Creamy matcha drinks have been sweeping across major cities, and this tiramisu matcha latte is no exception. It’s a decadent matcha with that addictive mascarpone cream that makes tiramisu so good. You’ll love this dessert-like drink that’s easy to make and beautiful.
Here’s how to make this delicious tiramisu matcha latte at home!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- It’s creative and experimental!
- It’s a dessert in drink form, and fun to make.
- A fun, cafe-style drink to make at home.
What is Tiramisu?
Tiramisu, meaning “pick me up”, is a classic layered dessert from northern Italy in the Veneto region around Treviso in the late 1960s or early ’70s. It’s made by layering espresso-soaked ladyfingers (savoiardi, silky mascarpone cream, sugar, and a splash of alcohol, then dusted with cocoa powder. You let the cake chill for a couple of hours before serving; that way, the ladyfingers soak up all the coffee and liquor.
Not only is it delicious, but it’s also super easy to make at home. Tiramisu balances bitter, sweet, creamy, and slightly alcoholic notes and is such an addictive dessert. There’s no baking required, and it takes less than an hour to assemble!
What is a Tiramisu Matcha Latte?
This tiramisu matcha latte is an iced matcha latte with a sweet mascarpone cold foam cream top dusted with matcha powder. It’s basically the cheese version of a matcha einspanner and is like a matcha cheesecake and tiramisu rolled into a drink.
What is Mascarpone? It’s a soft, slightly sweet Italian cheese made by curdling cream with acid to get a luscious spreadable cheese! It’s slightly sweet, milky, and thick, perfect for desserts.
What Does a Tiramisu Matcha Latte Taste Like?
A tiramisu matcha latte tastes like a thick, creamy matcha spread or custard! The mascarpone makes it extra decadent, and the umami matcha balances it nicely. It’s similar to a matcha tiramisu itself or a matcha cake with a hint of vanilla and nuts.
The cheese can also make it taste like matcha cheesecake, which is rich and earthy. Basically, this latte tastes like a creamy matcha dessert!
How to Make Mascarpone Cream
Mascarpone is the most important part of this matcha tiramisu latte. It’s rich, creamy, slightly sweet, and gives an amazing, silky texture and luscious mouthfeel.
This cream is best as a cold foam as it’s a little looser and not as thick. It’s basically sweet cream cold foam with mascarpone cheese added.
If you want a thicker cream, omit the milk and whip the mixture until it’s thick and fluffy. For a thinner, cold-foam-like texture, whip the mixture until it’s light and fluffy but still pourable.
Does This Tiramisu Matcha Latte Have Alcohol?
While classic tiramisu has alcohol, this tiramisu matcha latte does not. If you want to add that flavor, you can add a little splash of Marsala wine, rum, or brandy. The alcohol adds a little sweetness and spice that complements the drink well!
You can also use non-alcoholic versions for the same flavor, or substitute it with vanilla and almond extract for that sweet, amaretto flavor.
I think this drink tastes delicious without the alcohol, but it’s fun for a matcha or dessert-themed cocktail.
How to Whisk Matcha
It’s terrible drinking matcha that’s grainy or clumpy. For a smooth matcha, you need to whisk matcha properly with a bamboo whisk.
The whisk helps break up any clumps while dispersing matcha powder in water, making it easier to mix into other liquids like water or milk. Clumpy matcha is usually a sign of using an electric whisk or not whisking the matcha enough.
First, sift the matcha into a matcha bowl, then add water. Then, whisk the matcha in a zigzag motion with the whisk until a foam forms. The foam should resemble espresso crema: tight, small bubbles close together with a velvety finish.
Note: You can also use an electric frother to whisk matcha. Just make sure it breaks up all clumps or strain it after to ensure the clumps are all gone.
Mascarpone Cheese Substitute
Mascarpone is great in Tiramisu because it makes the whipped cream extra creamy and delicious. Since mascarpone can be hard to find, cream cheese is a great replacement since mascarpone is very similar to it. It’s slightly sweet, milky, and perfect for tiramisu and other cheese-based desserts. Since cream cheese doesn’t have as much fat as mascarpone, use less cream cheese and more heavy cream.
You can also try using clotted cream as a substitute, but it may make your cream sweeter, nuttier, and runnier.
How to Make Tiramisu Matcha Latte
Ingredients:
- Mascarpone Cream
- ¼ cup heavy cream
- 1 tbsp mascarpone cheese
- 2 tbsp milk
- 1 tsp sugar
- Tiramisu Matcha Latte
- 1½ tsp matcha tea powder
- ¼ cup water
- 1 cup milk
- 1 cup ice
- ⅛ tsp vanilla paste or extract
- ¼ cup room temperature mascarpone cream
Tiramisu Matcha Latte Recipe
- Add mascarpone cheese, heavy cream, milk, and sugar to a cup or bowl, then whip for 5 – 10 seconds using a handheld frother or whisk until light and fluffy but still pourable.
- Sift matcha powder into a bowl, then add water. Whisk quickly in a zigzag motion for 20 – 30 seconds using a matcha whisk until a foam forms on top. See the matcha whisking tutorial here.
- Add ice, milk, vanilla, and whisked matcha to a separate glass, then top with mascarpone cream. Garnish with a dusting of matcha powder or a ladyfinger.
- Mix and enjoy!
Other Creamy Matcha Recipes
Matcha is delicious in sweet and creamy drinks, and even better in desserts! This tiramisu matcha latte is so creamy and decadent, you’ll definitely want to try more like it. Here’s some creamy matcha inspiration to try next:
- Pistachio cream matcha latte
- Banana cream matcha latte
- Mango cream matcha latte
- Mango sticky rice matcha latte
- Date cream matcha latte
- Sea salt cream matcha latte
- Matcha tres leches latte
Easy Creamy Tiramisu Matcha Latte
Ingredients
Mascarpone Cream
- ¼ cup heavy cream
- 1 tbsp mascarpone cheese
- 2 tbsp milk
- 1 tsp sugar
Tiramisu Matcha Latte
- 1½ tsp matcha tea powder
- ¼ cup water
- 1 cup milk
- 1 cup ice
- ⅛ tsp vanilla paste or extract
- ¼ cup mascarpone cream
Instructions
- Add mascarpone cheese, heavy cream, milk, and sugar to a cup or bowl, then whip for 5 – 10 seconds using a handheld frother or whisk until light and fluffy but still pourable.
- Sift matcha powder into a bowl, then add water. Whisk quickly in a zigzag motion for 20 – 30 seconds using a matcha whisk until a foam forms on top. See the matcha whisking tutorial here.
- Add ice, milk, vanilla, and whisked matcha to a separate glass, then top with mascarpone cream. Garnish with a dusting of matcha powder or a ladyfinger.
- Mix and enjoy!
Tips:
- Use a Savory Matcha: Mascarpone cheese is quite thick, creamy, and sweet, so it tastes best with a more savory matcha. Try to use a matcha that has more umami and savory notes, but honestly, you can use any powder you have!
- Use Room Temperature Cheese: Remove the mascarpone cheese from the fridge, scoop out what you need, and let it come to room temperature. It’ll be softer and easier to blend into your heavy cream!
- Serving Tips: Serve this tiramisu matcha latte with a ladyfinger to dip or snack on, and definitely add a dusting of matcha on top! You can also add an herb sprig for extra flair. I also recommend serving it in a clear glass or cup so you can see the layers. Or, serve it with a tiny spoon so people can scoop the cream from the top in a satisfying way!
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