6 Best Matcha Starbucks Drinks Ranked
You have seen that beautiful green drink all over Pinterest and Instagram and now you are finally ready to try matcha at Starbucks. But there are so many matcha options on the menu that you do not know where to even begin. This guide ranks every matcha drink Starbucks makes so you can walk in knowing exactly what to order.
No more ordering the wrong thing, no more wasted money, and no more matcha disappointment. Just the six best matcha Starbucks drinks ranked honestly from good to absolutely incredible.
Why Matcha at Starbucks Is Worth Trying
Matcha is not just a trendy green drink. It is one of the most unique and beneficial ingredients Starbucks uses across its entire menu. Made from finely ground green tea leaves, matcha delivers a calm and steady energy boost that feels completely different from the sharp jolt of espresso.
The flavor is earthy, slightly sweet, and deeply satisfying in a way that grows on you with every single sip. Once you develop a taste for matcha you will find yourself craving it constantly. Starbucks uses its own sweetened matcha blend which gives every drink a consistent and approachable flavor that works beautifully for both matcha beginners and longtime fans.
How We Ranked These Drinks
Every drink on this list was ranked based on three things. How well the matcha flavor comes through, how balanced and enjoyable the overall drink tastes, and how good it feels to drink on both hot and cold days. The drink at number one delivers the best matcha experience of everything on this list.
Iced Matcha Lemonade
Starting the list is the Iced Matcha Lemonade and it earns its spot immediately. The combination of earthy matcha and bright citrus lemonade sounds unusual but it works in the most surprisingly delightful way. The sharpness of the lemonade cuts through the richness of the matcha and the result is something refreshing, complex, and completely addictive.
It ranks sixth not because it tastes bad but because the matcha flavor can sometimes get overpowered by the lemonade if you are not careful. Always ask your barista to go easy on the lemonade so the matcha gets the attention it deserves. That one small adjustment transforms this drink from good to genuinely great.
How to Make It at Home
Prepare the matcha Sift one teaspoon of ceremonial grade matcha powder into a small bowl. Add two tablespoons of hot water and whisk vigorously in a zigzag motion until completely smooth with absolutely no lumps remaining anywhere.
Sweeten the matcha Add one tablespoon of simple syrup to the whisked matcha and stir well to combine. Let it cool for a few minutes before building the drink so the flavors settle and blend together properly.
Build the drink Fill a tall glass with ice and pour fresh lemonade halfway up. Slowly pour the cooled matcha mixture over the back of a spoon to create a beautiful green layer on top before stirring gently and serving.
Matcha Creme Frappuccino
The Matcha Creme Frappuccino is the drink for people who want their matcha cold, thick, and indulgent. Blended matcha, milk, ice, and whipped cream come together into a smooth and creamy frozen drink that tastes like a matcha milkshake but feels light enough to enjoy on any summer afternoon.
It ranks fifth because while the flavor is delicious the matcha taste is more subtle here than in other drinks on this list. The blending process and the sweetness of the whipped cream soften the earthy matcha notes significantly. If you are new to matcha this is actually the perfect starting point because it eases you into the flavor gently and beautifully.
How to Make It at Home
Blend the base Add one cup of ice, one cup of whole milk, two teaspoons of matcha powder, and three tablespoons of simple syrup into a blender. Blend on high speed for about thirty seconds until everything is completely smooth and no ice chunks remain.
Check the consistency The mixture should be thick enough to hold its shape but still pourable. If it is too thick add a splash more milk and blend again briefly. If it is too thin add a few more ice cubes and blend for another ten seconds.
Top and serve Pour into a tall glass and top generously with whipped cream. Dust a small pinch of matcha powder over the whipped cream for a beautiful finishing touch that looks just like the Starbucks version.
Iced Matcha Tea Latte
The Iced Matcha Tea Latte is where the matcha flavor really starts to shine on this list. Cold milk poured over ice and sweetened matcha creates something incredibly smooth, creamy, and satisfying. That beautiful pale green color swirling through the white milk is one of the most visually appealing things Starbucks makes.
It ranks fourth because it is the purest and most straightforward matcha experience on the menu. There are no competing flavors fighting for attention here. Just matcha, milk, and sweetness working together in perfect harmony. Order it with oat milk for a creamier and slightly nuttier version that takes the whole experience up a noticeable notch.
How to Make It at Home
Prepare the matcha base Sift one and a half teaspoons of ceremonial grade matcha into a small bowl. Add three tablespoons of hot water and whisk firmly until completely smooth and lump free. Add two tablespoons of simple syrup and stir to combine.
Choose your milk Full fat dairy milk gives the creamiest result but oat milk is the best non dairy option. Barista edition oat milk froths better and has a richer flavor that complements matcha more beautifully than any other plant based alternative.
Assemble and serve Fill a tall glass with ice and pour your milk of choice three quarters of the way up. Slowly pour the matcha mixture over the top so it creates a stunning green layer that gradually sinks through the milk as you watch.
Matcha Tea Latte
The hot Matcha Tea Latte earns its place in the top three because it delivers the most comforting and warming matcha experience on the entire Starbucks menu. Steamed milk and sweetened matcha come together into something that feels like a warm hug on a cool morning. The matcha flavor is rich, earthy, and front and center in every single sip.
This drink proves that matcha does not have to be a cold weather drink at all. The hot version actually brings out deeper and more complex flavors in the matcha that the iced versions cannot quite replicate. If you have only ever tried matcha cold then you owe it to yourself to try this version at least once this season.
How to Make It at Home
Whisk the matcha Sift two teaspoons of ceremonial grade matcha into a wide mug. Add three tablespoons of hot water at around 175 degrees Fahrenheit and whisk in a firm zigzag motion until the matcha is completely dissolved and beautifully frothy.
Steam the milk Heat three quarters of a cup of your preferred milk in a small saucepan over medium heat until it begins to steam gently. Use a milk frother to create a light and airy foam on top that will sit beautifully over the matcha.
Combine carefully Pour the steamed milk slowly into the mug over the whisked matcha and stir once gently. Spoon the foam carefully on top, dust with a small pinch of matcha powder, and serve immediately while perfectly hot.
Iced Pineapple Matcha Drink
The Iced Pineapple Matcha Drink is the most creative and unexpected matcha drink on this entire list and it absolutely earns its place in the top two. Coconut milk, pineapple ginger syrup, and matcha come together in a combination that sounds completely wild but tastes like the most refreshing tropical dream you have ever experienced.
The sweetness of the pineapple perfectly balances the earthiness of the matcha while the coconut milk adds a creamy tropical richness that ties everything together beautifully. It is bright, bold, adventurous, and unlike anything else Starbucks makes. If you want to try something that will genuinely surprise and impress you this is the drink to order without any hesitation.
How to Make It at Home
Make the pineapple ginger syrup Simmer half a cup of pineapple juice with two tablespoons of sugar and a quarter teaspoon of fresh grated ginger over medium heat for five minutes. Let it cool completely before using so the flavors develop fully and properly.
Prepare the matcha Whisk one and a half teaspoons of matcha powder with three tablespoons of hot water until smooth. Add one tablespoon of simple syrup and let it cool for a few minutes before assembling the final drink.
Build the drink Fill a tall clear glass with ice and pour half a cup of coconut milk over it. Add two tablespoons of the pineapple ginger syrup and then slowly pour the matcha over the back of a spoon to create a stunning layered effect before serving.
Matcha Espresso Fusion
Taking the top spot is the Matcha Espresso Fusion and it deserves every bit of that number one position. This drink combines the earthy depth of matcha with the bold intensity of espresso over ice and coconut milk in a way that sounds like it should not work but absolutely does. The two strongest flavors on the Starbucks menu come together into something greater than either one alone.
The coconut milk softens and connects the matcha and espresso beautifully while the ice makes everything crisp and refreshing. Every single sip delivers a layered flavor experience that keeps you thinking about it long after the last drop is gone. This is the drink for people who take their beverages seriously and want the most interesting and complex thing Starbucks can make.
How to Make It at Home
Prepare the matcha layer Whisk two teaspoons of matcha powder with three tablespoons of hot water until completely smooth. Add one tablespoon of simple syrup, stir well, and let it cool completely before building the drink.
Pull the espresso Brew two shots of fresh espresso and let them cool for about five minutes. You want them cool enough that they will not immediately melt all the ice when you pour them into the glass.
Build the layers Fill a tall clear glass with ice and pour half a cup of coconut milk over it first. Add the cooled matcha mixture next and then slowly pour the espresso shots over the back of a spoon last to create three stunning visible layers before serving.
Common Questions People Ask
Is matcha at Starbucks real matcha? Yes Starbucks uses a real matcha powder blend. It is pre sweetened which means the drinks are slightly sweeter than traditional Japanese matcha preparations.
Which matcha Starbucks drink has the most caffeine? The Matcha Espresso Fusion has the most caffeine because it contains both matcha and two shots of espresso making it the most energizing drink on this list.
Can I ask for less sugar in my matcha Starbucks drink? Yes absolutely. Ask your barista for fewer pumps of syrup or request unsweetened matcha to control the sugar level in any drink you order.
Which matcha drink is best for a matcha beginner? The Matcha Creme Frappuccino is the most approachable option for beginners because the blended texture and whipped cream soften the earthy matcha flavor into something gentle and easy to enjoy.
Your Matcha Journey Starts Here
Matcha is not just a drink. It is an experience that gets better every single time you try it. Whether you start with the beginner friendly Frappuccino or go straight for the bold Matcha Espresso Fusion at the top, every drink on this list will give you a new reason to love matcha even more than you already do.
Walk into Starbucks, point to your pick, and enjoy the most delicious green drink you have ever had in your life.
