This Matcha Martini Will Be Your Go-to Drink of the Summer

 Whether shaken or stirred; made with alcohol or a spirit-free swap; infused with pomegranate juice or flavored like a Girl Scout cookie, the 21st century martini is still "in." But she has far fewer rules than the James Bond classic—and we love to see it.

Hot on the heels of the espresso martini, which took over cocktail bars around the world circa 2022, a new drink du jour is making waves on social media: the Matcha Martini

What Is a Matcha Martini?

Guessing who "invented" the first matcha martini is about like trying to pin down who created the concept of a casserole. Chances are high that they've been served at cocktail bars around the world for years, but the idea really picked up steam on TikTok in early 2023.

The vivid green hue of a matcha martini is eye-catching and practically destined to go viral. Plus, the creamy consistency makes this drink feel like part cocktail, part dessert.

Matcha is the key ingredient that gives the emerald tint to this cocktail recipe. Translated from Japanese, matcha means "powdered tea." The leaves that are used to make matcha powder contain high levels of chlorophyll, hence the bright color.

How to Make a Matcha Martini

Since everyone has a different style (and varying flavor preferences), there's no one standard or "best" matcha martini recipe. Scroll through #matchamartini on TikTok and you'll spy dozens of remixes, including everything from vodka to tequila and creamy latte-inspired drinks to fruity, juicy cocktails like our Tropical Matcha Cocktail recipe.

The basic formula includes matcha powder + a liquor (or try a spirit-free liquor alternative) + simple syrup + a creamy liqueur (such as white creme de cacao or almond, or orgeat for a N/A drink). Feel free to adjust amounts to meet your match(a).

Editorial contributions by Karla Walsh