Dirty Matcha Lattes: The Espresso-Matcha Blend Trend
So you’ve been scrolling through TikTok and suddenly everyone’s drinking something that looks like a sunset in a cup. Green swirling into brown, baristas doing fancy pours, captions screaming “this changed my life. " Welcome to the dirty matcha latte phenomenon.
But what exactly is this drink? And more importantly, is it actually good or just another overhyped social media moment?
What Makes a Matcha Latte “Dirty”
A traditional matcha latte is pretty straightforward. You whisk matcha powder with water, add steamed milk, maybe some sweetener. Clean, green, earthy. A dirty matcha takes that foundation and throws a shot of espresso into the mix.
Yep, that’s it. Two caffeinated beverages in one glass.
The name “dirty” comes from coffee culture. You’ve probably heard of a dirty chai-that’s chai tea with espresso added. Same concept here. The espresso “dirties” up the pure matcha.
What you get is this interesting layered drink where the bitter, roasty notes of espresso crash into the vegetal, slightly sweet character of matcha. Some people layer it for visual effect. Others mix it all together - both approaches work.
Why Everyone’s Suddenly Obsessed
The dirty matcha didn’t appear out of nowhere. Coffee shops in major cities have served variations for years. But TikTok accelerated everything, as TikTok does.
A few things made this blow up:
**The caffeine hit is intense. ** A typical matcha latte has around 70mg of caffeine. Add a shot of espresso and you’re looking at 130-140mg. That’s approaching pre-workout territory. For people who need serious energy, this delivers.
**It’s visually stunning. ** The green-and-brown contrast photographs incredibly well. Baristas started doing elaborate pours, creating marble effects. Content creators noticed - algorithms noticed. Here we are.
**The flavor actually works - ** This surprised me initially. Matcha and espresso both have bitter components, so you’d think combining them would be overwhelming. But the milk softens everything, and the flavors complement rather than compete. The earthiness of matcha pairs weirdly well with coffee’s roasted depth.
**Health positioning helps too. ** Matcha carries associations with antioxidants, L-theanine, sustained energy without jitters. Espresso fans get to keep their coffee ritual while adding those perceived benefits. Whether the health angle holds up to scrutiny is another conversation, but the marketing writes itself.
How to Make One at Home
Coffee shop versions run $7-9 depending on your city. Making them at home costs a fraction of that and lets you dial in exactly what you want.
Here’s my go-to method:
Ingredients:
- 1 teaspoon ceremonial grade matcha (culinary grade works but tastes grassier)
- 2 tablespoons hot water (not boiling-around 175°F)
- 1 shot espresso or 2oz strong brewed coffee
- 8oz milk of choice
- Sweetener if you want it
- Ice for cold version
For a hot dirty matcha:
Sift the matcha into a bowl or wide mug. Add the hot water and whisk vigorously until no clumps remain. A bamboo chasen works best but a regular whisk or even a milk frother gets the job done.
Steam your milk - pour it over the matcha. Pull your espresso shot and pour it through the center. You’ll get those nice layers if you’re gentle.
Don’t stir until you’ve taken your photo. Then mix everything together and drink.
For an iced version:
This is actually easier. Whisk your matcha with the hot water to dissolve it. Fill a glass with ice. Pour in cold milk, leaving room at the top. Add the matcha - add your espresso shot last.
The iced version naturally creates those pretty layers because the liquids have different densities. No barista skills required.
Variations Worth Trying
Once you’ve got the basic technique down, start experimenting:
Oat milk dirty matcha has become the default at most coffee shops. Oat milk’s natural sweetness balances the bitter elements perfectly. I’d argue it tastes better than dairy in this application.
Vanilla dirty matcha adds a pump of vanilla syrup. Sounds excessive but actually rounds out the flavor profile nicely.
Honey lavender version uses lavender-infused honey as your sweetener. Floral notes with matcha - strange but it works.
The “extra dirty” doubles the espresso. Not for the faint of heart or anyone who values sleeping that night.
Does It Actually Taste Good?
Honest answer: depends on your preferences.
If you love both matcha and coffee, you’ll probably enjoy this. The combination creates something new rather than just tasting like both drinks mashed together.
If you’re sensitive to bitterness, approach with caution. Even with sweetener, this drink has an edge to it. The espresso amplifies matcha’s bitter notes rather than masking them.
If you hate one of the core ingredients, skip this trend entirely. No amount of milk or sweetener will save a dirty matcha for someone who genuinely dislikes coffee or matcha.
My personal take - it’s good. Not transcendent, not life-changing, but genuinely enjoyable. I wouldn’t order one every day, but it hits differently than either drink alone. There’s a complexity that keeps you thinking about what you’re tasting.
The Caffeine Question
Let’s talk about what you’re actually consuming here.
One teaspoon of matcha contains roughly 70mg caffeine. One espresso shot adds 63mg. Combined with any caffeine already in your system from earlier in the day, and you’re potentially approaching territory where side effects show up.
The upside: matcha contains L-theanine, an amino acid that promotes calm alertness. Some research suggests this compound smooths out caffeine’s jittery effects. Adding espresso might partially undo that benefit, though studies specifically on this combination don’t really exist.
Most people tolerate 400mg caffeine daily without issues. A single dirty matcha fits comfortably within that. But if you’re stacking this on top of your morning coffee and afternoon tea, maybe reconsider.
Where to Find the Best Ones
Not all dirty matchas are created equal.
Independent coffee shops with dedicated matcha programs tend to nail this. They’re using quality matcha powder, freshly pulled espresso, and actually training baristas on technique.
Chain coffee shops have started offering versions, with mixed results. The matcha quality varies wildly. Some locations use pre-sweetened matcha mixes that throw off the whole balance.
Boba shops sometimes offer dirty matcha options too. These lean sweeter and often include toppings like boba pearls or cheese foam. Different vibe, still tasty.
When ordering out, ask what matcha they use. Ceremonial grade matters here. Culinary grade matcha-the stuff meant for baking-tastes harsh when prepared as a drink. Good shops know the difference.
Is This Just a Fad?
Trends come and go - remember dalgona coffee? That whipped coffee thing everyone made during quarantine? When’s the last time you saw someone post about that?
But dirty matchas have a few things working in their favor for longevity.
The drink predates the viral moment. Coffee shops didn’t invent this for social media-it existed before TikTok discovered it. That suggests genuine appeal beyond novelty.
It solves a real problem for people torn between coffee and matcha routines. Why choose when you can combine?
And unlike some viral recipes requiring obscure ingredients or complicated techniques, anyone can make this. Low barrier to entry means staying power.
My guess: the viral peak has probably passed, but dirty matchas have earned a permanent spot on menus. They’ll become just another drink option rather than a phenomenon.
Should You Try It?
Look, if you’re curious, just make one. The ingredients aren’t exotic - the technique isn’t difficult. Worst case, you waste a few dollars worth of matcha and coffee and discover it’s not for you.
Best case, you find a new drink that fits your routine perfectly.
That’s the nice thing about food trends. They’re low-stakes experiments. Nobody’s asking you to commit to drinking dirty matchas forever. Just taste it, form an opinion, move on with your life.
And hey, even if you hate it, at least you’ll understand what everyone’s been talking about.
