My Whole30-friendly iced matcha latte made with coconut water, collagen, matcha, and non-dairy creamer is my fave new iced morning drink! Move over coffee, here comes something greener!
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Breaking up with coffee
Have you ever been stuck in an unproductive and unfulfilling relationship, but you kept at it because you were too lazy to kill it?
That’s how I felt about my hot-and-cold love affair with coffee. I adore its taste—to me, there’s nothing quite like a creamy glass of cold brew on the rocks—but I can no longer ignore the fact that I get really jittery whenever I drink coffee. It’s been like this for years, but I just ignored it. (This is not unlike how I used to dismiss all my pre-Paleo joint pain and GI distress as “normal.”) The final nail in the coffin was hammered in when I checked my 23andme DNA results recently, and saw that I have a genetic variation in the enzyme that metabolizes caffeine—one which results in the stimulant sticking around longer in my system than in most other people’s.
A-ha! That’s the reason for my jitteriness! Armed with this knowledge, I dumped the coffee…and picked up a new matcha habit.
My replacement? Iced Matcha Latte!
What does a matcha latte taste like?
This jade-green Whole30-friendly beverage is creamy, coconut-y, and a little grassy (but in a good way!), and ever since I switched over, I can’t imagine starting my morning differently. (Okay—sometimes, I eat a couple of my Matcha Coconut Gummies instead, but I don’t always have those cuties chilling in the fridge.)
Matcha doesn’t make me jittery
But wait: doesn’t matcha contain caffeine, too? Yeah, but there’s less caffeine in matcha than in coffee. Plus, matcha contains a compound called L-theanine that’s supposed to exert a calming effect, coupled with increased alertness. Personally, when I drink matcha, I never feel anxious or restless. Instead, I’m able to focus on whatever task I have on hand without freaking out about all the stuff on my to-do list. Win-win!
Collagen for extra protein!
I also add a heaping scoop of easily dissolvable unflavored collagen peptides to my morning matcha latte, which gives my green drink a nice creamy texture and can help with gut, skin, and joint health. This aging mommy is happy to get any help she can get in those last three categories!
Questions about matcha or collagen peptides?
- Start by reading these great articles about gelatin/collagen, and matcha.
- If you’ve never tasted matcha (which is a special type of finely milled green tea powder), try before you buy. Go order a matcha drink at your local hipster coffee/tea hangout, and take a sip or three before deciding whether to drop a small fortune on a fancy tin of matcha
- powder. (Good quality matcha ain’t cheap, people!)
- Matcha mixed with hot water can have a grassy, vegetal flavor loaded with umami; while the taste is not for everyone, I—and most people I know—happen to adore it. When it’s blended into a latte drink, the grassy matcha flavor is muted, and you end up with a tasty, creamy green beverage. My favorite brand is this ultra high-end matcha.
- Make sure you procure a high-quality collagen peptides derived from grass fed animals. And no, it doesn’t make your drink taste beefy. Also, make sure you buy collagen peptides for this recipe—not gelatin—because you want it to dissolve in cold liquid.
- I’ve recently been switching out the non-dairy creamer for plain coconut yogurt. I love the tang, richness, and added benefit of probiotics.
- Psst! You can make this a hot matcha latte by heating up the coconut water first!
Ingredients
- Unsweetened coconut water, chilled: I like Harmless Coconut Water and Taste Nirvana brands, but feel free to use your favorite coconut water! I like using coconut water instead of hot water because of the natural sweetness so there is no need to add additional sweetener, like honey or simple syrup.
- Collagen peptides
- Nutpods or full-fat coconut milk or your fave unsweetened non-dairy creamer or plain coconut yogurt
- Matcha
How to make iced matcha latte
Grab your immersion blender and blending cup. Measure out the coconut water (I used Harmless Coconut water and it’s naturally pink), collagen peptides…
…non-dairy creamer…
…and matcha…
…and place it all in the cup of your immersion blender.
Blend until smooth and serve over ice!
Savor and start your day with a bang! (You can pour it over ice, too!)
More matcha recipes
Looking for more recipe ideas? Head on over to my Recipe Index. You’ll also find exclusive recipes in my cookbooks, Nom Nom Paleo: Food for Humans (Andrews McMeel Publishing 2013), Ready or Not! (Andrews McMeel Publishing 2017), and Nom Nom Paleo: Let’s Go! (Andrews McMeel Publishing 2022).
Iced Matcha Latte
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsweetened coconut water chilled (I like Harmless Coconut Water brand, but feel free to use your favorite coconut water!)
- 1 tablespoon collagen peptides
- 2 tablespoons Nutpods full-fat coconut milk, non-dairy creamer, or plain coconut yogurt,
- 1 teaspoon ceremonial grade matcha
Instructions
- Grab your immersion blender and blending cup. Measure out the coconut water, collagen peptides, non-dairy creamer, and matcha and place it all in the cup of your immersion blender.
- Blend until smooth and serve over ice!
- Savor and start your day with a bang!
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Why not just use coconut milk for all the liquid and skip the non-dairy creamer?
I find it too creamy with straight canned coconut milk. This is my preferred method, but feel free to experiment!
This sounds delicious for summer! Have you tried a hot version yet? Once the fall chill comes back around, I’ll need a warming morning beverage to start the day!
Not yet! I’ll work on one, though!
This is absurdly delicious and I’m angry that I waited until now to make it.
If one tolerates dairy well, do you think it would undo any of the matcha tea benefits to use pasture raised cream instead of coconut milk?
I think it would taste delicious!
Michelle, can I use the great lakes gelatin ?
Sure! Just make sure you use the collagen peptides and not the gelatin.
I dislike coconut water with a passion. Beside I am watching my carbs. What would be a good substitute.
Plain water or coconut milk.
How many teaspoons do you get out of a 30g tin? I’m wondering if one tin a month is sufficient if you drink this every day.
I think it’s about 1/2 teaspoon per gram, but I’m not sure. I also use culinary grade sometimes to mix it up and save some money!
I was waiting for an iced matcha latte recipe! Thanks!!
Yum I bet that totally hits the spot! I was just thinking about making a green tea frap this morning!
Any suggestions on how best to mix this without an immersion blender? I’ll be out of the country for two months this summer and won’t have my handy (pun intended) immersion blender!
Get a mason jar with a lid and shake it like crazy.
Aye aye captain!
Hi Michelle, thanks for this! Would it work to make a few days’ worth at a time and then shake or stir before drinking?
I always make mine fresh. Matcha is so expensive that I don’t want to experiment with it!
OK so it *is* expensive but I decided to try anyway – I’ve been making 3 day’s worth at a time in our extra Blendtec pitcher, keeping it in the fridge, and just giving is a little whir before drinking. LOVE IT and wanted to share in case others keep their blender on the counter and are more likely to drink this if it’s made.