Best Matcha at Starbucks UK: What to Order and How to Customise

What matcha drinks does Starbucks UK sell?

Starbucks UK offers three matcha options: the Matcha Latte (hot or iced), the Matcha Crème Frappuccino, and occasional seasonal variations. These drinks use a vibrant green powder that catches your eye from across the shop, though the ingredient list might surprise you.

The Matcha Latte comes as standard with their signature matcha blend and steamed milk, sweetened with classic syrup. You can order it hot for those drizzly British mornings or iced when summer finally arrives. The Frappuccino version blends the matcha with ice and milk for a thicker, dessert-like drink. Most UK stores also offer the option to add matcha to other beverages, though baristas may look slightly confused if you go too creative with your requests.

Is Starbucks matcha powder real matcha?

Here's the honest truth: Starbucks uses Tazo matcha blend, where sugar is the first ingredient, not matcha. This means you're getting a sweetened matcha mixture rather than pure Japanese green tea powder.

The ingredient list reads sugar, then matcha, meaning there's more sugar than actual matcha in every scoop. This explains why Starbucks matcha tastes sweeter and less grassy than what you'd experience at a Japanese café or from a quality ceremonial grade matcha. The colour is bright green partly due to added colouring in some markets, though formulations vary. For comparison, authentic matcha from brands like JENKI uses genuine Japanese matcha without sugar as a bulking agent. If you're after real matcha benefits, including the L-theanine calm focus and antioxidants, Starbucks delivers a diluted version at best.

How much does a matcha latte cost at Starbucks UK?

A standard Matcha Latte at Starbucks UK costs approximately £4.25 for a Tall, £4.70 for a Grande, and £5.15 for a Venti. Prices vary slightly by location, with London stores and service stations typically charging more.

Adding alternative milks increases the price further. Oat milk (Oatly at most UK Starbucks), soy, coconut, and almond all come with an extra charge of around 60p. The Matcha Crème Frappuccino sits at similar price points. When you calculate that you're paying over £5 for what's essentially sweetened matcha with milk, it becomes clear why many matcha lovers eventually switch to making their own at home. A tin of quality ceremonial matcha costs around £25-35 and makes approximately 30 servings, bringing your per-drink cost down to roughly £1, even with good oat milk.

How do you customise Starbucks matcha to make it healthier?

Ask for no classic syrup and extra matcha scoops. This removes the added liquid sugar while boosting the actual matcha content, giving you a less sweet drink with more green tea flavour.

The standard Matcha Latte comes with classic syrup pumps on top of the already sweetened matcha powder. Requesting "no syrup" eliminates this additional sugar. You can also ask for extra matcha scoops, though this costs approximately 80p per additional scoop. For the milk, Oatly oat milk pairs brilliantly with matcha and contains naturally occurring sugars rather than added sweeteners. Some customers order their matcha with light ice (for iced versions) to reduce dilution, or ask for it made with half water, half milk for a lighter drink. Specifying "less sweet" works too, as baristas understand this means skipping the syrup.

Which alternative milk works best for Starbucks matcha?

Oat milk, specifically the Oatly barista edition used at most UK Starbucks, creates the creamiest and most balanced matcha latte. Its subtle sweetness complements the grassy matcha notes without overpowering them.

Oat milk froths beautifully and has become the nation's favourite plant milk for lattes, according to Mintel's 2024 UK coffee shop report. Soy milk offers a neutral flavour that lets the matcha shine through, while coconut adds a tropical note some find distracting. Almond milk tends to be thinner and can create a slightly watery texture. If you're not avoiding dairy, whole milk creates the most traditional latte texture. The key is matching your milk choice to your sweetness preference. Oat milk adds natural sweetness, so combined with no syrup, you'll still get a pleasantly sweet drink without the sugar spike.

How can you make a better matcha latte at home?

Whisk one teaspoon of ceremonial grade matcha with 30ml of 70°C water until smooth, then add steamed oat milk. You'll get a more authentic matcha flavour for roughly a quarter of the Starbucks price.

The secret lies in using proper matcha and correct water temperature. Boiling water scorches matcha, creating bitterness. Invest in a bamboo whisk (chasen) or use an electric milk frother to break up clumps. Quality matcha should taste vegetal and slightly sweet without any added sugar. For a vanilla twist, add a touch of vanilla extract and your preferred sweetener to taste. The difference between homemade matcha with ceremonial grade powder and Starbucks' version is genuinely remarkable — smoother energy, richer umami, and a flavour that actually tastes of the tea.

The best starting points: our full matcha latte recipe, the iced version, and our guide to the best matcha powders for lattes if you're not sure what to buy.

Frequently asked questions

Does Starbucks UK sell matcha?

Yes, Starbucks UK sells matcha drinks including the Matcha Latte (hot or iced) and Matcha Crème Frappuccino. These are available at all standard UK locations, though smaller Express stores may have limited options. The matcha powder used is the Tazo blend, a sweetened matcha mixture rather than pure matcha.

Is Starbucks matcha real matcha?

Starbucks matcha contains real matcha but it's blended with sugar as the primary ingredient. This makes it a sweetened matcha product rather than pure Japanese matcha powder. You're getting some matcha benefits, but diluted compared to authentic ceremonial or culinary grade matcha where no sugar is added.

How much is a matcha latte at Starbucks UK?

A Matcha Latte at Starbucks UK costs approximately £4.25 for Tall, £4.70 for Grande, and £5.15 for Venti. Alternative milks add around 60p extra. Prices vary by location, with airports and central London stores often charging premium rates.

How do I order a less sweet matcha at Starbucks?

Ask for "no classic syrup" when ordering your Matcha Latte. This removes the additional liquid sugar, though the matcha powder itself still contains sugar. You can also request extra matcha scoops for a stronger tea flavour that balances the remaining sweetness.

What milk is best for Starbucks matcha latte?

Oat milk (Oatly barista edition at most UK stores) works best for Starbucks matcha lattes. It froths well, adds natural creaminess, and complements the grassy matcha flavour without overpowering it. It's also the most popular plant milk choice in UK coffee shops.