Enjoy this super caffeinated, earthy, and bold dirty matcha latte that is scarily delicious. Combine the world’s two most popular drinks, espresso and matcha, into a sweet and creamy drink with beautiful layers!

Trust me, you’ll want to not like this because of how much caffeine is in this drink, but it just tastes so good! Perfect for days when you need an extra boost.

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

What is a Dirty Matcha Latte?

A dirty matcha latte is a matcha latte with an added shot (or shots) of espresso! It’s a fun name for basically an espresso matcha latte or coffee matcha latte.

You’ll see “dirty” describing any drink that has an additional unconventional ingredient added. Take, for example, a dirty martini, which has olive juice, a dirty soda, which has cream added, or a dirty Thai tea, which has espresso added.

Supposedly, a dirty matcha latte is named after the color it turns after espresso is added, aka dirt brown. But beyond the color, it actually tastes pretty good! It’s a polarizing combination, but it works.

What Does a Dirty Matcha Latte Taste Like?

Dirty matcha lattes have such a unique, earthy, and creamy taste. The matcha balances out the espresso and makes it less bitter and more vegetal and grassy in the best way possible.

The milk really helps smooth out any sharp flavors, too, and with a hint of sweetness and vanilla? It’s just a really yummy, earthy iced latte!

I want to dislike this combination so bad because of the caffeine, but it’s so good.

How Much Caffeine is in a Dirty Matcha Latte?

Well, normally, one serving of matcha powder (2g or roughly a teaspoon) has about 65 mg of caffeine, which is about the same as a single shot of espresso.

So, if you use one teaspoon of matcha powder and a double shot of espresso (cafe standard), you’re basically consuming about 180 mg of caffeine, which is roughly the same as a triple shot of espresso. That’s a lot of caffeine!

Now, if you want a lighter version, you can use a single shot or even decaf espresso. Depending on how tolerant or sensitive to caffeine you are, you may want to adjust the amounts!

Do You Need Espresso?

A dirty matcha latte usually uses espresso as the coffee component, but if you don’t have an espresso machine, you can use other forms of coffee. The closest to espresso you’ll get without a machine is by using a stove top coffee maker or Aeropress, which make concentrated amounts of coffee.

You can also make your own espresso by using instant espresso powder! In a pinch, cold brew concentrate also works, but it will be more watery than espresso.

How to Whisk Matcha

Whisking matcha is probably the most important step if you want that smooth, creamy texture without any clumps. It also helps create that beautiful frothy top we all love in a good matcha latte.

First, you’ll need a bamboo whisk (also called a chasen) and a bowl. I like to soak the whisk in warm water for a few seconds to soften the bristles before using it. Then, sift your matcha into the bowl to help break up any clumps before you even start whisking.

Add a little bit of water and start whisking slowly to dissolve the powder, then speed up and use a quick zigzag (or “W”) motion. After about 15-20 seconds, you should see a layer of froth form on top. That’s when you know it’s ready!

Tip: Whisk with your wrist, not your whole arm—it’s easier and gives you better control.

How to Make a Dirty Matcha Latte

You’ll need:

• 1 tsp matcha tea powder
• ¼ cup water
• 1 shot espresso
• 1 cup milk
• 1 cup ice
• ⅛ tsp vanilla extract or paste
• 1-2 tsp of sweetener (sugar, agave, etc.)

Dirty Matcha Latte Recipe

1. Brew Espresso. Brew a single shot of espresso using an espresso machine. You can also use a stovetop coffee maker or an Aeropress we well, or even instant espresso powder.
2. Whisk Matcha. Sift matcha into a matcha bowl and add water. Vigorously whisk the tea in a zigzag motion with a bamboo whisk for 20-30 seconds until you get a foam with tight, tiny bubbles on top.
3. Assemble Drink. Add ice, whisked matcha, sweetener, and milk to a glass, then top with your espresso. Create layers by slowly pouring the liquid directly onto the ice (your ice should be a decent size, not crushed ice).
4. Mix and Enjoy!

Different Variations of a Matcha Coffee Latte

A dirty matcha latte is not the only way to enjoy coffee and matcha in a drink. Here are some other forms of espresso and matcha together:

• Matcha cold brew: Add a shot of whisked matcha to cold brew! This will be an insanely caffeinated drink, so be careful! Add a little bit of cream and sweetener for a milky treat.
• Matcha iced coffee: Similarly, you can add matcha to brewed iced coffee, which can be weaker than cold brew. This sounds like a great drink for summer, especially when you want something light and refreshing.
• Dalgona coffee and matcha latte: For a sweet and milky option, add dalgona coffee on top of your iced matcha latte. The matcha and milk balance out the intense instant coffee flavor.
• Matcha iced americano: Similar to the matcha brewed coffee or cold brew, you can add some extra strength by making an iced americano (espresso with water) and adding whisked matcha.
• Matcha cold foam latte: Another creamy option is to make a matcha cold foam and add it on top of your iced latte. This option is the milkiest of them all, and perfect for those who don’t want to taste the espresso or matcha as much.

More Matcha Inspiration

Matcha and coffee aren’t the only highly caffeinated combination—have you ever mixed two different teas together? Here’s some tea-riffic inspiration for your next caffeinated drink:

• Matcha mocha
• Matcha Thai tea
• Earl Grey matcha latte
• Jasmine matcha latte

Tips:

Here are some tips to help you make the best dirty matcha latte at home!

• Use a Single Shot of Espresso: Since matcha already has a lot of caffeine, use one shot of espresso instead of two. If you want more caffeine, feel free to use a double shot, but I find that a single shot is more than enough. For a minimally caffeinated drink, you can also use decaf coffee!
• Make Layers: For a pretty drink, layer your tea, milk, and coffee to get a nice design. Start with your matcha on the bottom and add your sweetener to it. Add ice, then slowly pour the milk on top of the ice until you get an even layer. Then, repeat this process with the espresso, and you should end up with a green, white, and brown layer!
• Use a Handheld Frother for Matcha: No bamboo whisk? No problem! You can whisk the matcha using a handheld frother in the same glass you’ll drink out of. The handheld whisk might leave behind small clumps here and there, but it does the job and is a great way to whisk matcha without a whisk.