You can easily upgrade your classic matcha latte with a little bit of brown sugar! It adds the perfect slightly smoky and caramel flavor to your matcha, which takes on a whole new flavor. It’s no wonder brown sugar matcha lattes are super popular in boba shops worldwide.

Plus, making this matcha latte is super easy since brown sugar is a kitchen staple and requires no extra ingredients. It’s a simple way to make your iced matcha lattes pop!

Here’s how to make a brown sugar matcha latte at home!

What is Brown Sugar?

Brown sugar is purified sugar (white sugar) with molasses, which is a thick byproduct of sugar production. Molasses has a burnt, smoky, almost prune-like taste and flavor and is most commonly used in gingerbread cookies. It’s what gives brown sugar that distinct brown color and caramel-like aroma.

There are two main types of brown sugar: light and dark. Light brown sugar has half the amount of molasses that dark brown sugar has, which is usually 2 tbsp of molasses to one cup of sugar. The difference in molasses amount gives them both different textures and tastes, so you can’t really substitute them one for one.

Brown sugar is a great sweetener for matcha lattes and you can use the actual sugar or a sugar syrup!

What is a Brown Sugar Matcha Latte?

A brown sugar matcha latte is an iced matcha latte with brown sugar! It’s a simple yet delicious matcha flavor combination that’s easy to make at home.

It’s a really popular combination and you’ll find it in many cafes. You might find different names for brown sugar, like jaggery, piloncillo, and kokuto. They all are slightly different variations of brown sugar but under the same brown sugar family.

You can use regular brown sugar or brown sugar syrup that dissolves more easily in liquid. If you’re feeling experimental, you can also add molasses for a bolder flavor.

What Does a Brown Sugar Matcha Latte Taste Like?

A brown sugar matcha latte tastes like a bolder, smoky matcha with a slight caramel taste. It has a slight roasted flavor that is delicious, strong, and sweet. The brown sugar is very aromatic, which complements the earthy matcha nicely.

The matcha takes a backseat with brown sugar and is the supporting flavor rather than the main flavor. In the same thread, too much brown sugar can overpower the matcha, so a little goes a long way!

Besides a regular matcha latte, you can enjoy this pairing with boba, which is one of the best ways to get that signature caramelized brown sugar flavor.

Why Make This Brown Sugar Matcha Latte

I love this matcha latte recipe because it’s super easy and you don’t need to buy any extra ingredients! It’s simple, classic, and uses ingredients you already have in your kitchen.

If you don’t have brown sugar, you can also swap it out for a different sweetener like maple syrup, agave, or even molasses.

Matcha is also good for you! Practically every matcha brand talks about the health benefits of drinking matcha and its relaxing properties. It has a ton of antioxidants that make it a superfood (that’s why you’ll see it on the menu in smoothie bars and smoothie bowl restaurants.)

It’s also just a fun way to change up your matcha latte rotation.

How to Make Matcha

Whisking matcha in water removes all the clumps that can make a matcha drink super gritty and unpleasant. Usually, you use a tea bowl and whisk, called a chawan and chasen.

But if you don’t have these tools, you can also make matcha without a whisk using an electric frother or shake in a lidded jar.

First, sift your matcha powder into your bowl, then add water. Soak your whisk in warm water, then whisk your matcha in a zigzag motion until foam forms at the surface of your tea. Stop when you get a nice foam!

You can check out my in-depth matcha whisking tutorial, which has much more detailed steps and a video to follow for reference.

How to Make Brown Sugar Syrup

For easy use, make brown sugar syrup! It’s super easy and will make making iced drinks a breeze every time. You’re basically making a brown sugar simple syrup.

You want to dissolve 1 cup of brown sugar in 1 cup of water on the stove. Since brown sugar has that added molasses, it might be a little sweeter, so you can also add a little less brown sugar (like 3/4 cup.)

Reduce the syrup on the stove until you get your desired consistency! You can also try caramelizing it, but it’s a little difficult since brown sugar has extra impurities in it compared to white sugar.

How to Make a Brown Sugar Matcha Latte

Here’s what you’ll need to make this easy brown sugar matcha latte at home!

• 1 tsp brown sugar syrup (or 2-3 tsp regular brown sugar)
• 1 cup milk
• 1 cup ice
• 1.5 tsp matcha powder
• 1/4 cup water

Brown Sugar Matcha Latte Recipe

1. Make Brown Sugar Syrup (Optional): You can use regular brown sugar in your drink, but for an easy sweetener, make brown sugar syrup! Reduce 1 cup of brown sugar and 1 cup of water on the stove until you get your desired consistency.
2. Whisk Matcha: Soften your bamboo whisk in warm water. Sift matcha into a bowl and add water, then whisk in a zigzag motion until you get a nice foam. Check out my matcha whisking tutorial for a step-by-step process.
3. Assemble Drink: Add brown sugar syrup, ice, and milk to a glass, then top with the whisked matcha. Optional: garnish with a dash of cinnamon and add a splash of vanilla for more depth.
4. Mix and Enjoy!

Best Matcha Powder to Use

Since brown sugar has a bolder flavor, I recommend using a more bold matcha powder. Not all matcha powders taste the same and can lean more sweet and creamy or vegetal.

The best matcha powder I’ve had is Ippodo’s Ummon blend. It’s fresh, green, and has lots of umami—if you drink it straight up, it tastes like seaweed without the salt.

But milk completely washes away the sea flavor, leaving you with a delicious umami flavor that works so perfectly with milk and brown sugar.

You can find a lot of good-quality, affordable matcha powders on the market for less than $20. These brands have matcha at all different price points:

• Ippodo
• Kettl Matcha
• Yamamasa Koyamaen
• Horii Shichimeien
• Marukyu Koyamaen
• Matchaeologist

Tip: If you’re going to Japan, get matcha powder there. It’s half the cost, and you save on shipping.

Other Matcha Recipes to Try

Matcha lattes are so fun to experiment with! You can add different flavors, like brown sugar, or use different milks. If you like this brown sugar matcha latte, then you have to try these other matcha recipes next:

• Salted vanilla matcha latte (Must Try!)
• Matcha horchata latte
• Lavender matcha latte
• Dalgona matcha latte
• Matcha Thai tea
• Banana matcha latte
• Brown sugar cinnamon cream matcha latte

Tips:

Here are some tips for making a delicious brown sugar matcha latte at home!

• Use Molasses: If you don’t have brown sugar but you have molasses, you can use that plus a little sugar or other sweetener you’d like for a similar caramel taste!
• Make Brown Sugar: But if you already have molasses, you can also make brown sugar by mixing molasses and sugar together! You want to use 1 tbsp molasses for every 1 cup of sugar; molasses is quite strong in flavor so a little goes a long way.
• Brown Sugar Syrup Stripes: There’s a popular milk tea called Tiger Milk Tea named after the brown sugar syrup stripes in the cup. You can create the same effect here by drizzling brown sugar syrup in your glass before assembling your drink.