Imagine a creamy, refreshing drink that transports you straight to a tropical beach. This viral coconut matcha cloud drink is just that! It’s light and refreshing, and balances the matcha cream floating on top. You might be skeptical, and so was I, but it’s such a delicious drink that I’ve made every summer.

The coconut water adds a subtle sweetness that makes it perfect for replenishing electrolytes and staying hydrated, while the matcha adds a clean energy boost when you want to stay awake.

So, here is exactly how to make a cafe-style coconut matcha cloud recipe at home in under 5 minutes!

What is a Coconut Cloud Matcha?

A matcha cloud is a light, fluffy matcha cream or matcha cold foam designed to float on top of iced drinks. It got its name from its cloud-like appearance when layered over iced coffee, matcha, or coconut water. Usually sweetened, a matcha cloud is a great drink topper for extra creaminess.

It also makes drinks look cute and taste even better. Once you mix the matcha powder into the cream, it takes on a light green hue. Unsweetened, it tastes smooth, mild, and umami, but when you add some simple syrup or honey, it tastes exactly like matcha ice cream! It’s also super easy to make, and all you need is matcha powder and heavy cream.

What is a Coconut Matcha Cloud Drink?

A coconut matcha cloud is iced coconut water with a layer of fluffy matcha cream on top.

This drink made its way around social media from Thailand, which is known for its huge coffee and matcha scene. Visually, it has a striking contrast with a slightly transparent body and a fluffy, light green cloud foam. It looks so cool!

Canned Coconut Milk vs. Heavy Cream: Which is Best?

You can create your floating matcha cloud using either chilled, full-fat canned coconut cream or traditional dairy heavy whipping cream:

• For a 100% Dairy-Free Drink: Pour out cream from a cool can of full-fat coconut cream. You’ll get a super tropical flavor from the robust coconut.
• For a Starbucks-Style Foam: Use heavy whipping dairy cream. This gives you a stable, pillowy foam with a fresh dairy taste.

What Does a Coconut Matcha Cloud Taste Like?

This drink is so addicting.

The coconut matcha cloud is creamy, slightly sweet, and super refreshing. The coconut water, while sweet, has a savory quality to it, similar to Gatorade. It’s not sweet like desserts and is more hydrating than anything.

The cream on top blends into the coconut water, making it super creamy and delicious. I was skeptical of it at first, but coconut itself has a high-fat content, so it makes sense that coconut water and extra fats make it taste even better.

It’s a nice hydrating treat that will give you a nice caffeine boost.

Are Matcha and Coconut Good Together?

Matcha and coconut are great together!

Coconut water has a refreshing sweetness that pairs well with matcha’s slight bitterness and earthiness. They complement each other nicely in various forms: ice cream, lattes, smoothies, smoothie bowls, etc.

Matcha also tastes good with various forms of coconut: coconut water, coconut milk, coconut shavings, etc. Although I’ve never tried matcha coconut chocolate or baked goods, but I’m sure it tastes good.

The extra creaminess of coconut also helps balance the umami and bitter side of matcha.

What Are the Benefits of Coconut Water?

Coconut water has a ton of benefits, including:

• Hydration: Coconuts are a source of naturally occurring electrolytes like potassium, sodium, and manganese, which we need for hydration.
• Maintain Blood Sugar: There is little to no added sugar in coconut water and it has a low glycemic index, making it safe for people watching their blood sugar. It also has the potential to lower blood sugar.
• Lower Blood Pressure: Because of its high potassium, coconut water helps lower blood pressure significantly.
• Antioxidants and Nutrients: Coconut water has a lot of nutrients, including various vitamins, amino acids, minerals, etc.

So, it’s the perfect liquid to add to your matcha, which is also high in nutrients and antioxidants. You can also make a dairy-free version of the coconut matcha cloud by adding matcha straight into coconut water for a refreshing and easy drink!

The Secret to a Perfect Matcha Foam

The biggest complaint home baristas have when making a coconut matcha cloud is that the green tea powder clumps up in the cream. To get a perfect, photo-worthy float every time, follow this rule:

1. Make a Matcha Paste: Never dump raw matcha powder straight into cold cream. Because matcha powder is hydrophobic, the powder will cling to itself and form stubborn clumps. Instead, sift your matcha powder into a matcha bowl and whisk it with 1 tablespoon of warm water first to create a smooth green paste before adding it to your cream.

How to Prep Your Matcha Base

To get a velvety froth for your cloud topping, you can prepare your matcha paste using whichever tool you have on hand:

1. The Traditional Bamboo Whisk (Chasen): Sift your powder into a small bowl, add warm water, and whip your wrist in rapid “M” or “Z” motions for 20 seconds. This creates the finest microbubbles for the smoothest texture.
2. A Handheld Milk Frother: Place your frother at the bottom of a small cup with your matcha paste and water, spinning for 10 seconds to fully aerate and dissolve the tea. You might need a little more water than the chasen.
3. The Lidded Jar Method: If you are on a budget, vigorously shake your matcha powder and a splash of water inside a small mason jar until no dry powder remains. You might still end up with some clumps, which you can break up with a fork.

Coconut Matcha Cloud Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need to make a coconut matcha cloud at home:

• A traditional matcha whisking set (or any of the whisking options above)
• A handheld frother or whisk
• 1 ½ tsp matcha powder
• ¼ cup water
• ¼ cup heavy or whipping cream
• 1 tsp sugar or simple syrup (optional)
• 1 cup coconut water
• 1 cup ice
• ½ tbsp strawberry syrup (optional)

Coconut Matcha Cloud Recipe

1. Dissolve the Matcha: Sift your matcha powder into a small chawan. Add 1 tablespoon of water and whisk it with a bamboo whisk for 10-15 seconds until a smooth, clump-free green paste forms.
2. Froth the Cloud Foam: Pour your heavy cream (or chilled coconut cream) directly into the matcha paste or vice versa. Whip using your electric frother until it thickens into a pillowy foam. Stop frothing while it is still slightly pourable. We do not want to make stiff whipped cream.
3. Assemble Drink: Fill a fresh glass half full with ice cubes. Pour in your coconut water until the glass is roughly two-thirds full.
4. Layer and Serve: Slowly pour your matcha cloud foam directly over the top of the ice cubes. Dust with extra matcha powder for beautiful presentation, stir well before drinking, and enjoy immediately!
5. Strawberry version: Mix strawberry syrup and coconut water until the syrup dissolves, then add ice and top with the matcha foam.

Tips

Here are some tips for making a delicious coconut matcha cloud drink at home!

• Try different coconut water brands to see if there are differences in flavor! Not all coconut water brands are alike; some may be sweeter than others.
• Add sugar or a sweetener to the cream if the drink isn’t sweet enough. Perhaps add coconut sugar to be on the theme!
• Sift your matcha before use to get a silky smooth cream and prevent any clumps of matcha powder. Once you have matcha clumps, mixing them with anything other than water is hard.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is matcha with coconut good?

Yes, matcha and coconut are a perfect flavor pairing! Matcha’s earthy notes balance perfectly with coconut’s tropical, sweet, and creamy flavor. It works great with both coconut milk and coconut water!

Can I make the matcha cloud completely dairy-free?

Absolutely! To make a 100% plant-based version, replace the heavy cream with full-fat canned coconut cream. Keep the can in a cool place, then pour the cream and whip it with your matcha paste using an electric frother. Do not chill the can, otherwise, the cream hardens and becomes thick and chunky.

What to Sip Next: More Creamy Matcha Recipes

If you love the contrast of light, hydrating bases topped with velvety foam, you are going to love my other home cafe creations. For more fruit and matcha pairings, make sure to check out my tropical mango cream matcha latte or try my internet-famous banana cream matcha latte next!

You also have to try my sea salt cream matcha, inspired by Vietnamese salted coffee, for a savory-sweet flavor experience that brings out the umami matcha flavor. And for the ultimate refreshing treat, please make my mango sticky rice matcha latte! It’s so refreshing and has rice milk, mango puree, and a delicious coconut foam that tastes exactly like the iconic dessert!