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Matcha Honey Lemon Drop

May 4, 2016 by hapagirl 30 Comments

A Japanese twist on the lemon drop cocktail; the earthy-grassy matcha pairs beautifully with the sweet and sour qualities of honey and lemon.

A Japanese twist on a lemon drop cocktail, the earthy-grassy matcha pairs beautifully with the sweet and sour qualities of honey and lemon.

Matcha has finally made it’s way into the mainstream and it’s here to stay! Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ve seen matcha powder used in various drinks and creative desserts all over the web; but have you tried it in your cocktail? 

A Japanese twist on a lemon drop cocktail, the earthy-grassy matcha pairs beautifully with the sweet and sour qualities of honey and lemon.

Matcha is one of the hot new ingredients to use in cocktails for 2016. Labeled as a ‘superfood’, matcha is essentially super-charged green tea. It’s chock-full of antioxidants that contain cancer-fighting qualities, it boosts metabolism, and energizes your system. 

Used in traditional Japanese tea ceremonies, matcha is the whole tea leaf. Green tea on the other hand, are components of the leaf, infused with water, and then discarded. So when you consume matcha, you’re getting a more potent form of green tea; meaning you’re also getting all the more health benefits associated with ingesting the whole leaf. 

A Japanese twist on a lemon drop cocktail, the earthy-grassy matcha pairs beautifully with the sweet and sour qualities of honey and lemon.

If you’ve been a long-time reader, then you know I am no stranger to the enjoyment of a boozy drink… or two. So why not add a boost of something good while I sip my cool Matcha Honey Lemon Drop? Don’t you just love when you can pair a happy indulgence with a powerhouse ingredient? It makes you feel like you can enjoy it that much more. But watch yourself – these babies go down smooth. 

For other matcha cocktail ideas, check out this Matcharita (perfect for Cinco de Mayo)! Or get inspired by these 14 Excellent Cocktails That Prove That Matcha Isn’t Just For Tea!

 

Matcha Honey Lemon Drop
 
Recipe Type: Drinks
Author: Kathleen | Hapa Nom Nom
Prep time: 5 mins
Total time: 5 mins
Serves: 1 cocktail
A Japanese twist on a lemon drop cocktail, the earthy-grassy matcha pairs beautifully with the sweet and sour qualities of honey and lemon.
Ingredients
  • [b]Matcha-Sugar Rim[/b] (optional)*
  • 1 tablespoon sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon matcha powder
  • [b]Honey-Water[/b]
  • ½ cup water
  • ½ cup honey
  • [b]Matcha Honey Lemon Drop[/b]
  • ¾ ounces honey-water
  • ¾ ounces fresh lemon juice
  • ¼ teaspoon matcha powder
  • 2 ounces vodka
  • ice
  • a twist of lemon peel for garnish
Instructions
  1. On a small plate, combine the sugar and matcha. Rim the edge of the glass with a lemon wedge and dip into the plate containing the sugar mixture. Set the cocktail glass aside.
  2. In a microwave-safe measuring cup, combine the water and honey. Microwave for 30 seconds, or until the contents are warm and can easily mix together. Alternatively, you can simmer the water and honey on the stove.
  3. In a cocktail shaker combine 3/4 ounces of the honey-water, lemon juice, matcha powder, and vodka. Fill the shaker with ice, cap, and shake vigorously. If you do not have a cocktail shaker you can stir vigorously – just make sure the matcha does not have any clumps.
  4. Pour into the prepared glass, straining out the ice. Serve with a lemon twist and enjoy!
 
Notes
* The Matcha-Sugar rim is enough to make numerous cocktails. You can cover and refrigerate any leftovers for later use.
3.4.3177

 

 

 

A Japanese twist on a lemon drop cocktail, the earthy-grassy matcha pairs beautifully with the sweet and sour qualities of honey and lemon.

 

Filed Under: Blog, Drinks, Fall, Fusion, New Year's Eve, Party Foods, Quick & Easy, Recipes, Special Occasions, Sports Parties, Spring, Summer, Vegan, Vegetarian, Winter, Winter Holiday Recipes Tagged With: cocktail, drink, Fusion, honey, Japanese, lemon, lemon drop, matcha, vodka

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Comments

  1. mila says

    May 10, 2016 at 9:21 am

    I can’t even…I have to be honest..never really tried matcha…but your pictures may have just convinced me to….and I do love a good lemon drop 🙂

    Reply
    • hapagirl says

      May 10, 2016 at 9:31 pm

      Give it a try and have a cocktail for me 😉

      Reply
  2. Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary says

    May 9, 2016 at 7:13 am

    Omgeee, LOVE this fun twist on a classic lemon drop, girlfriend!!! Matcha and honey sound like a fabulous additions! Plus the color is of this cocktail is stunning! Is it 5 o’clock yet, because I’m totally wanting a couple of these beauties! Pinned! Cheers, friend!

    Reply
    • hapagirl says

      May 10, 2016 at 9:19 pm

      In my family, we fully implement the saying, ‘it’s 5 o’clock somewhere’. 😛

      Reply
  3. Bam's Kitchen says

    May 8, 2016 at 5:20 am

    Antioxidants, vitamin C and loads of vitamins in my tini is the only way to go!. I am a huge matcha fan and this idea never dawned on me but I can so see myself having at least one, if not 2, just to make sure I get my healthy dose of nutrients. wink…wink..

    Reply
    • hapagirl says

      May 10, 2016 at 9:16 pm

      Lol! I like the way you think, Bobbi! I’ll have those extra cocktails right along with you 😉

      Reply
  4. Melissa | Bits of Umami says

    May 8, 2016 at 1:18 am

    If there is one way to get me onboard with a new trend…. It’s by shoving it into a cocktail 😉 Loving this so so so much!

    Reply
    • hapagirl says

      May 9, 2016 at 9:10 pm

      Lol! You and I think alike 😉

      Reply
  5. Sweet and Savoury Pursuits says

    May 7, 2016 at 3:06 pm

    Love this idea, now I can have a drink with health benefits!

    Reply
    • hapagirl says

      May 9, 2016 at 8:55 pm

      Cheers to adding superfoods to your cocktails 🙂

      Reply
  6. Miriam @londonkitchendiaries says

    May 6, 2016 at 9:42 am

    I am a big matcha fan and always have a little matcha box in my fridge. Also loved to take part at a tea ceremony when we visited Japan last year during cherry blossom – so relaxing!

    Reply
    • hapagirl says

      May 6, 2016 at 9:16 pm

      That sounds like a fantastic time – and such a beautiful time to visit!

      Reply
  7. megiswell says

    May 6, 2016 at 9:12 am

    Oh my gosh, I can’t wait to try this! I’ve tried matcha in just about everything…except alcoholic drinks. So. Excited.

    Reply
    • hapagirl says

      May 6, 2016 at 9:13 pm

      Alcohol only seems like a natural progression 😉

      Reply
  8. Mira says

    May 6, 2016 at 9:06 am

    Love matcha. but never used it in a cocktail! Love the idea Kathleen! Looks perfect!

    Reply
    • hapagirl says

      May 6, 2016 at 9:08 pm

      Honestly, I hadn’t tried it in a cocktail either (before I started playing around with the post idea). But it really works and it’s really great!

      Reply
  9. Marissa (@pinchandswirl) says

    May 6, 2016 at 9:05 am

    Keith and I went to this cocktail bar in Seattle and asked the server to recommend a drink that wasn’t very sweet. She said, “I don’t know. I like my cocktails to taste like sugar.” This is just the kind of thing we were looking for! Perfection.

    Reply
    • hapagirl says

      May 6, 2016 at 9:06 pm

      Oh jeez, really? I know a couple of people who love sugary drinks and I just don’t get it. If a drink is too sweet it just makes my stomach turn. This drink is definitely not too sweet – just enough (at least for my tastes) 😉 I hope you and Keith enjoy! Cheers my dear!

      Reply
  10. Lokness says

    May 5, 2016 at 4:32 pm

    Wow! These are gorgeous, Kathleen! Green tea and honey is always the best combo. I can’t wait to try it with some booze! I have all the ingredients on hand already. 😉

    Reply
    • hapagirl says

      May 6, 2016 at 8:34 pm

      Ooo… that’s great! Have a cocktail for me! 🙂

      Reply
  11. Amanda | Yum In Your Tum says

    May 5, 2016 at 3:11 pm

    This is so genius! I am obsessed with matcha! I read into all its health benefits a few years back, and I use it religiously now. This cocktail is on my to-make list, looks so tasty! YUM! 🙂

    Reply
    • hapagirl says

      May 6, 2016 at 8:29 pm

      Thanks Amanda! Isn’t it amazing how versatile matcha is?! I hope you enjoy this cocktail 🙂

      Reply
  12. Aaron Chow says

    May 5, 2016 at 12:24 pm

    Beautiful recipe!!

    Reply
    • hapagirl says

      May 6, 2016 at 8:27 pm

      Thanks Aaron!

      Reply
  13. karrie@TastyEverAfter says

    May 5, 2016 at 9:33 am

    Get the you-know-what outta here!!!! I can drink vodka and be healthy?? Sign me up right now! 😉 Also, may I say that matcha has never looked so good before you got ahold of it. I’m super inspired and getting out my green powder this weekend. Watch out because I might be coming out with a healthy cocktail soon too! lol! 🙂

    Reply
    • hapagirl says

      May 5, 2016 at 10:26 am

      Lol! Let’s just say it adds a healthy element 😉 Cheers girlfriend! Have a cocktail… or two for me this weekend 🙂

      Reply
  14. Anu-My Ginger Garlic Kitchen says

    May 5, 2016 at 9:10 am

    Indeed matcha is here to stay. Love your Japanese twist to lemon drop cocktail. Would love to give it a go! 🙂

    Reply
    • hapagirl says

      May 5, 2016 at 10:17 am

      Thanks so much, Anu! 🙂 I hope you enjoy it… but not too many 😛

      Reply
  15. Suchi @elegantmeraki says

    May 5, 2016 at 6:18 am

    Matcha latte and lemon drop are one of my favorite ones. Love the combination of sweet and sour with matcha. Looks delicious!

    Reply
    • hapagirl says

      May 5, 2016 at 10:22 am

      Thank you Suchi! The combination of flavors makes it go down pretty easy 😉

      Reply

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I'm Kathleen and I live in the Atlanta area. In a lifelong search to discover where I belong and what group I identify with, I found that food is the strongest tie that brings us together. On Hapa Nom Nom, food is a kind of connective tissue, bringing my background, family, travels, and tastes together in one delicious bite. Find out more!

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