A matcha eggnog latte is the perfect way to bring something new to your holiday lineup. It blends the cozy, festive vibes of eggnog with matcha’s earthy sweetness, creating a creamy, smooth, and surprisingly balanced drink. The matcha keeps it from feeling too heavy, while the eggnog brings all the holiday cheer—it’s like the best of both worlds in a cup.

If you’re into eggnog, matcha, or just love experimenting with your lattes, this one’s definitely worth a try.

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

What is Eggnog?

Eggnog is that classic holiday drink we all know and love (or hate, haha)—it’s rich, creamy, and made with milk, cream, sugar, eggs, and warm spices like nutmeg and cinnamon. It’s been around since medieval Europe when it started as a fancy drink for the wealthy before becoming a Christmas staple. Now, it’s pretty much a must-have for any festive gathering.

What makes eggnog so unique is its thick, custard-like texture, thanks to the eggs in the mix, which help thicken the mixture. You usually see it served cold, but warming it up is a total game-changer if you’re looking for something extra cozy on a chilly night.

How Do You Make Eggnog?

Making eggnog at home is super simple, and the fresh, creamy taste is so worth it.

Start by whisking together eggs and sugar until they’re nice, fluffy, and pale yellow in color. Then, heat milk and cream on the stove—just warm it up, though, no boiling! Slowly add the warm milk to the eggs (this is called tempering) while whisking like crazy to avoid scrambling them. If you end up with a few cooked bits, no worries; just strain it through a fine mesh sieve. Pop the mix back on the stove, stir until it thickens, then add your spices and vanilla. Let it cool down before chilling in the fridge, and you’ve got yourself homemade eggnog.

It might sound like a lot, but you’ll never return to storebought once you try it. Plus, you can tweak the sweetness and spices to your liking. It’s all about those cozy vibes, and nothing beats the satisfaction of sipping something you made from scratch.

What is Matcha?

Matcha is powdered green tea made from young tea leaves, and it’s got this earthy, slightly sweet flavor that makes it so unique. The best matcha has that vibrant, almost neon green color, while lower-quality stuff leans more greenish-brown. It’s not just about the taste—the bright color is a sign of good quality and freshness.

Most of the best matcha comes from Japan, especially the Uji region, where they’ve been perfecting the art of growing tea for centuries. Matcha has a little something for everyone, whether it be its rich flavor, health benefits, or energy boost. Plus, when prepared just right, there’s something so satisfying about its smooth, frothy texture.

How to Prepare Matcha

To enjoy matcha, you need to mix the powder with water until it’s smooth and frothy. Traditionally, you’d use a tea bowl and a bamboo whisk (chawan and chasen) to get that perfect, silky texture. But if you don’t have those tools, there are other methods for preparing matcha that you can use:

• Shaking matcha and water in a lidded jar or bottle until well mixed and frothy.
• Use a handheld frother to froth matcha and water in a small cup.
• Using a fork and shallow bowl.

While these methods work in a pinch, the bamboo whisk really gives you the best froth and smoothness. If you’re serious about matcha, it’s worth investing in a set—you can find them online or in specialty stores, and they’ll take your matcha game to the next level.

What is in a Matcha Eggnog Latte?

A matcha eggnog latte is made of high-quality matcha powder, eggnog, milk (or a milk alternative), and an optional sweetener to enhance the flavors further. It’s a festive twist on your classic matcha latte, blending matcha’s earthy, slightly bitter flavor with the rich, creamy sweetness of eggnog. For added flair, you can top it with whipped cream and a dusting of cinnamon or nutmeg.

You can make this drink with homemade or storebought eggnog, which makes this drink much easier and faster to make. Many people opt for premade eggnog, but making it at home adds a personal touch. The key to a smooth drink is combining the eggnog with some milk so the texture is still rich but not thick.

Is Eggnog Matcha Good?

Besides a peppermint cold foam latte, an eggnog matcha is probably one of my most favorite holiday drinks ever. It’s a match(a) made in holiday heaven. Matcha pairs with sweet and cream flavors really well, as it’s slightly bitter and umami and balances nicely.

This is a must-try if you like bold flavors or matcha drinks with a twist. Just make sure to be careful with how much eggnog you use. Too much eggnog can overpower the matcha, while too little eggnog might make the drink feel like a typical matcha latte. When done right, the result is delicious.

Can You Steam Eggnog For Lattes?

Yes, you can absolutely steam eggnog for lattes, but there are a few tricks to get it right. Eggnog is really thick, so you’ll need to dilute it with milk to thin it out, then use a lower pressure when steaming to steam it well. The added milk also helps prevent the drink from becoming overly rich. When steaming, keep the temperature below 150°F (65°C) to prevent it from burning or cooking, and take your time to ensure a smooth, creamy consistency.

If you don’t have a milk frother or steam wand, gently warm the eggnog in a saucepan and whisk it vigorously to froth it up.

And if you enjoy it cold, you don’t need to froth it at all!

How to Make a Matcha Eggnog Latte

Here’s what you’ll need to make a matcha eggnog latte:

• 1/2 cup eggnog
  • For homemade eggnog: Eggs, milk, cream, sugar, nutmeg, cinnamon
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1 cup ice
• 1.5 tsp matcha tea powder
• 1/8 cup water

Matcha Eggnog Latte Recipe

1. Make or buy eggnog. Buy your favorite eggnog, or make it yourself! You can follow my eggnog recipe from my eggnog latte recipe.
2. Whisk matcha. Whisk matcha tea powder with water in a bowl using a bamboo whisk in a zigzag motion. After 10-15 seconds, your matcha should be frothy. You can also use other matcha whisking methods as well.
3. Make eggnog milk. Combine eggnog and milk and mix until fully incorporated. There should be no clumps of eggnog.
4. Assemble drink. Add ice and eggnog milk into a separate cup, then top with the whisked matcha.
5. Mix and enjoy!

Best Eggnog Brands

Not into making eggnog from scratch? No problem! There are so many storebought options out there that are perfect for your eggnog latte. Most major dairy brands carry eggnog during the holiday season, usually in cartons or jugs. And if you’re dairy-free, don’t worry; there are some great vegan and non-dairy options available now, too!

You can also peruse your local coffee shop or cafe and see if they have any for sale, especially since it’s popular during the holidays. My personal favorite is Bud’s Eggnog, which is made locally in San Francisco! It’s the perfect thickness, not too sweet, and has no artificial flavors.

I recommend looking at the label to check the sugar content when buying storebought eggnog. Some brands can be super sweet, so if you want something lighter, look for reduced-sugar versions or mix it with a bit of milk to balance it out.

Tips

Here are some tips for making a great matcha eggnog latte at home!

• Experiment with Ratios: Adjust the amount of matcha, eggnog, and milk to suit your taste preferences. Add more matcha powder for a stronger matcha flavor, or add more eggnog for a creamier, eggnog-forward drink.
• Make It Dairy-Free: Use a dairy-free eggnog (like almond or oat-nog) and pair it with plant-based milk for a vegan-friendly version.