Ever wake up kinda groggy, need a jumpstart, but regular coffee just—well, doesn’t hit the right notes anymore? That was me last week. Seriously, I craved something new, a bit of power up but without the “crash” later. Enter this magical Matcha Protein Coffee Latte recipe. It’s like your average coffee ran away with a green tea and a protein shake, then came back super creamy (and trust me, simple to whip up). Plus, it kinda reminds me of that tasty coffee boba tea bubble tea recipe I made last month, but this one gives more staying power till lunch. Oh, and if you want something equally out-of-the-box, don’t sleep on the cold witches brew coffee recipe: it’s wild. Anyway, back to this frothy little green number.
Understanding grades of matcha
Alright, so let’s have a real talk about matcha. Not all of it’s the same, far from it. You’ll see “culinary grade” and “ceremonial grade” floating around in stores and on Instagram. But nobody really tells you—like, which do you actually want for a Matcha Protein Coffee Latte recipe?
Ceremonial grade looks like electric green fairy dust and has a sweet mellow finish. Fancy stuff. Culinary grade? It’s fine, a little more earthy (sometimes even tastes a bit like, uh, grassy snow). For this iced matcha latte situation, honestly, I’ve used both. If you want creamy and fewer weird aftertastes, I’d suggest ceremonial, but don’t let the price tag scare you. Go middle-of-the-road, because once you mix in the coffee and protein powder, that subtle tea ceremony flavor gets a bit smothered.
Just don’t skimp so low that it turns the whole drink swamp-colored. If the powder looks sad, your latte will taste sad. End of rant.
A friend texted me, “Is matcha healthier than coffee?” Well… they both kickstart your mood but matcha is loaded with chill energy. It’s less jittery. Makes you feel like you could do yoga and taxes simultaneously (maybe a stretch). Try it both ways someday and see which one turns you into your best self.
Simple ingredients you’ll need for the perfect iced matcha latte
If you’ve ever bailed on a recipe because it called for, like, “dragon fruit extract” and obscure stuff, relax. This Matcha Protein Coffee Latte recipe uses things I’m 90% sure you have, or can score at any corner store:
- Good matcha powder (see above)
- Coffee (I normally go cold brew or leftover hot coffee, chilled)
- Protein powder (I love vanilla, but chocolate is shockingly good, too)
- Your favorite milk (oat, almond, whole—you do you)
- Honey or maple syrup (if you’re feeling extra sweet-toothed)
- Loads of ice
I once swapped regular milk for coconut, actually, and accidentally made my own coconut whipped coffee dalgona coffee by shaking it aggressively in a mason jar. So … experiment!
If you want one extra touch? Try one scoop of your favorite brown sugar syrup. Works wonders. Okay, ingredients: super basic, nothing too wild. Giant plus!
How to make this iced green tea latte recipe
Now, the fun (and messy) part. Don’t worry. You don’t need a million tools. My first one? Shook it like crazy in a protein shaker and called it a day.
Start with the matcha: whisk it up with a little hot water till it’s smooth—just to avoid those green lumps. I use one of those cheap little whisks, but a fork works if you’re in a pinch. Instagram videos make it look fussy, but honestly, it’s not.
Next, pour your chilled coffee in. Add a scoop of your protein powder, and about a half cup of milk. Shove a bunch of ice in your glass. Now shake (or stir) until it’s creamy and frothy and turns a magical swirl of light green and coffee brown.
Sweetener? Totally up to you. Drizzle in a bit of maple syrup or honey—don’t overthink it. Then, pour that creamy green magic over your ice, and enjoy.
Sometimes it turns out marbled instead of one pretty green color. Shrug. Still delicious! Half my lattes never look Pinterest-perfect. They taste like a five-star treat though, and that’s what actually matters.
“This recipe has totally replaced my afternoon slump snack. I never thought I’d love matcha, but combining it with coffee and protein is a total gamechanger!” – Lauren, busy college student
Substitutions, optional variations & dietary adjustments
Honestly, you could play around all day with this. If you’re dairy-free, you can use oat or soy milk. If you’re vegan, choose a plant-based protein powder and use maple syrup. Fitness friends—try blending in a little Greek yogurt for an extra creamy hit. That turns it into almost a smoothie… wild, but works!
Nut allergies? Coconut milk’s your guy. You can use Espresso shots instead of cold brew for a turbo version. For low-sugar, go unsweetened all the way. Want something fancier? Top it with a shot of easy caramel syrup recipe like a real coffee shop pro. No rules, just guidelines.
Some folks even swap in matcha blends that have extra adaptogens, but frankly, sometimes simple is better. Try your own combos—a lot of people go nuts for a dash of cinnamon or even a drizzle of homemade coconut syrup recipe. Explore more creative matcha latte recipes if you want!
Pro tips
- Use a shaker bottle for the smoothest, frothiest latte.
- If you like it extra creamy, try adding a splash of half-and-half.
- Prep the coffee in advance; chilled coffee makes the texture and flavor way better.
- For a fun twist, freeze some coffee into coffee ice cubes and use them instead of regular ice. This keeps the flavor strong without watering it down.
Common Questions
Can I prep this Matcha Protein Coffee Latte recipe ahead of time?
You can, but it might separate. Give it a good shake before drinking.
Is this drink really more “energizing” than regular coffee?
Kinda! It’s got the caffeine from both coffee and matcha, so it’ll definitely wake you up plus the protein keeps you full.
What protein powder works best?
Vanilla blends in nicely without overpowering the matcha and coffee flavor, but honestly, any favorite unflavored or chocolate works too.
Can I make this hot instead of iced?
For sure! Just heat the coffee and milk, whisk in matcha and protein as usual, and skip the ice.
How do I avoid clumpy matcha?
Always whisk your matcha in a little hot water separately before adding anything else. It dissolves better that way.
Ready to Shake Up Your Routine?
So there you go: a Matcha Protein Coffee Latte recipe that’s honestly the best thing to happen to my busy mornings (or those 3 p.m. cravings, let’s be real). It’s simple, flexible, and so satisfying—I bet even your coffee-obsessed friends will suddenly become green latte fans. If you’re still looking for inspiration, check out this awesome Iced Protein Matcha Latte Recipe (Starbucks Copycat) – Fit Mama … or this Matcha Protein Shake Recipe – Love Mischka for different spins on the idea. Try your own version, make it messy, tweak those extras, and tell me if your first sip doesn’t feel like, well, a total life upgrade.
Matcha Protein Coffee Latte
Ingredients
Method
- Whisk matcha powder with a little hot water until smooth to avoid lumps.
- Pour chilled coffee into a glass.
- Add the scoop of protein powder and half a cup of milk.
- Fill the glass with ice and shake or stir until creamy and frothy.
- Sweeten with honey or maple syrup to taste.
- Pour over ice and enjoy your latte!