The Best Ever Starbucks Matcha Green Tea Frappuccino Recipe

August 5, 2022

Tired of spending your hard earned money on expensive barista brewed drinks? Not to worry! This Starbucks Matcha Green Tea Frappuccino recipe will show you how to whip up your very own concoction at home!

Starbucks Matcha Green Tea Frappuccino

Ingredients for Starbucks Green Tea Frappuccino

  • Sweetened Matcha Powder
    • Unsweetened Matcha Powder: this can be used instead of sweetened matcha powder
  • Whole Milk
    • Dairy Free Milk: You can use any plant-based milk - soy milk is a good option
  • Xanthan Gum: this is optional, but it gives the matcha frappuccino a smooth and thick texture
    • Starbucks Frappuccino Base: it adds the creme flavor to the green tea frappuccino
  • Simple Syrup
    • Powdered Sugar: can be used as a substitute for the syrup.
  • Vanilla Extract
    • Vanilla Syrup: can be used as a substitute and to also add extra sweetness to the green tea frappuccino
  • Small ice cubes
  • Whipped Cream
Matcha Frappe

Matcha Green Tea Frappuccino Recipe

For 1 Serving of Green Tea Frappuccino

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup of milk
  • 1 1/2 cups of ice cubes
  • 2 tbs. of simple syrup or 2 tbs. of powdered sugar
  • 1 tsp. of vanilla extract or 1 tbs. of vanilla syrup - if using vanilla syrup, only use 1 tbs. of simple syrup
  • 1/4 tsp. of xanthan gum or 1 - 2 pumps of frappuccino syrup
  • 1 1/2 tbs. of matcha powder
  • Whipped cream

The Method

Step 1: Add Ingredients to the Blender

Add all the ingredients except for matcha and whipped cream to the blender.

Step 2: Sift in Matcha

Place a sieve or strainer over the blender. Pour the matcha on top and sift it in so that there are no lumps.

Step 3: Blend Well

Blend for at least a minute so that all the ingredients have had time to mix. Once the frappuccino has thickened and the ice has been chopped up enough, you can stop.

Step 4: Assemble the Green Tea Frappuccino

Pour the green tea frappuccino into a tall glass. Top off with whipped cream. You can also sprinkle some sweetened matcha powder on top as well.

Understanding the Ingredients of Matcha Frappuccino

To get this homemade green tea frappuccino just right, here are some things that you should know about the ingredients:

Green Tea vs. Matcha

You will often find the terms "green tea frappuccino", "matcha frappuccino" and "matcha green tea frappuccino" used interchangeably. And, both these terms do essentially describe the same drink. However, you should know the difference between green tea and matcha.

Matcha is technically a green tea. Unlike most regular green tea leaves, though, matcha green tea leaves are grown in the shade. As a result, they contain more chlorophyll giving them that bright green color.

The other difference is that when you drink green tea, you simply steep the leaves in hot water. Then, the leaves are removed and consume the remaining liquid. With matcha, though, the entire leaf is ground up into a fine powder. This is then mixed with water (or milk) and consumed whole.

Like green tea, matcha does contain caffeine. In fact, it actually contains even more caffeine. This is something that you should be mindful of when making your drink.

You can now find products labeled as green tea powder. These aren't always matcha - you should always read the label carefully to ensure that you are getting the right product. In reality, green tea powder and matcha are entirely separate ingredients.

Latte on black ceramic mug

Sweetened Matcha Powder

Not a lot of people know that all Starbucks matcha drinks contain sweetened matcha powder. This is what makes the Starbucks green tea frappuccino so palatable to the masses who aren't used to drinking green tea.

Thus, the above green tea frappuccino recipe also contains the sweetened version. However, if you can't find matcha powder that is sweetened, then feel free to use the traditional matcha powder.

Using Unsweetened Matcha

You should know that regular matcha can taste a bit bitter. Therefore, you may want to add a bit more sugar or sugar syrup to your Starbucks green tea frappuccino. If you are trying to cut down on the sugar content, though, this isn't an issue.

Matcha Quantity

In this recipe, there is quite a bit of matcha powder added in. This works well if you really enjoy the taste of matcha and want it to be prominent. If you don't, though, you can try a smaller amount first - about a teaspoon or so and then gradually increase it until you get to a strength that you are happy with.

Whole Milk

The reason that you should use whole milk in this green tea frappuccino is because it adds creaminess to it. You will not get the same effect if you use skimmed milk. If you would like to be even more decadent, you can even use ice cream. Just make sure to cut down on how much sugar that you are adding, if so.

Using Plant Based Milks

If you are a vegan, lactose intolerant, or just don't drink dairy milk, then you can naturally substitute a plant based milk. Soy milk will work best here, although oat milk may add a certain creaminess to the green tea frappuccino.

It's not the best idea to add almond milk as this beverage is on the thinner side. Thus, your Starbucks green tea frappuccino may not be as thick or as creamy as you would like it to be. The same goes for coconut milk, although you could certainly try coconut cream or full-fat cooking coconut milk. Just know that the flavor of coconut may overpower the flavors of the green tea frappuccino recipe.

Ice Cubes On Matcha Latte

Xanthan Gum

As mentioned, xanthan gum is an optional ingredient. Nevertheless it can be useful in improving the texture of the drink. This is what will make it smooth and creamy. If you do skip the xanthan gum, you will not be necessarily missing out on anything. Nevertheless, it does make your green tea frappuccino taste like the real thing.

Using Starbucks Creme Syrup

If you plan making quite a few copycat Starbucks recipes, then why not invest in a Starbucks frappuccino creme base. This adds flavor and texture, although not quite as much as the xanthan gum. Nevertheless, this ingredient will give it a delicious boost.

Simple Syrup

This syrup is just equal parts of boiling water and granulated sugar mixed together until the sugar is melted. The main benefit here is that the syrup blends in with the cold ingredients of the frappuccino far more easily. Thus, the sweetness is distributed more evenly.

Using Powdered Sugar

Can't be bothered with making simple sugar? Well, then opt for powdered sugar instead. It will mix just as easily with the ingredients. Of course, if you are only left with regular sugar then use that by all means!

Vanilla Extract

This is a great way to add sweetness and flavor to the green tea frappucinno. You will find plenty of this flavor in the Starbucks version.

Using Vanilla Syrup

Another option is to use vanilla syrup instead. Or, you can just flavor your simple syrup with the flavor instead. Either way, you should definitely include this ingredient in this easy recipe for green tea frappuccino.

If you decide to use vanilla syrup, reduce the amount of sugar or sweetened syrup that you use. Otherwise, you may end up with an overly sweet drink on your hands.

Organic Vanilla Extract

Small Ice Cubes

A lot of blenders can't handle ice. Thus, using smaller ice cubes can help to overcome this problem. If you have a powderul blender, though, then feel free to use regular sized cubes. However, you may want to halve the amount used.

Whipped Cream

When you top with whipped cream is when you put the final touches to the perfect drink. Make sure that it is sweetened whipped cream for that extra cream.

There you have it - your very own recipe for this delicious drink. All that you need to do now is whip it up yourself!

Did you enjoy this post? Then make sure to check out our Pinterest post. We have plenty more just like it!

About the Author
Dr. Dheena Sadik
Dr. Dheena Sadik is a consultant Nutritionist and Dietician. She has over a decade of experience in the health and fitness industry.
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