This easy recipe for Sakura Matcha Latte features an earthy iced matcha latte topped with a pink, floral cherry blossom cold foam cream.
Want to save this recipe?
Enter your email & I'll send it to your inbox. Plus, get great new recipes from me every week!
What is sakura?
Sakura is also known as cherry blossoms, and refers to the delicate pink and white flowers that emerge during the spring season in Japan.
What does cherry blossom taste like?
Cherry blossom (sakura) has a slightly earthy and floral taste, which pairs well with matcha, such as in matcha cherry blossom donuts.
What is matcha?
Matcha is a Japanese green tea that is finely ground into a powder.
New to matcha?
Be sure to check out my comprehensive Beginner's Guide to Matcha!
Why you'll love this recipe
This matcha sakura latte is:
Elevated: the pink hue from the sakura cherry blossom powder paired with the green color from the matcha powder gives the drink a beautiful aesthetic, similar to my iced matcha coconut water.
Loosely inspired: by the beautiful pink and green color from matcha sakura pocky sticks by Glico.
Delicious: the floral, earthy flavor from the cherry blossoms pairs well with the bright, grassy flavor from the matcha, not unlike this lavender cream matcha latte.
All-natural: the colors from the pink cherry blossom powder and the green matcha tea powder are natural, with no synthetic ingredients.
Sakura matcha latte ingredients you'll need
- sakura cherry blossom cold foam: made from sakura powder, heavy cream and milk
- matcha powder: choose a high-quality matcha tea for the best flavor and color
- hot water: not too hot, as it can make the matcha taste bitter; temperature should be about 80 C or 176 F
- milk of your choice: you can use whole milk, or a non-dairy alternative such as almond milk or soy milk; coconut milk may be too overpowering
- sakura cherry blossom syrup: optional, or another sweetener
- ice cubes
Where to buy?
You can find sakura cherry blossom powder (for the sakura cold foam) and salted/pickled sakura cherry blossoms (for the cherry blossom syrup) online or in specialty Japanese shops.
You can find matcha powder available online, in specialty tea shops, or in large retail supermarkets.
How to make this iced sakura matcha latte recipe
To a heat-proof glass/mug or chawan (matcha tea bowl), sift in matcha powder.
Add in ¼ C hot water and give it a whisk using a chasan (matcha whisk) or electric frother.
To a tall glass, pour in the prepared matcha and add in sakura cherry blossom syrup or sweetener (if using).
Add in ice cubes.
Pour in milk (of your choice).
Top the drink off with sakura cold foam.
Stick in a straw, give it a stir and enjoy, or swirl gently and sip through the cold foam.
Make it warm
Make a hot matcha latte and top off with the sakura cold foam cream.
Note: the cream will quickly disperse and mix into the latte when the drink is warm.
How to serve
Serve the Sakura Matcha Latte as soon as it is prepared.
You can give the cherry blossom latte a mix before enjoying, or swirl the drink, and sip through the cold foam on top.
Variations
Make an inverse drink: make a sakura strawberry latte and top it off with matcha cold foam cream instead.
Expert tip
As the prepared matcha can be quite foamy and frothy, you may want to strain the matcha through a sieve to get rid of any excess bubbles and foam, which can mix in with the sakura cold foam.
Other matcha recipes you may like
Did you make this recipe?
Let me know if you try out this recipe -- I love seeing your creations! Tag me on Instagram @siftandsimmer and be sure to leave me a comment/rating below!
Sakura Matcha Latte
For accuracy and precision in baking recipes, use weight (metric) measurements when available.
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon matcha powder sifted
- ¼ C hot water about 80°C/176°F
- 1-2 teaspoon sakura cherry blossom syrup or simple syrup, optional
- ice cubes
- 1 C milk of your choice
- sakura cold foam cream as desired
Instructions
- To a heat-proof glass/mug or chawan, sift in matcha powder.
- Add in ¼ C hot water and give it a whisk using a chasan or electric frother.
- To a tall glass, pour in the prepared matcha and add in sakura cherry blossom syrup or sweetener (if using).
- Add in ice cubes.
- Pour in milk (of your choice).
- Top the drink off with sakura cold foam.
- Stick in a straw, give it a stir and enjoy, or swirl gently and sip through the cold foam.
Nutrition
The nutritional information provided should be considered as approximate and is not guaranteed. Please use your best judgment to ensure food is safely prepared and/or a good fit for your diet.
Ben | Havocinthekitchen
I'm a huge fan of botanical flavours, but Sakura is something I haven't tried yet. This looks and sounds tasty and beautiful - especially these lovely pastel green and pink colours! Will need to browse to get some Sakura powder 🙂
Michelle
You definitely have to give sakura a try, Ben -- you should be able to find the powder online 🙂
Raymund | angsarap.net
So pretty, loving the pastel colours on this one
Michelle
Thanks Raymund! The pink and green to go well together 🙂
Hiroshi
This worked out really well with half matcha, half moringa powder. It tastes so good and looks so pretty with the green and pink colours. Thank you for the recipe. 🙂
Michelle
Hi Hiroshi, thank you for your comment I have yet to try moringa -- thanks for the introduction 🙂