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This Lychee Matcha Soda is a healthy summer drink that captures the tropical flavor of fresh lychees and the antioxidants of matcha into an easy carbonated tea drink! Enjoy this non-alcoholic matcha mocktail drink recipe for an afternoon refresher, a replacement for sugary soda, or any time you need a green wellness boost.

The lychee matcha soda served in scalloped glass and topped with fresh lychee.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Even though I’m a huge fan of matcha lattes, I’m always looking for a lighter and more refreshing way to enjoy matcha. On a hot summer day, I don’t feel like drinking something ‘milky’ under the bright sunshine. A cold, fizzy, and sweet drink with a little kick of acidity is all I need. That’s why I created the Matcha Mojito Mocktail.

But now, for the peak summer, I need a matcha drink idea that is even more summery. The tropical sweetness of lychees well complements the crisp matcha flavor, a refreshing bubbly drink for green tea lovers. And this matcha drink is just made with a handful of fresh ingredients.

Can This Green Tea Soda Turn Into a Matcha Cocktail?

This Lychee Matcha Soda is a non alcoholic wellness drink and is meant to be enjoyed as a summer mocktail. But if you wish to spice up a little, add a splash of vodka to make it a green tea cocktail.

Pouring matcha to a glass of fresh lychee and sparkling water.

The Ingredients

Lychees: Ripe juicy lychees are typically in season from around May to July. Make this recipe while fresh lychees are in season.
Matcha: The quality of matcha is very important. Choose a ceremonial grade matcha that has a bright green color. I trust and love matcha from Ippodo.
Maple syrup: Adds wholesome sweetness.
Lime juice: Adds a little acidity.
Sparkling water: For the fizz.

The lychee matcha soda topped with a fresh lychee and a lime wedge.

How to Peel Lychees

Fresh lychees are so tropical and delicious, and surprisingly sweet! They might look intimidating if it’s your first time trying. But they’re so easy to peel and too good to not try!

You can use your nails to piece into the outer red skin of the lychees. And peel the skin off the flesh like you would do with oranges or mandarines.

When you’re just enjoying fresh lychee for a snack or dessert, nibble the white flesh, just be careful about the seed in the center.

For this recipe, we need to remove the seeds.

Use a knife to carefully score the flesh lengthwise so that you can approach the seed. Then use your fingers to open up, and pull out the seed. There might be a brown membrane attached to the flesh around where the seed used to be, but it’s ok.

Now lychees are ready to be used in the recipe!

How to Make Lychee Matcha Soda

First and foremost, let’s prepare the matcha. Sift matcha into a matcha bowl or a regular small bowl. It’s important to sift matcha to achieve the smooth consistency.

Pour hot water over the patch powder and whisk vigorously with a bamboo whisk. Since the liquid used here is so little, it’ll be easier to whisk if you tilt the bowl a little bit. Set it aside to cool off a bit while preparing lychees.

In a glass, add lychees, maple syrup, and lime juice. Use a cocktail muddler to mash lychees to release juice and break them into small pieces. Use scissors if necessary to cut lychee.

Muddling lychee in a glass with cocktail muddler.

Add ice to the glass and top with sparkling water.

Mashed lychee, ice cubes, and sparkling water in a glass.

Whisk the matcha again if necessary, as matcha powder sinks when left out too long. Pour the matcha into the glass. Mix well and enjoy! Use a spoon to scoop and enjoy lychee pieces.

Scooping lychee from a glass of matcha soda with a spoon.

Love Matcha? Try more matcha recipes!

Strawberry Matcha Latte Smoothie

Mango Matcha Latte Popsicles

Matcha Mojito Mocktail

Matcha Pancakes

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If you enjoy the recipe, please leave a comment and ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️! I’d love to know what you think!