The Best Black Sesame Matcha Latte Recipe (Also Vegan!)
Looking for a matcha latte variation that’s both delicious and vegan-friendly? This black sesame matcha latte is the perfect drink for any season. Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links.
Welcome back to another matcha latte recipe here at Mochi Mommy! If you’ve browsed my recipes, a black sesame matcha is no surprise to you. In fact, I’ve already used that flavor combination with some Neapolitan cookies. Actually, the only surprise is that I haven’t posted this recipe before.
It’s SO EASY. Just mix black sesame paste with a plant-based milk of your choice and add a matcha shot. Boom. I’m an old Asian grandma when it comes to food preferences, so I don’t add any sweetener, but you can if you want. If you’re a matcha pro, that’s probably enough info for you to hit that “jump to recipe” button, but if you’re curious to learn more about black sesame or the finer details of matcha, keep on reading!
What does black sesame flavor taste like?
If you’ve never had black sesame before, it’s really hard to describe the flavor. It’s nutty and somewhat earthy, which doesn’t sound amazing, but it’s really really good. If you like peanut butter or regular sesame, you’ll probably like black sesame. You can find black sesame flavor in cookies, ice creams, and many desserts in Asia.
Does black sesame go well with matcha?
Yes! Both have somewhat earthy flavor profiles, so they go well together. Depending on your tolerance for bitterness, you may or may not want to add a sweetener of your choice. Most black sesame and matcha desserts or drinks you can buy in cafes will have added sweetener.
But I am reaching old Asian grandma levels of anti-sweetness, and I think the natural sweetness from whatever milk you choose is enough in this recipe. Note that different milks add different flavors and textures to this drink. I prefer either soy milk or oat milk for their natural sweetness and creaminess (they both tend to have more fiber than other milks too!). Almond milk is not as creamy or sweet, so it’s not my favorite.
What matcha to use for drinking?
I recommend a lighter blend with less bitterness for drinking. I always use Ippodo Tea brand. My favorite blends are Ikuyo or Sayaka. However, you can use any high quality matcha you like. For more information on things like ceremonial vs. culinary grade or other matcha brands I like, check out my Ultimate Guide to Matcha post.
Black Sesame Matcha – Hot or Cold
This recipe is written as a cold drink, poured over ice. It’s my favorite way to drink black sesame matcha lattes, but you could also drink it hot as well! Hot black sesame lattes are so nice for winter with their nuttiness. Simply heat up your milk before or while you mix in the black sesame. If you have a fancy frother like the kinds that come with espresso machines, it’ll do it all for you.
Can I make my own black sesame paste?
I get this question all the time on my black sesame recipe posts, and yes, it is possible to make your own black sesame paste. You would put black sesame seeds in a food processor until you get a paste, just like making your own nut butter. However, I have found that depending on how good your food processor is, it’s not always that easy to get a usable paste. Sesame seeds are so small and sometimes hard to get into a fine texture. Premade black sesame paste can be kind of pricy, but I think it results in a much better end product, so I recommend just buying the jar. The brand I’m using is just one I found at my local Asian market, and it’s available on Amazon as well.
What else to use black sesame paste for?
Now that I’ve convinced you to buy a jar, you’re probably wondering what to do with leftover black sesame paste. Don’t worry, I got you! Check out these other black sesame recipes on my blog:
Black Sesame Matcha Latte
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup soy milk, can sub other milks
- 1/2 tsp black sesame paste
- 1 tsp high quality drinking matcha, 2g
- 1/4 cup hot water
- ice
Equipment
- frother optional
- bamboo matcha whisk (chasen)
Instructions
- Mix soy milk and black sesame paste. This can be done in a mug with a frother or simply by stirring vigorously. If black sesame paste is not dissolving easily, warm up your milk on stovetop or in the microwave and the paste should easily mix.
- Pour black sesame milk into a 12oz glass filled to the rim with ice while you prepare your matcha. (if you have warmed your milk, let it cool before pouring over ice).
- Sift teaspoon of matcha powder into a bowl and add the hot (but not boiling) water. Whisk with a bamboo whisk or mix with a frother until matcha is dispersed.
- Pour matcha into your prepared glass with black sesame milk. If wanting to create a layered effect, aim the stream of matcha to hit the ice cubes rather than directly into the milk. Serve immediately.
Notes
- I have become an Asian grandma who likes things bitter and unsweetened, so I do not add any sweetener. I find with a really high quality matcha, the natural sweetness from the milk is enough for me. However, if you have a sweet tooth, feel free to add a sweetener of choice to the milk when you mix it with the black sesame paste.
