This refreshing matcha soda is made for green tea lovers. Earthy matcha syrup is poured over ice and topped with fizzy water for a bright, bubbly tea drink that is sweet, smooth, and incredibly easy to make at home.
Matcha soda is a simple homemade drink that combines the grassy, slightly bitter flavor of matcha green tea with the crisp sparkle of carbonated water. It is light enough to enjoy on a warm afternoon, but flavorful enough to feel like a special café-style drink.
Some bottled versions of matcha soda can taste flat or watered down because they often use very little sweetener. While matcha has a naturally bold flavor, it needs balance. A small amount of sugar softens the bitterness and helps the green tea flavor taste round, smooth, and refreshing.
This is not meant to be a sugar-free wellness drink. It is a sweet sparkling matcha drink, made with real matcha, homemade simple syrup, ice, and seltzer. The result is a fizzy green tea soda with a beautiful color and a clean, refreshing finish.
What I Used to Make This Matcha Soda
- Matcha: Choose a bright green matcha powder with a fresh aroma. Very inexpensive matcha can look dull or muddy and may taste overly bitter, so use one that is good enough for drinks.
- Seltzer or sparkling water: Carbonated water gives this matcha soda its crisp, bubbly texture.
- Sugar: A little sugar is essential for making the matcha simple syrup and balancing the natural bitterness of green tea.
- Ice: Use plenty of ice to keep the drink cold and refreshing. Filtered water ice is best if you have it.
At its core, matcha soda is matcha simple syrup mixed with bubbly water. The syrup is made by heating water and sugar until the sugar fully dissolves, then whisking or stirring in sifted matcha powder. Sifting the matcha is important because it helps prevent clumps and makes the syrup smoother.
The matcha syrup only takes a few minutes to prepare, but it should be cooled before adding it to your glass. If the syrup is warm, it can melt the ice too quickly and reduce the fizz from the carbonated water. For the best flavor and texture, make the syrup ahead of time and let it cool completely.
Once the syrup is ready, the drink comes together in seconds. Fill a glass with ice, pour in the matcha syrup, then slowly add seltzer or sparkling water. The green syrup settles beautifully at the bottom, creating a layered look before stirring.
To assemble the matcha soda, start with a glass filled with ice. Pour the prepared matcha syrup over the ice first. This recipe makes enough syrup for two servings, so divide it evenly between two glasses.
The matcha syrup will fill each glass about one-third of the way, depending on the size of your glass and how much ice you use. If you prefer a sweeter drink, add a little more syrup. If you want a lighter soda, use slightly less syrup and more carbonated water.
Next, pour in the fizzy water. Seltzer water works especially well because it has a clean, neutral taste that lets the matcha flavor stand out. Club soda can also be used, while sparkling mineral water may add a stronger mineral flavor.
What’s the Difference Between Carbonated Waters?
Seltzer water is plain water with carbon dioxide added to create bubbles. It has a clean flavor and is a great choice for homemade sodas, tea sodas, and mixed drinks.
Club soda is similar to seltzer, but minerals are added to enhance the taste. It is also carbonated with carbon dioxide and can be used in this matcha soda if you enjoy its slightly mineral flavor.
Sparkling water usually comes from spring or mineral water and contains natural minerals. It may have naturally occurring bubbles or added carbonation, depending on the type. Because it can have a distinct flavor, it may change the taste of the finished drink.
Continue pouring the carbonated water until the glass is full. The drink looks especially pretty before stirring, with the deep green matcha syrup at the bottom and clear bubbles above it. Stir before drinking so the sweetness and matcha flavor are evenly mixed throughout the soda.
Matcha Soda Tips
- Each serving contains about two tablespoons of sugar from the matcha syrup. Adjust the amount of syrup to make the drink sweeter or lighter.
- Sift the matcha before adding it to the syrup to reduce clumps and create a smoother drink.
- Let the matcha syrup cool completely before pouring it over ice.
- For the best fizz, add the carbonated water right before serving.
- The layered look is beautiful, but the drink should be stirred before sipping.
- This matcha soda is a great non-alcoholic drink option when you want something more interesting than plain seltzer.
Pairing Matcha with Food
Matcha is traditionally served with something sweet because the sweetness balances the natural bitterness of powdered green tea. This same idea works beautifully with matcha soda. Pair it with a small dessert, a simple cookie, or a sweet snack to bring out the smooth, earthy notes of the tea.
Because this drink is cold, fizzy, and lightly sweet, it also works well as an afternoon refreshment or a fun homemade soda for brunch. It is easy to prepare, visually striking, and a great way to enjoy matcha in a different form.
Matcha Soda
Equipment
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Saucepan
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Ice cube tray
Ingredients
- 1 cup seltzer water
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 2 teaspoons matcha
- Ice, for serving
Instructions
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Make the simple syrup by adding the sugar and water to a saucepan. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and simmer for 5 minutes. Remove from the heat.
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Sift the matcha, then stir it into the simple syrup until smooth. Let the matcha syrup cool completely.
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Fill two glasses with ice. Divide the matcha syrup evenly between the glasses, then top each glass with seltzer water. Stir before drinking.
Nutrition
Carbohydrates: 25g
Protein: 2g
Sodium: 28mg
Sugar: 25g
Nutrition information is automatically calculated and should be used only as an approximation.