Love and Olive Oil
Sakura Iced Matcha Latte

Sakura Iced Matcha Latte

Iced Matcha Latte with Sakura Leaf Powder

I think it’s impossible to go to Japan and not come back obsessed with matcha. It’s everywhere there, especially in the region around Kyoto where some of the best matchas in the world are grown. We saw everything from matcha soft serve to matcha mochi to matcha tiramisu… and gobbled up every bit of it.

What is matcha, you ask? Matcha is a green tea, from the same plant as the stuff you steep, but shade-grown and ground into a whole-leaf powder. Since you are consuming the entire leaf when you drink matcha, this refined growing method is important as it results in a less bitter, brighter green tea. The shade-growing process also gives the plant higher concentrations of nutrients, antioxidants and amino acids, in particular theanine (its mellowing properties countering the caffeine for a lovely, calm energy… not jittery like coffee).

Sakura Iced Matcha with Frothed Milk

Here’s the thing, even cheap matcha is not cheap, but the range is still enormous. More expensive matchas are made from just the most tender tips of the tea plant, hence the hefty price tag. Less expensive, culinary grade matcha uses leaves farther down the plant. It’s more bitter this way, but in this situation that bitterness is tempered by the milk and sugar. I paid about $25 for 60 grams, which is a good middle-of-the-road matcha. It’s still from the Uji region, one thing to look for if you’re looking for a good matcha, but about half the price of the Premium or Ceremony-grade variety of the same brand.

Refreshing Sakura Iced Matcha Latte Recipe - Quickk & Easy!

This iced drink is made by first making a simple matcha syrup with sugar, water, and matcha powder. The syrup is poured over ice and topped with frothed milk (I used whole milk, but you could also substitute a non-dairy milk such as almond, soy, or coconut too!) One batch of syrup is enough for two lattes, but you could certainly make a larger batch and store it in the refrigerator for instant iced matcha anytime the mood strikes you.

Iced Green Tea Latte with matcha powder and sakura leaf Sakura Leaf Powder

I added a hint of cherry blossom flavor in the form of sakura leaf powder (the leaves of the cherry trees apparently carrying the strongest sakura flavor, go figure!) A mere 1/4 teaspoon mixed with the matcha syrup imparts a lovely flavor to the drink, with notes of almond, apricot, and holiday spices. Of course, this addition is entirely optional and you can certainly enjoy a straight up matcha latte without it.

Sakura Matcha Latte over Ice

Also? This would be great with boba. I mean, right??

Sakura Iced Matcha Latte

Sakura Iced Matcha Latte

A refreshing iced matcha latte with a hint of sakura (cherry blossom) flavor for a unique twist. Serve with frothed milk, poured over ice.

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Ingredients:

  • 1/3 cup filtered water
  • 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • 2 teaspoons matcha powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon sakura leaf powder
  • 1 1/2 cups whole milk (or other milk of your choice), frothed if desired
  • ice, for serving

Directions:

  1. In a small saucepan, combine water and sugar. Bring to a simmer, then remove from heat and whisk in matcha and sakura powder until smooth and no lumps remain.
  2. Fill two glasses with ice. Pour half of matcha syrup over ice into each glass.
  3. Froth milk if desired using a handheld frother or whisk. Pour into glasses and stir to combine. Enjoy!
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14 Comments

  1. I really, really want to try this, especially since the weather is warming up, but it looks like Amazon is out of the powder! And the only other source I can find costs $23 for 30 g, because of shipping. Is there any other sakura product you’d recommend for this? Or anywhere else that you know of to buy it from?

    • 30g will go quite a long way (you don’t need a lot of it!) But you could probably also use something like this: https://amzn.to/3dTNKhQ though I think it has additives/sweeteners in it. Or maybe this powdered cherry blossom? https://amzn.to/3vm2qfu (also has additives). Or even a matcha with sakura in it: https://amzn.to/3tXtPE5? I tried a few artificial flavors/extracts and was not a fan at all, I don’t recommend that for this recipe.

      You can make this recipe without the sakura part too. A little vanilla powder/paste would be lovely as well!

  2. I Made it my self! Its delicious! Thanks a lot!

  3. I loveeee matcha and am always looking for new ways to enjoy it! Pinned this one…. And now I need some sakura leaf powder, too!!

  4. Sakura cherry leaf? Wow! Sounds great. And that looks refreshing

  5. This looks amazing, but I love the metal straws!

  6. Never thought about adding sakura leaf powder to a matcha latte. Sounds delicious and refreshing!

  7. really really interesting! Had no idea, guess I would have had to go to Japan to be introduced to macha, but love the idea of it since I love green tea already and this premium version of it in a latte sounds that much more compelling and refreshing! Thank you!

  8. I loveeee matcha and am always looking for new ways to enjoy it! Pinned this one…. And now I need some sakura leaf powder, too!!

  9. I’ve not heard of cherry leaf powder before. Sounds fascinating! I love the look of matcha. So pretty.

  10. This drink is very tasty and good for health. Me and my family still use it regularly twice a week and everyone feels very fond of it.

  11. That looks amazing! Thanks for sharing the recipe

  12. This looks so interesting! I still have yet to try matcha but I’ve been hearing about it constantly.

  13. This looks divine! I really must get my hands on some Sakura I’m not sure I’ll have much luck in Australia but we have friends who are going to Japan soon, maybe they can bring some home for me

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