Do you want the flavor of a matcha cinnamon roll in a drink with creamy whipped cream? This brown sugar cinnamon cream matcha latte is literally a gooey and delicious cinnamon roll in drink form with a matcha flair. It’s sweet, creamy, and oh-so-good, especially with that subtle earthiness.

Brown sugar and cinnamon are a dynamic duo, from syrup to cakes and ice cream. Sweet cream is super easy to make at home and it tastes amazing with this flavor combination, and with matcha, it’s stellar.

So, here’s how to make a brown sugar cinnamon matcha latte at home!

What is a Brown Sugar Cinnamon Cream Matcha Latte?

A brown sugar cinnamon cream matcha latte is an iced matcha latte taken to the next level with a rich, fluffy sweet cream made with brown sugar and cinnamon. It’s made with whisked matcha, creamy brown sugar cinnamon cream, milk, and ice—simple ingredients you might already have around the house that create this amazing matcha latte.

For a garnish, you can dust it with a little ground cinnamon or matcha powder for extra flavor and aesthetic appeal (so important these days.) And if brown sugar isn’t your thing, you can easily swap in other sweeteners to make it just the way you like!

What Does a Brown Sugar Cinnamon Cream Matcha Latte Taste Like?

A brown sugar cinnamon cream matcha latte tastes like a cinnamon roll with whipped cream, literally! It might not have that same ooey gooey texture, but the flavor is pretty similar.

Cinnamon pairs undoubtedly well with anything sweet, especially sugar with a darker flavor like caramel or brown sugar. It adds an amazing floral and spicy aroma, which is balanced by the brown sugar and cream. It’s the perfect spice pairing for these bold flavors!

The brown sugar has a nice smoky aroma and caramel taste that pairs nicely with matcha’s earthiness and savoriness.

This drink is such an addicting combo because of the contrasting textures and flavors, it’s one of my favorites to make!

Does Brown Sugar Go Well with Matcha?

100% yes, there’s a reason why brown sugar and matcha are on every single boba shop menu! It’s a classic combination, think: matcha brown sugar boba, brown sugar matcha milk tea, and more.

As mentioned, brown sugar has a slight caramel taste to it because of the added molasses. Matcha is quite umami forward with mild creaminess and sometimes sweetness, so it pairs well with a sweetener that’s a little more robust like brown sugar. They’re bolder flavors on their own, and together they work well and don’t clash.

Sometimes, stronger sugars can overwhelm matcha if it’s not as bold, but most of the time it works really well!

No one can resist that aromatic sweetness and taste!

Does Cinnamon Pair Well with Matcha?

Yes, cinnamon is one of my favorite spices to pair with matcha. There’s just something about it just works incredibly well with matcha. Cinnamon is spicy, sweet, aromatic, woody, and warm. Matcha, on the other hand, is rich, earthy, savory, creamy, and slightly bitter.

I think the two ingredients have very different and contrasting flavor profiles, which makes them complementary to each other. It’s kind of like how salty and sweet or crunchy and chewy are different but work so well together. Cinnamon definitely makes matcha powder seem sweeter and aromatic, which shows how it influences our smell and taste perception!

Food Science Break: A 1990 study actually suggests that the majority of North Americans associate the ground cinnamon aroma with sweetness. It also suggests that cinnamon aroma increases sweet sensation. Neat, huh?

How to Make Brown Sugar Cinnamon Syrup

I add the brown sugar and ground cinnamon separately in this recipe but you can absolutely make a brown sugar cinnamon syrup to make the process easier.

For brown sugar cinnamon syrup, make a brown sugar simple syrup base (1:1 water to sugar) then infuse 1-2 cinnamon sticks for 5-10 minutes or add ground cinnamon to the syrup after it’s made.

You can make your syrup less sweet if desired, a 1:1 ratio is just the default ratio for most syrup recipes.

Both forms of cinnamon will give you a great flavor and aroma, but the cinnamon sticks will give you a smooth syrup while ground cinnamon will give you a slightly gritty syrup due to the powdered texture. I think infusing would be the most convenient option (no straining afterward.)

How to Prepare Matcha Properly

Whisking matcha the right way is the key to a smooth, clump-free matcha latte! It’s what gives matcha that signature frothy texture and balanced flavor.

To get started, you’ll need a tea bowl and a bamboo whisk. First, soak your whisk in warm water to soften the bristles. Then, sift your matcha into the bowl, add water (adjusting the ratio to your taste), and start whisking. Begin slowly, then pick up speed, using a quick zigzag motion. After about 10–15 seconds, you should see a nice layer of froth—your matcha is ready to pour!

For the best flavor, drink your matcha as soon as it’s prepared. There’s a difference in flavor if you make it beforehand versus fresh!

No whisk? No problem! You can still make matcha without a whisk using a blender bottle, a lidded jar, or an electric frother. While it won’t give you the same delicate microfoam, it’ll still mix the matcha well—plus, you can use tools you already have at home.

How to Make a Brown Sugar Cinnamon Cream Matcha Latte

Here’s what you’ll need to make a scrumptious brown sugar cinnamon cream matcha latte at home:

• 1-2 tsp brown sugar
• ⅛ tsp ground cinnamon
• ¼ cup heavy cream
• 1 cup ice
• 1 cup milk
• 1½ tsp matcha powder
• ¼ cup water

Brown Sugar Cinnamon Cream Matcha Latte Recipe

1. Make Brown Sugar Cinnamon Cream: Add brown sugar, cinnamon, and heavy cream to a tall cup or bowl and whisk for 5-10 seconds using an electric frother or whisk. You want to get soft peaks where the cream is fluffy but still pourable, similar to a smoothie consistency.
2. Whisk Matcha: Sift your matcha powder into a tea bowl or shallow and wide bowl. Add water, then, using a softened bamboo whisk, vigorously whisk in a zigzag motion for 10-15 seconds until a froth forms. You want a dense microfoam, not large bubbles!
3. Assemble Drink: Add ice, milk, and whisked matcha to a glass, then top with your brown sugar cinnamon cream and garnish with a dusting of ground cinnamon or matcha powder.
4. Mix and enjoy!

Best Matcha Powders to Use

There’s a lot of buzz about finding and trying the best matcha powders on the market recently! But with so many options, it’s hard to know what to use. Luckily (or unluckily), the “best” matcha powder depends on your tastes.

If you like a more sweet and creamy matcha powder that isn’t too savory or “punch in the face”, you’ll probably like Ippodo’s Sayaka or

For more umami-forward matcha, Rocky’s Ceremonial Blend or Marukyu Koyamaen’s Wako is a perfect balance of a matcha-tasting matcha.

For a real bold umami kick, Ippodo’s Ummon, Matchakari’s Ceremonial Matcha, or Marukyu Koyamaen’s Unkaku are my favorite.

But you’ll never know what tastes best until you try!

Tips:

Here are some tips for making a creamy brown sugar cinnamon cream matcha latte at home!

• Omit the Cream: For a less creamy, healthier version, omit the sweet cream and make a brown sugar cinnamon iced matcha latte! It’s just as good, lighter, and more refreshing!
• Brown Sugar Substitutes: Run out of brown sugar? You can use molasses. piloncillo, or jaggery as a substitute! You can also use maple syrup or agave, but they won’t have that unique smoky flavor brown sugar has.