There are avid tea drinkers and there are avid coffee drinkers. But there's also the third type – those that love both drinks the same. If you love tea and coffee equally, there are many ways to combine them into one delicious drink. Dirty matcha iced tea is a super tasty drink made with matcha tea powder, milk and coffee, that will undoubtedly become your new summer favourite.
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For other ways how to mix tea and coffee, check this article.
What is Dirty Matcha?
Dirty matcha is an iced tea made with matcha green tea powder and coffee. While the thought of mixing green tea and coffee may sound weird at first, it's incredibly delicious. Both coffee and matcha have a strong flavour and some bitterness. Matcha is not as grassy as sencha, and more earthy than other green teas which makes it a great pair for a naturally bitter coffee.
Caffeine in Dirty Matcha
This drink contains more caffeine than a single espresso shot, as both ingredients, matcha and coffee, are naturally caffeinated. A shot of espresso will have around 60 mg of caffeine, same as matcha prepared with a teaspoon of matcha powder. 1/2 of matcha powder will be enough to make one serving, but feel free to use a whole teaspoon if you prefer a stronger flavour. To reduce the caffeine content, use decaf coffee.
Which coffee is the best for making Dirty matcha?
Dirty matcha is usually made with a shot of espresso. However, if you don't have a coffee machine or you prefer other types of coffee, that's perfectly fine too. You can replace regular espresso with 30-50 ml of instant coffee mad with 1 leveled teaspoon of coffee. Alternatively, you can even use flavoured coffee, such as hazelnut, chocolate, caramel or vanilla. The only thing to keep in mind is to use quality coffee that you enjoy drinking on its own too.
Which matcha is the best for making Dirty matcha?
There are many types of matcha, and some are not matcha at all. Use either authentic Japanese matcha tea powder or alternatives that have a similar flavour and colour, such as Korean matcha. Your matcha should be vibrant, green, fresh and have a deep flavour with not too much bitterness. Avoid grey powders or expired teas. Both latte and ceremonial grade will be great for making this drink.
Can I use cold water/milk for making matcha?
Yes, you can. However, it's always better to make matcha with hot water to achieve a deeper flavour and potentially better benefits. Since coffee has a strong flavour, making matcha with hot rather than cold water will give a better tasting drink.
How to make a vegan Dirty matcha?
For a vegan alternative, you can use any milk substitute you want. However, some may add additional flavour notes to your drink. To keep the original flavour, choose milk alternatives with a neutral flavours or cashew milk. The milk substitute that you are using should not be too watery. Choose barista style milks or milks that have around 50-70 kcal per 100 ml – they will usually have a better texture.
Iced Dirty Matcha Recipe
Equipment
- Kettle
- Electric whisk or chasen for making matcha
- Cup or bowl for making matcha
- Serving glass
Ingredients
- 50 ml of water
- ½ to 1 teaspoon of matcha powder
- ½ teaspoon of vanilla extract
- 30 ml espresso shot or 30-50 ml instant coffee
- 1-2 teaspoons of sugar
- 150 ml of milk
- Ice
Instructions
- Bring water to a boil and let it cool to 85 degrees Celsius (185°F).
- Prepare a shot of espresso or use boiling water to make 50 ml of instant coffee. Add vanilla extract.
- Sift matcha powder into a bowl or larger cup and add 70 ml of water.
- Whisk it using an electric hand frother or chasen.
- Pour matcha into a serving glass.
- Add cold milk.
- Add sugar and stir well. If you want a layered drink, add sugar now. Do not add any sugar to coffee.
- Add ice.
- Slowly pour coffee over ice, avoiding direct contact with the tea.
- If needed, add more ice and serve.