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| Aegean Matcha Refresher |
Introduction
The first time I drank a matcha beverage on the Aegean, I can recall scoffing the pairing - Matcha with Greece, really? I was offered a matcha refresher made with Greek yogurt and honey by a little café on a cliff in Mykonos and was taken back. It was a bright and herbaceous refresher and somehow made perfect sense with the olive trees and sea salt air. The Matcha Refresher (Greek) I’m sharing is a reverberation of that experience – the crisp, rich, and umami notes of quality matcha paired with some creamy Mediterranean yogurt and a hint of citrus is an unexpectedly delicious and refreshing matcha drink.
Those living in the US and Europe, this Aegean matcha refresher is a perfect substitute for your iced coffee and your high sugar sodas. It is refreshing on a cold summer day, yet rich enough to satisfy your brunch beverage. For this recipe, I provided an authentic matcha refresher recipe along with a step-by-step guide on how to create your very own Aegean matcha refresher using simple pantry items with some Greek elements added to the drink for added sophistication.
Ingredients
-60 ml (1/4 cup) Hot water (to bloom matcha) — heated to approximately 70–80°C / 160-175°F
-150 g (about 2/3 cup) Greek yogurt (plain, thick)
-240–360 ml (1–1.5 cups) of Cold water or Milk/Plant Milk (thickness may be adjusted)
-2 tbsp (30 ml) Honey or agave syrup (more to taste)
-1 tsp (5 ml) Fresh lemon juice (optional, for brightness)
-1–2 cups (240–480 ml) Ice cubes (depends on chill/thickness)
-Pinch of sea salt
Preparation Steps
To a bowl, sift 2 tsp (4 g) so matcha doesn’t get lumpy, then whisk in 60 ml (1/4 cup) of hot (not boiling) water, and with vigorous ‘M’ or zig-zag motions whisk until it gets foamy and smooth.
-Prepare the yogurt base
Put 150 g (2/3 cup) Greek yogurt into a bowl and combine with 2 tbsp (30 ml) honey and a dash of sea salt. Whip until glossy and smooth. The sea salt balances the yogurt.
-Combine liquids in the blender
In a blender, combine the bloomed matcha, yogurt mixture, and 240 ml (1 cup) cold water or milk. For a thinner drink, add up to 360 ml (1.5 cups).
-Add ice and blend
Toss in 1-2 cups (240-480 ml) ice depending on how frosty you want it. Blend on high for 30-45 seconds until smooth and slightly frothy.
-Taste and adjust.
Taste for sweetness and brightness. Add another teaspoon (5 ml) of honey or 1 tsp (5 ml) of lemon juice to get more elevation. Blend to mix.
-Optional strain for silky texture
If you want a thicker mixture, pour it into a vessel and gently reminisce it by using a spoon to press it down.
-Serving and Garnishing
Serving and Garnishing, Pour into chilled glasses and add lemon zest or crushed pistachios, with a tiny mint sprig if you wish. Stir and serve at once.
Tips & Variations
-Make it vegan: swap Greek yogurt for a thick coconut or almond yogurt and use agave or maple syrup for an Easy Matcha Refresher vegan version.
-Greek twist ideas: stir in a teaspoon of strained labneh for a tang lesson, or swap some water for a splash of cold-brewed Greek mountain tea for a unique, floral infusion.
-Texture play: for a smoothie-like version, add half a frozen banana; for a lighter refresher, use more cold water and less yogurt.
-Matcha quality: ceremonial grade offers smoother flavor; culinary grade works fine if you’re blending with yogurt and ice. Start with less sweetener; matcha’s bitterness varies.
-Make ahead: mix the yogurt-honey base, then bloom the matcha right before serving for the best foam and color.
Closing
This Greek Yogurt Matcha Refresher is a humble tribute to cross-cultural culinary blends of the astounding creamy and sunlit Mediterranean with earthy green matcha. It is perfect for easy brunch recipes and also a great mid-afternoon lift, and a no-argument winner in the non-alcoholic drink category for summer get-togethers. Did you know matcha is originally from Japan? The combination of tea and yogurt is a dish from diverse cultures and the world appreciates this casual blend of the best to create something new. Try this dish for yourself, give it to your friends, and then return for more world recipes. Use this Matcha Refresher recipe as a base, and get playful by adding your personal touch with dried herbs, nuts, or citrus to create your signature summer cooler.