Matcha Tea Lemonade (Starbucks Copycat)

This easy recipe for Starbucks Matcha Tea Lemonade is a bright, invigorating and refreshing lemonade flavored with matcha green tea.

What is matcha?

Matcha is a Japanese green tea powder consisting of finely milled green tea leaves.

Traditionally, matcha is used in tea ceremonies, but has become popular in drinks such as matcha lattes, and in baking such as matcha chiffon cake.

Check out my Beginner's Guide to Matcha for more information on this vibrant green tea and how I use it in these matcha recipes.

What is a matcha tea lemonade?

Matcha tea lemonade is a beverage from Starbucks consisting of brewed matcha green tea mixed with lemonade.

It's usually served iced and lightly sweetened with liquid cane sugar or simple syrup.

Why you'll love this recipe

Easy to make: this green tea lemonade recipe is delicious and quick to whip up.

Refreshing: the taste of this drink is bright, refreshing and invigorating from the crisp tanginess of the lemonade mixed with the earthy green tea.

Economical and customizable: it costs way less to make it at home and you can easily adjust the sweetness to your taste.

Equipment you'll need

• cocktail shaker: or you can use a large mason jar with a secure lid

Ingredients you'll need

For this recipe, you'll need:

• matcha powder: unsweetened matcha green tea powder; choose a high-quality matcha for the best flavor -- preferably ceremonial grade matcha
• lemonade: is a drink consisting of lemon juice, water and sweetener; you can make your own lemonade using fresh lemon juice, water and sugar, or use store-bought
• ice cubes
• simple syrup: or any sweetener such as sugar, honey, maple syrup, etc; optional, to your taste

How to make matcha lemonade

Brew the matcha tea:

In a heat-proof vessel, add in matcha powder and ¼ C hot water (about 176°F/80°C).

Whisk until the matcha powder has dissolved.

Assemble the drink:

In a tall cocktail shaker with a lid or mason jar with secure lid, add in ice cubes, ¼ C matcha tea, 1 C lemonade.

Add in sweetener if using.

Secure the lid onto the jar and give it a good shake.

Pour the shaken matcha tea lemonade along with the ice into a tall glass, give it a stir with a straw and enjoy.

You can garnish with a few lemon slices if you wish.

Variations

You have the option of incorporating sweeteners like simple syrup, maple syrup, honey, or agave.

Instead of lemonade, try adding yuzu citrus juice, mint, or for additional fizz, sub in sparkling/carbonated water (but don't shake the drink if using sparkling water).

You can use your own homemade lemonade if you have fresh lemons on hand.

Combine ¼ C fresh lemon juice with ¼ C granulated sugar and ½ C hot water in a tall glass. Stir in 1 C cold water, or more to your taste.

In case you don't have fresh lemons available, you can swiftly prepare lemonade by using bottled lemon juice -- mix 1.5 tablespoon lemon juice with 1 tablespoon sugar and ¼ C hot water. Stir in ¼ C cold water.

Notes

Starbucks uses matcha powder that is already sweetened. This recipe uses pure unsweetened matcha powder.

You can change the ratio according to your taste: add more lemonade for a more tangier drink, or add more sweetener if you prefer a sweeter drink.

FAQs

Does matcha contain caffeine?

Matcha does contain caffeine.

However, it is high in antioxidants and contains l-theanine, an amino acid that slows down caffeine absorption.

Why does my matcha taste bitter?

If you're new to matcha, you may want to start with ½ teaspoon of matcha and gradually increase as you get used to the flavor.

Choose a high-quality matcha -- it should not look dull in color, and have a bright, slight vegetal taste.

The temperature of the hot water can affect the flavor of matcha -- once the water has come to a boil, let it cool down for about 5 minutes, so it reaches a temperature of about 80 C. This will prevent the tea from being scorched, which can add an unpleasant flavor.

Can I double or triple the recipe?

Feel free to increase the recipe and make a large pitcher and keep it in the fridge. Be sure to give it a stir before pouring as the matcha powder will settle to the bottom.

Can I omit the lemonade?

Yes, you can omit the lemonade for a regular iced Matcha Tea.

Other Starbucks copycat recipes

Be sure to check out these Starbucks copycat drink recipes:

Matcha Pineapple Drink

Starbucks Iced Passion Tea Lemonade (2 Ingredients)

Iced Doppio Espresso with Oat Milk (Starbucks Copycat)

Starbucks Medicine Ball

Iced Peach Green Tea Lemonade (Starbucks Copycat)

Iced Brown Sugar Oat Espresso (Starbucks Copycat)

Let me know if you try out this recipe -- tag me on Instagram @siftandsimmer or leave me a comment/rating below!