If you ask me, vanilla matcha cinnamon lattes are pure comfort in a mug.

This cozy drink brings together the earthy taste of matcha with warm cinnamon and sweet vanilla. The green tea gives you a gentle energy boost while the spices make your kitchen smell amazing.

It’s made by whisking matcha powder with hot milk and adding just the right amount of vanilla and cinnamon. A touch of honey or maple syrup balances out the slightly bitter matcha perfectly.

It’s a calming drink that feels fancy but takes just five minutes to make, perfect for busy mornings or afternoon breaks.

Why You’ll Love This Vanilla Matcha Cinnamon Latte

Quick 5-minute prep – You can whip up this coffeehouse-quality drink at home in just minutes, perfect for busy mornings or afternoon pick-me-ups.
Simple pantry ingredients – No need for special syrups or fancy equipment – just basic ingredients you likely already have in your kitchen.
Naturally energizing – Matcha provides a gentle, sustained energy boost without the jitters you might get from coffee, plus it’s packed with antioxidants.
Customizable sweetness – Adjust the brown sugar to your taste preference, making it as sweet or mild as you like.
Refreshing iced treat – The combination of warm spices and cool ice makes this the perfect drink for any season, whether you need to cool down or warm up your taste buds.

What Kind of Matcha Powder Should I Use?

For this latte, you’ll want to use culinary-grade matcha rather than ceremonial grade, since you’re mixing it with other strong flavors like cinnamon and vanilla. Culinary matcha is more affordable and has a slightly stronger, more robust flavor that holds up well in milk-based drinks. Look for a bright green color when shopping – dull or yellowish matcha usually means it’s older and won’t taste as good. If your matcha tends to clump, try sifting it through a fine mesh strainer before whisking it with the water to ensure a smooth, lump-free latte.

Options for Substitutions

This cozy latte is pretty forgiving when it comes to swaps – here’s what you can switch up:

Matcha powder: This is the star of the show, so I wouldn’t recommend substituting it. However, if your matcha is ceremonial grade, you might want to use a bit less since it’s more potent than culinary grade.
Brown sugar: White sugar, maple syrup, honey, or agave work great here. If using liquid sweeteners, start with 1 teaspoon and adjust to taste.
Milk: Any milk you prefer works – oat milk, almond milk, coconut milk, or regular dairy. Oat milk gives the creamiest texture if you’re going plant-based.
Vanilla extract: You can skip this if you don’t have it, or try a tiny pinch of vanilla powder. The drink will still taste great without it.
Ground cinnamon: Feel free to experiment with other warm spices like cardamom, nutmeg, or even a tiny pinch of ginger for a different flavor profile.
Ice: Want it hot instead? Skip the ice and warm your milk gently in a saucepan or steam it if you have an espresso machine.

Watch Out for These Mistakes While Making

The biggest mistake when making matcha lattes is adding the matcha powder directly to hot liquid, which creates clumps that won’t dissolve no matter how much you stir – always whisk the matcha with a small amount of room temperature or slightly warm water first to create a smooth paste.

Another common error is using boiling water or milk, as temperatures above 175°F can make the matcha taste bitter and destroy its smooth flavor, so let your water cool for a minute or two after boiling.

Don’t skip the whisking step either – use a small whisk or matcha whisk to really work out any lumps in your matcha paste before adding the other ingredients, and remember that high-quality matcha powder makes a noticeable difference in both taste and color.

For the perfect balance, start with less brown sugar than you think you need since you can always add more, but you can’t take it out once it’s mixed in.

What to Serve With Vanilla Matcha Cinnamon Latte?

This creamy latte pairs beautifully with sweet breakfast pastries like croissants, muffins, or Danish – the vanilla and cinnamon flavors complement baked goods perfectly. I love sipping this alongside a slice of banana bread or some buttery scones for a cozy morning treat. If you’re in the mood for something lighter, try it with almond biscotti or shortbread cookies that you can dip right into the latte. For a more substantial pairing, this drink goes great with avocado toast or a simple bagel with cream cheese when you want something savory to balance the sweet, earthy matcha flavors.

Storage Instructions

Prepare Ahead: You can mix the matcha powder with water ahead of time and store this concentrate in the fridge for up to 2 days. Just give it a good stir before using since matcha tends to settle. This makes it super easy to whip up your latte in the morning when you’re in a rush.

Best Fresh: This latte is definitely best enjoyed right after making it while the ice is still cold and the flavors are perfectly balanced. If you need to save some for later, store it in the fridge for up to 6 hours, but give it a good shake or stir before drinking since the ingredients will separate.

Make It Hot: Want to turn this into a warm drink for later? Skip the ice and heat your milk instead, then store the finished latte in a thermos to keep it warm for a few hours. You can also make it cold and gently warm it up in the microwave, though the texture might change slightly.

Preparation Time	5-10 minutes
Cooking Time	0-5 minutes
Total Time	5-15 minutes
Level of Difficulty	Easy

Estimated Nutrition

Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):

Calories: 110-150
Protein: 5-8 g
Fat: 2-6 g
Carbohydrates: 18-28 g

Ingredients

1/4 cup hot water
1-2 tsp packed brown sugar
1 cup cold milk
1 tsp powdered matcha
1 cup ice cubes
1 dash cinnamon, ground
1/4 tsp vanilla extract

Step 1: Prepare the Matcha Base

1 tsp powdered matcha
1-2 tsp packed brown sugar
1/4 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 cup hot water

In a small cup or tea bowl, combine the powdered matcha, packed brown sugar, vanilla extract, and hot water.

Whisk vigorously in a zigzag motion using a tea whisk, or alternatively, use a handheld frother or shake in a lidded jar until the mixture is smooth and frothy.

Step 2: Prepare the Iced Milk Base

1 cup ice cubes
1 cup cold milk
1 dash cinnamon, ground

Fill a separate serving cup with ice cubes.

Pour in the cold milk and add a dash of ground cinnamon.

Give it a gentle stir to combine the flavors.

Step 3: Combine Matcha and Milk

frothy matcha mixture (from Step 1)
iced milk base (from Step 2)

Carefully pour the frothy matcha mixture (from Step 1) over the iced milk base (from Step 2).

Mix together with a spoon or straw to fully blend the flavors and enjoy immediately.

I like to give it an extra stir right before drinking so every sip is balanced and flavorful!