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- Pink Matcha Latte: A Dragon Fruit-Infused Delight
Published: May 2024
By:Jasmine Shea, MS
Scientifically Reviewed By: Holli Ryan, RD, LD/N
The Starbucks Pink Drink has gone green, in case you haven't caught all of the Iced Strawberry Matcha Tea Latte photos that have been splashed across social media. But you don't have to go out to a coffee shop to enjoy this delicious and healthy drink, and you don't need to use strawberries to get that organic pink color, either.
This vibrant green and pink drink is easy to make at home with a blend of matcha tea and dragon fruit powder, and the result is as delicious as it is healthy and aesthetically pleasing. This premium cold latte can help kickstart your morning, or a slow afternoon, with the antioxidants and heart and brain benefits of green tea.
And thanks to its easily accessible nutrients and the convenience of its four-step prep, this pink matcha latte might quickly become part of your daily routine.
Pink Matcha Latte Recipe
This recipe calls for dragon fruit powder to be frothed with coconut milk separately from the matcha tea part of this latte. This helps to maintain not only the distinct colors but also the tastes of this premium green and pink drink. This recipe makes one serving.
Ingredients
- 1 tsp green tea powder
- 1 cup warm water
- Handful of ice cubes
- 1 tbsp dragon fruit powder
- ½ cup coconut milk
Preparation
- Mix green tea powder with warm water (combine well until powder is fully dissolved).
- Pour green tea into glass over ice.
- In a separate container, froth dragon fruit powder into coconut milk (see frothing tips below).
- Pour dragon fruit milk over the green tea mixture and enjoy immediately.
Nutritional Values
Calories: 83
Protein: 3 g
Carbohydrates: 11 g
Fat: 3 g
All nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and is only an estimate. Each recipe and nutritional value will vary depending on the brands you use, measuring methods and portion sizes.
Tips for success
This recipe doesn't have any added sugar or sweetener, and it doesn't need it. The coconut milk and dragon fruit add a pleasing flavor to the matcha tea. If you want more sweetness, mix your chosen sweetener into the warm matcha tea portion of this latte. Then pour the sweetened mixture over ice.
Instead of added sugar, try 1-2 teaspoons of these healthier options:
- Honey
- Maple syrup
- Stevia
- Monk fruit
- Blended dates
Pink matcha already has a likable flavor profile with the dragon fruit powder and the earthiness of the green tea matcha powder. But you can adjust the recipe to include flavor profiles you enjoy.
- Add more organic pink color and taste with sliced strawberries
- Use frozen fruit to cool your latte instead of ice cubes
- Top with pomegranate arils or coconut flakes for extra texture
- Mix a pinch of cocoa powder with the matcha to add some chocolate flavor
- Add a nutty flavor with almond milk in place of coconut milk
- Top with fresh mint for a hint of freshness and a premium look
Tips for Frothing Milk
You can easily froth many types of milk with a handheld frother. Using a frother is simple, but some tricks and tips can make it even easier:
- The milk will expand. Add it to a container that is two to three times larger than the amount of milk you're using (for example, if you're using 8 oz of milk, then froth the milk in at least a 16 oz container).
- Froth the milk longer than you'd think. You may see the top start to get foamy, but it takes approximately 2-3 minutes for the milk to really become frothy.
- Ensure you're frothing the bottom of the milk (putting your frother on the bottom of the glass) as well as the top of the milk. This will help it froth faster versus just holding your frother at the top of the milk.
- Most milks, such as dairy milk, coconut milk, oat milk, soy milk and almond milk, froth nicely. But some milk alternatives—namely hemp, rice and cashew milks—do not froth well and should not be used with this recipe.
What does pink matcha taste like?
This premium pink matcha latte has a similar flavor to a traditional green Japanese tea or ceremonial matcha. The green tea powder has an earthy flavor that can be sweetened with added sugar or a sugar alternative. The coconut milk also adds a nutty sweetness. Dragon fruit powder has an earthy flavor along with refreshing, tropical notes from the fruit's natural, subtle flavors, which resemble pear or kiwi.
Is pink matcha healthy?
Pink matcha lattes are packed with health benefits. Matcha powder is a concentrated form of green tea and is considered healthy because of its high antioxidant level and support for physical and mental health and longevity.
According to research, green tea includes a number of beneficial compounds, including the following:
L-theanine
, an amino acid that promotes a healthy stress response and encourages a calm, relaxed state of mind.Chlorophyll
, the antioxidant compound responsible for matcha tea's green color. Chlorophyll helps support and protect healthy DNA, encourages energy and fights free radicals.Polyphenols
, the antioxidants that deliver green tea's greatest health benefits. The most important polyphenol is epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), which supports healthy cell division and fights oxidative stress in the body and may promote longevity.
Clinical trials have shown that matcha tea encourages cognitive function and attention. Matcha green tea has also been studied for exercise performance.
Studies of green tea extract show its support for cellular, cognitive and heart health. It also helps to maintain already-healthy cholesterol levels.
The dragon fruit powder in this green and pink drink has benefits as well. Dragon fruit also contains nutrients with antioxidant activity, which helps boost the oxidative-stress-fighting ability of this premium cold drink.
Is drinking matcha tea every day okay?
While studies show matcha tea is safe to consume daily, it may not be an option to make a homemade matcha latte, ceremonial matcha or foods infused with green tea every day for its beneficial compounds. The caffeine in green tea may also be a consideration.
A green tea longevity supplement is a convenient way to experience the benefits of this latte recipe without the prep time. Green tea extract supplements provide standardized polyphenols equivalent to several cups of green tea, in caffeinated form and with less caffeine, to help maintain your cellular, cardiovascular and cognitive health.
What supplement is best to support your longevity and maximize your health at any age? Take our health needs quiz to receive a custom supplement recommendation just for you.
About the Author: Jasmine Shea, MS, is the author of over a dozen e-cookbooks and the founder of Your Dinner Is Planned: the fastest and most affordable way to prepare dinners. With Jasmine's passion for sharing cooking tips, she generates over one million impressions weekly with recipe and lifestyle content to show others that eating delicious food can be easy and fun!
Instagram: instagram.com/jazzythings
References
- Nishikito DF, et al. "Anti-Inflammatory, Antioxidant, and Other Health Effects of Dragon Fruit and Potential Delivery Systems for Its Bioactive Compounds." Pharmaceutics. January 2023. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9861186/
- Sakurai K, et al. "Effects of Matcha Green Tea Powder on Cognitive Functions of Community-Dwelling Elderly Individuals." Nutrients. November 2020. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33256220/
- Shigeta M, et al. "Matcha green tea beverage moderates fatigue and supports resistance training-induced adaptation." Nutr J. July 2023. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37403052/
- Willems MET, et al. "Three Weeks Daily Intake of Matcha Green Tea Powder Affects Substrate Oxidation during Moderate-Intensity Exercise in Females." J Diet Suppl. 2021. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32875933/
- "Green Tea." National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. October 2020. https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/green-tea
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