This unusual drink is made with milk, matcha green tea powder and black sesame, for an exciting, Eastern-inspired taste. Throw in some ice cubes to ensure it is nice and cold, a little vanilla for sweetness, and also consider adding a banana to thicken it up a bit. Some people prefer a little xanthan gum instead of the banana, while others don’t mind a slightly thinner texture, so use your own judgment.
You can use black sesame paste (not tahini, which is uncooked) or whole black sesame seeds, depending what you have, or you could even omit this ingredient. Perhaps grind some whole sesame seeds using a mortar and pestle or food processor to make a batch of your own black sesame paste. Alternatively, head to your local health food shop or Asian store, where you should be able to find readymade black sesame paste in a jar.
The fragrant matcha and sesame seed flavours are amazing together, and once you try this easy iced tea drink, it might well become your go-to beverage whenever you want to refresh your senses and cool down quickly with something other than water. If the opposite is true, and you want to warm up instead of cool down, simply omit the ice and use hot milk to make a hot matcha latte. For even more decadence, top with whipped cream and perhaps a few black sesame seeds for garnish.
What You Need
- Large handful of ice cubes
- 375 ml whole milk
- 30 ml vanilla-flavoured syrup
- 1 1/2 teaspoons matcha green tea powder
- 1 tablespoon black sesame paste or black sesame seeds
- 1 banana (optional)
How to Make It
- Put the ice cubes, milk, vanilla, and matcha green tea powder in a blender.
- Add the black sesame paste or seeds, and perhaps a peeled banana if you want.
- Now you can blend the mixture until smooth.
- Serve it immediately.
This recipe makes one serving, but it is very easy to double or triple.