Pumpkin Spice Matcha Latte with Vanilla Matcha Cream Top

Pumpkin spice season, meet matcha season. This iced pumpkin spice matcha latte stacks four beautiful layers: pumpkin spice syrup, creamy milk, whisked ceremonial matcha, and a silky vanilla matcha cream top dusted with warm spice.

Sip it layered, or stir it into a cozy green-and-gold swirl of fall.

Why you’ll love it

• Fall in a glass. Warm pumpkin spice meets earthy matcha and soft vanilla.
• Two kinds of matcha. Ceremonial matcha in the latte and Vanilla Bean Matcha in the cream top.
• Café-style layers. The green, cream and amber colors look as good as they taste.
• Ready in five minutes. No espresso machine needed.

The matcha behind it

Use Junbi First Harvest Ceremonial Matcha for the whisked latte and Junbi Vanilla Bean Matcha for the cream top. The combination brings together the distinctive matcha flavor and a sweet vanilla finish.

Ingredients (serves 1)

Matcha latte

• 4 g (2 tsp) Junbi First Harvest Ceremonial Matcha
• 60 ml (2 oz) warm water at about 80°C (175°F)
• 30 ml (1 oz) pumpkin spice syrup
• Ice (1–2 large cubes)
• 90 ml (3 oz) milk

Vanilla matcha cream top

• 14 g (1 tbsp) Junbi Vanilla Bean Matcha flavored powder
• 30 ml (1 oz) cold heavy cream

To finish

• Ground pumpkin pie spice or cinnamon, for dusting
• 1 cinnamon stick (optional garnish)

Equipment: A small sifter, matcha bowl, bamboo whisk (chasen), small pitcher, handheld milk frother, and a 355 ml (12 oz) glass.

How to make a pumpkin spice matcha latte

1. Sift the matcha. Sift 4 g (2 tsp) First Harvest Ceremonial Matcha into a bowl to prevent clumps.
2. Whisk. Add 60 ml (2 oz) warm water and whisk briskly in a zig-zag until smooth and frothy.
3. Add syrup and ice. Pour 30 ml (1 oz) pumpkin spice syrup into your glass and add ice.
4. Pour in the milk. Add 90 ml (3 oz) milk over the ice.
5. Layer the matcha. Slowly pour the whisked matcha over the milk.
6. Make the cream top. Froth 14 g (1 tbsp) Vanilla Bean Matcha flavored powder with 30 ml (1 oz) cold heavy cream until thick but pourable.
7. Top it. Gently pour the vanilla matcha cream over the matcha layer.
8. Finish. Dust with pumpkin pie spice, add a cinnamon stick if desired, and stir when ready to sip.

Tips for clean layers

• Order matters. Syrup first, then milk, matcha and cream.
• Pour slowly. Ice helps soften the pour so the layers stay separate.
• Use warm water. Avoid boiling water when whisking matcha.
• Keep the cream pourable. Froth until thick enough to float, not stiff.
• Sift the matcha. It’s the simplest way to avoid clumps.

Make it your way

• Dairy-free: Use oat milk in the latte and a barista-style oat creamer or coconut cream for the topping.
• Hot: Stir pumpkin spice syrup into steamed milk, pour matcha over it and spoon cream on top.
• Less sweet: Reduce the syrup to 15 ml (½ oz).
• Homemade syrup: Simmer equal parts sugar and water with pumpkin purée and pumpkin pie spice, then strain and chill.

Frequently asked questions

Does pumpkin spice go with matcha?

Yes. Warm spices like cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg and clove balance matcha’s grassy notes, while vanilla ties the flavors together.

What pumpkin spice syrup should I use?

Any store-bought pumpkin spice syrup works, or make your own using the variation above.

Can I make this without a bamboo whisk?

Yes. A handheld milk frother can mix both the matcha and the cream top.

Why are my layers mixing?

The pour may be too fast, or there may not be enough ice. Pour slowly over a large cube.

Can I use one matcha for everything?

You can, but using First Harvest Ceremonial Matcha in the latte and Vanilla Bean Matcha in the cream top creates the intended vanilla-and-spice flavor.

Recipe at a glance

Prep: 5 minutes | Yield: 1 drink

Ingredients: 4 g First Harvest Ceremonial Matcha, 60 ml warm water, 30 ml pumpkin spice syrup, ice, 90 ml milk, 14 g Vanilla Bean Matcha flavored powder, 30 ml heavy cream, pumpkin spice or cinnamon.

Method: Whisk ceremonial matcha with warm water. Build a glass with syrup, ice and milk, then layer matcha over it. Froth Vanilla Bean Matcha with cream, pour on top and finish with spice.

Try it, then tag us

Get First Harvest Ceremonial Matcha and Vanilla Bean Matcha to make this at home. Explore Double Vanilla Matcha for another creamy matcha idea, or browse all Junbi recipes. Tag @junbimatcha when you make yours.