Matcha is a popular Japanese green tea that’s loved by many.
If you are one of them or have been wanting to try it out, there are a variety of Starbucks matcha drinks, like the Matcha Creme Frappuccino.
But do you know that there are other matcha beverages available at Starbucks?
In fact, you can even customize your favorite drinks and add matcha to them if you want to, but how?
In this article, we will discuss the top 10 Starbucks matcha drinks you have to try, how you can order them, and how you can add matcha to customize your favorite beverages.
10 Best Starbucks Matcha Drinks (Updated List For 2023)
1. Matcha Crème Frappuccino
If you have been frequenting Starbucks, you or one of your friends have probably ordered one of these Starbucks matcha drinks before.
This Frappuccino is the most popular Starbucks matcha drink.
Its name gives away the ingredients of the drink: matcha powder, and Crème syrup, blended with whole milk and ice and topped with whipped cream.
You can also add a bit of extra matcha powder over the whipped cream.
If you’re vegan or lactose intolerant, you can ask for a Starbucks non-dairy drink substitute so you can try this out.
So, if you haven’t tried matcha before, you can never go wrong with this drink. It’s sweet, earthy, nutty, and creamy—everything you’d want in a frappuccino.
2. Matcha Tea Latte
Another popular Starbucks matcha drink that you should try is the Matcha Green Tea Latte.
The Matcha Green Tea Latte is basically the matcha version of the classic coffee drink, latte.
It combines sweet matcha flavor with steamed milk, and you can choose what milk you’d like in it.
Like the Matcha Crème Frappuccino, this is also perfect for those who haven’t tried matcha before because the whole milk balances the strong flavor of the tea.
The Starbucks matcha latte is also a good choice for people who don’t like the intense taste of coffee but need some caffeine.
A cup of matcha latte has 80 mg of caffeine, which is enough for some to get through the day.
3. Iced Matcha Tea Latte
If you don’t like to drink matcha hot, you can order this Iced Matcha Tea Latte at Starbucks instead.[1]
This is just the iced version of Matcha Tea Latte, but there’s no classic syrup added to it.
The sweetness in the matcha latte comes from the matcha tea blend made with green tea matcha powder.
However, if you like your matcha drinks sweet, you can always ask the barista to add a classic syrup (vanilla syrup works well) to this matcha latte.
The Iced Matcha Tea Latte also packed with 80 mg of caffeine. So, for sunny days, this is an excellent Starbucks matcha drink to try.
4. Iced Pineapple Matcha Drink
With this Starbucks Matcha drink, summer will always be around the corner.
The Iced Pineapple Matcha Drink combines the signature sweetened matcha tea blend of Starbucks with coconut milk and pineapple ginger syrup.
The pineapple matcha drink may seem like a weird concoction, but you’ll be surprised at how the flavors mix well.
The nutty flavor of the coconut milk brings out the nutty taste in the matcha tea, and the sourness of pineapple and spiciness of the ginger in the pineapple ginger syrup complements the milk and tea.
You should try this matcha pineapple ginger syrup combination yourself to experience the incredible flavors of this drink.
5. Iced Matcha Lemonade
Another Starbucks matcha drink that might seem like a little weird combination is Iced Matcha Lemonade.[2]
It is a combination of matcha tea blend, lemonade, and ice.
The sweetness of matcha tea balances out the sourness of the lemonade, which makes it an ideal drink during hot summer days because of its refreshing taste.
This matcha lemonade also has caffeine, so it’s a great alternative if you’re bored with your usual coffee orders.
You can also try adding a pump of classic syrup to your Starbucks lemonade drink to make it an even more tasty summer treat.
6. Matcha Pink Drink
If you’re obsessed with pretty drinks, the Matcha Pink Drink is something you won’t be able to resist.
The Pink Drink is a popular cold Starbucks drink that combines Strawberry Acai base, coconut milk, and freeze-dried strawberries to achieve its pink appearance--where its name comes from.
This Starbucks matcha drink takes the appearance and taste of the Pink Drink to the next level by adding a scoop of matcha green tea blend which is mixed with the cold foam topping.
This matcha tea blend creates a green-colored foam that makes the Pink Drink even more charming.
7. Green Tea Matcha
Are you ready to take your love for matcha to the next level? Well, this Starbucks matcha drink is for you.
Unlike the other drinks that use different flavors to tone the matcha tea blend strong but sweet taste, this drink is just straight-up matcha green tea with hot water.
But be warned, it’s not for the faint of heart. It can be a little too strong, and if you’re not used to the matcha taste, it can be off-putting.
That’s why, if you’re just trying out matcha, we suggest you order something blended or combined with regular milk to balance out the intensity.
But if you’re used to matcha and crave it as it is. Then go for this drink.
Lastly, since it doesn’t contain regular milk, it's the perfect Starbucks drink for lactose intolerant folks.
8. Secret Menu Green Drink
If you’re feeling a little adventurous, you can try this Secret Starbucks Menu Green drink.
As its name implies, it's not part of the regular Starbucks menu, and you have to know the recipe to order it.
To get this Starbucks matcha drink, you can ask for matcha tea blend with coconut milk and black tea. It sounds like a simple drink, right?
But, no. The recipe may be simple, but the flavors on this drink are surprisingly exotic.
The coconut milk brings out the sweetness of the matcha tea blend and balances the bitterness of black tea. This drink is something every matcha lover should try.
Ask Barista For: One scoop of Matcha Tea blend mixed with coconut milk and black tea. You can choose the Royal English Breakfast or Earl Grey tea depending on your preference.
9. Cha Cha Latte
Another secret menu matcha drink that you should try is Cha Cha latte. If you love chai latte as we do, this drink will definitely be a hit.
So, it’s basically a Matcha Tea Latte, but instead of getting the classic syrup with it, you need to ask for chai syrup instead.
The recipe for this hot matcha latte may seem like too many flavors are going on, but many fans of this drink beg to disagree.
According to them, the spiciness of the chai complements the sweetness of matcha green tea, making this drink an exotic experience.
However, if you’re not used to intense flavors in your Starbucks drink, we suggest trying a different matcha latte.
10. Peppermint Pow Frappuccino
Last but definitely not least is this secret menu drink, Peppermint Pow Frappuccino.
Starbucks matcha drinks fans keep getting creative with how they consume this tea; that’s why they were able to create this minty and creamy goodness.
As its name implies, it includes peppermint, which is an acquired taste.
So, if you don’t fancy peppermint, this matcha Frappuccino isn't for you. But if you love how mint tastes, this is an excellent choice.
Ask for a vanilla bean frappuccino with a scoop of matcha green tea and peppermint syrup to order this.
Then, ask the barista to top it with whipped cream—the creaminess of the vanilla bean and the sweetness of matcha balance the minty flavor of peppermint.
Why Is Matcha Used In Starbucks Drinks? (An Overview)
Matcha is a finely ground powder of Japanese green tea packed with antioxidants known for its bright green color.
Traditionally, a bamboo matcha whisk was used to suspend and separate the Japanese green tea powder without any clumping, and many people still use one at home if they aren't buying pre made powder.
Compared to other green tea, the matcha tea blend is a bit bitter and has a vegetal taste. That’s why not a lot of people consume this green tea as it is.
Most commercially available products are sweetened matcha, which is combined with sweeteners, giving the bitter green tea a whole new flavor profile.
Starbucks also uses pre-sweetened matcha in its matcha drinks.
This Starbucks matcha powder closely resembles instant matcha powder rather than the regular matcha powder since the real one doesn’t dissolve in hot water as quickly as Starbucks matcha powder.
But don’t worry. Starbucks still uses real matcha; it’s just blended with sugar, removing the solid and intense flavor of the tea. Its close to authentic but just with some added sweetness.
Like coffee, Starbucks matcha powder also contains caffeine. A scoop of matcha at Starbucks has 80mg of caffeine.
So the caffeine content of your Starbucks matcha drink depends on how many scoops of matcha you add plus other add-ons such as an espresso shot.
How You Ask For Matcha At Starbucks? (Here’s How)
Do you know that adding matcha to your favorite Starbucks drink can boost its caffeine content?
In fact, a scoop of matcha green tea contains 80 mg of caffeine.
So, if you’re looking for a creative way to add more caffeine to your beverage, you can ask the barista for a scoop or two.
Here’s how to ask Match at Starbucks and other tips to spice up your matcha drinks:
Common Starbucks Matcha Drink Questions
Is Starbucks matcha healthy?
Matcha itself is healthy but Starbucks’s matcha green tea is sweetened with sugar, so the health benefits you get from the tea are not as great as drinking unsweetened matcha.
Does matcha tea from Starbucks make you poop?
Yes, just like coffee, matcha can make you poop. This is because it also contains caffeine and antioxidants that can help with your digestion.
Is it okay to drink matcha every day?
Yes, matcha is okay to consume every day. Like coffee, it has caffeine in it, so if you’re watching your caffeine intake, you should also watch how much matcha you drink every day.
Conclusion - Try These Green Drinks Today!
We have listed the best matcha drinks at Starbucks you can try right now.
Some of them are available on the regular Starbucks menu, while some require you to be specific with the recipe so the barista knows what to make.
Remember, matcha can be added to any drink of your choice--your imagination is the limit.
So, if you're feeling adventurous, try to create your own Starbucks matcha drink that suits your preference.
References:
1. https://www.starbucks.com/menu/product/468/iced
2. https://www.starbucks.com/menu/product/2122376/iced
