Hojicha Latte Recipe
Need something mellow, nutty, and smooth on the edges? An iced hojicha latte might just be your new go-to.
Unlike the grassy zing of matcha, hojicha is roasted green tea — low in caffeine, earthy in flavour, and gentle on the stomach. It’s the kind of drink that feels like a soft blanket wrapped around your afternoon. Whether you're winding down after work or want something soothing to sip on during your weekend read, this one’s for you.
Why Hojicha?
Hojicha powder is made by roasting Japanese green tea leaves at high temperature, giving it that toasty, nutty flavour. The roasting also reduces its caffeine content, making it ideal for late afternoons or anyone sensitive to caffeine. It’s still rich in antioxidants, but with a softer taste and a warm aroma that’s hard not to love
Ingredients
- 3–6g · Hojicha powder
- 30–50ml · Hot water
- 200ml · Cold milk
- A few · Ice cubes
- To taste · Maple syrup / Honey / Vanilla
- If desired · Milk frother or shaker
Let’s Make It:
1. Sift the hojicha powder
Place a mesh strainer over your bowl or mug. Scoop in two small chashakus or one big chashaku (roughly 1 tsp) of hojicha powder and gently sift it through. This gets rid of clumps and ensures your latte will be smooth, not gritty.
2. Add hot water and whisk
Pour in 30–50ml of hot water (about 80°C — not boiling). Tip* Don’t add too much or it’ll dilute the flavour and reduce froth. Whisk briskly in an “M” or zig-zag motion until the powder is dissolved and lightly foamy. It should smell roasted and mellow — like toasted nuts or warm bread.
3. Sweeten it (if you like)
Now’s the moment to stir in a bit of maple syrup, honey, or vanilla extract if you like it sweet. Doing this while it’s warm helps everything blend nicely.
4. Add the milk and ice
Fill a glass with ice cubes. Pour in about 200ml of your preferred cold milk — oat milk works beautifully here, but almond and dairy are great too. Then gently pour in your whisked hojicha mixture on top. Note* note that hojicha is already quite nutty in flavour so using a almond milk will only amplify the taste.
We recommend using soya or dairy milk instead.
5. Optional shake-up
If you want that silky, café-style texture, give everything a shake in a sealed jar or use a handheld milk frother before pouring. It’ll give your latte a smooth, creamy body that feels a bit fancy.
Sip & Unwind
And there you go — an iced hojicha latte that’s as calming as it is satisfying. It’s a gentle hug in drink form, perfect for those moments when you want something grounded but still a little special.
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