You’ll have your friends green with envy when they see you sipping on this matcha martini – a bit of a sly twist on the classic espresso martini!
“Matcha martini?!” you say? Yep, you heard me right! This green delight is the perfect spring and summer drink!
The matcha martini is super easy to whip up and only takes a few ingredients. After experimenting with how much of each ingredient will make the perfect matcha martini, I’m happy to share that I’ve got a matcha martini recipe that’s sure to impress.
Why Not an Espresso Martini?
Of course, I love me a refreshing glass of espresso martini. That’s how I came up with 4 delicious drinks that’s passed the mix, shake, try, and perfect test!
Check out the Umamiologist’s tried and true flight of espresso martinis and give them a try! (I secretly can’t wait for Fall so I can make my pumpkin spice one again – this one’s a crowd favorite.)
- Espresso Martini
- Espresso Martini with Baileys
- Chocolate Espresso Martini
- Pumpkin Spice Espresso Martini
What Is Matcha Martini?
To explain the matcha martini, I first have to explain the espresso martini. The espresso martini is a cocktail made with espresso coffee, coffee liqueur, and vodka. From this base, all variations form.
For the matcha martini, we’re using matcha instead of espresso coffee and ditching the coffee liqueur. Now this green delight is bound to get much love from our tea lovers out there!
Does Matcha Have Caffeine
Have you ever wondered, “Does matcha have caffeine?” Well, yes, it sure does! There is caffeine in matcha! Depending on what kind of matcha you have and how much of it you use, it can have up-to or even more caffeine that a regular cup of coffee.
One cool difference, though, is that unlike coffee caffeine, matcha caffeine doesn’t give you the caffeine jitters. It’s because our body absorbs it more like water. This means the caffeine in matcha releases gradually into your body vs the coffee caffeine that gives you an immediate jolt. So the caffeine in matcha lasts longer and doesn’t give you that caffeine crash. Keep this in mind when you have your matcha martini!
Key Elements Of This Recipe
- Ceremonial grade matcha: We make our matcha martini smooth to the core by using ceremonial grade matcha. Otherwise, culinary grade works too if you’re looking for a bit of a bite!
- Strainer: This little equipment is crucial for ensuring all the clumps are out from the matcha powder.
- Bamboo Whisk: This tool is so helpful and easy to use. We use it to mix the matcha powder into the water in no time!
- Baileys Original Irish Cream liqueur: This is a go-to liqueur for us. It has hints of vanilla that goes well with the matcha flavor and it gives our cocktail its creaminess.
- Vodka: We stay true to the espresso martini by using vodka as our main liquor in our cocktail.
What Is Ceremonial Grade Matcha
We’re going to use ceremonial grade matcha for our recipe today. So… what is ceremonial grade?
It’s just one of the 3 main grades of matcha and the most expensive one too..! Unlike other grades of matcha, this one has a smoother flavor and is perfect for our recipe – it’s not bitter!
“What if I don’t have ceremonial grade and only culinary grade?” Not to worry! Culinary grade is the next grade of matcha and it does have a more bold and rich (somewhat bitter) flavor. After trying out both grades in perfecting my recipe, my verdict is that it’s personal preference.
If you’d like a perfectly smooth cocktail with absolutely no bitter grassy flavor, go with the ceremonial grade. If you like a bit of that herbal bite, choose the culinary grade. We use Bailey’s Irish Cream Liqueur in our matcha martini recipe, so it balances out the bite with no problem.
Curious for the third grade? It’s the ingredient grade. Don’t use this one in the cocktail – this grade is mostly used in supplements or other food productions. Trust me, you don’t want this in your creamy green goodness.
The Ingredients for Matcha Martini
- 1 oz Baileys Original Irish Cream Liqueur
- 1 oz Ketel One Vodka, (or other Vodka)
- 1 teaspoon of Ceremonial Grade Matcha (Culinary Grade Matcha is OK too)
- 1 teaspoon Agave Nectar (or other sweetener) – adjust to taste
- 2 oz Warm Filtered Water
- 1 cup Ice Cubes
Pro Tip: If you have a bigger martini glass, double each ingredient!
The Equipment Needed
- Mixer Cup
- Martini Glass, (chilled)
- Tea Kettle
- Matcha Bowl (or other bowl with round base)
- Bamboo Whisk
- Bamboo Scoop
- Small Sifter
- Small Strainer
Pro Tip: Get yourself a Matcha Starter set to make things easier!
Bloom Your Matcha Whisk
What does it mean to “bloom” your matcha whisk? Well, there’s a couple of parts to that. First, before using your whisk for the first time, soak it in warm water to rid it of any impurities and to allow the prongs open up a bit – allowing it to “bloom.” Second, the more you use your matcha whisk, the more you’ll notice the core and the curls at the end of the bamboo prongs uncurling naturally – so “blooming” with usage.
Whether you let your bamboo whisk bloom or not upon first purchase, it’s always best practice to soak it in warm water. I found it easiest to use the same water I boil for the tea. I simply pour a little bit into a small bowl and let my whisk soak for a quick 20-ish seconds before each use. This softens the bamboo (for flexibility while whisking) and helps it last longer.
Pro Tip: Before each use, soak the matcha whisk in warm water for 20 seconds to allow the bamboo prongs to soften.
How to Prepare Matcha
Before we make the matcha martini, we have to prepare the matcha, of course! Be sure to do this first because you want your matcha tea to cool down before mixing in the rest of the ingredients.
Pro Tip: It’s important to cool the matcha tea down so it doesn’t melt the ice, changing the flavor profile, when crafting your matcha martini.
First, place the sifter over the matcha bowl. Next, scoop the matcha powder using the bamboo scoop. Use the same bamboo scoop to gently sift the matcha through the sifter into the bowl. You’ll be left with fine, clump-free matcha powder – this is super important for the smooth texture of your cocktail.
Pro Tip: Be sure to sift the matcha powder to avoid clumps.
Heat some filtered water to 175 degrees Fahrenheit – anywhere between 140-176 degrees Fahrenheit. We used our electric tea kettle, which has a temperature gauge. Keep in mind that we want hot water, not boiling water.
Pro Tip: Use hot water, not boiling water for matcha – anywhere from 140-176 degrees Fahrenheit.
Pour 2 oz of the heated water and agave nectar into the matcha bowl.
Next, use the bamboo whisk to mix the powder and the agave nectar into the water until fully dissolved. The proper way to whisk with the bamboo whisk is to quickly move it back and forth in an “M” or “W” motion for about 10-20 seconds. You should see bubbly froth forming.
Pro Tip: Try not to let the bamboo prongs of the whisk touch the bottom of the bowl to keep them from breaking.
Be sure to let your matcha tea cool down.
Pro Tip: You can also cool your matcha tea in the refrigerator to speed things along.
How to Make Matcha Martini
This green twist on the classic espresso martini is definitely worth trying!
Prepare your mixer cup by pouring a cup of ice into it.
Bring out your cooled tea mixture. The matcha probably settled down to the bottom of the tea mixture, so give your cooled matcha tea a gentle whisk. Then, pour the tea into your mixture cup.
Pour in the vodka and Baileys Original Irish Cream liqueur into your mixer cup.
Shake your mixture for about 20 seconds – to ensure the foamy frost forms on top!
Pour the cocktail into a chilled martini glass. Use a small strainer to catch any big ice particles.
Pro Tip: Use a strainer to avoid ice falling into the cocktail as your pour it out.
Top your matcha martini with some extra matcha powder using your sifter. Serve immediately and ask, “How ‘matcha’ do you love this cocktail?”
Enjoy!
If you liked this recipe, you’ll love these too:
Equipment
- Martini glass, (chilled)
- Matcha Bowl, (or other bowl with round base)
- Small strainer
Ingredients
- 1 oz Baileys Original Irish Cream Liqueur
- 1 oz Ketel One Vodka, (or other Vodka)
- 1 tsp Agave Nectar, (or other sweetener) – adjust to taste
- 1 cup Ice Cubes
Matcha Tea
- 1 tsp Ceremonial Grade Matcha, (Culinary Grade Matcha is OK too)
- 2 oz Warm Filtered Water
Instructions
How to Prepare Matcha
- Be sure to prepare your matcha beforehand to allow the matcha tea to cool down before mixing in the rest of the ingredients.
- Pro Tip: It's important to cool the matcha tea down so it doesn't melt the ice, changing the flavor profile, when crafting your matcha martini.
- Heat some filtered water to 175 degrees Fahrenheit – anywhere between 140-176 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Pour a little bit of warm water in a small bowl and let your bamboo whisk soak for a quick 20-ish seconds.
- Pro Tip: Before each use, soak the matcha whisk in warm water for 20 seconds to allow the bamboo prongs to soften.
- First, place the sifter over the matcha bowl.
- Next, scoop the matcha powder using the bamboo scoop.
- Use the same bamboo scoop to gently sift the matcha through the sifter into the bowl.
- Pro Tip: Be sure to sift the matcha powder to avoid clumps.
- Pour 2 oz of the heated water and agave nectar into the matcha bowl.
- Next, use the bamboo whisk to mix the powder and the agave nectar into the water until fully dissolved. The proper way to whisk with the bamboo whisk is to quickly move it back and forth in an "M" or "W" motion for about 10-20 seconds. You should see bubbly froth forming.
- Pro Tip: Try not to let the bamboo prongs of the whisk touch the bottom of the bowl to keep them from breaking.
- Let your matcha tea cool down.
- Pro Tip: You can also cool your matcha tea in the refrigerator to speed things along.
How to Make Matcha Martini
- Prepare your mixer cup by pouring a cup of ice into it.
- Bring out your cooled tea mixture. The matcha probably settled down to the bottom of the tea mixture, so give your cooled matcha tea a gentle whisk. Then, pour the tea into your mixture cup.
- Pour in the vodka and Baileys Original Irish Cream liqueur into your mixer cup.
- Shake your mixture for about 20 seconds – to ensure the foamy frost forms on top!
- Pour the cocktail into a chilled martini glass. Use a small strainer to catch any big ice particles.
- Top your matcha martini with some extra matcha powder using your sifter. Serve immediately and ask, "How 'matcha' do you love this cocktail?"
Notes
Nutrition
*Nutritional information is just an estimate derived by an online calculation tool.
FAQ
What does matcha taste like?
Grassy, seaweed-y, chalky, and bitter are all words that folks use to describe matcha. There’s definitely an herbal and earthy taste to matcha too. Another way to think of it is a concentrated taste of green tea.
Does matcha have caffeine?
Yes, there is! There’s about a fourth of the caffeine in a regular cup of green tea compared to a cup of coffee. Also, depending on the matcha variety and how much matcha powder you use, it can have up-to or even more caffeine than coffee.
What is an espresso martini?
An espresso martini is a cocktail of coffee liqueur, espresso coffee, and vodka. At Umamiology, we are giving the traditional espresso martini a “matcha” needed twist (ha!) with the matcha martini. Be sure to check out all of our espresso martini recipes too!
Jake
Oh this is so cool. I tried it out and it’s so smooth that you can barely taste any bitterness of the matcha!
Umamiologist
Thanks for trying out our recipe! It’s the culinary grade matcha that makes it so smooth!
Jenny
This is such a new idea! And it tastes fabulous! I’m definitely going to use this in my next friends-giving.
Umamiologist
Thanks for your kind words! I hope it’s a hit!