This iced blueberry matcha latte will make you feel like you went to a coffee shop.
Table of Contents
This article was developed through a sponsored collaboration with National Dairy Council.
What you’ll need (& their gut health benefits)
You’ll need just a few ingredients to make this latte. Invest in a good quality matcha for the best flavor.
Matcha
One of the special things about matcha is that you consume the whole leaf, so you get a bit of fiber and all the goodness the matcha has to offer. Matcha is known for being a source of antioxidants. If you’re curious about how matcha can support digestive health, check out my full blog post for all the details.
Matcha Tip:
A lot of matchas have been pre-sweetened. When choosing your matcha, be mindful of the added sugars or choose one that isn’t already sweetened. For this recipe, we are using unsweetened matcha, but we do add honey.
Blueberries
Blueberries are always one of my favorites because they are good for the gut and the brain (1). They are a source of fiber which can help bowel health and keep you regular.
The beautiful blue color is also the reason blueberries are so healthy and the pigment in blueberries could be helpful for your gut health. The natural blue pigment, produced by a compound called anthocyanins, are thought to positively interact with your gut bacteria and help strengthen your gut barrier (1).
Berry Tip:
Frozen blueberries are one of the foods I keep year-round in my kitchen, even when blueberries are in season. Frozen berries are so much easier to keep for longer periods of time and you still get the same nutrients.
Lactose-Free Whole Milk & Half & Half
Lattes are my favorite way to drink matcha because the milk adds a creamy richness that enhances the flavor of the matcha. In this recipe, we’re also taking it up a notch by adding a blueberry cold foam made from lactose-free half & half, adding an extra hint of blueberry to every sip.
An underappreciated fact about lattes is that using dairy milk adds a nice amount of protein. This is why I think lattes are perfect for when you need a little pick-me-up because protein (& the natural carbs in milk) provide a steady energy boost.
If you’re lactose-sensitive, lactose-free milk is a great option! Lactose-free milk has 0 grams of lactose compared to the 12 grams in regular milk but still delivers the same 8 grams of protein per 1 cup serving (2).
Dairy Tip:
Many people may not realize that you can still enjoy dairy foods and the nutrients they provide even if you have lactose intolerance. Lactose-free dairy milk has all 13 essential nutrients you’ll find in regular dairy milk – just no lactose. There are also a variety of dairy foods that are naturally lower in lactose, like Greek yogurt and cheddar cheese, to name a few.
Honey
Did you know that honey has the potential to be a prebiotic food? Prebiotics describe certain compounds naturally found in food, usually carbohydrates found in fiber, that can help feed your good gut bacteria.
It’s thought that honey has a specific carbohydrate that could have prebiotic qualities, making it a special sweetener to keep in your pantry (3). Honey is also a source of antioxidants which adds an extra health boost to your drink.
Honey Tip:
While honey is a great sweetener, it is still considered an added sugar, so it’s important to be mindful of how much added sugar we eat daily.
How to make
To make your blueberry iced matcha latte you’ll need a few basic ingredients.
Blueberry Juice
This recipe uses frozen blueberries to make a sweetened juice that you will use to flavor the drink. The leftover blueberries will be placed in the bottom of the cup so you can get more flavor and extra fiber.
Making Your Matcha
Matcha is traditionally made with a bamboo whisk called a chasen in a matcha bowl called a chawan. If you don’t have those items, you can still make your matcha at home; and a milk frother will work well.
Blueberry Cold Foam
The blueberry cold foam adds that extra hint of blueberry and you’ll use some of the blueberry juice to make it.
This recipe uses lactose-free half & half, but it may also be helpful to know that heavy cream is naturally lower in lactose. Heavy cream can have less than 1 gram of lactose for one tablespoon and the higher fat content will make a more luscious cold foam (4, 5).
FAQs
What is lactose-free dairy milk?
Lactose-free dairy milk is simply milk without the lactose. Lactose is the sugar you naturally find in milk and some people can have an intolerance to this sugar, so they aren’t able to fully break it down.
What does matcha taste like?
Matcha has a light, slightly grassy taste. I’ve found that the taste of matcha can depend on the quality and brand, so you try different ones to see what you like. Ceremonial matcha has an even lighter flavor and can be a nice one to start with.
Does matcha taste good with blueberries?
Matcha pairs well with a variety of flavors, especially blueberries. Strawberries also work very well with matcha, and you could sub the blueberries for strawberries.
If you would like a stronger blueberry flavor, you could use blueberry milk. You will follow the recipe to make the blueberry juice but instead of straining the blueberries, you’ll blend it with the milk.
Can I make the matcha ahead of time?
Matcha is best drunk fresh so making matcha ahead of time isn’t recommended. I have saved my matcha for the next day and you’ll find that the matcha powder will fall to the bottom of your drink along with being less flavorful.
Does matcha have caffeine?
Matcha does have caffeine and depending on the type matcha and how it’s brewed can be comparable to the amount of caffeine you’d find in a cup of coffee (6). So, if you’re sensitive to caffeine you may want to be mindful of when you drink it.
Iced Blueberry Matcha Latte
Ingredients
Blueberry Juice
- 1/3 c frozen blueberries
- 1/4 c water
- 1/2 tsp honey
Matcha
- 1 tsp matcha powder, unsweetened
- 1/4 c hot water
- 2/3 c lactose-free whole milk
- 4-5 ea ice cubes
Blueberry Cold Foam
- 1 oz lactose-free half &half
- 1/2 tbsp blueberry juice
Instructions
Make the Blueberry Juice
- First make the blueberry juice by adding blueberries and water to a saucepan. Simmer on low to medium heat for 5-10 minutes, occasionally smashing the blueberries with the back of a spoon to release the juices.
- Remove the blueberries from the heat and stir in the honey.
- Using a fine mesh strainer, strain out the blueberry juice in a bowl. Press the blueberries against the strainer to extract as much juice as possible (reserve ½ tbsp of the juice for the cold foam).
Prepare the Matcha
- In a glass, whisk or froth the matcha powder with the hot water until fully combined.
Make the Blueberry Cold Foam
- In a cup, combine the half & half with the reserved blueberry juice.
- Hold the frother at a 45° angle and froth the mixture until light and foamy.
Assemble the Drink
- Add the leftover blueberries to a cup.
- Fill the cup with ice cubes and pour in milk.
- Add the blueberry juice, then pour in the prepared matcha.
- Spoon the blueberry cold foam over your drink and enjoy!
Amanda is a pizza loving registered dietitian nutritionist specializing in mindfulness and gut health. She quickly realized that gut health goes beyond the gut; it is also about honoring our gut feelings. She is the creator of The Mindful Gut™ which uses science and strategy to help people improve their gut health.
