If you love the subtle, earthy notes of matcha but crave a cozy, sweet drink for winter, this Matcha White Hot Chocolate is your new favorite. It takes the classic richness of white chocolate and infuses it with vibrant green tea, creating a beautiful and perfectly balanced beverage.
The recipe is simple, but the key is building a rich, frothy topping using double cream and milk foam. This transforms a simple hot drink into a decadent, coffee-shop-worthy treat you can make in under ten minutes.
Why This Hot Chocolate is Pure Perfection
Balanced Flavor: The sweet vanilla notes of white chocolate perfectly cut through the slight bitterness of the matcha. Therefore, the result is neither too sweet nor too earthy.
Ultimate Creaminess: We use a mix of milk and double cream to create a luxurious base. Furthermore, this richness is why this drink feels so satisfying.
Vibrant Color: The bright green color is beautiful and makes this a wonderful drink to serve for holidays or special cozy afternoons.
Key Ingredients for a Smooth Blend
To avoid a grainy drink, especially with matcha, the quality and preparation of your ingredients matter.
Matcha Powder: Use ceremonial or culinary grade matcha powder. It must be high quality for the best flavor and color. Significantly, using low-quality matcha can result in a brownish, muddy drink.
White Hot Chocolate Mix: Use your favorite brand of high-quality white hot chocolate powder or shavings. Alternatively, you can use white chocolate chips and stir until fully melted into the hot milk.
Milk: Use whole milk or half-and-half for the creamiest results. However, non-dairy milks like oat or soy also work well.
Double Cream and Milk: We use a small amount of double cream mixed with regular milk to make a thick, luscious foam for the top. This elevates the entire experience.
How to Build Your Layered Hot Chocolate
The secret to a perfect matcha drink is incorporating the powder smoothly before adding it to the rest of the mixture.
Whisk the Matcha: In a small bowl or mug, whisk the matcha powder with a tablespoon of hot (not boiling) water until no lumps remain. This creates a smooth, concentrated matcha paste.
Heat the Base: In a small saucepan, combine the remaining milk, double cream, and white hot chocolate powder. Heat gently over medium heat, stirring constantly until the mixture is hot and the powder is completely dissolved. Do not let it boil.
Combine: Remove the hot chocolate from the heat. Next, pour the smooth matcha mixture into the hot chocolate mixture and stir thoroughly until the entire drink is a uniform green color.
Froth the Topping: Pour a small amount of milk and cream into a frother, or use a hand whisk to whip until light and airy.
Assemble and Garnish: Pour the hot matcha mixture into your mug. Top with the milk and cream foam. Finally, add your desired garnishes!
Hot Chocolate Topping Suggestions
Make this drink truly spectacular with a festive topping:
- Whipped cream, topped with a light dusting of matcha powder.
- Mini marshmallows
- A dusting of cinnamon or nutmeg.
Matcha White Hot Chocolate FAQs
Q: Can I use almond milk?
A: Yes, you can. However, note that almond milk often doesn’t froth as well as dairy or oat milk, so your foam topping may be thinner.
Q: How can I make this without an espresso steamer/frother?
A: You can froth the topping by placing the milk and cream in a jar, sealing the lid tightly, and shaking vigorously for 30-60 seconds. Then, remove the lid and microwave the milk for 15 seconds to stabilize the foam.
Q: Can I make this ahead of time?
A: Yes. Simply make the matcha hot chocolate base, allow it to cool, and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently before serving and prepare a fresh foam topping.
Matcha White Hot Chocolate
Ingredients
Method
- In a small bowl, whisk the matcha powder with 1 tbsp of the milk until a smooth, lump-free paste forms.
- In a small saucepan, combine the remaining milk, double cream, and white hot chocolate mix. Heat over medium heat, stirring until hot and dissolved.
- Remove from heat. Stir the matcha paste into the hot chocolate until the color is uniform green.
- Froth a small amount of milk/cream separately for the topping.
- Pour hot chocolate into a mug, top with the foam, and garnish with your choice of whipped cream and matcha powder.
