Matcha Lemonade Recipe: How to Make It at Home

Published: September 25, 2026
Last Updated: September 25, 2026

Matcha lemonade is a refreshing iced drink that combines whisked matcha with fresh lemonade. The bright acidity of lemon is balanced by matcha’s distinctive green tea flavor, gentle bitterness, and umami.

This matcha lemonade recipe takes just a few minutes to make at home and is easy to adjust to your taste. Add a little more lemon for brighter acidity, or increase the sweetener to soften both the tartness of the lemon and matcha’s natural bitterness.

Matcha Lemonade Recipe

Makes: 1 serving
Prep time: About 5 minutes

Ingredients

• 1 tsp / about 2 g matcha
• 2 tbsp / 30 ml hot water (158°F / 70°C)
• 2 tbsp / about 30 ml fresh lemon juice
• About 2/3 cup / 150 ml cold water
• 1–2 tbsp simple syrup, to taste
• Ice
• Lemon slice, optional

Equipment

• Small bowl
• Chasen, handheld frother, or small whisk
• Fine-mesh sifter, recommended
• Serving glass

How to Make Matcha Lemonade

1. Make the Lemonade

Add the fresh lemon juice, cold water, and 1 tablespoon of simple syrup to a glass or small pitcher.

Stir well and taste. Add more simple syrup if you prefer a sweeter lemonade.

2. Sift the Matcha

Sift the matcha into a small bowl.

Sifting helps break up compacted matcha, making it easier to whisk into a smooth mixture.

3. Prepare the Matcha

Add 30 ml of hot water at 158°F / 70°C to the matcha.

Whisk until there are no visible clumps and the matcha is evenly dispersed.

4. Assemble the Drink

Fill a glass with ice and pour in the lemonade.

Pour the prepared matcha over the lemonade and stir to combine.

For a layered appearance, slowly pour the matcha over the lemonade just before serving. Stir before drinking so the matcha and lemonade are evenly combined.

5. Adjust to Taste

Taste the finished drink and make small adjustments as needed.

If the lemon tastes too sharp, add a little more water. If you prefer more sweetness, add additional simple syrup.

If you would like a stronger matcha flavor, try slightly increasing the amount of matcha the next time you make it.

How to Keep Matcha Lemonade from Clumping

Rather than adding matcha directly to cold lemonade, pass it through a tea strainer or fine-mesh sifter, then whisk it smooth with a small amount of hot water before combining it with the lemonade. Matcha does not fully dissolve into liquid, so adding the powder directly can make clumps more likely.

If the matcha settles slightly over time, give the drink another gentle stir before drinking.

For more on the basic technique for preparing smooth matcha, see How to Make a Matcha Latte at Home.

Chasen (bamboo matcha whisk) has many fine tines that help disperse matcha quickly and evenly. For a casual iced drink, however, a handheld frother or small whisk can also work.

What Kind of Matcha Should You Use?

The most important thing is to choose a matcha whose flavor still comes through when paired with lemon and sweetener, while keeping the finished drink balanced.

Because lemonade adds both acidity and sweetness, matcha can taste a little different than it does on its own. High-quality matcha can absolutely be used, but rather than choosing based only on price or grade labels, consider whether its flavor remains noticeable when mixed.

Instead of judging matcha by a single factor such as color, origin, or the grade wording on the package, look at the overall balance of taste, aroma, mouthfeel, and intended use.

For more guidance on choosing matcha, see What Makes Matcha High Quality? A Buyer’s Guide, which explains factors such as harvest timing, shading, flavor, and freshness.

Easy Ways to Customize the Recipe

One advantage of making matcha lemonade at home is that you can easily adjust the proportions to suit your taste.

Add More Lemon

Add a little more fresh lemon juice.

Increase it gradually so the lemon does not overpower the flavor of the matcha.

Make the Matcha Stronger

If you prefer a stronger matcha flavor, you can slightly increase the amount of matcha.

Keep the amount of hot water relatively small and adjust gradually to taste.

Make It Less Sweet

Start with less simple syrup, then add more after tasting the finished drink if needed.

Try a Different Sweetener

Simple syrup mixes easily into cold drinks, but you can also experiment with other sweeteners you already enjoy.

Keep in mind that different sweeteners can add their own flavor and may change the balance between the matcha and lemon.

Add Sparkling Water

For a lighter, sparkling variation, replace some of the cold water with well-chilled sparkling water.

Add it near the end and stir gently to help preserve the carbonation.