I have a healthy habit of making hot tea lattes during the colder season. London fogs and matcha lattes are definitely a couple of my regulars. But, as the weather warms up or even if I just need something more thirst-quenching, I change it up with an iced tea latte. Something I’ve been enjoying lately is a combination of my 2 go-to tea lattes. If you caught my interview with Tea with Jann you knew this recipe was coming! Japanese green tea powder mingles with a classic citrus infused black tea for an iced earl grey matcha latte. Yes, it’s just as it sounds! Rich, vegetal matcha latte with notes of aromatic bergamot in every sip. This creamy iced treat was made for both matcha and earl grey tea lovers. If you’re already a fan of these two teas individually you’ll absolutely love them together.
My Matcha & Earl Grey Tea Journey
My relationship with matcha and earl grey started out pretty similar. I actually disliked both of these teas from the start. It was never love at first sip for me and these two teas.
I began to appreciate and enjoy them more when I realized I wasn’t preparing them properly nor was I drinking good quality.
I also came to realize that both matcha and earl grey differ depending on the company. Not all matcha or earl grey blends are equal. You need to taste a few to find one that you will ultimately enjoy.
Good Quality Matcha
Good quality matcha means it is a vibrant green powder that is sourced from Japan and is nothing but 100% tea. Learn more about how to tell if your matcha is high quality here.
Good Quality Earl Grey
Good quality earl grey to me simply means real, natural bergamot oil. Earl grey tea is black tea leaves flavoured with that citrus oil. So, if the bergamot oil isn’t decent quality, the tea blend won’t be either.
For example, I don’t enjoy earl grey teas that feature artificial bergamot oil. I find it too overpowering and it can sometimes give me a headache.
If you don’t love an earl grey tea, next time take a quick look at the ingredients to understand why.
I think it’s fitting that this new tea latte merges two teas that are very different from one another but followed the same path in my tea journey.
I’m grateful I have found a way to enjoy them both individually and now I love that I can enjoy them together in this iced latte!
What I Use to Make this Iced Earl Grey Matcha Latte
– Matcha
Since this is a latte recipe you can use a ceremonial or culinary/latte-grade matcha. If you need some recommendations, I share my favourites here.
– Earl Grey Tea
Use your favourite earl grey tea. It can be loose leaf or tea bags. I give measurements for both in the recipe. If you need some recommendations, I share my favourites here.
– Sugar
Part of this recipe requires making a simple syrup. White sugar is needed for this step. I have not tried making this simple syrup with any sugar alternatives.
– Cold Water and Ice
There is no heat involved with this matcha latte. To begin you will actually be making cold brew matcha which only takes about 30 seconds!
Earl Grey Matcha vs. Earl Grey Microground
Today, flavoured matcha seems to keep popping up and you can actually find some that are flavoured with bergamot oil to make an Earl Grey Matcha. This option is usually a lower-quality matcha making it more of a dull green colour than vibrant and may also contain added sugars.
However, some teas that are labelled as “earl grey matcha” could simply be more of an earl grey microground. This means it’s actually a black tea powder with bergamot flavouring. No actual matcha (green tea powder). Therefore, the colour of an earl grey powder or microground would be brown.
But, you don’t need that powder or drink mix for this latte! We’re keeping it more simple and real.
As mentioned above, this latte recipe features matcha and earl grey tea separately. Basically, the recipe requires you to make an iced matcha latte and sweeten it with earl grey tea simple syrup.
That simple syrup addition is what will give you a strong bergamot flavour that won’t get lost in the matcha latte.
You don’t have to rush out and buy earl grey flavoured simple syrup though! It’s easy to make at home with your favourite earl grey tea.
How to Make Earl Grey Simple Syrup
Traditional simple syrup is made using equal parts water and white sugar. However, to make tea simple syrup the water is replaced with a tea concentrate. In this case, an earl grey tea concentrate.
An earl grey tea concentrate requires more tea leaves (or tea bags) and less water. To make 1 cup of tea concentrate, I like to steep 4 teaspoons of earl grey tea. This is to ensure that the simple syrup will have a strong earl grey flavour.
After steeping, it is brought to a boil and 1 cup of sugar is dissolved. It may seem like a lot of sugar at first but this is what gives it that syrup consistency.
Iced Earl Grey Matcha Latte Recipe
This recipe serves 1. You can double the matcha latte portion of this recipe to make more though as you will have lots of earl grey tea simple syrup leftover. Earl grey matcha lattes all week, anyone?
Here is what you will need:
For the Earl Grey Tea Simple Syrup:
1 cup water
1 cup white sugar
4 teaspoons of earl grey loose leaf tea (or 4 tea bags)
For the full latte recipe:
1 teaspoon matcha
3/4 cup water, cold
1/3 cup milk (use whichever kind you like best)
2-3 tablespoons earl grey tea simple syrup, depending on your desired sweetness
ice
Directions:
First, make the earl grey tea simple syrup!
Click here to learn how to make tea simple syrup with any tea. This method is great for large batches.
If you want to make this iced earl grey matcha latte even quicker, tea simple syrup can actually be made the day before. Just set in the fridge. It will be completely cooled and ready for the following day!
This earl grey tea simple syrup is enough for multiple lattes so you will have lots leftover! You only need 2-3 tablespoons for one latte. This recipe makes about 1 cup of earl grey simple syrup. It will keep well in the refrigerator for 1 month.
Next, assemble everything for the latte!
1. In a vessel with a lid (ie. mason jar, cocktail shaker or bottle) sift the matcha powder and add cold water. Seal and shake vigorously for about 15 seconds or until you see a nice froth and no matcha clumps. This quick method is cold brew matcha.
2. Fill desired glass halfway with ice. Pour matcha, milk, and earl grey tea simple syrup over ice. I like to add about 2 tablespoons of the simple syrup. I find that is best for both the sweetness and earl grey flavour. You can add more or less depending on your personal taste though.
3. Stir everything together and enjoy!
Iced Earl Grey Matcha Latte
Ingredients
For the Earl Grey Tea Simple Syrup:
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup sugar
- 4 teaspoons of earl grey loose leaf tea or 4 tea bags
For the Iced Earl Grey Matcha Latte:
- 1 teaspoon matcha
- 3/4 cup cold water
- 1/3 cup milk
- 2-3 tablespoons earl grey tea simple syrup
Instructions
TO MAKE EARL GREY SIMPLE SYRUP:
- 1. In a small saucepan, boil water and steep earl grey tea for 5 minutes.
- 2. Strain the tea leaves or remove the tea bags. Return saucepan to stove and bring to a slow boil. Stir in sugar until dissolved.
- 3. Remove from heat. Let the tea simple syrup cool completely before using it for the iced earl grey matcha latte.*
TO ASSEMBLE THE ICED EARL GREY MATCHA LATTE:
- 1. In a vessel with a resealable lid sift the matcha powder and add cold water to make cold brew matcha. Seal and shake vigorously for 15 seconds or until there is froth on the top layer and no matcha clumps.
- 2. Fill desired glass halfway with ice. Pour the cold brew matcha, milk, and earl grey tea simple syrup over ice.** Stir everything together and enjoy!
Notes
Like this Iced Earl Grey Matcha Latte recipe? Pin it for later here —> https://bit.ly/39ddNh4
Shout out to Tea with Jann for motivating me to get this recipe up on the blog! Catch my interview with her here.
Are you a fan of earl grey tea and matcha? Let me know in the comments below!