A dirty matcha latte is a drink that looks and tastes like spring. Powdered matcha green tea has an earthy flavor. The vibrant green color contrasted against the dark brown of espresso calls to mind grass sprouting from the soil.
If you love matcha and coffee but have never had them together, you may be surprised that mixing these ingredients yields a delicious result. Read on for a dirty matcha latte recipe and tips on making this refreshing drink at home.
What you need to make a dirty matcha latte
The three main components of a dirty matcha latte are matcha powder, milk, and espresso. You may want to add some sugar, stevia, or another sugar alternative to your drink, as matcha is slightly bitter and has an astringent bite.
Some varieties of matcha powder already have sugar included, and some don’t, so pay attention that the packaging says “unsweetened” if you are after a low-calorie option.
The instructions on the matcha package will typically tell you to mix 1-2 teaspoons of powder in a small bowl with 1/4 cup of warm water using a bamboo or metal whisk until it’s completely dissolved. You can do it this way, but pouring the matcha mixture from the bowl into your glass without spilling it can be quite tricky.
You probably have a milk frother if you are already used to making lattes at home. This can double as an easy way to mix the matcha directly with the milk in your latte glass without making a mess. It’s more efficient than using a separate glass for mixing.
You’ll also need a way to prepare a shot of espresso. An espresso machine is the most obvious route, but a Moka Pot or AeroPress are good alternatives for making concentrated coffee at home.
How to make a dirty matcha latte at home
If you are ready to cut down on your coffee expenses but don’t want to sacrifice indulging in your favorite drink, making a matcha latte yourself will allow you to enjoy this drink any time you like. You can use your preferred milk alternatives and sweeteners and get creative with other ingredients, such as flavored syrups or caramel sauce.
Easy Iced Dirty Matcha Latte Recipe
Iced dirty matcha latte is a refreshing beverage to boost your energy levels. With simple ingredients and a few minutes of preparation, you will be enjoying it from the comfort of your home.
Ingredients
- 1 cup milk (or a non-dairy alternative)
- 1 teaspoon unsweetened matcha powder
- 1 shot of espresso
- 1 cup ice cubes
- 1 teaspoon sweetener or simple syrup (optional)
Instructions
- Pull a shot of espresso. Set aside.
- Add half a cup of milk and matcha powder to a glass. If you prefer your latte sweet, add sugar or syrup. Blend it with the handheld milk frother.
- Add ice cubes to the glass and push them down so they are submerged as much as possible.
- Slowly pour the remaining milk over the back of a spoon on top of the matcha.
- Pour the shot of espresso on top.
- Mix well before drinking.
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How to create a layered drink
In the United States, a Starbucks dirty iced matcha latte is served with all the layers mixed for consistent flavor. It’s not even on the menu — you have to order an iced matcha latte and ask for an extra shot of espresso. At Starbucks locations in Australia and Asia, though, it’s called the Matcha Espresso Fusion and has distinct layers.
The distinct green color of matcha makes it fun to use for artistic purposes. Similarly to dirty coffee, you can create a layered drink when you make a dirty iced matcha latte with some practice. You’ll want to use tall clear glass for this so you can see what you achieve.
Maintaining a cold temperature will help you a lot when making layers. Prepare the espresso shot first, and let it cool down while you froth your matcha powder with milk in your glass.
If you want the green layer to be more vibrant, stir matcha powder with warm water rather than milk. However, it will dilute your drink a bit.
Once your matcha mixture is ready, add ice to it. Then, slowly pour additional milk on top of the matcha layer. You can also use cream, as the fat would result in a thicker texture.
Pouring milk over the back of a spoon will make the flow more gradual, helping to form a layer. It’s easier to achieve precision than you think!
Finally, add your shot of espresso on top. While you don’t want the espresso to be so hot it will melt the ice immediately, you do want it to be hotter than the other layers in your drink. Hot liquid floats on top of cold liquid because the particles are spread farther apart, making it less dense. Hot coffee will therefore sit right on top of cold milk.
The downside of your beautiful layers art is that it is not long-lived, as you’ll have to mix them before you drink. Otherwise, you will end up drinking espresso first and matcha last.
Unfortunately, it’s not possible to get visible layers in a hot dirty matcha latte, whether you get it at Starbucks or anywhere else. The ingredients for a hot dirty matcha latte are the same as for the iced version, except you don’t use ice and heat the milk before frothing it like for any other hot latte.
Is matcha good for you?
Matcha is made from the same plant as green tea, Camellia sinensis. It is produced by grinding the tea leaves into a powder.
Unsweetened green tea generally has a mild positive effect on weight loss and maintenance. Matcha is rich in antioxidants that neutralize free radicals, chemicals that can damage cells in your body and cause diseases. A study found that matcha powder improves symptoms of depression in mice.
The catch is that the matcha drinks available at Starbucks, including the dirty matcha latte, contain sugar as they are made with sweetened matcha powder. In moderation, one drink like this now and then is not a huge deal for most people, but drinking Starbucks dirty matcha lattes daily will add quite a bit of calories to your daily diet.
Unfortunately, you can’t order a Starbucks dirty matcha latte without sugar. If you try to avoid sugar for health reasons, you are better off making a dirty matcha latte at home using unsweetened matcha powder.
How much caffeine is in a dirty matcha latte?
On its own, matcha typically has more caffeine than green tea but less caffeine than coffee. The specific amount of caffeine in matcha may vary based on the brand and variety.
For example, Jade Leaf Cafe Style Sweetened Matcha Latte mix has 20 to 30 mg of caffeine per serving, about a third of a cup of coffee, according to the nutritional information printed on the pouch. Meanwhile, Jade Leaf Organic Matcha Powder has 16 to 24 mg of caffeine per serving, more like a quarter cup of coffee.
You may want to switch from regular lattes to plain matcha lattes if you are trying to reduce your caffeine intake. However, a matcha espresso fusion will be more caffeinated than a typical latte as it contains a shot of espresso plus a little extra.
If you haven’t had a matcha drink before, you may want to try a plain matcha latte instead of a dirty matcha latte for your first time. That way, you can see how your body reacts to matcha’s caffeine content before you push things further.
Once you have matcha powder on hand for making matcha lattes at home, it will be hard to resist experimenting. Add flavored syrups or toppings to your matcha lattes, or make a refreshing matcha lemonade.
Easy Iced Dirty Matcha Latte Recipe
Iced dirty matcha latte is a refreshing beverage to boost your energy levels. With simple ingredients and a few minutes of preparation, you will be enjoying it from the comfort of your home.
Ingredients
- 1 cup milk (or a non-dairy alternative)
- 1 teaspoon unsweetened matcha powder
- 1 shot of espresso
- 1 cup ice cubes
- 1 teaspoon sweetener or simple syrup (optional)
Instructions
- Pull a shot of espresso. Set aside.
- Add half a cup of milk and matcha powder to a glass. If you prefer your latte sweet, add sugar or syrup. Blend it with the handheld milk frother.
- Add ice cubes to the glass and push them down so they are submerged as much as possible.
- Slowly pour the remaining milk over the back of a spoon on top of the matcha.
- Pour the shot of espresso on top.
- Mix well before drinking.
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As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.
