Move over pumpkin spice latte, hello matcha! While fall isn’t known for grassy beverages, matcha is the exception! Matcha with pumpkin cold foam is actually a delicious combination and a spin-off of pumpkin cream cold brew. Starbucks fans have known about this fall-inspired combination (secret menu item), and it’s phenomenal.

It’s hard not to love pumpkin cold foam and a smooth matcha latte. Here’s how you can make it at home!

Do Matcha and Pumpkin Go Together?

While it’s not a common pairing, matcha and pumpkin go really well together. The first time I had matcha with pumpkin cold foam, it actually threw me off by how good it was.

Matcha has a slightly vegetal and umami flavor, which pairs perfectly with pumpkin, which is slightly savory and sweet. Plus, the additional sugar and milk help to mellow out any strong flavors. Both taste great in the traditional pumpkin spice matcha latte, but it’s even more decadent with the pumpkin cold foam!

What is Pumpkin Cold Foam

First, what is cold foam? Cold foam traditionally refers to frothed cold milk, but it’s recently changed to mean sweet cream cold foam, or heavy cream and milk frothed into a soft and fluffy topping.

The original flavor of sweet cream cold foam is vanilla, but obviously, it’s a blank canvas, and people have taken the liberty to create all sorts of cold foam flavors, including this pumpkin one!

All sweet cream cold foam is heavy cream, sugar, milk, and any other flavoring you want. So, to make pumpkin cold foam, make a regular cold foam and add some pumpkin spice syrup and pumpkin puree!

Is Pumpkin Cold Foam Good on Matcha?

You bet! I prefer pumpkin cold foam over regular pumpkin spice syrup; it just adds a nice texture and creamier flavor. It’s more dessert-like, but if you’re into that vibe, you’ll love this. It’s hard not to like something that tastes like pumpkin pie ice cream!

While you could add this to a “cold-brewed” matcha tea, I think the cold foam works best on milkier drinks like a matcha latte. It balances out the milk better than a water-based base, unless it’s coffee. In which case, it balances out perfectly!

Why You Should Make This Recipe

• You’ll save money by not buying from the coffee shop.
• It’s super fun to make and easy!
• Perfect for the fall season.
• You have this easy, step-by-step recipe to guide you on this cafe beverage.
• Practice making yummy drinks at home to be a better home barista!

Pumpkin Cream Matcha Latte: What You’ll Need

You’ll need:

• A handheld frother or small blender
• Matcha whisk, matcha bowl, and a tea sift

Ingredients:

• Pumpkin Cold Foam
• ¼ cup heavy cream
• 1 cup milk
• 1 tbsp pumpkin puree
• 2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
• 1 tsp sugar or sweetener (or sub for pumpkin spice syrup)
• Matcha Latte
• 1½ tsp matcha powder
• ¼ cup water
• 1 cup ice

Matcha with Pumpkin Cold Foam Recipe

1. Whip Pumpkin Cold Foam. Add pumpkin puree, pumpkin spice, sweetener, heavy cream, and milk to a small cup or bowl. Whip for 10 seconds with a handheld frother until soft and fluffy but not stiff.
2. Whisk Matcha. Soak the matcha whisk in warm water for 2 minutes. Sift matcha powder into the bowl, then add water. Whisk for 20-30 seconds using the matcha whisk in a zigzag motion until you get a nice froth. See a tutorial here.
3. Assemble Drink. Add ice and milk to a separate glass, then top with whisked matcha and pumpkin cold foam. Garnish with a dusting of pumpkin pie spice.
4. Mix and Enjoy!

Notes: If you don’t have a handheld frother, you can always whip the cream by hand or use a blender. You’ll need to keep an eye on the blender so you don’t overwhip the cream. If you don’t have a matcha whisk, there are also multiple ways to make matcha without a whisk. My favorite way is by using the handheld frother or shaking it in a jar until frothy.

Tips for the Best Flavor

• Pumpkin Puree is Non-Negotiable: Did you know pumpkin spice lattes used to not have any pumpkin in them? So, you’re basically just drinking a sweetened, spiced drink! The pumpkin adds so much flavor depth that omitting it is doing a disservice!
• Use Good Quality Dairy: Good quality cream and milk make such a big difference to the flavor. You’ll taste that it’s smoother, slightly sweet, and you can tell that it’s fresh. Of course, use what you have, but I find that good dairy makes it taste much better, with no weird aftertaste!
• Garnish Tip: Cut out a paper stencil and hold it on top of your cold foam to sprinkle on a pattern! I cut a pumpkin shape to get into the fall vibes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you add cold foam to a matcha latte?

Of course! You can add cold foam to literally any drink you like, from brewed coffee, frappuccinos, cocoa, or even tea if you wish. It’s basically a fancy whipped cream that adds a nice flavor, sweetness, and creaminess to your beverage. It’s best on cold drinks, though, because it will melt right into hot drinks.

Does pumpkin cold foam have pumpkin in it?

Nowadays, it does, but back in the day, many coffee chains did not have pumpkin in their pumpkin drinks (cough, Starbucks). But recently, many have changed their syrups, which now include a trace amount of pumpkin, which is better than none, I guess!

How to properly whisk matcha?

Whisking matcha takes a little practice to get right, but it’s necessary! You want to whisk in a zigzag motion. Just imagine drawing M or W letters in your matcha bowl. This motion makes bubbles and froth much easier than whisking in a circle, which doesn’t introduce any air into your tea.

Can I make this drink dairy-free?

Yes! Swap heavy cream for any non-dairy alternative cream, like oat or soy cream. There are even some vegan heavy creams that emulate dairy! For the latte, you can use your favorite non-dairy milk. I recommend a creamier milk, like oat milk, for the best flavor.

Can I use pumpkin spice syrup instead?

If you don’t have pumpkin puree and spices, you can always use pumpkin spice syrup! Just make sure the syrup you have has some amount of real pumpkin in it for the best flavor.

Other Pumpkin Drinks to Try Next

If you like this matcha with pumpkin cold foam, then you’re just the person for more pumpkin-flavored drinks! You need to try these next:

• Pumpkin Cream Chai Latte
• Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew
• Dalgona Pumpkin Spice Latte
• Pumpkin Spice Matcha Latte
• Pumpkin Pie Latte