Matcha tonic: the sparkling summer trend explained
27-07-2026 · 7 min read
Reading time: approx. 6 minutes | Last updated: July 2026
Matcha tonic is a sparkling, refreshing summer drink made of whisked matcha poured over ice and tonic water, creating a striking layered effect: a clear tonic layer topped with a bright green matcha layer. The taste is fresh, slightly bitter, and crisp, a combination inspired by the popular espresso tonic. The drink is one of the fastest-growing matcha trends in 2026, loved for both its surprising flavor and its photogenic appearance. The key to a good matcha tonic is the quality of the matcha and the choice of tonic.
Make it yourself? Start with ceremonial matcha from Kagoshima. Use code UNMATCHED15 for 15% off your first order. Free shipping from €50.
Prefer watching over reading? In the video below, we show you exactly how we make this matcha tonic. Or jump to our full iced matcha tonic recipe.
The espresso tonic made a splash a few years ago, and now it’s the matcha version's turn. It’s not hard to understand why: matcha tonic is refreshing, alcohol-free, looks beautiful in a glass, and provides the calm energy that matcha is known for. In this article, you’ll learn exactly what matcha tonic is, why the choice of tonic is more important than you think, and how to make it at home.
What is matcha tonic?
Quick answer: Matcha tonic is a cold drink of whisked matcha poured over ice and tonic water. The matcha floats as a bright green layer on top of the clear tonic. The taste combines the grassy, umami-rich matcha with the bitter, crisp freshness of tonic.
Matcha tonic is exactly what the name suggests: freshly whisked matcha poured over a glass with ice and cold tonic water. Because matcha and tonic have different densities, the matcha remains as a vibrant green layer on top, giving the drink its signature layered look. The idea comes from the espresso tonic: just as coffee and tonic complement each other surprisingly well, so do matcha and tonic.
The taste is more complex than you would expect from two ingredients. Matcha brings a grassy, slightly sweet, and umami-rich note, while tonic is cold, sparkling, and bitter in a different way. Those two types of bitterness balance each other out, and the carbonation makes the whole drink refreshing and lively.
Why the right tonic makes the difference
Quick answer: Standard tonic water contains 20 to 24 grams of sugar per serving, which flattens the delicate taste of good matcha. Therefore, choose a tonic with less sugar or a natural, drier variety, so that the umami of the matcha is preserved.
This is the part most people overlook, and precisely where things go wrong. The quality of your matcha tonic depends to a large extent on the tonic you choose. Standard tonic water contains 20 to 24 grams of sugar per serving, about as much as a soft drink. That sweetness overwhelms the subtle, natural sweetness and umami of good matcha, leaving you with a generic sweet-bitter drink instead of a refined combination.
Therefore, choose your tonic consciously. A drier, less sweet tonic or a variant with natural sweeteners lets the matcha shine much better. Some enthusiasts even use sparkling water with a squeeze of lemon instead of tonic, for an even purer matcha taste. Experiment and discover what you like.
How do you make matcha tonic?
Quick answer: Whisk 1.5 to 2 grams of matcha with a little bit of water at 70 to 80 degrees until a smooth, slightly foamy concentrate is formed. Fill a glass with ice, pour in the tonic, and pour the matcha in slowly for the layered effect. Garnish with lemon or mint.
Making a matcha tonic takes less than five minutes. In our video on Instagram, you can see it from start to finish, and the steps are listed below.
Watch the video: making matcha tonic
Our matcha tonic video on Instagram
1. Sift 1.5 to 2 grams of ceremonial matcha into a bowl to prevent lumps.
2. Add a small amount of water at 70 to 80 degrees (never boiling) and whisk with a chasen or electric whisk into a smooth, slightly foamy concentrate.
3. Let the matcha cool down for 1 to 2 minutes so the flavor opens up.
4. Fill a tall glass generously with ice.
5. Pour the cold tonic slowly over the ice.
6. Pour the matcha carefully over the back of a spoon onto the tonic for the signature layered effect.
7. Garnish with a slice of lemon, lime, or a sprig of mint. Stir just before drinking.
Do you want the extended recipe with exact ratios and variations? View our full iced matcha tonic recipe. And for the right whisking technique and water temperature: read how to make matcha step by step and why water temperature matters so much.
Why quality of matcha counts extra here
Quick answer: In a tonic, you taste the matcha more purely than in a latte, because there is no milk to mask bitterness. Cheap, bitter matcha fails the test here immediately. Ceremonial matcha from Kagoshima provides the soft umami that a good tonic needs.
In a matcha latte, milk softens any bitterness, but in a matcha tonic, there is nothing to hide behind. You taste the matcha almost purely, only supplemented by fizz and freshness. That is why cheap, bitter matcha fails the test immediately in a tonic. Ceremonial matcha from the first harvest, with its soft umami and natural sweetness, is exactly what a good tonic needs. Read more about the difference in our article on choosing the best matcha powder and why Kagoshima matcha is so smooth.
Ready to make your own matcha tonic? Order the 30-gram ceremonial matcha from Kagoshima. With code UNMATCHED15, you get 15% off your first order. Free shipping from €50.
Variations on the matcha tonic
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Citrus tonic: add fresh lemon, lime, or yuzu juice for a fresher, tangier twist
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Herbs: a sprig of mint, basil, or rosemary adds an aromatic layer
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Sparkling water instead of tonic: for those who want the purest matcha taste without added sugar
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Ginger tonic: a spicy variant that goes well with the umami of matcha
Do you prefer a creamy summer drink? Then try an iced matcha latte or discover three methods for iced matcha.
Is matcha tonic healthy?
Quick answer: Matcha tonic contains the antioxidants and L-theanine of matcha and is alcohol-free, but watch out for the sugar in tonic water. Choose a low-sugar tonic for the healthiest variety.
Matcha itself provides antioxidants such as EGCG and the amino acid L-theanine, which provides calm focus. As an alcohol-free mocktail, matcha tonic is an attractive alternative to sweet soft drinks or alcoholic aperitifs. The main note of caution is the sugar in standard tonic water. If you choose a low-sugar or natural tonic, you keep the drink light and retain the healthy properties of the matcha.
Note: tonic water contains quinine. Pregnant women and people sensitive to quinine should opt for sparkling water with lemon instead of tonic. Consult your doctor if in doubt.
Frequently asked questions about matcha tonic
What is matcha tonic?
Matcha tonic is a cold, sparkling drink of whisked matcha poured over ice and tonic water. The matcha floats as a bright green layer on top. The taste combines the umami of matcha with the bitter freshness of tonic, inspired by the espresso tonic.
How do you make matcha tonic?
Whisk 1.5 to 2 grams of matcha with water at 70 to 80 degrees into a smooth concentrate. Fill a glass with ice, pour in tonic, and pour the matcha in slowly for the layered effect. Garnish with lemon or mint.
Which tonic do you use for matcha tonic?
Preferably choose a drier, low-sugar tonic. Standard tonic contains 20 to 24 grams of sugar per serving, which drowns out the subtle matcha taste. For the purest flavor, you can also use sparkling water with a squeeze of lemon.
Is matcha tonic bitter?
Slightly bitter, yes, but in a pleasant, refreshing way. The bitterness of matcha and that of tonic complement each other. If you use good ceremonial matcha, the bitterness is soft and not sharp.
Can I make matcha tonic without tonic water?
Yes. Replace the tonic with sparkling water with a squeeze of lemon or lime. You will miss the characteristic quinine bitterness of tonic, but you retain the fresh bubbles and taste the matcha even more purely.
Matcha tonic is the refreshing summer trend of 2026: sparkling, photogenic, and surprising in taste. The key to a good tonic is quality matcha and a low-sugar tonic, so that the umami of the matcha is preserved. Do you want to make it yourself? Start with ceremonial matcha from Kagoshima. Browse the assortment and use code UNMATCHED15 for 15% off your first order. Also, view our full iced matcha tonic recipe.
