Food & Drink

Move Over Espresso Martini, I Tried a Matcha Martini, and It's My New Go-to Drink

By Alani Vargas Parade - Food and Drink Stories

Updated July 16, 2026 7:32 PM

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After you turn 21 and enter your early 20s, it can be intimidating to order something other than what you're used to or something fruity that you know you already like. At least that's how I felt when it came to diving into cocktails like gin and tonic, rum and Coke or the espresso martini. But boy, when I did take that leap with an espresso martini, I was all in.

It's definitely a drink that I reserve for when I really do need a caffeine pick-me-up, so an early brunch or maybe the first drink of the night. But I do really like the deep, rich taste of it. And that energy boost really helps without going crazy and getting a cocktail with Red Bull (to each their own, but that energy drink is just too much for me).

That's why, when I was offered the chance to tryYOSHI Matcha Liqueur, I jumped on it. I like matcha a lot and used to make my own matcha lattes at home. There are also periods of time when I'll be on a matcha kick and order one every time I go to a coffee shop. The thought of creating something akin to an espresso martini but with something that has a more neutral taste and isn't as bitter-instead, it has an almost refreshing taste-was too good to pass up.

While matcha martini recipes have existed for years already, this new liqueur makes it easier to create a matcha cocktail without having to buy and whisk your own ceremonial-grade matcha. So, I gave it a try, and I'm reporting my opinion and findings below, along with my YOSHI Matcha Liqueur review. Find out how to make a matcha martini, what it tastes like, if it's worth it and more. Maybe you'll find a new alternative to an espresso martini, too.

Why the Matcha Martini Is Challenging the Espresso Martini

When it comes to classy cocktails that have some sort of caffeine agent in them, the espresso martini comes to mind first. It's reigned supreme in this category for decades, at least. But for many, it can be more of an acquired taste and is definitely fit for people who really love the taste of bitter espresso.

That's where the matcha martini comes in. It still has that caffeine aspect, but it doesn't have that same bitter taste. Even though you still get the taste of whatever alcohol you pair with it, that earthy, bright taste of matcha peeks through in a different way than the espresso does in an espresso martini.

What Does a Matcha Martini Taste Like?

When I took my first sip after using the YOSHI Matcha Liqueur, I was surprised at how light and sweet it was. Granted, that's because of the simple syrup in the matcha martini and the sweet cream cold foam on top. If you made your own cold foam or used one that wasn't as sweet, there might be better balance.

But the sweet flavor was then met with the very strong vodka taste, and that basically took over. While I did taste a bit of matcha on that first sip, the aftertaste and sips following really just tasted like sweet, creamy vodka. I'm not complaining, though; I can see myself consistently sipping on a drink like this. While I was missing the matcha flavor that I expected, it went down a little smoother than espresso martinis to (for me), and I want to perfect this cocktail in the future, maybe by using my own matcha powder and adding more of that in there.

I also tasted the YOSHI Matcha Liqueur by itself to understand the taste, and it was a very different experience.

To really get a feel for this new and first-of-its-kind cordial, I took some slow sips from a shot of this stuff, and it was really creamy, and the matcha flavor really came through here. It does essentially taste like a matcha latte with a strong alcohol added in. The latter reminded me a lot of vodka-in smell and taste-so I would be interested to know if another alcohol with it, like gin or tequila, would bring out the matcha flavor more in the martini. And maybe I'll double-up the proportions of the matcha liqueur in the recipe too, so that I have more of that taste rather than straight vodka.

On its own, it's not super sweet-though it does have a sweetness to it that adds to the creamy texture. It has the consistency and color of a slightly thickened green juice (kind of like a thinner, smoother Naked Juice), so it's pleasant to look at and serve as well.

Ingredients for the Perfect Matcha Green Tea Martini

2 oz YOSHI Matcha Liqueur
1 oz vodka (or tequila or gin)
0.5 oz simple syrup
Matcha to dust on top
Cold foam on top (I frothed my favorite creamer, Silk's Sweet & Creamy Almond Creamer)

While there are other ways to make this martini without the matcha liqueur, this is the easiest way and the way I made mine.

Step-by-Step: How To Make a Matcha Martini

Because you don't need to use actual matcha, making this martini is a lot faster than a regular matcha martini recipe. The YOSHI Matcha Liqueur already does the sifting and whisking for you, so you just have to shake and pour it. It also doesn't clump when it hits cold liquid, such as in the shaker full of ice.

Items you'll need:

A shaker
A way to measure out 0.5-2 oz of liquid
A foaming/frothing wand
A jug to foam your creamer in
A martini glass (I didn't have one, so I just used something good for a small cocktail)

Put ice in your shaker.
Pour in the YOSHI Matcha Liqueur, vodka and simple syrup in the shaker, and shake until it's frothy and well-mixed. I would say about five minutes or so of shaking.

View the 2 images of this gallery on the original article

Pour it into your glass. Double-strain it if it's not smooth enough for your liking.
Pour a bit of your creamer into your jug. Use your foaming wand to create a cold foam; keep the wand closer to the bottom of the jug, slightly tilted to the side, so you make thick foam and not bubbly foam (I need more practice, because I did accidentally make too big of bubbles. This doesn't impact taste, just the aesthetic).

Slowly pour your cold foam on top of your matcha martini so that it sits on top.
Optional: dust some matcha powder on top for garnish.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Can you mix matcha and alcohol?

Yes, but if you use the YOSHI Matcha Liqueur, you don't have to create the mix yourself. It's the first premium spirit to blend ceremonial-grade matcha with an oat milk base. It also has a low ABV (17%) for a liqueur, meaning it makes for a good mixer.

What alcohol pairs best with matcha?

Vodka is the standard alcohol to pair with matcha, and that goes for pairing with YOSHI too. But you can also pair it with gin and tequila, even with mezcal too.

Does a matcha martini have caffeine?

Yes, because YOSHI is made with ceremonial-grade matcha, there's about 5 grams of matcha per bottle and therefore it has the caffeine that naturally comes with the matcha powder. This is why we compared it to an espresso martini up top because it has a similar energy-boosting aspect to it. Though it's nothing crazy.

Final Thoughts

YOSHI's matcha liqueur is a new product that takes most of the work out of creating an alcoholic matcha-based beverage. While I don't think the taste is for everyone, neither is matcha. So if you're someone who likes ground-up green tea leaf powder, then this might be worth a shot for you.

Overall, if you're someone who loves matcha and sweet matcha lattes-basically, you know what to expect in regards to taste-and you're looking for a similar cocktail to an espresso martini, then a matcha martini with the YOSHI Matcha Liqueur is going to be right up your alley.

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This story was originally published July 16, 2026 at 6:23 PM.