Homemade Matcha Lemonade Recipe

DIY Starbucks Matcha Lemonade Recipe

How to Make Matcha Lemonade with 3 Ingredients

Learn how to make matcha lemonade with just 3 ingredients: matcha powder, water, and fresh squeezed lemonade! Satisfyingly sweet, vibrant green, and rich in powerful antioxidants. By using homemade lemonade, you control the sugar content and the type of sweetener—whether you prefer full, low, or no sugar at all. A fun DIY Starbucks matcha lemonade recipe that’s ready in minutes!

Unlike the typical homemade matcha lemonade recipe, this easy version requires no heating at all. Simply mix high quality matcha powder into cold water, then combine with your favorite lemonade! Any store-bought variety will do, but I highly recommend giving my homemade fresh squeezed lemonade a try. Made with cane sugar simple syrup or my low sugar / keto simple syrup, you get to choose the type and amount of sweetener.

Though undeniably delicious, a grande (16oz) Starbucks matcha lemonade contains 27 grams of sugars. A tasty treat, but not a refreshment I personally want to enjoy every day of summer! With this homemade matcha green tea lemonade recipe, even the full sugar version contains half as much sugar (17g per 16oz). Whether you go the full, low, or no sugar route, the result is equally and irresistibly sweet!

What is Matcha?

The word ‘matcha’ means ‘powdered tea.’ Yet, most people referring to ‘matcha’ are talking about matcha green tea powder specifically. In this matcha lemonade recipe, the matcha comes from the dried leaves of green tea plants, which are ground into a vibrant green powder.

There are different qualities of matcha available—the highest quality being “ceremonial grade.” For this homemade matcha lemonade, you want to use high quality matcha! Ceremonial grade matcha has the most vibrant green color, the least-bitter flavor, and the highest concentration of nutrients. (And, unfortunately, the highest price tag.)

Does matcha taste good with lemonade?

Yes, the earthy, fragrant, smooth flavor of matcha pairs beautifully with the vibrant, tangy, sweetness of lemonade! If you’re not a fan of matcha on its own, mixing it with a batch of lemonade is a sure-fire way to fall in love with it. Plus, by making fresh squeezed lemonade at home, you control the sweetener and can adjust the flavor to your liking.

Is Matcha Lemonade Good for You?

The health benefits of matcha lemonade are too many to name. When you combine the potent nutrients of high quality matcha with fresh lemon juice, the result is an antioxidant powerhouse of a beverage! Here are some of the key health benefits of matcha tea and matcha lemonade:

Matcha Lemonade Benefits

• Rich in Antioxidants: Both lemons and green tea are rich in disease-fighting polyphenols and other antioxidizing compounds, which protect our cells against the oxidative stress caused by free radicals.
• Disease Prevention: Studies have linked green tea to numerous health benefits, like prevention of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and even cancer.
• EGCG (epigallocatechin gallate): In particular, green tea is famous for the polyphenol known as EGCG, which can boost metabolism, increase fat burn, and help with weight loss.
• Rich in Caffeine, without Jitters: Compared to whole green tea leaves, tea prepared with matcha powder contains three times as much caffeine! Interestingly, matcha’s high content of L-theanine also helps to reduce anxiety, producing an energized yet focused state.

What’s in the Starbucks Matcha Lemonade vs. Homemade?

Starbucks iced matcha lemonade is a combination of their sweet lemonade plus their matcha green tea blend. Both the lemonade and the matcha tea contain added sugars, making for a deliciously sweet yet sugary drink. In a grande (16oz) Starbucks matcha lemonade, there are 120 calories, 27 grams of sugar, and 80mg of caffeine.

This homemade matcha lemonade recipe features a similar combination: lemonade of your choice + matcha powder mixed with water. Super simple, and totally customizable! Personally, I recommend making a batch of fresh squeezed lemonade at home. That way, you can decide how sweet you want it and what type of sweetener you’d like to use.

Per 16oz of homemade matcha lemonade made with:

• Cane Sugar Simple Syrup—17g sugar
• Sugar Free Keto Simple Syrup—1g sugar (made with allulose, erythritol, or monk fruit)
• Low Sugar Simple Syrup—9g sugar (made with half sugar + half sweetener)

To see how this matcha lemonade recipe is made, watch my Homemade Lemonade + Summer Drinks video!