This creamy matcha smoothie is one of my favorite ways to enjoy matcha. It has major matcha frappuccino vibes with a sweet, creamy, dessert-like feel, but is made with simple plant-based ingredients and no refined sugar.
Matcha is known for delivering a calm, steady lift often referred to as "zenergy." Instead of the sharp buzz and crash that can come with coffee, matcha offers a more balanced feel, with roughly half the caffeine of a typical cup of coffee along with a powerful dose of antioxidants. Blending it into a smoothie is a great way to incorporate matcha into your routine if you are looking to switch things up beyond a traditional latte or hot tea.
This smoothie is intentionally simple and its texture reminds me a lot of my plant-based wild blueberry milkshake. It's creamy, frosty, naturally sweet and surprisingly satisfying. The almonds (or cashews) create a neutral, creamy base while adding plant-based protein, healthy fats and fiber. And the dates provide natural sweetness and a caramel-like depth that pairs perfectly with matcha and vanilla.
People go crazy over the Starbucks matcha frappuccino, and while I can definitely understand why, I also cringe at some of the ingredients they use in their syrups such as refined sugars, gums and natural flavors. This version gives the same feel but with just 5 feel-good ingredients. Feel free to top it off with my vegan whipped cream!
Ingredients
All you need is plant-based milk, almonds, Medjool dates, vanilla extract and matcha (plus a little salt to bring out the flavor and plenty of ice). If you want more of a smoothie feel, adding avocado or baby spinach works surprisingly well and boosts the nutrients without changing the flavor much.
Feel free to adjust the amount of matcha depending on your preference. You can also scale back the dates if you prefer a less sweet smoothie. I find that eight dates (four per serving) gives the best result and that dessert-like feel.
Instructions
Just throw everything into the blender and blend until completely smooth. Done!
This recipe makes 32 ounces total and is intended to be enjoyed as two generous servings. Pour into glasses, add whipped cream and a light dusting of sifted matcha if desired and enjoy right away for the best frosty texture!
Recipe Tip
Blend the ice gradually. Add the ice one cup at a time so your blender does not get overwhelmed. This recipe uses a lot of it to create that thick, frosty texture, but the nuts prevent it from becoming watered down.
Matcha Recommendation
I personally recommend and and use matcha from Pique (affiliate link). It is ceremonial grade, shade-grown and first-harvest, which makes it incredibly smooth, vibrant and naturally rich with zero bitterness. It is also rigorously screened for purity.
Enjoy!
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Creamy Matcha Smoothie (Dairy-Free)
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 2 1x
- Diet: Vegan
Description
This creamy matcha smoothie is one of my favorite ways to enjoy matcha! It has major matcha frappuccino vibes with a sweet, creamy, dessert-like feel, but is made with simple plant-based ingredients and no refined sugar.
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsweetened, plain plant-based milk (such as almond milk)
- ⅓ cup raw blanched slivered almonds or raw cashews
- 8 pitted Medjool dates
- 1.5 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon matcha powder
- 2 pinches of salt
- 3.5 cups ice cubes
- Optional garnish: coconut whipped cream and a light dusting of matcha (sifted through a small mesh strainer)
- Optional veggie boost: ¼ ripe avocado and/or handful of fresh baby spinach
Instructions
- Place all ingredients in a high speed blender and blend until perfectly smooth and creamy. I recommend adding one cup of ice at a time to not overwhelm the blender.
- Pour into two glasses, garnish (if desired) and enjoy!
Equipment
Buy Now → Notes
My go-to matcha is 100% organic, ceremonial-grade matcha from Japan and it's quadruple toxin screened (heavy metals, pesticides, toxic mold, and radioactive isotopes). Third-party tested at multiple points too: before sourcing raw materials, before packaging, and after packaging. My affiliate link gives an exclusive discount and gift with purchase.
- Prep Time: 5
- Category: Beverage
- Method: Blender
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