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Matcha Lemonade Recipe: The Ultimate Summer Refresher

★★★★★ (4.8 from 56 Reviews)
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Move over, Arnold Palmer. There is a new green giant in town. Matcha Lemonade combines the grassy, umami depth of Japanese green tea with the sharp acidity of fresh lemons.

Popularized by Starbucks, this drink is surprisingly easy to make better at home. The key is using real matcha (not syrup) and balancing the ratio so it's refreshing, not swampy. It offers a gentle caffeine boost without the coffee jitters, making it the perfect 3 PM pick-me-up.

A tall glass of bright green matcha lemonade with ice and a lemon wheel.
Prep Time5 mins
Total Time5 mins
Servings1 Cup
CaffeineMedium

Ingredients

The Matcha Shot
  • 1 tsp Matcha Powder (Don't use cheap culinary grade here; color matters!)
  • 2 oz (60ml) Hot Water (not boiling, approx 80°C)

The Lemonade Base
  • 6 oz (180ml) Cold Lemonade (Homemade or high-quality store-bought like Simply Lemonade)
  • Ice Cubes
  • Optional: Fresh Mint or a splash of sparkling water for fizz
Nutrition per serving:
Calories: 110
Fat: 0g
Sugar: 24g
Protein: 1g

Instructions

1
Sift & Whisk: Sift the matcha powder into a small bowl to remove lumps. Add the hot water and whisk vigorously in a "W" motion until a thick froth forms on top.
2
Prep the Glass: Fill a tall glass to the top with ice cubes. This is essential for the layered look.
3
Pour Lemonade: Pour the cold lemonade into the glass until it is about 3/4 full.
4
The Layer: Slowly pour the matcha shot over the ice. The green tea should sit on top of the yellow lemonade, creating a beautiful gradient. Stir before drinking to mix the flavors.

Expert Tip: The Sugar Density Trick

Want that perfect Instagram layer? It's all about density. The bottom liquid needs to have more sugar than the top liquid. Use a sweet lemonade on the bottom and unsweetened matcha on top. If your matcha sinks immediately, your lemonade isn't sugary enough (or you poured too fast!).