This Iced Pineapple Matcha (Starbucks Copycat) recipe offers refreshing, tropical flavors and a boost of caffeine, pairing naturally sweet coconut milk and pineapple juice with the bitter, grassy notes of match tea. A hint of spice from fresh ginger balances out this summer iced matcha latte.
This is officially my new favorite drink of the summer! It is amazingly refreshing and tropical, with hints of natural sweetness from the pineapple juice and coconut milk, a touch of zing from some fresh grated ginger, and a subtle caffeine boost from earthy, grassy matcha tea. I like to mix in a little turmeric powder as well for some extra health and goodness, but that is optional. (If you are a fan of golden milk lattes, I recommend you give it a try.)
This Iced Pineapple Matcha is inspired by a Starbucks drink that was featured a couple of years back on their menu. I am not one to stop by Starbucks (or any other local coffee shop) very frequently, so I am a little late to the trend. It’s not that I don’t want to, but working from home, I am not very often out and about with the opportunity – which is probably a good thing if we are being honest because I am sure it saves me so much money.
While I don’t drink coffee anymore, I am a huge fan of teas and other delicious tasty beverages. So when I do find myself at a cafe or coffee shop, I love to try the unique and different drinks on the menu. This past winter, when we were on vacation at a luxurious all-inclusive resort in the Riviera Maya, they had this simply adorable café that was, of course, part of the all-inclusive benefits. So obviously, I had to take full advantage of it, stopping by daily (or several times a day, if we are being honest) to pick up a drink in the mornings after yoga or on the way to lounge by the pool.
One of my favorite drinks on their menu, was this iced drink that combined ginger, coconut milk, and some rich coconut cream. It was heavenly, and I treated myself to several throughout my days at the resort. As my tan faded after we returned home, so did the memories of that delicious drink, but one sip of this Iced Pineapple Matcha brought me right back. The flavors from the sweet, creamy coconut and slightly spicy ginger are just like that in my favorite drink from vacation. Combined with tropical pineapple juice and the slightly bitter, grassiness of matcha green tea, this iced matcha latte gives you all of the vibes of being on a tropical vacation – and left me longing to go back to that beautiful beach.
How Do You Make This Iced Pineapple Matcha – Starbucks Copycat Recipe?
To make this Iced Pineapple Matcha Starbucks Copycat drink, you need just 5 (or 6) ingredients and a couple of minutes. Here is how I did it:
- Hot Water: You need just enough hot water to dissolve the matcha powder. Make sure you don’t heat it too hot, as this can make your tea bitter. Aim for somewhere between 140 – 175 degrees Fahrenheit (cooler water will result in a softer, milder flavor).
- Matcha Tea: Matcha gives you a boost of caffeine, offering a prolonged feeling of alertness without the jitters from coffee. There are many different grades of matcha powder. You will want to use a good ceremonial grade matcha powder for the best flavor.
- Grated Ginger: Ginger adds a little spiciness to this Iced Pineapple Matcha Latte that pairs nicely with the sweet tropical flavors and bitter matcha. Fresh grated ginger will give you the best flavor. I like to keep a piece of ginger in the freezer so I can pull it out and grate it as needed. No need to thaw first, just grate on a microplane or zester from frozen.
- Turmeric Powder: This is optional, but I love the earthy, pepperiness that it adds to balance out the sweetness from the pineapple and coconut flavors. Plus turmeric offers a host of health benefits. If you are a fan of golden milk lattes, give this a try. But if you prefer your drinks to be sweeter, you may want to skip this.
- Pineapple Juice: I would have never thought to pair matcha tea with pineapple, but the pineapple juice adds a great tropical flavor and natural sweetness balancing out the grassy-bitter notes from the matcha.
- Coconut Milk: Coconut milk adds a nice creaminess to this iced latte. I use coconut milk from a carton in this Iced Pineapple Matcha Drink, because I often have it on hand for smoothies (like this Healthy Strawberry Shortcake Smoothie), but you can also substitute coconut milk from a can. Canned coconut milk will give the drink a richer, creamier consistency as it tends to be thicker.
Looking for More Refreshing Drinks that Bring the Flavors of Summer?
If you are looking for other drinks that bring the flavors of summer anytime of the year, here are some of my favorites:
- Spicy Cucumber Coconut Water Margarita
- Easy Pineapple Margarita Pitcher
- Spicy Ginger Paloma
- Watermelon Mint Margaritas
- Easy Palomas by the Pitcher
If you make this Iced Pineapple Matcha Drink recipe don’t forget to comment and rate the recipe below to let me know what you think! You can also share your photos and tag me @NamasteHomeCooking on Facebook or @NamasteHomeCooking on Instagram. I love hearing from everyone!
Iced Pineapple Matcha (Starbucks Copycat)
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup hot water (between 140-175℉)
- 1/2 tsp matcha powder
- 1/4 tsp fresh grated ginger
- 1/8 tsp turmeric powder (optional)
- 1/4 cup pineapple juice
- 1/2 - 1 cup coconut milk
- ice
Instructions
- In a small bowl or mug, whisk together the hot water and matcha powder until fully combined. Let cool a couple of minutes.
- To the matcha, add ginger, turmeric (if desired), and pineapple juice, and whisk to combine.
- Pour into a glass filled with ice and top with coconut milk as desired (1/2 - 1 cup).
- Stir and enjoy!