Who doesn’t love a sweet little probiotic drink? I grew up drinking small little Yakult bottles, which are sweet yogurt probiotic drinks that have a sweet and tart flavor. They supposedly make your gut strong and healthy, so why not combine it with matcha for the ultimate “healthy” latte? It’s a great way to get some extra good bacteria in your body.

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

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• It gives you good probiotics alongside a healthy caffeine dose.
• Blends together two Asian favorites into a drink! 
• A fun way to change up your matcha routine.
• It’s an easy step-by-step recipe that you can follow at home.

What is Yakult?

Yakult is a Japanese brand of probiotic yogurt drinks, first made as an aid to help people in Japan boost their immune system against infectious disease. They’re famous for the bottles, which have a very unique shape and iconic red foil lid color. They’re the original yogurt drink, and many other brands have popped up imitating the same drink. But no one can beat the OG!

The best part of Yakult is that it’s not sour; it’s truly just sweet and delicious. It tastes unlike any other yogurt drink I’ve had. It’s sweet, creamy, tart, and almost sherbet-like, which makes it really popular amongst kids. The flavor is so popular that it has become an iconic Asian flavor, featured in many desserts, drinks, and dishes. 

I’ve seen Yakult-yogurt flavored tea, lemonade, ice cream, you name it!

Health Benefits of Yakult

It’s common knowledge that Yakult is good for your gut thanks to the good bacteria Lactobacillus casei strain Shirota (LcS). There are several other health benefits Yakult claims to provide, including:

• Improves the immune system and reduces the risk of infection
• Increases good bacteria and reduces bad bacteria in your gut
• Promotes regular bowel movement and improves stool consistency

But don’t take it from me, this study shows that Yakult improves constipation symptoms. Another study at Loughborough University showed that drinking Yakult daily reduced the risk of infection amongst athletes. And at another university, drinking Yakult improved digestion.

What is a Yakult Matcha Latte?

This is a matcha latte with a bottle or two of Yakult in it. I like to combine the yogurt drink and milk together to make a base instead of replacing all the milk with Yakult. While good for you, Yakult also has a lot of sugar in each small bottle, so using it as the base for your latte seems overpowering. 

The yakult and milk make a way more balanced and milder tart flavor, which I think is perfect for whisked matcha. I also love the creamier flavor from the milk, as Yakult is looser and thinner. 

What Does a Yakult Matcha Latte Taste Like?

A yakult matcha latte tastes like a green tea yogurt candy! Sweet, creamy, and earthy, all in the best way. It kind of reminds me of a creamy lemonade, but much less sour, or a creamy sherbet. The yogurt drink adds the perfect sweetness, which makes it really easy to make over and over again. 

Do Yakult and Matcha Taste Good Together?

Yes! Matcha tastes amazing with sweet and creamy flavors. The Yakult yogurt flavor complements the bitterness and earthiness of matcha nicely, without overpowering it. Since the yogurt is tangy, it also adds a nice contrast to a creamy matcha! And in food, sometimes opposites attract, like sweet and salty, or tangy and creamy in this case. It’s just as good as an orange creamsicle, a fruit tart, or any other contrasting flavors that highlight the other. 

Yakult Matcha Latte Recipe 

Ingredients:

• 1 Yakult bottle
• ½ cup milk
• 1 cup ice
• 1 ½ tsp matcha powder
• ¼ cup water

How to Make a Yakult Matcha Latte

1. Whisk Matcha. Sift matcha powder into a bowl and add hot water at 175 F. Vigorously whisk the tea for 20-30 seconds in a zigzag motion with a chosen until frothy. The foam should have small, tiny bubbles and be velvety. 
2. Assemble Drink. Peel the foil off the bottle and add to a separate glass with ice. Add milk and top with the whisked matcha. 
3. Mix and Enjoy!

Tips for the Best Yakult Matcha Latte

• Use Only One Bottle: A lot of recipes call for two bottles of Yakult, but I find that way too sweet and overpowering. I want to be able to taste both the yogurt and matcha, and I found that one bottle was perfect, especially with a little milk to make it milder.
• Omit Milk: If you want a stronger Yakult flavor, you can omit the milk and use just Yakult as the base. If you want it sweeter, you can use double the amount of Yakult, but it will be a lot sweeter and tart.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use yogurt instead?

You could use a drinkable yogurt and add matcha powder to it for a matcha-flavored yogurt drink. However, there’s nothing really quite like Yakult, especially given how thin it is. You can also mix matcha powder into regular yogurt for a matcha-flavored yogurt you can eat with fruit and nuts.

Is it okay to mix matcha and Yakult?

Yes! You can mix Yakult with a lot of things! It’s great just on its own, or in a mixed drink. For example, you can make yogurt soju cocktails with soju and Yakult, you can add it to smoothies, lemonades, etc.

Are matcha and Yakult healthy?

Oh, they’re super healthy beverages! Yakult is great for your gut, immune system, and digestive health thanks to the probiotics in it. However, matcha is also a great healthfood and is packed with antioxidants and nutrients! So together, you get a great cocktail of good bacteria, nutrients, and more.

Other Matcha Recipes to Try

If you’re on a journey to make healthier cafe drinks at home, then you’ve come to the right place! You can easily control and customize sugar, intensity, and more. Here are some other delicious matcha recipes to try next:

• Mango Matcha Latte
• Honey Matcha Latte
• Banana Cream Matcha Latte
• Blueberry Matcha Latte
• Peach Matcha Latte