What Is a Dirty Matcha Latte?

A Dirty Matcha Latte is a matcha latte topped with a shot of espresso and typically served with ice and cold milk. Because it combines two caffeinated ingredients, it contains a particularly high amount of caffeine. The term “dirty” refers to the brown streaks and layers created when the espresso flows into the white milk and green matcha.

What Is the Difference Between a Matcha Latte and a Dirty Matcha Latte?

A classic matcha latte consists of matcha and milk, without any coffee. A Dirty Matcha Latte adds a double shot of espresso, making it one of the most caffeinated drinks available. Dirty Matcha Lattes are also commonly served with cold milk and ice cubes.

What Matcha Is Best for a Dirty Matcha Latte?

Just as we recommend coffee with a Q Grade score above 80 for specialty coffee, we recommend using Ceremonial Grade matcha for a Dirty Matcha Latte. One premium ingredient deserves another. After all, great coffee and great matcha belong together.

How Much Caffeine Does a Dirty Matcha Latte Contain?

A Dirty Matcha Latte contains approximately 140 mg of caffeine, making it one of the most caffeine-rich coffee and matcha beverages available.For a double espresso (18 g of ground coffee, yielding 45 ml in the cup), we estimate around 80 mg of caffeine. Matcha contains roughly 34 mg of caffeine per gram. With 2 g of matcha in our Dirty Matcha Latte, the total caffeine content comes to just over 140 mg.For comparison, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) recommends that healthy adults do not exceed 400 mg of caffeine per day. Based on this recommendation, it is best to enjoy fewer than three Dirty Matcha Lattes per day.

Can I Use Filter Coffee Instead of Espresso?

Do whatever tastes best to you. The layering effect will probably be less dramatic, but that's perfectly fine. Just keep an eye on your caffeine intake. Depending on the brew recipe, a cup of filter coffee can contain up to 160 mg of caffeine. According to the recommended daily caffeine limit, that would already bring you close to half of the suggested maximum intake.

Dirty Matcha Latte Recipe: Make Matcha Coffee at Home with Coffee

Name: Dirty Matcha Latte Recipe: Make Matcha Coffee at Home with Coffee
Prep time: 15 min
Total time: 15 min
Yield: 1 glass
Cuisine: Coffee
Ingredients: 2 g Matcha powder (Ceremonial Grade); 60 ml water (70°C (158°F)); 18 g coffee beans (Brew Ratio 1:2.5); 1 glass of ice cubes; 120 ml whole milk (3.9% Fat); 1 tsp honey (optional)

A Dirty Matcha combines specialty coffee with ceremonial grade matcha. Two premium ingredients in one drink. The perfect marriage of caffeinated beverages. Are you ready for the ultimate caffeine kick?

⏱ Prep and preparation time: 10 minutes

⚡ Caffeine and nutrition: 140 mg , 85 kcal

Rate this recipe

Rating is loading...

Last updated on June 19, 2026

Ingredients for a Dirty Matcha Latte

Goldfarbener Barlöffel mit gedrehtem Griff auf dunkelblauer Marmoroberfläche mit heller Maserung, fotografiert im minimalistischen Premium-Stil.

Bar spoon

Eine Hebelmaschine von Kees van der Westen auf blauem Hintergrund

Portafilter machine

Mit der Comandante Handmühle wird gerade Filterkaffee gemahlen

Grinder

Coffee Scale

Matcha-Chasen aus Bambus in einer hellblauen Matcha-Schüssel auf einer Edelstahl-Arbeitsfläche, fotografiert im minimalistischen Beanwatch-Stil.

Matcha Bowl and Bamboo Whisk (Chasen)

We expand our espresso setup, including an espresso machine, grinder and scale, with a matcha bowl (chawan) and a bamboo whisk (chasen). Of course, you can use any other bowl if needed. However, achieving the characteristic creamy matcha foam without a bamboo whisk can be challenging. If you don’t have a chasen, a small electric mixer is a practical alternative.

How Do You Make a Dirty Matcha Latte?

Ingredients

For 1 glass

2 g Matcha powder (Ceremonial Grade)

60 ml water (70°C (158°F))

18 g coffee beans (Brew Ratio 1:2.5)

1 glass of ice cubes

120 ml whole milk (3.9% Fat)

1 tsp honey (optional)

For the most authentic experience, whisking matcha with a chawan and chasen is hard to beat.

2 g

Matcha powder (Ceremonial Grade)

60 ml

water (70°C (158°F))

Add the matcha powder to the chawan (or another bowl). Measure it carefully, as using too much matcha can quickly make the drink overly bitter.

Heat the water to 70°C (158°F). Use soft water whenever possible. As a guideline, you can follow the same recommendations often used for filter coffee: total hardness of 2–3 °dH and alkalinity of 1–2 °dH.

Pour the water into the chawan and whisk the matcha into a smooth, frothy mixture. Move the chasen (bamboo whisk) in quick W-shaped motions until no lumps remain visible.

Tip: If you don't have a chasen or a chawan on hand, and no dedicated matcha enthusiast is watching, you can also blend the matcha powder and water in a Thermomix or a similar kitchen appliance.

We extract the espresso into small stainless steel milk pitchers because we will only pour the espresso into the Dirty Matcha Latte as the final step. This makes it easier to create the characteristic layered appearance of the drink.

18 g

coffee beans (Brew Ratio 1:2.5)

For the Dirty Matcha Latte, we want to brew a double espresso. Grind 18 g of coffee into your portafilter, or slightly less if your portafilter basket is smaller than the standard 58 mm size.

For our light to medium roasted coffees, we recommend a brew ratio of 1:2.5. With 18 g of ground coffee, this yields approximately 45 ml of espresso.

Brew the espresso into a small pitcher or another container that allows you to pour it easily into the Dirty Matcha Latte later on.

Tip: If you are using dark roasted coffee beans, choose a brew ratio of 1:2 instead. This will give you approximately 36 ml of espresso and help keep bitterness under control.

The matcha mixture forms the foundation of the Dirty Matcha Latte.

1 glass of

ice cubes

Prepare a glass filled with ice cubes. First, pour the freshly whisked matcha over the ice so that it forms the bottom layer in the glass.

A bar spoon helps slow down the pouring process. If you don’t have one, a regular teaspoon works just as well.

120 ml

whole milk (3.9% Fat)

To create the layered effect, slowly pour the cold milk into the glass. The milk should settle gently on top of the matcha, forming a distinct white layer.

A bar spoon also helps when pouring the espresso slowly and evenly.

1 tsp

honey (optional)

To finish, slowly pour the double espresso into the glass. Take your time so the Dirty Matcha Latte develops its characteristic layers. This final step transforms the drink from an Iced Matcha Latte into a Dirty Matcha Latte.