A bowl of hot matcha is perfect for any season, but when the temperature reaches above average, you may want to opt for something even more refreshing. This guide will show you how to make the most perfect iced matcha for summer + give you ideas for delicious 100% natural flavors.
What is an iced matcha?
Iced matcha is matcha tea powder prepared with either hot or cold water and served over ice. It’s a great alternative to soda or other sugary drinks, and a great alternative to a regular iced tea. For making an iced tea you’d usually need to make a stronger tea base which may often be bitter. Iced tea is rarely served without a sweetener, but iced matcha will taste absolutely delicious even if you don’t add condiments. You will need to use exactly the same amount of tea powder as you would use for making a bowl of hot matcha, and it won’t be bitter as a traditional iced green tea.
Iced matcha is usually not served with milk. For milky iced matcha check out this super tasty matcha milk boba recipe, milky matcha slushie or try a simple iced matcha latte.
2 ways to make iced matcha
You can make iced matcha using 2 different methods, each having its own pros and cons.
With hot + cold water
To make iced matcha using both hot and cold water, bring fresh water to a boil, wait until it cools down to 176-185°F and whisk it using a chasen or an electric hand frother. Then fill a serving glass with ice, add matcha tea and top it up with cold water.
Using hot water may seem unnecessary, but studies suggest that making matcha with hot rather than cold water may intensify the potential antioxidant activity. [1] This means you’ll get the same benefits as from a cup of hot matcha, only it will be icy cold and incredibly refreshing. Plus, it will have a deeper, more complex flavor.
Pros:
- Increased benefits.
- Stronger and more complex flavor.
- Great if you want to add additional ingredients and achieve a stronger flavor.
Cons:
- Requires more time for preparing, but not more than 5 minutes.
- You’ll need more ice.
- You’ll need a matcha whisk or a frother.
Steps:
- Bring fresh water to a boil. Open the lid and wait 3-5 minutes.
- Extra step: If you are using other ingredients, steep them now in boiling water for 3-5 minutes. Strain and use this water to make matcha tea.
- Sift ½ teaspoon of matcha powder into a clean and dry matcha bowl or a mug with a wide bottom.
- Add 2 oz of water (or infused water) and whisk it either using a chasen or an electric hand frother.
- Add a sweetener if needed.
- Add ice into a serving glass (10-12 oz).
- Add prepared matcha tea into a glass and top up with cold water.
With cold water
If you are short on time, you can make iced matcha using cold water only. This method will give a lighter and sweeter flavor, so it’s perfect for tea drinkers that like sweeter flavors. Always use high-quality water with a neutral flavor and sift the matcha powder. An electric hand whisk will come in handy, but you can use a shaker bottle instead and shake well until there are no clumps left.
Pros:
- Easy to make and no special utensils required.
- Lighter and sweeter flavor.
- You can make it anywhere, even when you are traveling.
- Perfect for all-day sipping.
Cons:
- May provide slightly fewer antioxidants.
- If you want to add herbs or fruits, you’ll need to prepare the scented water beforehand.
- If you want to add honey, it won’t dissolve easily.
Steps:
- Sift ½ teaspoon of matcha powder into a clean serving glass (if you are using an electric hand frother) or a shaker bottler (if you don’t have an electric hand frother)
- Add 50 ml of fresh cold water.
- Whisk or shake.
- If using, add a sweetener and stir.
- Add ice and top up with cold water.
How to add flavor to iced matcha?
Making matcha doesn’t include any steeping, so unless you are using extracts, adding additional flavors may seem difficult. Extract may be useful, but there is an easier way to experience natural flavors without adding artificial ingredients.
So, how to add fresh and fruity flavors to matcha tea?
There are two ways:
- Steep herbs or fruits in hot water for 5 minutes for a stronger flavor.
- Infuse cold water with fresh fruits and herbs overnight in the fridge for a lighter flavor.
Both ways are great for adding super tasty fresh and sweet notes to your matcha. Always wash herbs and fruits before steeping them in water and peel them if needed. When using hot water, a few sprigs of herbs or a few slices/pieces of fruit will be enough to add an abundance of flavor. However, if you are using them to infuse cold water, you may want to add more – depending on how strong you want the flavor to be.
Use your fruit or herb infused water for making iced matcha.
10 Iced Matcha Flavor Ideas
- Mint – Mint is the most classic refreshing herb you can add to your iced matcha tea. Fresh mint will give a more refreshing and sharper flavor than dry herbs and you’ll only need to use a few small sprigs. You can choose any type of mint, but spearmint will give a lighter, sweeter, and more refined flavor than peppermint.
Spearmint is an extremely popular type of mint. It’s also used for making Moroccan mint tea.
-
Thyme – Thyme is a super herb that may provide much more than just a delicious flavor to dishes. This herb is rich in Vitamin A and Vitamin C [2]. While it may have a strong scent, when steeped, the flavor is surprisingly refreshing.
- Rosemary – This wonderful herb goes really well with the grassy and complex flavor of matcha, and it may even provide additional mood boosting properties [3].
- Lemon – Lemon is the most classic citrus to add to any iced tea, and matcha is no exception. You can use either fresh sliced, steep it in hot water, use a lemon infused water or simply squeeze some lemon juice into your iced matcha tea.
- Lime –Lime is a perfect alternative to lemon is you are looking for a more delicate and sweeter flavor. Use them in the same way as lemons.
- Cucumber – Cucumber water is incredibly tasty, but cucumber matcha is even better. Cucumbers in tea taste great even if you steep them in hot water and will add a cool note to your matcha iced tea.
- Strawberries – The queen of berries is absolutely delicious in matcha iced tea when used fresh. No strawberry extract will ever give the same heavenly flavor.
- Honeydew melon – If you want to add natural sweetness without adding honey, sugar or syrups, honeydew melon is a perfect fruit to add. It’s sweet and incredibly flavorful.
- Kiwi – Kiwi seems not to have the same popularity in making iced teas as other fruits, which is quite a shame. This unique tropical fruit will give bouts of flavor, sweetness and zestiness to matcha iced tea.
- Ginger – If you don’t mind a bit of spiciness, ginger is a great ingredient to add to summer iced teas. Use it in the same way as lemon or lime.
Flavor pairs to try:
- Ginger + lemon
- Strawberries + mint + lime
- Rosemary + honeydew melon + lime
- Cucumber + lemon
- Thyme + strawberries
Which sweetener is the best?
Many tea drinkers will find the taste of iced matcha, especially with added fresh fruits, refreshing and already sweet enough. However, if you want to make it sweeter, you can use different sweeteners:
- Brown sugar will go well with vanilla and ginger.
- White sugar is great for herb infused iced matcha.
- Honey will match the sweet and zesty fruit flavors wonderfully.
It will be more difficult to dissolve honey in cold water so it’s best suited for matcha with hot water. To dissolve it faster, add your sweetener before adding ice.
Can you store iced matcha in the fridge?
Matcha is typically not a drink you’d want to store in the fridge, but it doesn’t mean it’s impossible. If you want to store it for later, use it on the same day to enjoy the freshest flavor and always store in a jar with a lid. During storage, some particles may settle at the bottom, so simply stir or whisk it for a couple of seconds before drinking.
Storing iced matcha in a fridge is a good option when you don’t have the time to finish your drink but don’t want to waste it either.
Matcha Iced Tea Recap
Matcha iced tea is one of the best drinks to stay hydrated and focused during the hot summer months. It’s easy to make, may offer a plethora of benefits and tastes super refreshing. By adding fruit or herbal ingredients, you can customize it easily and enjoy a new flavor each day.
Sources
[1] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7796401/