Brown Sugar Matcha Latte

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You will fall in love with this iced brown sugar matcha latte! It’s perfect for sipping on during morning brunch or when you need an afternoon pick-me-up. Sweetened with brown sugar syrup, this iced matcha latte has delightful caramel notes that you won’t be able to get enough of. It’s simple but refreshing.

This brown sugar matcha latte is a refreshing way to start off the day. A little bit indulgent but still light, this iced latte is perfect for a relaxing morning. All you need are a few simple ingredients to make this latte.

A glass of brown sugar matcha latte on a wooden coaster.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

It’s an energizing drink to start off your morning. I love the creamy texture and the sweet, caramelized notes. It really wakes me up!
It’s pretty easy to make! You don’t need a zillion ingredients to make this brown sugar matcha at home.
Brown sugar syrup aside, matcha is pretty good for you! So I’d like to think that an iced brown sugar matcha latte a day is self-care!

Ingredients You’ll Need

Ingredients needed to make an iced brown sugar matcha latte.

matcha powder — a finely grounded powdered green tea, matcha is full of antioxidants and health benefits! Make sure to good good quality matcha powder for the best results. I recommend using ceremonial grade matcha as it’s made with the premium, first harvest of the year. Ceremonial matcha has a deep green color and tastes more rich and more vibrant. Culinary-grade matcha may taste more bitter.
water — make sure the water is hot but not boiling. Around 176°F (80°C). If the water is too hot, it will burn the matcha and leave a bitter taste.
ice — you can even make it with my Matcha Ice Cubes for more matcha flavor! If you want that pretty distinctive layer between the milk and matcha for a pretty photo, you need plenty of ice!
brown sugar syrup — you can use store-bought brown sugar syrup or homemade. I have a great brown sugar syrup recipe on the blog and for this specific latte, I like to cook it down a littttttle bit more, so it’s a bit thicker for that drizzle. Not mandatory but just a fun detail.
milk — I’m using whole milk, but you can also use a non-dairy alternative such as almond milk.

Tools to Make Matcha

matcha bowl (chawan) — when preparing matcha, any bowl can be used for whisking. However, it is important to choose a bowl with high walls to prevent the matcha from spilling out. A spout is also useful for easy pouring of the matcha. I have this beautiful ceramic bowl from ceramic artist Yutaka Ono.
bamboo whisk (chasen) and whisk stand — a whisk is essential for matcha as it will whisk out the clumps and make the matcha frothy. If you do not have a bamboo whisk, you can use a small kitchen whisk or an electric whisk for frothing milk. If that’s still not an option, you can always add the matcha to a mason jar with the water and shake vigorously. Before using the bamboo whisk, it’s recommended to soak it in warm water for a few minutes. This helps to soften the bristles and prevent them from breaking during use. The whisk stand is there to help the bamboo whisk retain its shape as it dries. The whisk can become moldy or crack if not dried properly.
tea sifter — you’ll need a tea sifter (or any small sifter) to help remove any clumps from the matcha powder.
bamboo tea scoop or ladle — or a measuring spoon of sorts. You’ll need it to scoop the matcha and to push the matcha powder through the sifter.

How to Make an Iced Brown Sugar Matcha Latte

Set of two photos showing matcha sifted into a bowl.

Using a fine-mesh strainer, sift the matcha into a small bowl.

Set of two photos showing water added to matcha powder and then whisked.

Add the hot water to the bowl and whisk the matcha vigorously in an M shape until the matcha is frothy and there are no clumps.

Set of two photos showing whisked matcha in a bowl and brown sugar syrup poured over a glass of ice.

Add the brown sugar syrup to a glass of ice.

Set of two photos showing milk and matcha added to a glass of ice.

Add the milk and matcha mixture to the glass.

Set of two photos showing a drink stirred to combine.

Stir before serving, and enjoy!

Overhead view of a glass of iced brown sugar matcha latte.

Recipe Tips and Notes

You cannot sift sifting the matcha powder as it improves the taste and texture of the matcha.
Did you know that matcha is simply powdered tea leaves? Due to this, it may not dissolve entirely in water, resulting in some visible flecks of matcha in your mixture. But no need to worry, this is completely normal!
You can adjust the amount of water and milk added to the iced latte depending on how creamy you prefer your latte.
For good quality matcha, I like purchasing from Ippodo Tea, but sometimes I get dinged by duties. If you’re Canadian, Matsu Kaze Tea is a great alternative for Japanese matcha!
Try my Strawberry Matcha Latte for another matcha latte variation!

A glass of iced brown sugar matcha latte surrounded by matcha and brown sugar.

What is matcha?

Matcha is a finely ground powder made from green tea leaves.

Is there caffeine in matcha?

Matcha contains a higher caffeine content than regular brewed green tea, but it is still lower than that of coffee and black tea.

How should I store my matcha?

Store your matcha in a cool, dry spot or in the fridge if you prefer. If you are storing your matcha in the fridge, be sure to bring the matcha to room temperature before using it. Good quality matcha tends to come in a tin of sorts because you want to make sure the matcha is in a dark, airtight container so it doesn’t oxidize as quickly. It’s best not to buy matcha in large quantities as the freshness will fade as it oxidizes after being opened.

Why is my matcha is yellow or brown?

If your matcha has a yellowish or brownish color to it, this usually indicates that mature leaves were used to make your matcha, making it a lower-quality matcha powder. This leads to your matcha tasting more bitter.