A Japanese twist on the 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?
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.
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-Sugar Rim (optional)*
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- ¼ teaspoon matcha powder
- Honey-Water
- ½ cup water
- ½ cup honey
- Matcha Honey Lemon Drop
- ¾ ounces honey-water
- ¾ ounces fresh lemon juice
- ¼ teaspoon matcha powder
- 2 ounces vodka
- ice
- a twist of lemon peel for garnish
- 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.
- 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.
- In a cocktail shaker combine ¾ 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.
- Pour into the prepared glass, straining out the ice. Serve with a lemon twist and enjoy!
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 🙂
Give it a try and have a cocktail for me 😉
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!
In my family, we fully implement the saying, ‘it’s 5 o’clock somewhere’. 😛
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..
Lol! I like the way you think, Bobbi! I’ll have those extra cocktails right along with you 😉
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!
Lol! You and I think alike 😉
Love this idea, now I can have a drink with health benefits!
Cheers to adding superfoods to your cocktails 🙂
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!
That sounds like a fantastic time – and such a beautiful time to visit!
Oh my gosh, I can’t wait to try this! I’ve tried matcha in just about everything…except alcoholic drinks. So. Excited.
Alcohol only seems like a natural progression 😉
Love matcha. but never used it in a cocktail! Love the idea Kathleen! Looks perfect!
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!
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.
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!
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. 😉
Ooo… that’s great! Have a cocktail for me! 🙂
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! 🙂
Thanks Amanda! Isn’t it amazing how versatile matcha is?! I hope you enjoy this cocktail 🙂
Beautiful recipe!!
Thanks Aaron!
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! 🙂
Lol! Let’s just say it adds a healthy element 😉 Cheers girlfriend! Have a cocktail… or two for me this weekend 🙂
Indeed matcha is here to stay. Love your Japanese twist to lemon drop cocktail. Would love to give it a go! 🙂
Thanks so much, Anu! 🙂 I hope you enjoy it… but not too many 😛
Matcha latte and lemon drop are one of my favorite ones. Love the combination of sweet and sour with matcha. Looks delicious!
Thank you Suchi! The combination of flavors makes it go down pretty easy 😉