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Author:
Tracy Nawara
Iced lattes are so refreshing during the warmer months, and they don’t always have to include coffee. Matcha lattes are super delicious and offer all of the same awesome health benefits as green tea. Adding an herbal element to tea is a guaranteed winner, like for instance, lavender!
This Easy Iced Lavender Matcha Latte is an energizing drink made simply from powdered matcha, homemade Lavender Simple Syrup, and the milk of your choice. You can make the simple syrup ahead of time and cut down on time in the morning. We all could use fewer steps in our morning routine.
Matcha is made from powdered green tea leaves, which then dissolve in water to create a delicious drink. Traditionally, a matcha whisk would be used to dissolve the powder into the water. It is a special whisk that helps create a smooth and frothy drink, but alternatively, a smaller wire whisk will work just fine.
When dissolving the matcha, add your water gradually. Matcha will melt in much easier if you begin with only one tablespoon of water, whisking, and then gradually adding another tablespoon at a time. The result is thick, frothy, and very smooth.
Since matcha is made from ground, whole tea leaves, the caffeine and antioxidant content are greater than regular green tea. Studies have shown the matcha can help protect the liver from harm, keep the heart healthy, and boost your metabolism, which aids in weight loss.
Perhaps the most notable ingredient in this latte is the use of Homemade Lavender Simple Syrup. It consists of three easy ingredients; sugar, water, and food-grade lavender. Be extra careful that you are buying food-grade lavender, as some lavender is not fit for consumption. You can find food-grade lavender in the spice aisle at the grocery store. Craft lavender should never be eaten.
Make the simple syrup ahead of time so that you have a fresh matcha latte within minutes. The syrup keeps well in the fridge for about 3 weeks. Use the leftovers in cocktails, iced tea, lemonade, or any other drink that you enjoy.
Use any milk that you like for this latte. Keep it vegan by using plant-based milk like coconut, almond, or soy. Full-fat cow’s milk adds a creamy and delicious dimension to the beverage. Any variety of milk would be delicious in this latte.
Enjoy this healthy latte any day that you’d like to treat yourself. An Easy Iced Lavender Matcha Latte is a nutritional boost with a light sweetness and a herbaceous edge. It will be your new favorite way to get your caffeine in the morning!
For the Lavender Simple Syrup:
For the Latte:
To begin, make your lavender syrup. In a small saucepan over medium heat, add the sugar, water, and lavender. ONLY use food-grade lavender here!
Bring to a boil for 2 minutes so that the sugar fully dissolves. Remove from the heat and add to a glass container and allow to cool. Store this in the fridge for up to 3 weeks.
When you are ready to make the latte, dissolve the green tea matcha powder in 1 tablespoon of hot water. Whisk thoroughly to fully dissolve the powder. Add the rest of the ¼ cup of water, 1 tablespoon at a time, until all the matcha is dissolved, thick, and has a little bit of foam on top.
Optionally, you can froth your milk. Use either a milk frother or an immersion blender. Add your milk to a small saucepan and froth with the immersion blender for 3-4 minutes or until foamy. Allow it to cool slightly before adding to the latte.
Add the matcha mixture to a tall glass with ice. Stir in the simple syrup and the frothed milk. Give one final stir and serve immediately.
