Cherry Blossom Matcha Sakura Latte Recipe

Extra creamy, earthy and floral matcha sakura latte made from cherry blossoms. This springtime drink is versatile, fragrant and absolutely delicious!

Springtime is the season of blossoming trees, perfumed flowers and warm sunshine. My favorite event every spring is Sakura season, when we get to appreciate the passing beauty of these gorgeous trees.

As an avid matcha lover, I like to whip up a matcha latte every day instead of coffee. Not only does it taste floral, earthy and creamy, but it also has a lot of health benefits. Paired with homemade Sakura Syrup, you can make the most delicious Matcha Sakura Latte.

This latte tastes fresh, sweet and floral, with an amazing perfume. It tastes the best when made with Cherry Blossom Syrup made from real blossoms for the most vibrant and natural flavor.

Although Cherry Blossom Latte was made popular by Starbucks Japan, the homemade Sakura Matcha Latte is so much tastier. It’s the perfect fresh and floral drink that allows you to enjoy springtime all year round. So let’s bring the essence of spring into your house with this fragrant Latte drink.

Looking for more fragrant drink recipes? Check out this perfumed Rose Milk Tea made with Rose Simple Syrup or this summery Strawberry Milk Tea made with homemade Strawberry Simple Syrup. If you’re feeling more adventurous, try out this reader favorite Strawberry Matcha Latte or Korean Strawberry Milk made with fresh strawberries.

What is Sakura Latte?

Sakura Latte is a Japanese milky pink drink that has become very popular around the world in recent years. It’s a sweet and floral drink with hints of honeyed almond that tastes like spring tin every sip. Made from Japanese cherry blossom, this drink has a beautiful pink color.

Although it has a delicate floral taste, this latte is perfumed and very aromatic, reminiscent of Sakura trees in full bloom. Made with milk and sakura syrup (cherry blossom syrup), this Sakura milk Latte is extremely fresh, with floral notes of cherry blossom. It’s not overly sweet, so it can be enjoyed multiple times in a day if desired.

Sakura trees are a big part of Japanese culture, symbolizing rebirth and beauty. In Japan you can find all types of drinks, snacks and foods made with cherry blossoms, but Cherry Blossom Latte is probably the most famous.

I like to combine my Sakura Blossom Latte with matcha, as the floral flavors create the most delicious drink. However, this drink can be made without or without matcha.

What does it taste like?

Matcha Sakura Latte tastes sweet, earthy and floral, with natural hints of almond and honey. It’s a perfect balance of flavors, delicately combining floral and earthiness to create a truly unique beverage.

Both Sakura trees and matcha are a quintessential part of Japanese culture, but their flavors are the perfect blend and go wonderfully together. Matcha has a grassy, earthy flavor, whilst blossom flowers have a delicate sweetness, with hints of honey. Mixed together, this Sakura Matcha Latte is hands down one of the most delicious and unique Lattes you will ever try.

This type of premium latte blend is quite mild in flavor, so it’s a drink that can be enjoyed by everyone. The flavor of Sakura Latte has a very delicate perfume, with a subtle honeyed almond aftertaste.

Why you’ll love this recipe

• Floral and earthy flavor: The combination of cherry blossoms and matcha creates a unique flavor that’s both floral and earthy. It’s very fresh, green and naturally sweet, with hints of honeyed almond. Paired with creamy milk, this drink has a very authentic taste.
• Tastes like spring: This latte is delicate, fresh and floral – just like spring season. The delicate flavors go together really well, creating a perfect spring drink. This Matcha Sakura Latte not only tastes like spring, but it looks like it too! Pale green and pale pink combine together to paint a springtime landscape in your glass.
• Entirely natural: This recipe is entirely natural, free from preservatives or any artificial colors. It uses 100% natural ingredients for the best taste, and brings in plenty of health benefits too!  
• Adjustable sweetness: Sweetness can be easily adjusted to fit your preference by changing the amount of Cherry Blossom Syrup added.
• Easy to make: With only a handful of ingredients and a few minutes, you can make a unique and delicious Matcha Sakura Latte that’s sure to impress!

Ingredient round-up

• Cherry blossom syrup – I like using homemade Sakura Syrup because it’s entirely natural and it tastes delicious. However, you can also use store-bought, just make sure it’s an All Natural Cherry Blossom Syrup.
• Matcha – I recommend using ceremonial grade matcha if possible, because it has the best flavor, without any bitterness. My favourite matcha is Meiko Matcha by Matchaeologist (not sponsored, I just really love their matcha). It’s the best quality matcha I could find for a decent price.
• Water – needed to prepare the matcha. You will need hot water, as cold water does not mix as well with matcha.
• Milk – any type of milk can be used, but I recommend using non-dairy milk to preserve the health benefits of matcha. Go for a flavorless type like oat, almond or soy milk. However, if you prefer dairy, choose whole milk or full fat.
• Cream, optional – added on top for a boost of creaminess.

Variations & Substitutions

The main variation to this recipe is making it without matcha. This can easily be done by leaving out the matcha powder and water and using only blossom flower flavor. Then the drink will be simply Sakura Latte.

There are multiple ways to get the sakura flavor. Although I like homemade Cherry Blossom Syrup best because of its floral aroma, there are substitutes if cherry blossom trees are not in season.

• Cherry blossom syrup – you can use store-bought sakura syrup. Monin cherry blossom syrup is a popular one, but it contains artificial coloring. Alternatively, this All Natural Cherry Blossom Syrup is a good natural option.
• Salt pickled sakura – a traditional Japanese way of preserving fresh sakura flowers. You will need to let them soak in water for 30 minutes to remove the salt. Afterwards, infuse the milk with the flowers by simmering for 5-10 minutes. You can find many different types of Salt Pickled Sakura Tea online or in Japanese stores.
• Sakura powder – Made from cherry blossom petals, it’s probably the easiest alternative because it requires no additional preparation. Simply mix it into the milk for a lovely cherry blossom flavor. Make sure you get pure Sakura Powder for the best natural flavor.
• Sakura latte powder – less potent than pure sakura powder, because it contains sugar, milk powder and other additives. Instant Sakura latte powder is much cheaper than pure blossom petal powder.

How to make Matcha Sakura Latte

Making this Cherry Blossom Latte is very easy and only takes a few minutes. Let’s begin:

Success Tips & Tricks

• Good quality ingredients: for the best flavor, it’s important to use high-quality matcha powder, preferably ceremonial grade and natural sakura syrup or powder.
• Sift matcha: The key to a perfect Sakura Matcha Latte is silky smooth texture, without any lumps. For this, it’s essential to use a fine sieve to sift the matcha powder.
• Serve with ice: This iced Sakura Latte needs to be served with plenty of ice cubes. This way it has an even more refreshing taste!
• Pour slowly: If you’re using a glass cup and want to see two distinct layers of matcha and sakura, it’s important to pour the top layer very slowly. This way the layers won’t merge and they’ll separate into two different colors.  It may take a few minutes for the layers to become distinct, so be patient.
• Mix before drinking: Since the bottom sakura layer is sweet and the matcha layer is unsweetened, it’s best to give your Matcha Sakura layer a good mix. You want the flavors and sweetness to merge for the best taste.

Serving & Storing

I recommend making this Sakura Matcha Latte on the spot and serving immediately for the best possible texture and flavor. If left for too long, the matcha can begin to split and it ruins the perfect look and separate layers.

However, if you have any leftover Latte, store it in the fridge for 1 day. Mix well before serving again. Please note that the pink and green layers will merge if left for too long.

Recipe

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