Use an airtight pitcher so that you can shake it to fully mix. The problem with matcha is that after a little while, the matcha powder will settle to the bottom. You can use the airtight pitcher to shake again when you’re ready to drink.
I honestly didn’t even know iced matcha without milk was a thing! I’ve always made mine with almond milk, but I’m starting to think my stomach is sensitive to almond milk. Today, I didn’t have my daily matcha and I was exhausted all day and I started searching to see if it was safe to just put a teaspoon in your mouth dry lol (don’t judge me! hahaha), that’s when I came across this! I just tried it (at 8pm) and it’s great!! I added some stevia, and it’s perfection!! Tastes just like iced green tea really, without all the work! #GameChanger
Hi Christal, haha, brave of you to try the matcha dry! Happy to have helped you out with your matcha fix!
Hey
I’m adding matcha to my overnight oats or breakfast smoothies 🙂
Hi! Thx so much for recipe! Can you make ahead and keep in a picture or is it best by the glass ? Thx!
Hi Shelley, you can make ahead but the matcha will just sink to the bottom so you’ll need to shake it up again.
Thanks for this! I’ve been addicted to the starbucks matcha lemonades, but I didn’t feel too good after all that sugar.
Hi Katherine, enjoy! Agree that it’s great to be able to control the sugar in each cup!
thank you for the tip about using a hydro flask or any other shaker. it worked better than any whisk I’ve used.
Hi Linda, it was a game changer for me!