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    Home » Recipes » Drinks & Smoothies

    Published: Nov 11, 2022 · Modified: May 9, 2024 by Petra · This post may contain affiliate links.

    Matcha Syrup (Green Tea Simple Syrup)

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    A photo of matcha latte with text overlay "Easy matcha simple syrup". A collage of photos of matcha syrup with text overlay "Easy matcha simple syrup recipe". A photo of matcha syrup with text overlay "Easy matcha simple syrup".

    Matcha Syrup (or "matcha mitsu" in Japan) is a simple syrup made with just 3 ingredients- water, sugar, and matcha powder. It's delicious drizzled over blueberry bundt cake or ice cream, in cocktails, and of course, in a homemade matcha latte.

    Pouring matcha syrup into a glass filled with oat milk.

    For more matcha recipes, check out my Whipped Dalgona Matcha and Zucchini Brownies with Matcha Frosting.

    Jump to:
    • What is Matcha?
    • What is Simple Syrup?
    • Ingredients You'll Need
    • Variations
    • How to Make Matcha Syrup
    • Expert Tips
    • FAQ
    • How to Use It
    • Storage
    • More Matcha Recipes
    • 📖 Recipe

    What is Matcha?

    "Matcha is a finely ground powder of specially grown and processed green tea leaves, traditionally consumed in East Asia. The green tea plants used for matcha are shade-grown for three to four weeks before harvest; the stems and veins are removed during processing." (source)

    What is Simple Syrup?

    Simple syrup is a syrup made with an equal amount of sugar and water. It's usually simmered over low heat for a few minutes so that the sugar dissolves and the syrup thickens.

    Granulated sugar is what is usually used, but alternative sweeteners such as honey or maple syrup can also work.

    The syrup can be infused with spices, citrus zest, or in our case, matcha powder, to give it more flavor. It's usually used in cocktails like mojitos or happy hour.

    Ingredients You'll Need

    Gathered ingredients for making matcha syrup with text overlay on each ingredient.
    • Matcha green tea powder: Use high-quality ceremonial-grade matcha for the best result.
    • Sugar: You can use any type of sugar you like including granulated sugar, brown sugar, coconut sugar, etc.
    • Water: You'll need equal parts water and sugar to make the syrup.

    See the recipe card below for the full list of ingredients and exact measurements.

    Variations

    This recipe is flexible and versatile, so here are a few ways you can adjust it to your liking.

    • Make it with honey: You can use the same amount of honey to substitute the sugar.
    • Make it with maple syrup: Use pure maple syrup to substitute the sugar with a 1:1 ratio.
    • Make it stronger: Add 1 more tablespoon of matcha powder to make a strong matcha syrup.

    How to Make Matcha Syrup

    To a small saucepan, add the sugar and matcha powder. Using a whisk, mix until well combined. It's important that there are no lumps.

    Matcha powder and sugar added to a saucepan.
    Matcha powder and sugar mixed in a saucepan.

    Add hot water and whisk until the matcha dissolves and there are no lumps. The sugar won't dissolve right away, and that's okay.

    Heat the saucepan over medium-low heat and cook for 5-7 minutes, or until the syrup thickens to your desired consistency. Remove from the heat and transfer to a jar. Let cool before storing.

    Whisking matcha simple syrup in a saucepan.
    Matcha syrup cooling in a stainless steel saucepan.

    Expert Tips

    • Use high-quality matcha powder. If you don't already know, there are two main types of matcha powder- ceremonial grade matcha and culinary grade matcha. Ceremonial grade is made from the youngest tea leaves from the first harvest and is usually of higher quality. I love using it because the color is vibrant green and it doesn't taste as earthy but is rather bright and floral.
    • Use a whisk. Matcha green tea can clump together easily which is why traditionally bamboo whisks are used to dissolve the powder with water. Since this recipe is not traditional, you can use a regular whisk, but a fork or a spatula won't do the job.
    • Simmer on low heat. This syrup can burn easily, so make sure to simmer it on medium-low or low heat, and stir from time to time. Don't walk away from the stove!
    • Adjust the consistency if needed. The matcha syrup continues to thicken as it cools, so if you find out that it's too thick to your liking, you can thin it out by adding a splash or two of water. On the other hand, if it's too thin, you can simmer it for a few minutes more.

    FAQ

    What does matcha syrup taste like?

    This syrup is quite sweet and has floral and earthy undertones. It's vibrant with a slight bitterness.

    How is matcha different than green tea?

    The main difference is that while green tea leaves usually come in the form of a tea bag, matcha is in powder form. It's made from 100% green tea leaves that have been ground into a fine powder. Matcha is much more concentrated and has more caffeine than regular green tea per serving.

    Does matcha have caffeine?

    Yes, matcha has more caffeine than regular green tea, but less caffeine than coffee. However, matcha has an advantage over coffee, because it gives more of a steady and prolonged energy boost, rather than an immediate high.

    Is matcha good for you?

    While matcha isn't a magic food, it does have some health benefits. It's high in antioxidants, with some small studies suggesting that it can boost brain function, promote heart health and even prevent cancer.

    However, definitely take all of that with a pinch of salt and remember that matcha can't magically solve your health problems.

    Matcha simple syrup stored in a mason jar.

    How to Use It

    Just like coffee syrup, you can use this recipe in drinks, and desserts, and to drizzle it over yogurt, ice cream, or cake.

    • In lattes and drinks: Besides making homemade matcha latte, you can also add it to sprinkling water or soda for flavor, and you can even make cocktails with it.
    • In baking and cooking: Whenever you need a liquid sweetener like maple syrup or honey, use can use this matcha syrup instead.
    • As a topping for pancakes, waffles, ice cream, and more!

    Storage

    Let the matcha syrup cool to room temperature, then transfer it to a mason jar, cover it with a lid, and store it at room temperature for up to a week.

    More Matcha Recipes

    • Two glasses of oat milk matcha latte next to each other, topped with a sprinkle of matcha powder.
      Oat Milk Matcha Latte (Hot or Iced)
    • Fudgy Zucchini Brownies with Matcha Frosting (Vegan + GF )
    • A tall glass filled with milk and topped with dalgona matcha.
      Whipped Dalgona Matcha

    If you tried this Matcha Syrup or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it goes in the 📝 comments below. Thanks for visiting today!

    📖 Recipe

    A jar filled with matcha syrup placed on a marble board, with a wooden spoon filled with matcha powder next to it.

    Matcha Syrup (Green Tea Syrup)

    Matcha Syrup is a simple syrup made with just 3 ingredients- water, sugar, and matcha powder. It's delicious drizzled over cake or ice cream, in cocktails, and of course, in a matcha latte.
    5 from 2 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Drinks
    Cuisine: Japanese
    Prep Time: 1 minute minute
    Cook Time: 5 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 6 minutes minutes
    Servings: 1 cup
    Author: Petra
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Equipment

    • Small saucepan
    • Whisk
    • Jar for storing

    Ingredients

    • ½ cup granulated sugar
    • ½ cup hot water
    • 2 tablespoon matcha powder
    Step-by-step imagesScroll back to find detailed recipe photos!

    Instructions

    • To a small saucepan, add the sugar and matcha powder. Using a whisk, mix until well combined. It's important that there are no lumps.
    • Add the hot water and whisk until the matcha is dissolved and there are no lumps. The sugar won't dissolve right away, and that's okay.
    • Heat the saucepan over medium-low heat and cook for 5-7 minutes, or until the syrup thickens to your desired consistency. Remove from the heat and transfer to a jar. Let cool before storing.

    Notes

    • Use high-quality matcha powder. If you don't already know, there are two main types of matcha powder- ceremonial grade matcha and culinary grade matcha. Ceremonial grade is made from the youngest tea leaves from the first harvest and is usually of higher quality. I love using it because the color is vibrant green and it doesn't taste as earthy but is rather bright and floral.
    • Use a whisk. Matcha green tea can clump together easily which is why traditionally bamboo whisks are used to dissolve the powder with water. Since this recipe is not traditional, you can use a regular whisk, but a fork or a spatula won't do the job.
    • Simmer on low heat. This syrup can burn easily, so make sure to simmer it on medium-low or low heat, and stir from time to time. Don't walk away from the stove!
    • Adjust the consistency if needed. The matcha syrup continues to thicken as it cools, so if you find out that it's too thick to your liking, you can thin it out by adding a splash or two of water. On the other hand, if it's too thin, you can simmer it for a few minutes more.
    Storage
    Let the matcha syrup cool to room temperature, then transfer it to a mason jar, cover it with a lid, and store at room temperature for up to a week.
    Nutrition information is a rough estimate calculated and is for 1 tablespoon of matcha syrup. The information shown should not be considered a substitute for personal nutritional advice.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 30kcal

    Nutrition information is a rough estimate calculated with third-party calculations without including the optional ingredients.

    Tried this recipe?Leave me a rating and a comment telling me how it went. Or tag me at @sunglowkichen and hashtag #sunglowkitchen on Instagram!

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Martin says

      December 22, 2022 at 3:37 pm

      5 stars
      The perfect kick for my morning routine!

      Reply
      • Petranka says

        December 22, 2022 at 6:29 pm

        I'm glad to hear! 🙂

        Reply
    5 from 2 votes (1 rating without comment)

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    Hi, I'm Petra!

    I'm a professional chef and a certified nutritionist! Sunglow Kitchen is all about easy vegan and vegetarian recipes that anyone can make at home, even if you're a beginner. Learn more about me here!

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