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Last Updated on March 10, 2026 by becky
A six-ingredient matcha hot chocolate recipe made with whole milk, white chocolate, honey, and powdered matcha green tea. Best served with homemade matcha marshmallows!
Why Make This Matcha Hot Chocolate?
I enjoy a basic mug of hot cocoa with mini marshmallows as much as the next person, but sometimes it’s also fun to experiment with more avant garde flavor combinations, like raspberry and rose hot chocolate; gingerbread hot chocolate; or hot chocolate infused with red wine.
Lately I’ve been noticing matcha everywhere, from bakery counters to coffee shop menus to ice cream trucks. There are even cafés dedicated entirely to matcha. So of course Saint Patrick’s Day felt like the perfect time to work this vibrant green tea powder into a few recipes of my own.
Made with white chocolate, honey, and powdered matcha, the earthy flavor and pale green color of this six-ingredient matcha hot chocolate fit the holiday perfectly. The recipe also scales easily, so you can whip up a big batch for a St. Patrick’s Day party or post-parade celebration. It’s ideal for spiking with your favorite boozy beverage, too!
Matcha Hot Chocolate Recipe Ingredients
To make this matcha hot chocolate recipe, you’ll need the following ingredients:
- Whole Milk – Whole milk makes a smooth and creamy hot chocolate, or try half-and-half or whipping cream for an even richer drink. You can substitute a plant-based alternative such as oat or almond milk, but remember that white chocolate contains milk, so plant milk won’t make the recipe vegan or dairy-free.
- White Chocolate – I tested and developed this recipe with Guittard Creme Francaise 31% white chocolate, but Callebaut 28% or Valrhona Ivoire 35% are also excellent choices. Avoid cheap supermarket chocolate chips, which are better for baking than they are for hot chocolate-making.
- Matcha Powder – A finely ground green tea powder made from shade-grown tea leaves. Visit my matcha marshmallows recipe to learn more about selecting the best culinary-grade matcha powder.
- Honey – Honey adds a touch of sweetness to balance out the earthy, umami flavor of the matcha. If desired, you can substitute another liquid sweetener, like agave nectar, date syrup, or homemade simple syrup.
- Vanilla Bean Paste – Nielsen-Massey makes my favorite vanilla bean paste, but the scrapings of 1/2 vanilla pod or a splash of vanilla extract will also work.
- Sea Salt – A small amount of fine sea salt cuts the inherent sweetness of the white chocolate.
Garnishing and Serving Matcha Hot Chocolate
Some of my favorite garnishes include whipped cream (the classic finishing touch for a mug of hot chocolate!), matcha whipped cream, or coconut whipped cream; curls or pieces of grated white chocolate; a dusting of matcha powder or confectioner’s sugar; or a handful of homemade matcha marshmallows.
Making a Boozy Beverage for St. Patrick’s Day
To make boozy matcha hot chocolate, you can add a creamy liqueur (RumChata, Bailey’s Irish Cream); a matcha liqueur like Tia Maria Matcha Liqueur or Yoshi Matcha Liqueur; a white chocolate liqueur such as Mozart White Chocolate, or a vanilla liqueur like Giffard Vanille de Madagascar. You could also try amaretto for a sweet almond flavor, or go spirit-forward and pair your hot chocolate with vanilla vodka or bourbon.
Make-Ahead and Storage Suggestions
Store leftover matcha green tea hot chocolate in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in a small saucepan on the stovetop, or microwave on medium-high power for 1-2 minutes, or until warmed through.
Other hot chocolate recipes you might enjoy:
Raspberry and Rose Hot Chocolate
Gingerbread Hot Chocolate
Grapefruit White Hot Chocolate
Peppermint Hot Chocolate
Red Wine Hot Chocolate
And if you do make these, or any of my recipes, don’t forget to tag me @bastecutfold or use the hashtag #bastecutfold on Instagram. I always love to see what you’re making!
Print
Matcha Hot Chocolate
- Total Time5 minutes
- Yield1-2 servings 1x
A six-ingredient matcha hot chocolate recipe made with whole milk, white chocolate, honey, and powdered matcha green tea.
Ingredients
360 milliliters whole milk (1 1/2 cups)
80 grams good-quality chopped white chocolate, or callets (1/2 cup)
2 teaspoons matcha powder
1 teaspoon honey
1/2 teaspoon vanilla bean paste
Pinch fine sea salt
Whipped cream, shaved white chocolate, matcha marshmallows, or matcha powder, to garnish
Instructions
In a medium saucepan, warm the milk over low heat until steaming. Do not boil.
Add the white chocolate callets, stirring gently until completely melted. Remove from heat.
With a fine mesh strainer, sift in the matcha powder. Whisk briskly to combine. Whisk in the honey, vanilla bean paste, and fine sea salt.
Pour into mugs and garnish as desired. Serve immediately.
Store leftover matcha green tea hot chocolate in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in a small saucepan on the stovetop, or microwave on medium-high power for 1-2 minutes, or until warmed through.
Notes
I tested this recipe with Guittard Creme Francaise 31% white couverture chocolate.
