Matcha and Starbucks is a match made in Heaven. The queen of coffee’s foray into teas is a welcomed move for customers craving new flavors with a nutritional bonus.
And matcha isn’t just delicious, it’s a mood and energy booster with nearly as much caffeine as a dark roast.
If you’re new to matcha, you have a lot to look forward to. So let’s explore Starbucks’ best matcha drinks.
Facts About Starbucks Matcha Drinks
Starbucks’ matcha drinks aren’t like what you sip in tea shops.
Their goal was to create customizable, blended drinks that go beyond the mere pageantry of matcha by experimenting with distinctive flavors.
Here’s what you need to know to make the most of your first cup.
What Are Starbucks Matcha Drinks Made Of?
Starbucks makes its matcha with an ice or milk base and a Matcha Tea Blend of sugar and matcha green tea powder. Ethically sourced like all of Starbucks’ products, they get their matcha from Aiya, a Japanese firm and the world’s leading matcha producer.
Based on its taste, tea gurus guess it’s grown in Japan’s Wakuza region where the climate is ideal for growing quality matcha.
Still, Starbucks is cagey about its trade secrets and won’t reveal the exact source. But with fans around the world, we’re certain their matcha is as good as the rest of their superior quality ingredients.
What Type of Matcha Drinks Are Available?
Starbucks is sneaking Matcha into most of its lines from hot and iced tea to its signature Frappuccinos. And for the daring, there’s always something intriguing to try on the secret menu.
Do They Have Sugar?
Starbucks’s Matcha powder contains sugar, so if you’re swearing off the white stuff, stick with regular green tea.
But sweet drink options range from rich to light with choices as low as 120 calories for an ice-cold Matcha lemonade.
Do Starbucks Matcha Drinks Contain Caffeine?
Oh, yeah — they contain caffeine. One scoop of Starbucks’ Match powder contains 27.5 milligrams (mg).
This means that a Grande Matcha Tea Latte made with the usual three scoops will average 80 mg — about half as much as coffee.
Can I Customize Matcha Drinks at Starbucks?
Like all of Starbucks’s drinks, nothing is set in stone. Make it your own by customizing it every step of the way — starting with how much matcha is used. Select one, two, or three scoops.
Milk: Two-percent milk is the default, but options include dairy or non-dairy choices from soy to almond milk. Pick your foam level from none to extra in warm, hot, or extra hot temperatures.
Syrups: The same options are available as for coffee — there’s no discrimination at Starbucks. Choose from complementary flavors like Cinnamon Dolce and Peppermint or go wild with a splash of Raspberry or Apple Brown Sugar.
If syrups aren’t your style, Starbucks also offers a dizzying list of traditional sweeteners and low-calorie alternatives, including Splenda and Stevia.
Toppings: Finally, you can add your choice of fruit, sweet drizzles, cinnamon powder, or a dollop of whipped cream — or not — for a drink made just for you.
6 Best Starbucks Matcha Drinks
Now, let me introduce my top 5 favorite Starbucks matcha drinks — these are definitely some of the best tea drinks at Starbucks.
Whether you like a fulfilling beverage that combines green tea and milk, or a light and fruity one, one of these matcha mixes is sure to tingle your taste buds the right way!
1. Matcha Tea Latte – Iced or Hot
Calories: Hot – 240 / Iced – 200 (Grande – 16oz)
Caffeine: 80 mg (Grande – 16oz)
If you’re looking for a Starbucks tea with caffeine, we recommend the Matcha Tea Latte. The green tea version of their coffee classic, it’s a pure matcha experience.
Served hot or iced, it’s intense but smooth with a creamy foam that offsets the natural bitterness of matcha.
But don’t let the “latte” fool you. The 80 mg of caffeine in the three-scoop Grande-sized Starbucks matcha latte will power you through the gloomiest Monday morning.
The Hot Matcha Tea Latte is one of my favorite Starbucks drinks — especially when the weather outside is cold and gloomy. But on a hot summer day, I often go with the incredibly refreshing Iced Matcha Tea Latte.
Despite the sugar in Starbucks’ powder blend, the Matcha Tea Latte isn’t cloyingly sweet. We like it hot with a dusting of cinnamon or iced with honey. If you’ve never tried matcha, give this latte a whirl first!
Then you might also want to check out my Dunkin’ Donuts Matcha Latte Review and try out it for comparison.
Or why not make one at home?
It’s actually really simple:
2. Iced Matcha & Espresso Fusion
Calories: 200 (Grande – 16oz)
Caffeine: 230 mg (Grande – 16oz)
I had never tried a mix of coffee and tea before, but matcha and espresso go surprisingly well together!
This combo tastes great but you should probably include some sweetener to balance out the bitterness. And when it comes to caffeine, there’s plenty — it’s because you are actually adding strong espresso coffee to an already caffeinated matcha drink.
You can try Iced Matcha and Espresso Fusion in Starbucks stores located in Asia and Australia. I had one while visiting the Philippines:
I had heard this drink comes with three beautiful layers but mine was all mixed together so it didn’t look so special. But I still enjoyed the flavors and the energy boost it gave me!
If mixing matcha and coffee sounds like a great idea, but you are located in the US or Canada, you need to tell the barista how to make it.
First, ask the barista to mix a scoop of matcha powder with some water to avoid any chunks. Then mix in some ice and your choice of milk. Finally, add an espresso shot and a sweetener of your choice.
3. Iced Pineapple Matcha Drink
Calories: 170 (Grande – 16oz)
Caffeine: 80 mg (Grande – 16oz)
If you find straight matcha good but overwhelming, you’ll love what Starbucks did with this Pineapple Matcha Drink. Served iced, the fusion of green tea, pineapple, ginger, and coconut milk is positively inspired.
Made with rich coconut crème, it’s hearty enough for a lunch on the go without weighing you down. Light, clean and refreshing, the spicy ginger complements the natural sweetness of the pineapple flavor perfectly.
It’s my go-to favorite when it’s just too hot to eat.
4. Iced Matcha Lemonade
Calories: 120 (Grande – 16oz)
Caffeine: 80 mg (Grande – 16oz)
Green tea and lemon is a classic combination, but no one does it better than Starbucks. Sweet lemonade blended with robust matcha is a deliciously unique flavor. Ice-based, the Matcha Lemonade is light, cold, and clear.
The add-ins list includes dragon fruit, pineapple and strawberry puree — whatever you like in lemonade, you’ll enjoy in the Iced Match Lemonade.
Simple yet complex, it’s the ultimate thirst-quencher!
5. Matcha Crème Frappuccino
Calories: 420 (Grande – 16oz)
Caffeine: 70 mg (Grande – 16oz)
Starbucks hit a home run with this matcha version of its bestselling Frappucino. If you’re reluctant to try matcha, one sip will rock your world.
The Matcha Crème Frappuccino is a blend of matcha, milk, ice, and Starbucks’ famous Crème syrup, it’s an icy treat with a milkshake vibe. Topped with whipped cream, it’s ever so sweet and satisfying.
6. Matcha Pink Drink
Starbucks’ original Pink Drink is a staple in their Refreshers line. But you can get a matcha version from their secret menu of limited-time treats and old customer favorites.
The colorful recipe is three parts Pink Drink — a Strawberry Acai Refresher with coconut milk — to one part matcha coconut milk (on the bottom with ice).
Cold, sweet, and fruity, it tastes as fun as it looks!
Final Thoughts on Matcha Drinks at Starbucks
Off the beaten path, matcha is an acquired taste. But who said you have to drink it plain?
There are so many interesting ways to make matcha drinks. You can mix it with milk, fruits, flavored syrups, and more.
I’m sure that you will love some of my favorite matcha drinks introduced in this guide. Let Starbucks help you find yours!
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