Have you tried the new Starbucks Iced Pineapple Matcha Drink? It’s incredibly refreshing with a beautiful green color. This copycat vegan green tea drink tastes just like the one from Starbucks with the perfect blend of coconut milk, matcha green tea, pineapple, and ginger flavor. When making it at home, you can easily customize to your desired sweetness level.
Starbucks just debuted some new iced drinks made with coconut milk, and I was immediately attracted by Iced Golden Ginger Drink, Iced Guava Passionfruit Drink and this green color pineapple matcha. After ordering it a lot from Starbucks, I finally figured out how to make a healthier homemade version at home.
What Does Starbucks’ Iced Pineapple Matcha Taste Like?
It’s a refreshing drink with a perfect balance among sweetened matcha, pineapple, and creamy coconut milk with a hint of ginger flavor
Ingredients and Substitutions
Matcha Green Tea Powder – Make sure to use fresh matcha powder for the best flavor and bright green color. Old green tea powder has less flavor with a dull green color. You can buy them at the local grocery store or order online from Amazon.
- Substitute: You can sub green tea if you don’t have matcha powder, but you won’t get a vivid green color.
Pineapple Juice – I find the pineapple juice gives a better fruity flavor to this drink.
- Substitute: Original Starbucks drink uses pineapple ginger syrup for the pineapple and ginger flavor. If you prefer to use the syrup, you can order Pineapple Syrup online from Amazon.
Ginger – I used ginger powder to save time for this recipe.
- Substitute: You can also use fresh ginger or stem ginger.
Coconut Milk – It adds a silky richness and creaminess to this drink. Coconut milk beverage works better than canned coconut milk, which contains solid chunky lumps of some white stuff.
- Substitute: You can sub soy milk or almond milk, but it changes the flavor quite a bit. I would give coconut milk a try first as it tastes amazing.
Simple Syrup – I used simple syrup for this recipe for easy mixing.
- Substitute: You can also use pineapple syrup or other syrup. Alternatively, you can substitute honey or sugar. For a healthy option, use Stevia instead.
Pro Tip: Matcha green tea powder should be stored in the refrigerator once it’s opened. Use a container that’s as air-tight and light-tight as possible.
How to Make Starbucks Pineapple Matcha (Step-by-Step Instructions with Photos)
1. Whisk together matcha green tea powder, ginger powder, and 1/3 cup pineapple juice.
2. Mix VERY WELL until dissolved.
3. In a large pitcher, add coconut milk and the rest of the pineapple juice.
4. Pour in the green tea and ginger powder mixture. Mix well.
5. Add syrup to your desired sweetness.
6. Fill a glass halfway with ice and pour the mixture into the glass. Serve and enjoy this green iced beverage immediately.
What Kind of Milk Should I Use?
Coconut milk is the best type of milk to use when making pineapple matcha. You can also try using almond milk or oat milk as an alternative.
Tips & Tricks
- To make sure the green tea powder and ginger powder dissolve properly, you’ll need to mix them with a small amount of pineapple juice first. Mix very well until there are no clumps of powder in the mixture.
- Matcha green tea powder gives your drink a nice green color. You can adjust the amount to make the color lighter or darker.
- If you don’t like the tiny white particles in the drink, strain the mixture through cheesecloth or a coffee filter before adding the syrup.
- You can customize the sweetness of your pineapple green tea drink. Start with a small amount of syrup or sugar, taste, and gradually add more for the perfect subtle touch.
Review of Starbucks Pineapple Matcha
Since Starbucks unveiled pineapple matcha green tea drink this spring, it has become so popular on social media like Instagram. The nice, springtime green color from the matcha is a big hit, and many fans view this drink as one of the best-tasting items. The flavors are so refreshing, and many claim that it’s a perfect summer day iced beverage!
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Starbucks Pineapple Matcha Have Caffeine?
Yes, this drink has caffeine in it and will give you a boost of energy.
Is This Drink Good for You?
Ingredients such as matcha green tea, ginger, and pineapple are good for you, but a lot of calories are coming from added sugar. If you want to make your pineapple matcha healthier, you and ask your barista to cut back on the number of pumps in the drink.
If you’re making it at home, you can easily adjust the amount of syrup to lower the sugar level.
Do I Need a Special Whisk for Whisking Matcha?
In Japan, a bamboo whisk called a chasen is used to make matcha. It features dozens of tines that create a special frothiness. If you don’t have one, a cocktail shaker is the next best thing.
Can I Use Other Juices?
Yes, besides pineapple you can use other juices such as orange, mango or cranberry juice. Try to pick one that is sweet with a citrusy flavor. Avoid apple juice.
How Many Calories Does Pineapple Matcha Have?
A 16-ounce grande Starbucks pineapple matcha contains 170 calories, 5 grams total fat, 4.5 grams saturated fat, 115 mg sodium, 30 grams total carbohydrates, 2 grams dietary fiber, 27 grams sugars, 2 grams protein, and 80 mg caffeine. A tall size has 130 calories, and a venti size has 250 calories.
Other Starbucks Drinks
If you’ve tried this Iced Pineapple Matcha drink then don’t forget to rate the recipe and let me know. I love hearing from you!
Iced Pineapple Matcha Drink Recipe (with VIDEO)
Ingredients
- 1 cup pineapple juice divided
- 1 1/2 cups coconut milk I used non-sweetened, full-fat. If you use sweetened, you’ll need to reduce the amount of sugar
- 1 1/2 teaspoons matcha green tea powder
- 1/4 teaspoon ginger powder
- 2-3 tablespoons simple syrup (or honey, you can adjust the sweetness by using more or less)
- ice cubes
Instructions
- In a small bowl, whisk together matcha green tea powder, ginger powder, and 1/3 cup of pineapple juice until dissolved. (Make sure you mix it very well and there’s no lumps.)
- In a large pitcher, add coconut milk, the rest of the pineapple juice, and the matcha green tea mixture. Mix well.
- Add syrup to your desired sweetness. (It’s important to start with a small amount, and gradually add more.)
- Fill a glass halfway with ice and pour the mixture into the glass. Serve and enjoy immediately.
Notes
- To make sure the matcha powder and ginger powder dissolve properly, you’ll need to mix them with a small amount of pineapple juice first. Mix very well until there are no clumps of powder in the mixture.
- Matcha green tea powder gives your drink a nice green color. You can adjust the amount of matcha powder to make the color lighter or darker.
- If you don’t like the tiny white particles (from the powder) in the drink, strain the mixture through cheesecloth or a coffee filter before adding the syrup.
- You can customize the sweetness of your pineapple green tea drink. Start with a small amount of syrup or sugar, taste, and gradually add more for the perfect subtle touch. Use stevia for a healthy option.
Video
Nutrition
Noelle says
This has been my favorite drink that I found all summer, I am obsessed!! Thank you for this!
Noelle says
This has been my favorite drink that I found all summer, I am obsessed!! Thank you for this!
izzycooking says
Glad to hear that, Noelle. Thanks!
Lisalia says
This is my new favorite way to have matcha! SO so good. Perfect refreshing summer drink!
Tracy shipman says
Can you make this in a bigger batch and keep in the fridge?
Izzy says
Yes you can make it ahead of time. Give it a good stir before serving.
cory says
Never mind about my earlier comment. I figured out I was using the wrong coconut milk. Thanks for the recipe!
Trish says
Pretty dang close!