How to Make a Matcha Martini, TikTok’s Viral Cocktail
When the matcha martini trend first lit up TikTok, I wasn’t sure whether to be intrigued or sceptical. After all, we’ve seen plenty of viral cocktails come and go. But the first time I whisked that vibrant green powder into a creamy, shaken mix, I understood all the hype. Unlike the heavy espresso martini, a matcha martini without espresso is bright, smooth, and refreshingly different, perfect for anyone who loves the earthy depth of green tea with a modern cocktail twist.
If you’ve ever wondered how to make a matcha martini at home, you’re in for a real treat. This recipe captures the essence of the viral matcha martini TikTok sensation but adds a few simple touches to perfect the recipe from trend to a timeless favourite. This green gem of a cocktail is guaranteed to impress all your friends!
So move over, espresso martini, the matcha martini is here!
Why Matcha Is Perfect for Cocktails Like the Matcha Martini
Matcha is a finely ground green tea powder that’s been enjoyed in Japan for centuries, and it’s now making waves in modern mixology. Its vibrant colour, earthy flavour, and gentle caffeine boost make it a unique ingredient for cocktails. Unlike brewed green tea, matcha blends smoothly into liquids, creating a thick and creamy texture that pairs beautifully with spirits like gin, vodka, or liqueurs. That’s why the matcha martini trend on TikTok has taken off, it is eye-catching, refreshing, and offers a lighter alternative to coffee-based drinks like the famous espresso martini.
Benefits of Using Matcha in Cocktails
🌱 Vibrant green colour: makes your drink look stunning and Instagram-ready.
🌱 Smooth earthy flavour: balances sweetness and alcohol with a unique depth.
🌱 Creamy texture: when whisked, matcha creates a silky froth perfect for martinis.
🌱 Gentle caffeine boost: adds energy without the intensity of coffee.
🌱 Rich in antioxidants: brings a wellness angle to indulgent cocktails.
🌱 Versatile pairing: works with gin, vodka, tequila, or creamy liqueurs.
Health & Wellness Highlights
One reason the matcha martini trend has grown so popular is its balance of indulgence and wellness. Matcha is packed with antioxidants and L-theanine, and provides a gentle caffeine boost without the jitters of espresso. So while this cocktail feels luxurious, it’s also lighter and more refreshing than a traditional espresso martini.
Read more about the 👉 antioxidants in tea
Top Tips for the Perfect Matcha Martini
🍸 Choose high-quality matcha: Go for ceremonial grade matcha if possible, as it has a brighter colour and smoother taste, which makes your cocktail more vibrant and less bitter.
🍸 Whisk thoroughly: Always whisk the matcha with a splash of warm (not hot) water before shaking. This prevents clumps and creates a silky-smooth base for your martini. It’s best to use a bamboo whisk or milk frother for this.
🍸 Chill your glass: Pop your martini or coupe glass in the freezer for 10 minutes before serving. It keeps the drink extra refreshing. Note that leaving your glass in the freezer for too long may cause your glass to break.
🍸 Adjust sweetness to taste: White chocolate liqueur adds natural sweetness. If you prefer a drier cocktail, use less or swap it for vanilla liqueur. Adjust the vanilla simple syrup to taste.
🍸 Experiment with spirits: Gin adds botanical notes, but vodka creates a cleaner, sharper taste. Try both to see which matches your palate.
🍸 Optional cold foam upgrade: For a café-style touch, spoon cold foam on top and dust with matcha powder. This adds extra creaminess and makes your cocktail Instagram photo-ready!
🍸 Shake hard and strain smooth: Shake with ice for at least 15–20 seconds. The harder you shake, the frothier and creamier your martini will be. Double strain if you want it ultra-smooth. For more frothiness, add an extra layer of cold foam on top.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Making a Matcha Martini
🍸 Using boiling water for the matcha: Hot water burns matcha green tea and makes it taste bitter. Always whisk with warm water (around 175°F / 80°C) for a smooth and mellow flavour.
🍸 Skipping the whisking step: If you just shake the powder with other ingredients, you’ll end up with clumps. Always whisk matcha first before adding it to the shaker.
🍸 Using low-quality matcha: Old or poor-quality matcha looks dull and tastes harsh. Invest in fresh, vibrant matcha powder for the best colour and flavour.
🍸 Not shaking long enough: A weak shake gives a flat, lifeless drink. Shake vigorously with ice for 15–20 seconds to get that silky and creamy froth, and chilled texture.
🍸 Overpowering the matcha with alcohol: Too much gin or liqueur can mask the delicate tea flavour. Stick close to the recipe proportions to keep everything balanced.
🍸 Forgetting to chill the glass: Serving in a warm glass makes the martini taste less refreshing. Chill your glass in the freezer beforehand for the perfect serve.
🍸 Skipping the garnish: A dusting of matcha or a layer of cold foam adds the “wow factor” both visually and in flavour. Don’t underestimate presentation!
🍸 Not experimenting with milk choices: Dairy milk works great, but oat or toasted coconut milk can add unique flavours. If you only use regular milk, you might miss out on fun variations.
🍸 Vital Matcha Martini Recipe (Serves 1)
Ingredients
1 tsp matcha powder
Splash of warm water (just enough to whisk the matcha)
½ cup / 4 fl oz milk (dairy or non-dairy)
1 tbsp vanilla simple syrup - to taste
1 oz gin
1 oz white chocolate liqueur
Optional garnish: cold foam and a light dusting of matcha powder
Method
Whisk the matcha: In a small bowl, whisk the matcha powder with a splash of warm water until smooth and free of lumps. This creates a concentrated matcha base.
Shake the cocktail: Add the whisked matcha concentrate, milk, simple syrup, gin, and white chocolate liqueur into a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake vigorously until well chilled and slightly frothy.
Strain and serve: Strain the cocktail into a chilled martini or coupe glass.
Optional finish: Add a layer of cold foam and dust lightly with extra matcha powder for an elegant presentation.
To make the cold foam: In a mason jar with a lid, mix together 3 tbsp of heavy/double cream, 1 tbsp of milk (dairy or plant-based), and 1 tbsp of vanilla simple syrup. Close the lid tightly and shake vigorously until the mixture is well combined and foamy.
Matcha martinis aren’t just eye-catching; they are so very versatile, too. This cocktail is the perfect drink for brunch with friends, cosy nights in, or even as a show-stopping tipple for holiday gatherings. Its balance of earthy matcha and creamy sweetness makes it pair beautifully with desserts.
🍡 Pair Your Matcha Martini With Dessert
Serve your delicious matchatini alongside my matcha mochi ice cream with chocolate middles, for a Japanese-inspired pairing, or try a traditional citrusy yuzu tart for a refreshing contrast. Both desserts complement the martini’s creamy texture and help balance the earthy notes of green tea.
🫗 Equipment You’ll Need
To make the perfect matcha martini, you don’t need much, just a few bar and tea essentials:
Cocktail shaker or mason jar with a lid (a clean jam jar with lid will work here too)
Bamboo whisk or milk frother
Chilled martini or coupe glass
Jigger or shot measure
🍵 Variations & Substitutions You’ll Love
Vodka Matcha Martini: Swap gin for vodka if you prefer a cleaner, more neutral base.
Tequila Twist: For a bold and earthy cocktail, tequila pairs surprisingly well with matcha.
Dairy-Free Version: Use oat, almond, or toasted coconut milk (my favourite) instead of dairy. These plant-based options add unique flavour notes and make the cocktail vegan-friendly too.
Different Sweeteners: Replace vanilla simple syrup with honey, agave, or maple syrup for a natural alternative and flavour variations.
Swap the Liqueur: If you don’t have white chocolate liqueur, try vanilla liqueur, Baileys cookies and cream, or even coconut liqueur (paired with toasted coconut milk) for a fun twist.
Less Sweet, More Strong: Reduce or skip the syrup if you want a drier martini with more of the gin’s botanicals shining through.
🥣 Make-Ahead & Storage Tips
Whisk Matcha in Advance: Prepare your matcha base (matcha and a splash of warm water) up to 24 hours ahead and store it in the fridge. Shake with milk and spirits just before serving.
Batch for Parties: Scale up the recipe by whisking a larger batch of matcha concentrate. When ready to serve, pour into a shaker with milk, gin, and liqueur for quick prep.
Serve Immediately: The cocktail is best enjoyed fresh and frothy, so avoid storing a fully mixed martini. The foam and vibrancy fade quickly.
Chill Your Glasses: You can pre-chill your martini or coupe glasses in the freezer for 10 minutes. This step ensures the cocktail stays crisp and refreshing when poured.
Viral Matcha Martini Recipe (Serves 1)
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon matcha powder
- Splash of warm water (just enough to whisk the matcha)
- ½ cup / 4 fl oz milk (dairy or non-dairy)
- 1 tbsp vanilla simple syrup – to taste
- 1 oz gin
- 1 oz white chocolate liqueur
- Optional garnish: cold foam and a light dusting of matcha powder
Method
- Whisk the matcha: In a small bowl, whisk the matcha powder with a splash of warm water until smooth and free of lumps. This creates a concentrated matcha base.
- Shake the cocktail: Add the whisked matcha concentrate, milk, simple syrup, gin, and white chocolate liqueur into a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake vigorously until well chilled and slightly frothy.
- Strain and serve: Strain the cocktail into a chilled martini or coupe glass.
- Optional finish: Add a layer of cold foam and dust lightly with extra matcha powder for an elegant presentation.
FAQs
1. Can I make a matcha martini without espresso?
Yes! Unlike an espresso martini, this cocktail uses matcha for a smooth, earthy flavour. It’s lighter, less bitter, and gives a gentle caffeine lift without coffee.
2. What alcohol works best in a matcha martini?
Gin adds a refreshing botanical twist, while vodka makes it cleaner and sharper. You can even experiment with tequila for a bolder variation.
3. Do I need ceremonial grade matcha for this recipe?
Ceremonial grade gives the best flavour and vibrant green colour, but high-quality culinary grade will also work if that’s what you have.
4. Can I make a matcha martini dairy-free?
Absolutely! Swap the milk for oat, almond, or coconut milk, and use a dairy-free white chocolate liqueur or vanilla liqueur if needed.
5. How do I get rid of clumps in my matcha martini?
Sift and then whisk the matcha with a splash of warm (not boiling) water before adding it to your shaker. This ensures a smooth, lump-free cocktail.
6. Can I prepare a matcha martini in advance?
It’s best made fresh, but you can whisk the matcha and store it in the fridge for a few hours. Shake with ice and alcohol just before serving.
7. How strong is a matcha martini?
It’s moderately strong with around 2 oz of alcohol in total. You can adjust the gin-to-liqueur ratio depending on how boozy or sweet you like it. Adjust the liqueur for the level of sweetness.
8. What can I use instead of white chocolate liqueur?
Try vanilla liqueur, coconut liqueur, or even Baileys (strawberries and cream) for a creamier version. Each creates a slightly different but delicious twist.
9. Can I add cold foam to my matcha martini?
Yes! Topping with cold foam and a dusting of matcha powder is a TikTok-inspired upgrade that looks stunning and adds extra creaminess.
10. What desserts pair well with a matcha martini?
Matcha mochi ice cream, yuzu tart, or a light Japanese cheesecake pair beautifully, balancing the cocktail’s creamy, earthy notes.
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