tldr: I have been dodging coffee due to ongoing reflux struggles but this has led me into trying (and loving) more matcha. I review some of my favourite iced matcha drinks enjoyed over the Summer, giving them a rating out of five hearts. Each drink has its unique vibe and flavour pairing but it’s clear that matcha has become a comforting ritual for me during a tough couple of months.
I have written in my other posts that I have not been able to drink coffee consistently due to a very chronic and debilitating bout of reflux. Full details can be found in the posts From Acid Reflux to Cold Brew: A New Brewing Chapter and Coffee Again, Carefully: My Return Through Cold Brew Concentrates. I have however used the warm Summer months of no-coffee as an opportunity to enjoy other iced drinks – the main one being matcha.
matcha: a finely milled, shade-grown green tea powder from Japan. It boasts numerous health benefits due to its rich antioxidant, caffeine, and amino acid content.
Since 2020, matcha has boomed in the West, particularly after an intense period of flavour innovation and customisation online that turned what was a very health conscious drink into an enjoyable treat for consumers.
This year has been no different and coupled with a long, dry and very hot Summer – I thought I’d take a moment to share the matcha drinks that I have loved during this coffee-free season. Of course, I have included a five green heart rating system (💚💚💚💚💚) for each one. I’d love for you to share your matcha combinations – so please comment on this post.
Blondie Matcha (Blank St) 💚 💚
Components: Cookie butter, salted brown sugar caramel, miso, oat milk and ice.
This drink leant into that sweet and salt pairing with its salted caramel and miso combination. It was like meeting the cooler older cousin of vanilla matcha; oozing with sophistication, edge and attitude. I enjoyed drinking it but truthfully, I haven’t opted to drink it again largely because it triggered my reflux symptoms soon after finishing it. Whoops!
Cherry Blossom Iced Matcha (Blank St) 💚 💚 💚
Components: Cherry syrup, cherry blossom, oat milk and ice.
Fruity, sweet and punchy; this cherry iced matcha was Blank St’s 2026 Spring limited menu flavour which was a bit too sweet for my liking. This ends up being a bit of a running theme with their Blank St’s fruiter drinks. I did enjoy the sour nature that the cherry flavour added to the drink in comparison to their iconic blueberry matcha that boosted this company onto cult-like fame.
‘Daydream’ Inspired Matcha (Homemade) 💚 💚 💚 💚 💚
Components: Vanilla syrup, honey, sea salt, cinammon, soya milk and ice.
This was one that I initially had at Blank St but like many of their matcha drinks before, it was a bit too sweet (and would inevitably trigger my symptoms). So I looked at the ingredients and knew I could make it home – exactly how I’d like it. I did exactly that. Using one 1 tbsp of the sweetener; in this case the honey and vanilla syrup mix. It was delicious at home, subtle and layered with the golden richness of honey and the gentle warmth of cinnamon. This quickly became my go-to matcha at home.
Peach Iced Matcha (inspired by GAILS) 💚 💚 💚 💚
Components: Peach conserve, vanilla syrup, cinnamon, soya milk and ice.
After my best friend sent me a photo holding a plum matcha from GAILS, the next time I was by branch, I popped into the store and sipped away at their drink. This drink was lovely – in store they used plum puree and cardamom to flavour the matcha latte base. The plum was subtle and inoffensively sweet; leaning into the more sour nature of this stone fruit. Inspired from this drink, I invited this same bestie over to drink a homemade peach matcha version I made using peach conserve and cinnamon. When we took our first sip we just looked at each other in glee – fruit and matcha will always be a winning combination.
Miami Vice Matcha (Blank St) 💚💚
Components: Strawberry, pineapple, coconut milk and ice.
A Summer 2026 limited edition matcha from Blank St that I enjoyed whilst sitting on a picnic blanket after work one random Summers day. The coconut milk and pineapple flavour reminded me of a Piña Colada but the addition of the strawberry gave my drink that pink blush and aesthetic we love with matcha. It was a refreshing fruity drink but, as I am actually not a Piña Colada girlie (pineapple and coconut fruit aren’t my favourite flavours) – I wouldn’t order this drink again. However, I appreciate what it is and how it tasted.
Vanilla Matcha (Everywhere) 💚 💚 💚 💚 💚
Component: Vanilla syrup, oat milk and ice.
The OG. The staple. The one you really can’t get wrong – vanilla iced matcha was my introduction into the matcha world. When in doubt, I order this when I am out in the streets. At home, I use my own homemade vanilla syrup and can sweeten it the perfect amount. Lightly and delicately. I will always advocate for vanilla in any speciality coffee place due to its compatibility with most flavours (fruit? nut? cocoa? spice? – all of these flavours work incredibly well with vanilla).
Matcha has been a lifesaver during what has been a long and difficult time for my health. Completing the morning 10am ritual of making myself or others a coffee has been one of the most mindful and pleasant activities in my day. When my health deteriorated and that activity felt like it was at real risk of disappearing – it hit my mental health in a way I didn’t quite expect.
I then discovered and invested in a little basic matcha making set that included bamboo chashaku to scoop my fine and precious tea, a chasan and matchawan to whisk and prepare my drink. The Way of the Tea is forever a mindful, meditative and peaceful process – the way that Buddhists described it many years ago. I am thankful to have had making matcha guide me during a difficult time.
Until our next matcha date,
Coffee Log 
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