So, at this point of the matcha train, you’ve probably tried every matcha latte recipe under the sun. But us matcha girlies are always looking for new ideas. New flavor combos that are fresh, exciting, and a little extra. And hey, TikTok never disappoints tbh. So here’s another one of those matcha latte recipes that have been going around on social media and that has popped into various local coffee shops: cherry vanilla matcha. It’s vibrant, it’s trendy, and, let’s face it, it’s got that perfect mix of fruity, tangy sweetness and smooth, creamy matcha goodness that hits all the right notes.
Grab your matcha powder, some cherries, and let’s make something totally Instagram-worthy (and delicious). Ready to try it? Let’s get started!
Ingredients: what you’ll need
To make this cherry vanilla matcha from scratch, you’ll need a few key ingredients. Of course, you could use store-bought cherry syrup, but what’s the fun in that, right?
Here's the full list for both the matcha and the homemade cherry syrup:
For the cherry syrup:
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1 cup fresh or frozen cherries (pitted)
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½ cup water
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½ cup sugar (you can substitute with honey or maple syrup if preferred)
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1 tsp lemon juice (to balance out the sweetness)
For the cherry vanilla matcha:
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1 scoop Matcha DNA organic matcha powder (smooth, vibrant, and perfect for lattes)
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½ cup milk (dairy or plant-based. Oat milk works great for a creamy texture)
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1 tbsp homemade cherry syrup (or more, depending on how sweet you like it)
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1 tsp vanilla extract (for that sweet, comforting vanilla flavor)
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Ice (nothing beats an iced latte imo)
Instructions: how to make your iced cherry vanilla matcha
Start by making your homemade cherry syrup (it’s easier than it sounds!):
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Cook the cherries: In a small saucepan, combine the cherries, water, and sugar (or your sweetener of choice). Bring it to a simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Let it cook for about 10 to 15 minutes, until the cherries break down, and the syrup thickens a bit.
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Mash the cherries: Use a fork or potato masher to break the cherries apart. This helps release more juice into the syrup.
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Strain the syrup: Pour the mixture through a fine-mesh strainer into a bowl or jar, pressing gently to get all the juice out. Make sure to throw out the cherry pits, and feel free to either mix in the bits of cherry into the syrup if you want a chunky result, or save them for another use. This is actually really tasty with yogurt or pancakes.
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Add lemon juice: Stir in the lemon juice to give the syrup a little tang and balance out the sweetness.
You can store your cherry syrup in the fridge for up to a week, so you’ll have it ready for your next matcha lattes (and why not try some delicious recipes while you’re at it)!
Now, let’s make the matcha and assemble the drink, shall we?
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Whisk the matcha: In a small bowl, add your Matcha DNA matcha powder and pour in about 2 oz of hot water (not boiling, remember). Whisk until it’s smooth and frothy.
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Prepare the cherry vanilla base: In your cup (choose a cute one for bonus points), combine the homemade cherry syrup with your vanilla extract. You can adjust quantities to taste, of course. Stir them together until well mixed.
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Add the ice and the milk: Fill the cup with ice, and pour in the milk of your choice.
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Combine the matcha: Slowly pour the frothy matcha over the cherry vanilla mixture. Give everything a gentle stir to combine. Sip, and enjoy!
Other fun matcha lattes to try
If you’ve fallen in love with this cherry vanilla matcha (which, let’s be real, you probably will), and need more inspo for your matcha lattes, here are a few of my personal faves:
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Matcha mango latte: vibrant, refreshing, tropical, fun, green, orange. Here’s how to make it.
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Strawberry matcha latte: a classic if you’ve been a matcha girly for a while. Strawberry and matcha go so well together, it’s crazy. Check out the recipe here.
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Coconut matcha cloud: super trendy and honestly worth the hype, it’s refreshing and hydrating. Check it out here.
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Earl Grey matcha: another social media sensation, I was quite surprised with this flavor combo, but it works perfectly. Here’s the step-by-step instructions to make it.
Hopefully, you know that there’s no wrong way to experiment with matcha lattes. So go and get creative, make your own fun combinations and try different recipes every day until you find one that work just for you. Want it sweeter? Add more syrup. Want a bolder matcha flavor? Use a bit more matcha powder.
And when you do, make sure to share your ideas with us by tagging us on Instagram @matchadna and TikTok @matcha.dna. Let’s keep the matcha creativity flowing!
See you around,
Cata
