Does Starbucks Have Matcha? | Menu, Tips, Facts

What Starbucks Sells Under “Matcha”

Starbucks serves matcha in hot, iced, and blended forms: Matcha Latte, Iced Matcha Latte, and Matcha Crème Frappuccino. Seasonal twists appear, and some regions test items.

On recent U.S. menus, the company moved to an unsweetened matcha base. Sweetness now comes from classic syrup by default, which you can remove or swap. That tweak lets you choose how sweet your drink tastes while keeping the same green tea base.

Matcha drinks sit in the middle of the caffeine range for Starbucks. If you want a quick side-by-side of typical levels across drinks, see our caffeine in common beverages guide.

Does Starbucks Have Matcha Drinks In Every Store?

Most company-operated locations in the U.S. and many countries stock the matcha base year-round. Some licensed stores or international markets may rotate specialty matcha items based on local demand, ingredients, or tests. If you don’t see matcha on a digital menu, ask the barista; availability can vary by store and by season.

Ingredients, Sweetness, And What Changed In 2025

Today’s standard recipe uses an unsweetened matcha base with classic syrup added for sweetness. Previously, the powder itself was pre-sweetened, which limited options for lower-sugar orders. The current setup gives you better control over sugar and flavor while keeping the same color and tea profile people expect.

What’s In The Cup

The core components are matcha, milk, water, and ice (for iced versions). A hot latte is steamed milk plus matcha and syrup. The iced latte is shaken. The crème Frappuccino blends milk, matcha, syrup, and ice, then tops it with whipped cream. Seasonal spins add cold foam or flavored syrups.

How Much Caffeine To Expect

A grande Iced Matcha Latte lands near the mid range for caffeine. Expect a figure around two-thirds of a standard grande latte made with espresso. Blended matcha drinks usually land lower than the iced or hot latte thanks to the recipe mix and foam.

Sizes, Caffeine, And Custom Scoops

Baristas portion matcha with scoops. Fewer scoops mean milder flavor and less caffeine; extra scoops push both up. Syrup pumps also scale with size. That’s why a Short or Tall feels gentle, while a Venti iced version tastes bolder and carries more energy.

How To Order Matcha Your Way

Pick your milk first. Dairy gives the creamiest texture, while almond or oat keeps the drink lighter. If you want less sugar, drop the classic syrup or trade it for sugar-free vanilla. For a smoother hit of sweetness, keep the base unsweetened and add a splash of vanilla sweet cream cold foam on top.

Lower-Sugar Strategies That Still Taste Good

• Ask for one fewer scoop of matcha in any size.
• Say “no classic” and choose sugar-free vanilla or just leave it unsweetened.
• Use almond milk and skip the whip on Frappuccinos.

Add-Ons People Love With Matcha

• Vanilla sweet cream cold foam (plain or light).
• One pump of white mocha for a dessert-leaning sip.
• Cinnamon powder or a dash of nutmeg for warmth.

Calories, Sugar, And Smart Swaps

Calories swing with size and toppings. An iced grande with classic syrup sits in a moderate range, while a crème Frappuccino jumps because of blended base and whip. You can meaningfully trim calories by skipping syrups and heavy toppings and by picking a lighter milk.

Make It Fit Your Day

If you track caffeine, matcha is friendlier than espresso lattes in similar sizes. If you track added sugar, the unsweetened base helps—just be selective with syrups. Many folks aim to stay under the FDA’s general guidance for daily caffeine. Read the FDA’s view on how much caffeine is too much to set a sensible limit for you.

Is Starbucks Matcha “Real” Matcha?

Matcha at Starbucks is a powdered green tea base designed for consistency across thousands of stores. It’s whisked or shaken into milk rather than brewed as loose leaves. Specialty tea bars may use ceremonial grades with higher prices and slower prep; Starbucks aims for speed and predictable flavor.

The current U.S. recipe lists an unsweetened matcha base, then adds classic syrup. That means you can order a latte with zero added syrup and still get the tea taste. If you want a touch of sweetness, choose one pump of vanilla in a Tall or two in a Grande. Those changes are easy for the barista and keep the texture silky.

What The Official Nutrition Pages Say

Starbucks shows nutrition and caffeine where available on its menu pages. You can check the Iced Matcha Latte nutrition listing for calorie and caffeine estimates and see notes about recipe variation by store. These listings also show which items include dairy in foams and toppings.

How Starbucks Matcha Compares To Coffee

In similar sizes, matcha lattes run lower in caffeine than espresso lattes. Coffee still delivers a stronger kick per ounce.

Worldwide Availability And Naming

Menus vary by country. The core latte and iced latte are the safest bet in most markets. Blended matcha with fruit or layered foams tend to appear as seasonal or regional specials. If you use the app, switch the store to your destination city first to preview what’s live there. Some airports and college kiosks run smaller menus, so the matcha base may sell out during rush periods; check the app or ask before you queue during holidays.

Flavor And Sweetness Tuning

Adjust Matcha Scoops

Ask the barista for fewer scoops if the tea tastes earthy for you; add a scoop if you prefer a stronger profile. That one tweak changes both flavor and caffeine without extra sugar.

Swap Syrups And Milks

Skip classic syrup and pick sugar-free vanilla for a lighter sip. For a creamy feel with less dairy, oat milk fits matcha well. If you like a dessert lean, one pump of white mocha blends smoothly with the tea.

Ordering Roadmap For Common Goals

Lower Sugar

Tall Iced Matcha Latte, no classic, almond milk. If you need sweetness, ask for one pump sugar-free vanilla. This setup trims the sip while keeping the tea flavor front and center.

Lower Caffeine

Pick a Short or Tall and request one fewer scoop. You still get the green color and aroma, just with a gentler lift. Late afternoons, cap the scoops at two and pick a Short for balance.

More Indulgent

Go for a Grande Matcha Crème Frappuccino with one pump white mocha and light whip. It tastes like a milkshake with green tea notes.

Common Questions From Shoppers

Can I Order It Unsweetened?

Yes. Ask for “no classic” on lattes. The base is unsweetened, so the drink will taste like milk and matcha only. If you still want a little sweetness, add a single pump of vanilla or ask for stevia packets at the hand-off bar.

Bottom Line For Matcha Fans

Starbucks does have matcha, and it’s easy to tailor. Pick your size, set sweetness, and adjust scoops. If you want more ideas beyond green tea, take a spin through our drinks for focus and energy picks.