Vanilla Malt Matcha

This Vanilla Malt Matcha has quickly become one of my favourite little afternoon drinks of late. It’s smooth, lightly sweet and has that nostalgic malt flavour that somehow makes it taste like a café drink and a childhood treat at the same time.

The combination of high quality matcha powder, evaporated milk, condensed milk, vanilla and malt powder gives this drink such a rich and velvety texture without being overly heavy. If you love matcha lattes but want something a little different from the usual strawberry or honey versions, put this one on your list!

Jump to:

• Why You’ll Love This Recipe
• Ingredients You’ll Need
• Equipment You’ll Need
• How to Make Vanilla Malt Matcha (Step-by-Step)
• Tips for the Best Matcha Latte
• Variations
• Storage & Make Ahead Tips
• FAQs
• More Matcha Recipes You’ll Love
• 📖 Recipe

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

If you’re already in your matcha era (I mean, who isn’t!) then this Vanilla Malt Matcha feels like a fun little upgrade. It’s silky, creamy and comes together quickly with a handful of simple ingredients.

• Creamy and velvety – Evaporated milk gives this matcha such a rich café-style texture.
• Perfect balance of flavours – Earthy matcha, sweet vanilla and nostalgic malt work so well together.
• Easy to make at home – No fancy equipment needed apart from a matcha whisk and frother.
• Feels like a café drink – It honestly tastes like something you’d spend $9 on at a trendy coffee shop!
• Great hot or iced – Serve it over ice for a refreshing afternoon drink or warm it up in cooler weather.

Ingredients You’ll Need

This Vanilla Malt Matcha comes together with just a handful of ingredients, but each one plays an important role in creating that creamy, café-style drink.

• Ceremonial grade matcha – Gives the drink its vibrant green colour and smooth earthy flavour. A good quality matcha makes a huge difference here. My favourite matcha is Anya Matcha from With Miles — you can use my code ANDREA10 for 10% off.
• Tepid water – Helps the matcha whisk smoothly without clumping. Avoid boiling water as it can make the matcha taste bitter.
• Condensed milk – Adds sweetness and richness. Adjust the amount depending on how sweet you like your drinks.
• Malt powder – The ingredient that gives this drink its nostalgic, slightly toasted flavour. I used malted milk powder.
• Vanilla extract – Vanilla essence can also be used.
• Evaporated milk – Makes the latte extra creamy and silky and adds to the lovely caramelly notes.
• Ice – Essential for the iced version.

Equipment You’ll Need

You don’t need a full traditional tea setup to make this recipe, but a few simple tools definitely help.

• Matcha bowl – A wide bowl makes it much easier to properly whisk the matcha and helps prevent clumps.
• Bamboo whisk (chasen) – The traditional tool used to whisk matcha. It helps create a smooth, lightly frothy texture and gives the best results. If you make matcha regularly, I definitely think it’s worth having one.
• Handheld electric whisk or milk frother – A great alternative if you don’t own a bamboo whisk. I also use mine to froth the vanilla malt milk mixture.
• Small jug or saucepan – You’ll need a small jug for the iced version or a saucepan if making the hot latte version.
• Tall serving glass or mug – A clear glass works especially well for the iced version so you can see the layers before stirring everything together.

If you’re looking to invest in some matcha tools, you can shop all of my essentials here.

How to Make Vanilla Malt Matcha (Step-by-Step)

Iced Vanilla Malt Matcha

Step 1: In a small jug, combine the condensed milk, malt powder, vanilla extract and evaporated milk. Use a handheld electric whisk or frother to blend until smooth and lightly frothy.

Step 2: Sift the matcha powder into a small bowl. Pour over the tepid water and whisk using a bamboo whisk (chasen) or handheld electric whisk until frothy, about 30 seconds.

Step 3: Fill a glass with ice and pour over the vanilla malt milk mixture. Slowly pour over the whisked matcha, then stir gently to combine before drinking.

Hot Vanilla Malt Matcha

Step 1: In a small saucepan, combine the condensed milk, malt powder, vanilla extract and evaporated milk. Use a handheld electric whisk or frother to blend until smooth and lightly frothy.

Step 2: Place the saucepan over low heat and warm gently until heated through. Do not boil.

Step 3: Sift the matcha powder into a small bowl. Pour over the tepid water and whisk using a bamboo whisk (chasen) or handheld electric whisk until frothy, about 30 seconds.

Step 4: Pour the whisked matcha into the warm vanilla malt milk mixture and stir gently to combine before serving.

Tips for the Best Matcha Latte

A few small details can make a big difference when it comes to making a really smooth and creamy matcha latte at home.

• Use good quality matcha – This is my top tip, and can make the difference between a dull green drink and a cafe-quality beverage. Ceremonial grade matcha will give you the smoothest flavour and brightest green colour. Lower quality matcha can taste bitter or dull.
• Don’t use boiling water – Tepid or warm water is best for whisking matcha. Boiling water can make it taste overly bitter. The ideal temperature for the water is 80ºC, however if you’re just guessing, I’d lean cooler rather than warmer.
• Whisk properly – Whether you’re using a bamboo whisk or electric frother, whisk until the matcha is smooth and lightly frothy with no visible clumps. Sifting the matcha powder will help with this too.
• Adjust the sweetness to taste – Depending on the malt powder you use, you may want slightly more or less condensed milk.
• Serve immediately – Matcha tastes best freshly whisked before the foam settles.
• Use plenty of ice for the iced version – This keeps the drink cold without diluting it too quickly.

Variations

Once you’ve made this Vanilla Malt Matcha once, it’s easy to customise depending on the flavour you’re craving or what you already have at home.

• Make it dairy free – Swap the evaporated milk and condensed milk for dairy free alternatives and use your favourite plant-based milk.
• Use honey or maple syrup – If you don’t have condensed milk, you can sweeten the latte with honey, maple syrup or brown sugar instead.
• Turn it into a dirty matcha – Add a shot of espresso for a unique coffee and matcha combination.
• Make it extra thick and creamy – Blend vanilla malt milk with ice to create a frozen frappe-like drink, then pour the matcha over top!

Storage & Make Ahead Tips

This Vanilla Malt Matcha is best enjoyed freshly made, especially once the matcha has been whisked, but there are a couple of ways to prep parts of the drink ahead of time.

• Prepare the vanilla malt milk in advance – You can mix together the evaporated milk, condensed milk, vanilla and malt powder ahead of time and keep it stored in the fridge for up to 3 days.
• Whisk the matcha fresh – For the best flavour and colour, whisk the matcha just before serving.
• Serve over fresh ice – Fresh ice helps keep the iced version creamy without watering it down too quickly.

FAQs

What does malt taste like in matcha?

Malt adds a lightly toasted, creamy sweetness that pairs really well with earthy matcha. It gives this latte a nostalgic flavour that almost tastes like a café milkshake or malted milk drink.

Can I make this without evaporated milk?

Yes. You can substitute regular milk or cream, although evaporated milk gives the latte its extra rich and velvety texture.

What type of malt powder should I use?

I used malted milk powder, but different brands will vary slightly in sweetness and flavour. Adjust the condensed milk to taste if needed.

Can I use culinary grade matcha?

You can, but ceremonial grade matcha will give you a smoother flavour and brighter green colour, especially in drinks like this where the matcha flavour is more noticeable. My favourite matcha is Anya Matcha from With Miles — you can use my code ANDREA10 for 10% off.

Can I make this hot instead of iced?

Yes. This recipe includes both iced and hot instructions, depending on how you want to serve it.

Can I make this less sweet?

Absolutely. Reduce the condensed milk slightly or use a less sweet malt powder depending on your preference.

More Matcha Recipes You’ll Love

If you’ve been loving matcha lately, here are a few more cosy and café-inspired recipes to try next. Whether you’re after another easy drink recipe or something sweet to bake alongside your latte, these are some of my favourites.

• Iced Strawberry Matcha Latte – Creamy layered matcha with sweet strawberry milk and the prettiest café-style finish.
• Honey Cinnamon Matcha Latte – Warm, lightly spiced and perfect if you love comforting matcha drinks with a cosy flavour profile.
• Matcha Madeleines – Soft buttery French tea cakes with earthy matcha flavour and the cutest little shell shape.

📖 Recipe