If there's one matcha drink that belongs in the heat of a Dubai summer, this is it. Cold, sharp, slightly sweet, with that clean matcha finish — iced matcha lemonade is one of the most refreshing things you can make in under 5 minutes.
The combination of matcha and citrus might seem unexpected, but the lemon's acidity cuts through the natural bitterness of matcha in exactly the right way. The result is a drink that's bright and lively rather than heavy or creamy — perfect for afternoons when you want energy without weight.
Ingredients
- 2 g matcha (ceremonial grade or high ceremonial)
- 50 ml hot water (70–80°C)
- 200 ml cold still or sparkling water
- 30–40 ml freshly squeezed lemon juice (roughly 1 medium lemon)
- 1–2 tsp honey, simple syrup, or agave (to taste)
- Ice
- Lemon slice or mint for garnish (optional)
How to make
1. Make the matcha concentrate Sift 2 g of matcha into a small bowl. Add 50 ml of hot water at 70–80°C and whisk until smooth and frothy. Set aside to cool for 2–3 minutes. A slightly more concentrated matcha works better here than usual — the citrus is bold and the matcha needs to come through clearly.
2. Prepare the lemonade base In a tall glass, combine the cold water, lemon juice, and sweetener. Stir until the sweetener fully dissolves. Taste — it should be slightly tart and lightly sweet. Adjust the lemon or sweetener to your preference before adding ice.
3. Add ice Fill the glass with ice. The colder the base, the better the matcha layer will hold when you pour it.
4. Pour the matcha Gently pour the matcha concentrate over the back of a spoon onto the lemonade. It will float on top briefly, creating a vivid green layer over the pale yellow lemonade. Serve immediately without stirring for the visual effect, or stir once gently to blend.
Tip Sparkling water makes this drink significantly more refreshing and adds a light texture that works especially well in summer. Still water is cleaner in flavor. Both work — the choice depends on whether you want something more lively or more clean and simple.
Important Freshly squeezed lemon is essential here. Bottled lemon juice has a flat, processed acidity that doesn't lift the matcha the way fresh juice does. The brightness of the drink depends almost entirely on the quality of the lemon — use a ripe, room-temperature lemon and you'll get noticeably more juice and a cleaner flavor.
Which matcha to use Citrus is an assertive pairing, so you want a matcha with enough character to come through. We recommend our High Ceremonial Matcha Etenraku — its naturally bright flavor and vivid green color hold up beautifully against the lemon, and its smoothness prevents any harsh bitterness even with the acidity of the juice.
Variation For a sweeter, more tropical version, replace 100 ml of water with chilled coconut water. The coconut adds a subtle sweetness and depth that pairs particularly well with matcha in warm weather. For a slightly more complex lemonade, add a few leaves of fresh mint to the base before adding ice — bruise them lightly against the side of the glass before pouring.