Horchata Matcha Latte – The Most Unexpectedly Perfect Flavor Combination

Horchata is a creamy, cinnamon-spiced rice milk drink from Latin America. Matcha is a Japanese green tea powder with earthy, umami depth. They should not work together. And yet, when you combine the two, something magical happens: the sweetness and spice of horchata mellows the bitterness of matcha perfectly, creating a layered, complex drink that you will want every morning.

This horchata matcha latte takes just 5 minutes and uses either store-bought horchata or homemade rice milk.

Ingredients (serves 2)

• 1.5 tsp culinary grade matcha powder
• 60ml hot water (75C)
• 300ml store-bought horchata or homemade
• Ice cubes
• For garnish: cinnamon powder and a cinnamon stick

Homemade Quick Horchata (Optional)

• Soak 200g uncooked white rice in 500ml water for 4 hours.
• Blend until completely smooth.
• Strain through cheesecloth or a very fine sieve.
• Stir in 3 tbsp sugar, 1 tsp cinnamon, and 1 tsp vanilla extract.
• Refrigerate until cold. Makes about 600ml.

How to Make Horchata Matcha Latte

1. Sift matcha powder into a small bowl.
2. Add hot water and whisk vigorously until smooth and slightly frothy.
3. Fill two glasses with ice.
4. Pour cold horchata over the ice – about 150ml per glass.
5. Pour the matcha concentrate over the back of a spoon to create a floating layer on top.
6. Dust with a pinch of cinnamon and add a cinnamon stick.
7. Stir before drinking to combine all the layers.

What You’ll Need:

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Jade Leaf Matcha Organic Culinary Grade Matcha Powder

Zulay Handheld Milk Frother

Horchata Matcha Variations

• Hot version: Steam the horchata and pour over freshly whisked matcha.
• Frozen: Blend horchata, matcha, and ice for a frozen horchata matcha frappe.
• Spiced upgrade: Add a pinch of cardamom and nutmeg to the horchata.
• Vegan and dairy-free: Both horchata and matcha are naturally plant-based.

Why This Combination Works

The cinnamon in horchata activates the same taste receptors that warm spices do, which paradoxically highlights the cooling, vegetal quality of matcha. The slight sweetness of the rice milk also cuts through matcha’s tannins, making the drink smooth rather than astringent.

FAQs:

Where can I buy horchata?

Most Latin American grocery stores carry it in the refrigerated section. You can also find shelf-stable horchata at many supermarkets in the international food aisle.

Is horchata matcha sweet?

Store-bought horchata is fairly sweet on its own – you may not need additional sweetener. Taste before adding more.

Can I use oat milk instead of horchata?

Yes, but you will lose the cinnamon-spice character. Add 1/2 tsp cinnamon to oat milk for a similar effect.