After you try this sweet cream cold foam recipe, you’ll want to add it to every single matcha latte. Trust us, it’s that good! This easy recipe shows you how to make a delicious and creamy cold foam that you can easily pour over any matcha—hot or cold. It can be easily adjusted to suit your preferences and makes for a delicious treat no matter the time of year.
When someone asks if you want to top your drink with cold foam, you may have wondered if they just mean adding whipped cream—a very reasonable guess! But cold foam and whipped cream aren’t quite the same thing. Sweet cream is a bit frothier and lighter than traditional whipped cream. Our recipe calls for a combination of cream and milk, but it can also be made just with milk. For comparison, whipped cream is made only using heavy cream.
As opposed to steamed milk, which traditionally tops a cappuccino or latte, cold foam is, well, cold. This milk and cream combo isn’t heated or steamed but rather frothed.
Here's what you’ll need in order to make this sweet cream cold foam matcha latte:
Milk
We chose to use whole milk as it adds to the richness, but you can test this recipe out with low-fat milk if you prefer.
Heavy cream
Just a touch of cream gives the foam that rich and creamy texture we’re after.
Vanilla
Go for real vanilla extract instead of an imitation vanilla. The taste is worth it!
Powdered sugar
Adds a touch of sweetness without being overpowering. Feel free to experiment with how much or how little powder sugar you add.
Matcha green tea powder
High-quality matcha tea powder is a must. We recommend using a ceremonial grade matcha. You can even experiment with our flavored matcha powders.
Hot water
Water should be heated between 175 and 180 degrees Fahrenheit. Too hot of water can burn your matcha powder, leaving you with a bitter taste.
Ingredients:
For the cold foam:
¼ cup whole milk
2 tbsp heavy cream
¼ tsp vanilla extract
1 tbsp powdered sugar
For the matcha:
1-2 tsp matcha tea powder
¾ cup hot water
Directions:
- Add all cold foam ingredients to a jar or cup. Using an electric frother, froth well. Thick, creamy foam should appear. Alternatively, use a glass jar with a lid and shake vigorously for 2-3 minutes.
- Heat water to 175-185 degrees F. Sift matcha powder into a glass. Pour heated water over the matcha tea powder. Using an electric frother or bamboo whisk, mix well until all clumps have dissolved and small bubbles form on the surface.
- Pour foam mixture over matcha. Note, if milk mixture sat for a few minutes, it might need a quick froth or shake to refresh foam.
Enjoy!
Sweet cold foam makes for a delicious matcha latte and is an easy way to upgrade your favorite drink. One of the best parts of making your own homemade matcha latte with cold foam is that you can customize it to get exactly what you want! If you like a thicker, stronger matcha flavor, feel free to add more tea powder to your cup. If you like your cold foam a bit sweeter, you can add more powdered sugar. You can also experiment by adding spices to the cold foam. Some ideas are:
- Cinnamon
- Cardamom
- Allspice
- Nutmeg
If you’re new to making matcha, there can be a bit of a learning curve that comes with the process. A few things to look out for are:
- Buy high-quality matcha. Matcha should come in an opaque container, have a bright green hue, and an earthy, rich umami flavor. Bitter matcha is a sign of a lower-quality tea powder!
- Sift your matcha. By taking a few extra moments to sift your matcha powder before adding it to your tea cup or bowl, you’ll prevent the powder from clumping. One of the easiest ways to ruin a good cup of matcha is with clumps.
- Heating water to the right temperature. Matcha is full of health benefits and rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties. But it can also be a bit sensitive. Too hot water can burn the tea powder, leaving you with a brownish color, bitter taste, and fewer health benefits. Heat your water to about 175-185 degrees before using. If you don’t have a digital kettle, heat to boiling and wait about 3-4 minutes before using.
If you loved this recipe, check out our other delicious matcha recipes
4-ingredient matcha chia seed pudding
