Ready for a delicious and refreshing treat? Give this matcha orange slush a whirl. With the weather heating up, all we want these days are ice-cold drinks. Made with high-quality matcha green tea powder, fresh-squeezed orange juice, and ice, this recipe really hits the spot. This matcha orange slush is perfect for brunch, a mid-afternoon pick-me-up, or even a day at the pool.
Ever wondered what exactly a slush or slushy is? A slush is simply a blended ice drink typically made with fruit juice or soda. You can typically find slushies at gas stations, but we wanted to make our own. And wow, was it worth it! Made with just a few simple ingredients, this is a matcha sunrise slush you can feel good about.
Ingredients for orange matcha slush:
- ½ cup orange juice (about 2 oranges)
- 1 tsp matcha powder
- 10 ice cubes
- ½ cup water
- ½ tbsp maple syrup
You will need the following equipment for this orange matcha slush recipe:
- Blender
- Citrus juicer (manual or electric)
- Measuring cups and spoons
Tips on how to ace this matcha orange slushy recipe:
Juice the oranges: Cut the oranges in half. Using a citrus juicer, extract the juice and pour it directly into the blender. If you don’t have a juicer, you can manually squeeze the juice, ensuring to strain out any seeds or large pulp.
Add ingredients to blender:
- Ice cubes: Add about 10 ice cubes into the blender.
- Matcha powder: Measure 1 teaspoon of matcha powder. For best results, sift the matcha powder through a fine mesh sieve to avoid clumping.
- Water: Pour in ½ cup cold water.
- Sweetener: Add ½ tablespoon maple syrup if desired for additional sweetness. You can adjust the amount based on your taste preferences or substitute it with honey or table sugar.
Blend: Secure the lid on your blender and blend on high until the mixture is smooth and the ice is finely crushed, creating a slush-like consistency. Depending on your blender, this should take about 30-45 seconds.
Serve immediately: Pour the matcha orange slush into a chilled glass. If you like, garnish with a slice of orange or a sprig of mint for an extra touch.
2-Step directions:
- Cut oranges in half and squeeze juice into a blender.
- Add the rest of the ingredients and blend until smooth.
Can you use orange concentrate or store-bought orange juice in this recipe?
Absolutely! But orange juice from concentrate doesn’t compare to freshly squeezed orange juice. If you can, try using fresh oranges for a more explosive and refreshing flavor.
What matcha should you use?
As this you’ll be enjoying this fresh, we recommend a higher quality matcha powder (i.e., don’t use a culinary grade matcha). Your favorite matcha powder will work well, as would one of your flavored powders, such as vanilla matcha or even our mango matcha. When looking for a high-quality matcha green tea powder, look for one that originates in Japan, comes in an opaque container, and has a bright green hue. Lower-quality matcha powders will often have a dull brown color and a bitter taste. Matcha is meant to taste slightly earthy or grassy and will have a strong umami flavor, but shouldn’t be bitter.
Other Tips:
- If the texture is too thick, you can add a bit more cold water to reach your desired consistency. Conversely, if it’s too watery, add more ice cubes and blend again.
- Adjust sweetness to your liking. You can always omit the maple syrup or add a bit more if you’d like.
The bottom line | You'll love this recipe!
Not only does this drink taste amazing, but it’s also packed full of necessary vitamins and minerals. Orange juice is high in vitamin C, folate, and potassium. Vitamin C is necessary for our immune system, bone and teeth health, and collagen production.
Matcha is known for its incredible health benefits and is rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties. It also contains the amino acid l-theanine, which can help you feel calm and relaxed and can also boost memory and overall cognition.
