Creamy Hojicha Latte Recipe: Hot or Iced
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A hojicha latte combines the toasted aroma of Japanese roasted green tea with creamy milk. This recipe uses unsweetened hojicha powder for a concentrated tea base you can serve hot or over ice.
Start with the proportions below, then adjust the milk and sweetness to your taste. Different powders and milk brands will give different results.
Creamy Hojicha Latte Recipe
Makes: 1 serving ยท Time: about 5 minutes
Ingredients
- 2 level teaspoons unsweetened hojicha powder, such as Luna Matcha Aroma Rich
- 60 ml (ยผ cup) hot water, approximately 175ยฐF / 80ยฐC
- 180 ml (ยพ cup) milk, dairy or your preferred plant-based milk
- 1โ2 teaspoons maple syrup or simple syrup, optional; start with less if your milk is sweetened
- Ice, for the iced version
Equipment: A small bowl or heat-safe jug, a fine sieve, a bamboo whisk or handheld frother, and a mug or glass. Use a roomy heat-safe vessel when frothing to prevent splashes.
These amounts are a starting point, not a fixed ratio for every product. A level teaspoon is a volume measure; its weight varies with the powder and how tightly it is packed. Follow any product-specific directions, and record the weight of your preferred serving if you use a scale.
How to Make a Hot Hojicha Latte
- Sift the powder. Sift the hojicha into a small bowl to break up clumps.
- Make a smooth base. Add a little of the measured hot water and mix into a loose paste. Gradually add the remaining water and whisk until evenly dispersed.
- Add sweetness. Stir in your chosen sweetener, if using.
- Warm the milk. Gently heat the milk in a saucepan until hot but not boiling. Froth with a milk frother if you like a foamy finish. Do not shake hot milk in a sealed jar.
- Combine. Pour the hojicha base into a mug, add the warm milk, and stir. Taste before adding more sweetener.
How to Make an Iced Hojicha Latte
- Prepare the tea base. Sift the powder and whisk with the measured hot water as above. Stir in any sweetener while the base is warm.
- Let it cool briefly. Allow the base to cool before assembling the drink.
- Add milk and ice. Put ice in a glass large enough for the drink, then add the cold milk.
- Pour and stir. Add the hojicha base. The layers look attractive, but stir before drinking for an even flavor.
If the latte tastes too mild as the ice melts, try slightly less milk next time. You can also increase the powder gradually, remembering that this increases the amount of teaโand caffeineโin the drink.
Watch Our Hojicha Latte Video
See the mixing and pouring process in our Instagram reel. Use the written measurements above for this version of the recipe.
Open the video on Instagram if the embedded player does not load.
Which Hojicha Powder Should You Use?
Choose a powder intended for drinks or food preparation. An unsweetened powder lets you control the sweetness separately.
- Luna Matcha Aroma Rich: Our organic hojicha powder, an option for everyday lattes and roasted-tea recipes.
- Marukyu Koyamaen Hojicha Powder A: Unsweetened roasted green tea powder for lattes, desserts, and baking.
- Marukyu Koyamaen Hojicha Powder B: Another unsweetened option for milk-based drinks and desserts.
Switching powders may change the strength and texture of your latte. Start with the same milk quantity so you can compare, then adjust to your preference. Check each product page for current availability.
Prefer a clear, brewed cup of tea? Luna Matcha also carries hojicha for steeping from Marukyu Koyamaen and Hoshino Seichaen. Those products have a different preparation method; tea leaves and tea bags are not a spoon-for-spoon substitute for powder in this recipe.
What Does a Hojicha Latte Taste Like?
Expect roasted, nutty aromas and a mellow tea flavor softened by milk. Depending on the tea, you may notice hints reminiscent of toasted grain, cocoa, or caramel. These are tasting descriptions, not added ingredients. Hojicha can still taste bitter or drying when the mixture is very concentrated.
Choosing your milk
Dairy milk adds a creamy texture, while oat, soy, and almond milks each bring their own flavor. Sweetened and barista-style versions can behave differently from unsweetened milk. Start with the milk you already enjoy, and adjust the sweetener after tasting.
How to Fix a Thin or Clumpy Hojicha Latte
- Too watery: Reduce the milk a little, avoid adding extra water, and account for melting ice.
- Powder clumps: Sift first and mix with a small amount of warm water before adding the rest.
- Some settling: Finely ground tea disperses in liquid; it does not dissolve completely. Stir again if particles settle.
- Too strong or drying: Add a splash of milk, or use less powder next time.
- Too sweet: Try unsweetened milk and add syrup only after tasting.
Hojicha Latte FAQs
Does a hojicha latte contain coffee?
Not in this recipe. The roasted flavor comes from hojicha, and there is no espresso.
Is a hojicha latte caffeine-free?
No. Hojicha is made from tea and contains caffeine. The amount depends on the product and serving size. A latte made with whole-leaf powder should not be assigned the caffeine value of a lightly brewed cup of hojicha. We do not have a verified caffeine figure for this finished recipe.
Can I make it without a bamboo whisk?
Yes. A handheld frother can mix the powder with water. A small whisk also works; sifting and making a paste first help reduce clumps.
Can I use loose-leaf hojicha or tea bags?
Yes, a concentrated infusion can form the base of a different style of latte. However, it needs its own brewing ratio and steeping instructions. For the measurements on this page, use hojicha powder.
Is hojicha powder the same as matcha?
No. Hojicha powder is ground roasted tea, while matcha is made from tencha. Both can be whisked into drinks, but they have different production methods and flavors.
Explore More Hojicha Recipes
Once you have your preferred latte ratio, try adding another flavor:
For tea basics and the differences between brewed hojicha and powder, explore our hojicha guide.