This green tea latte recipe couldn’t be more straightforward. Unlike most green tea lattes you find at coffee shops or recipes online, this one does NOT use matcha powder, which may contain questionable ingredients or have too much added sugar. This recipe uses green tea leaves, not matcha powder. I can’t wait to show you how easy it is to prepare this green tea latte recipe!
Green Tea Latte vs Matcha Latte
Green tea latte and matcha latte are usually used interchangeably at coffee chains like Starbucks. However, this recipe is different because, like most coffee chains, it does not use matcha powder. Therefore, you will not get that bright green color as a result.
But that’s okay! You don’t always need an aesthetically pleasing beverage to get fabulous health benefits!
Health Benefits of Green Tea
Green tea’s powerful antioxidant health benefits come from its high catechin content. Catechins are polyphenols present in green tea leaves, which we benefit from each time we enjoy a cup.
Green tea contains four main catechins:
- Epicatechin (EC)
- Epicatechin-3-gallate (ECG)
- Epigallocatechin (EGC)
- Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG).
Of these four catechins, EGCG is the most active and abundant (2). Many studies focusing on EGCG report several health benefits to such diseases including cancer, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease (3). EGCG may also protect against neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s dementia (4).
Newer research also shows that active components in green tea may help alleviate respiratory issues including asthma and complications from the COVID-19 virus (5). This is due to the anti-viral and anti-inflammatory properties of green tea.
One 8-ounce cup of brewed green tea contains approximately 50-100 mg of EGCG (6).
What is a Green Tea Latte?
A green tea latte is a latte that substitutes green tea in place of the espresso.
In a traditional latte, you use about 2 ounces of espresso and top it with about 8 ounces of lightly steamed milk and milk foam.
In this recipe, we will use 3/4 cup (6 ounces) of brewed green tea and blend it with 1/3 cup (a little under 3 ounces) of almond milk.
Reminder: This green tea latte recipe will NOT be green in color. So, if you’re looking for that oh-so-pretty, bright green kind of latte, I suggest trying this recipe using matcha powder:
- Matcha Green Tea Latte by Tori Avey
Is There Caffeine In Green Tea?
Yes, green tea does contain caffeine, though typically less than coffee. The exact amount of caffeine varies from one brand of tea to another; most black and green tea ranges from 30-50 milligrams of caffeine per 8-ounce serving.
Those with heart disease or high blood pressure may need to limit their intake of caffeine, as it can temporarily increase heart rate and blood pressure. Your physician or cardiologist may even tell you to avoid it. Additionally, those with high blood pressure (hypertension) may be more susceptible to the effects of caffeine (9).
One study comparing coffee and green tea consumption found that coffee consumption (>2 cups per day) was linked to an increase in heart disease death. On the other hand, green tea intake was not associated with any increases in heart disease death for those with hypertension (9).
Another reason to try this healthy green tea latte recipe instead of your morning coffee!
It’s also important to mention other characteristics found in the green tea study group—compared to coffee drinkers, tea drinkers were older, more likely to be employed, refrain from smoking, and have a higher daily intake of fruits and vegetables.
The FDA recommends limiting caffeine intake to 400 mg per day, though individuals with severe hypertension may need to reduce or avoid caffeine. One cup of green tea contains approximately 30-50 mg of caffeine.
How To Make a Green Tea Latte
Step 1: Combine Your Ingredients
Add all ingredients (except the bagged green tea) to a large coffee cup or microwave-safe bowl and stir. If you do not have a microwave, you can also do this using a kettle or a saucepan on the stovetop.
Step 2: Heat It Up
Place almond milk mixture in the microwave and heat on high for 1 minute and 45 seconds. Microwave oven temperatures will vary, however, the goal is to achieve a temperature between 150-180 degrees Fahrenheit.
Step 3: Steep Your Tea
Add the green tea bag to the heated ingredients and steep for 3 minutes. Discard your tea bag after 3 minutes.
Step 4: Blend and Enjoy!
Pour the green tea and almond milk mixture into a blender and blend for 30 seconds. Pour into your favorite cup and enjoy your frothy and aromatic green tea latte!
Variations and Substitutions
There are many other variations on how to make a green tea latte. In fact, there are so many variations that you will never get bored with drinking green tea. How great is that! Try out some of the following variations and substitutions to find your favorite.
- Basic Green Tea Latte: Omit the cinnamon and this green tea latte recipe according to all other directions.
- Jasmine Green Tea Latte: Use jasmine green tea instead of regular green tea. Or try other green tea flavors and varieties!
- Iced Green Tea Latte: Make according to recipe instructions, then pour over ice.
- Vanilla Green Tea Latte: Omit cinnamon and add vanilla when blending.
- Chai Spiced Green Tea Latte: Use a chai spice mix (cinnamon, clove, ginger, and cardamom) in place of just cinnamon.
- Ginger Green Tea Latte: Use ground ginger in place of cinnamon.
- Power Green Tea Latte: Add in 1 scoop vanilla protein powder of choice to this recipe during blending.
And of course, I encourage you also to try these substitutions when making this green tea latte:
- Milk options: regular dairy milk, soy, oat, rice, pea, or coconut.
- Spice options: cinnamon, cloves, ginger, pumpkin pie spice, nutmeg, apple pie spice, cardamom.
- Toppings: a dusting of whatever spices you enjoy, whipped cream or milk foam, crushed graham crackers or cookies, marshmallows, caramel syrup, or chocolate syrup.
FAQ
If you are sensitive to caffeine or want something warm to drink before bed, you may prefer decaffeinated green tea, which has about 2 mg of caffeine per cup with the same health benefits as regular green tea.
Green tea does contain natural caffeine, which is a diuretic. However, the amount of caffeine in one cup of coffee would not be enough to cause dehydration or have you running to the bathroom often to urinate.
Most resources agree that steeping your green tea for 1-3 minutes at a temperature between 150-180 degrees Fahrenheit will provide the most health benefits.
Yes! And it’s the perfect finishing touch to any coffee or latte. If you do not have a hand frother, warm your almond milk to room temperature, then use a hand mixer or blender until the almond milk becomes frothy and doubles in size. Almond milk with a higher fat and protein content will yield a higher amount of froth. Almond milk creamer will also froth beautifully.
Healthy Green Tea Latte Recipe (Without Matcha)
Equipment
- 1 blender optional
- 1 food thermometer
Ingredients
- ¾ cup water preferably filtered
- 1 sachet/bag green tea use high-quality for best taste
- ⅓ cup almond milk unsweetened
- 1 Tbsp maple syrup
- 1 tsp cinnamon optional
Instructions
- In a large coffee cup or microwave safe container, add all ingredients, except the bag of green tea.
- Heat in microwave for about 1 minute and 45 seconds or until thermometer reads a temp between 150-180 ℉.
- Add green tea bag and steep for 3 minutes. After 3 minutes, discard tea bag.
- Add green tea/almond milk mixture to a blender and blend on high for about 60 seconds or until slightly frothy. Enjoy!
Video
Notes
- You can use dairy milk or any other plant-based milks in this recipe. Keep in mind that the higher the fat content the more calories your latte will be. The higher fat content will also make it froth better!
- If you prefer to use honey in place of maple syrup, feel free. I only chose maple syrup to make this green tea latte recipe vegan.
- You can also try calorie-free sweeteners like stevia or monk fruit.
- Play with the flavor by using other spices including pumpkin pie spice, apple pie spice, or a chai blend using a sprinkling each of cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, and ginger.
Did you try this hot green tea latte recipe? Let me know in the comments. FYI, you can make it iced too! See the variations and substitutions section for a quick how-to.
Want More Healthy Drink Recipes?
- Turmeric and Ginger Tea (Recipe for Good Health)
- Panera Green Passion Smoothie (COPYCAT)
- Pumpkin Pie Smoothie [Vegan]
- Bahama Mama Tropical Smoothie (Heart-Healthy)
- Low Sugar Beverages Perfect For Those With Diabetes And Heart Disease
Feel free to pin this recipe to save and share with others!
Kiran Campbell, RDN is a registered dietitian and entrepreneur with over 16 years of experience in nutrition and health. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in both dietetics and psychology, and is an active member of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and the Cardiovascular Health and Well-being Dietetic Practice Group. Kiran is dedicated to delivering up-to-date, science-backed information on heart health and nutrition. Her mission is to support individuals living with heart disease and empower others to prevent it through informed, heart-smart choices. Learn more about Kiran by visiting her About Page.