This Banana Matcha Latte is a creamy, naturally sweet matcha drink made with homemade banana milk. The combination of earthy Japanese matcha and ripe bananas creates a smooth, energizing drink that's perfect for breakfast or an afternoon pick-me-up.
Unlike a smoothie, this recipe keeps the traditional matcha whisking method. Whisked matcha is layered with fresh banana milk for a beautiful and delicious matcha latte. It's dairy-free, naturally sweetened, and ready in just 10 minutes.
Smoothie lover? Don't worry! Try my Matcha Banana Smoothie! If you're looking for something more filling, try my Banana Matcha Chia Pudding. And I'm a huge fan of fruity matcha after making my Strawberry Matcha Latte and Blueberry Matcha Latte.
I also have a Starbucks Copycat version: Banana Bread Matcha Latte with Banana Cold Foam!
I recommend enjoying this rich matcha drink with Mitarashi Dango, Shiratama Dango, Anmitsu, Fruit Sando, and Ichigo Daifuku for a fun Japanese-inspired tea time!
Jump to:
- What is a Banana Matcha Latte?
- Why You'll Love This Recipe
- The Ingredients of Banana Milk Matcha Latte
- How to Make Banana Matcha Latte
- Best Matcha for Banana Matcha Latte
- Best Milk for Banana Matcha Latte
- Banana Matcha Latte Variations
- Tips for the Best Banana Matcha Latte
- Storage and Make Ahead
- More Matcha Drinks to Try
- Creamy Banana Matcha Latte
What is a Banana Matcha Latte?
A banana matcha latte is a naturally sweetened version of a classic matcha latte made with banana milk instead of regular milk. Matcha is whisked with hot water and combined with creamy banana milk to create a naturally sweet and energizing drink.
I use ripe bananas and oat milk to make a creamy dairy-free banana milk. Banana milk is delicious on its own, making it a perfect drink for kids or adults. It also works beautifully as a natural sweetener in coffee drinks, like the Banana Peanut Butter Latte recipe.
The earthy matcha and creamy banana milk combo is so irresistible. Banana is a healthy and creamy way to naturally sweeten your matcha. You won't need any added sweetener.
And please remember, this is not a smoothie. Matcha is prepared with the traditional method and mixed with banana milk. If you're interested in how to prepare matcha tea, I have an ultimate matcha guide!
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Naturally sweetened with ripe bananas.
- Creamy and dairy-free.
- Quick 10-minute healthy drink.
- Matcha is a healthy alternative to coffee.
- Energy boost without a crash.
- Beautiful layered matcha in a glass.
The Ingredients of Banana Milk Matcha Latte
The ingredients of this matcha latte are so simple!
- Ceremonial Grade Matcha Powder - I recommend affordable ceremonial-grade matcha for this recipe. Matcha powder makes or breaks the taste of a matcha latte. The quality of the matcha powder used greatly influences the taste of a matcha latte. I don't recommend using culinary-grade matcha.
- Banana - Use ripe, spotty bananas for maximum sweetness.
- Oat milk - Or use any milk of your choice: almond, cashew, macadamia, or whole milk.
- Optional - A pinch of salt, a dash of cinnamon, or ½ teaspoon vanilla extract/paste.
I love using oat milk for my matcha and coffee! Oat milk enhances their flavor, making it deliciously creamy and smooth. If you want to explore more matcha with oat milk, try my Matcha Boba Milk Tea and Vanilla Matcha Latte!
If you still have ripe bananas you need to use up, try the Zucchini Banana Bread!
How to Make Banana Matcha Latte
- Make the Banana Milk: In a blender, combine the banana and oat milk and blend until smooth. If you're using optional ingredients like salt, vanilla, or cinnamon, add them here and blend together. I like a powerful blender like a Vitamix or Ninja blender.
- Prepare the Matcha: Soak a whisk before use to soften the bristles. While soaking, use a fine mesh sifter to sift the matcha powder into a matcha bowl. If you don't have a matcha bowl, you can use a small mixing bowl or soup bowl. Matcha powder can be clumpy due to static electricity, so sifting is really important to make a smooth matcha.
- Pour the hot water into the matcha powder. The best temperature to make matcha is 70-80°C (158-176°F). Hot water makes matcha bitter. If your kettle has temperature control, it works amazingly! If not, use the traditional Yusamashi method: boil the filtered water and pour it into a cup to cool a bit. Then add it to matcha powder.
- Vigorously whisk matcha with a bamboo whisk, moving in an M or W shape, until thoroughly whisked and a foam forms on the surface. If you don't have a bamboo whisk, I have a post sharing how to make matcha without a whisk!
- Assemble the latte: fill a glass with ice cubes and pour banana milk over it. Top with freshly whisked matcha with the foam on top. Mix well and enjoy!
Banana Milk Tip: Banana milk naturally darkens over time. Just like sliced bananas turn brown when exposed to air, the banana milk will gradually change color as it oxidizes. For the best flavor and appearance, it's best to prepare this drink right before enjoying it.
Best Matcha for Banana Matcha Latte
For the best flavor, it's important to use a good-quality matcha powder for matcha drinks. With that being said, since this drink is mixed with banana milk, you don't necessarily need the most expensive ceremonial matcha.
I recommend affordable ceremonial-grade matcha blends, which have a smooth flavor and vibrant color with a little bitterness that balances out the sweetness of banana milk.
Isuzu from Marukyu Koyamaen is a good example. You can check out Marukyu Koyamaen's matcha flavor chart, which is pretty interesting!
When choosing matcha, always look for:
- Bright green color (a sign of fresh, high-quality matcha).
- Finely ground powder that dissolves easily.
- Smooth, grassy aroma without too much bitterness.
While I really love Ippodo Ummon and Sayaka, I save them for making usucha. And I use more affordable ceremonial-grade matcha in fun latte recipes to enjoy its bold flavor.
I believe fruit and matcha are an elite combo. Try my Strawberry Matcha Latte and
Lychee Matcha Soda to explore the world of fruity matcha drinks.
Best Milk for Banana Matcha Latte
- Oat milk: lightly sweet and not overpowering. It creates creamy banana milk. (recommended)
- Almond milk: lighter and nuttier.
- Coconut milk: rich and tropical.
- Soy milk: high-protein option.
Of course, you can use whole milk or barista blend milk too.
Banana Matcha Latte Variations
- Banana Matcha Smoothie: Thick and creamy cousin of banana matcha latte.
- Iced Banana Bread Matcha Latte: A fun recipe recreating a popular Starbucks drink with banana cold foam.
- Iced banana matcha latte: Blend banana with milk and pour over ice before adding whisked matcha.
- Hot banana matcha latte: Warm banana milk on the stovetop and mix with hot matcha.
- Protein banana matcha latte: Add a spoon of vanilla protein powder to the banana milk.
- Chocolate banana matcha latte: Add cacao powder to the banana milk.
- Salted vanilla banana matcha latte: Add a pinch of salt and vanilla paste/extract to the banana milk.
Tips for the Best Banana Matcha Latte
- Use a ripe banana for a naturally sweetened latte.
- Sift the matcha to help prevent clumps.
- Use water around 70-80°C (158-176°F) for the best matcha flavor. Hot water makes matcha bitter.
- Banana milk naturally darkens over time. While it still tastes great, it's best to prepare this drink right before enjoying it.
- You can enjoy it hot or cold.
Storage and Make Ahead
For the best flavor and vibrant green color, I recommend assembling the banana matcha latte right before serving.
With that said, you can make the banana milk ahead of time and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1-2 days. Shake well before use. The color of banana milk can darken slightly, like fresh bananas would when oxidized. But it's still tasty, and you won't see the color when mixed with matcha.
I recommend whisking the matcha just before serving rather than preparing it ahead. When you're ready to enjoy, simply add ice and banana milk to a glass, then pour the freshly whisked matcha on top.
More Matcha Drinks to Try
Matcha lover? Try these!
Creamy Banana Matcha Latte
Equipment
- 1 blender
Ingredients
- 1 banana
- ½ cup oat milk
- 2 teaspoons matcha
- ¼ cup hot water 70-80°C (158-176°F). See note 1.
- Ice cubes
- (optional)A pinch of salt, a dash of cinnamon, or ½ teaspoon vanilla extract/paste
Instructions
- In a blender, combine the banana and oat milk and blend until smooth. If you're using optional ingredients like salt, vanilla, or cinnamon, add them here and blend together.
- Soak a whisk before use to soften the bristles. In a small bowl, sift in matcha powder. Add hot water and use a bamboo whisk to whisk, moving in an M or W shape, until smooth and foamy on the surface.
- Fill a glass with ice cubes and pour banana milk. Top with matcha. Mix well and enjoy!
Video
Notes
Nutrition
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If you have any questions or reviews, please leave a comment and ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️! I'd love to know what you think!
Jenny says
THIS was amazingly good - and easy to make!
Thank you for posting this one 😊
Yoko says
So happy to hear you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you so much for the comment, it means a lot to me!