Iced Black Sesame Matcha Latte

An iced black sesame matcha latte with roasted black sesame streaked up the glass, oat milk over ice, and a layer of ceremonial Guizhou matcha on top
Recipe · 5 minutes

Roasted black sesame, oat milk, and ceremonial Guizhou matcha, layered over ice. Toasty and nutty at the bottom, bright green on top: a pairing long at home in Chinese desserts, poured into a glass.

  • Iced
  • 1 serving
  • Ready in 5 minutes

A black sesame matcha latte is built in three layers: sweetened black sesame pressed around the bottom of the glass, cold milk over ice, and a shot of whisked matcha poured on top. Stirred together, the sesame brings a deep, toasty nuttiness and the matcha brings its fresh umami. The two meet in the middle instead of competing.

Black sesame is a familiar flavor in Chinese sweets, from the filling of tangyuan to a warm bowl of black sesame soup. It does the same job here that it does in those desserts: rich, roasted, and only lightly sweet. For the matcha we use Matcha 007, our ceremonial-grade single-origin Guizhou matcha, because sesame is a bold flavor and a thinner matcha would disappear under it.

Why Black Sesame and Matcha Work Together

Sesame is roasted, round, and a little bitter at the edges. Matcha is green, savory, and bright. In one glass, each fills in what the other is missing.

Roasted Meets Green

Toasted black sesame has a deep roastiness that is almost coffee-like. Next to it, the fresh umami of a ceremonial matcha reads clearer, not weaker. It's the same reason matcha and dark chocolate work so well together.

Oat Milk Ties It Together

Oat milk has a light, cereal-like sweetness that sits right between the two flavors. It carries the sesame without masking the matcha, which is why we reach for it here. Dairy works too; it just leans richer.

How to Make a Black Sesame Matcha Latte

Loosen the sesame, build the milk over ice, then whisk the matcha and pour it on top.

What You'll Need

BLACK SESAME

2 tbsp roasted black sesame powder (or black sesame paste for a silkier cup)

SWEETENER

1–2 tsp sugar, mixed into the sesame; plus condensed milk to taste

MILK

150 ml, oat milk works best

ICE

As desired

HOT WATER

50 ml · 80–85°C, for whisking

  1. Mix and press the sesame. Stir 2 tbsp of roasted black sesame powder with 1–2 tsp of sugar, then spoon it into the bottom of a tall glass and press it up the sides with the back of the spoon for that streaked look. (Using black sesame paste instead? It's richer and smoother — loosen it with a splash of milk first so it spreads easily.)
  2. Add ice and condensed milk. Fill the glass with ice and add condensed milk to taste, right over the sesame.
  3. Pour in the milk. Pour in about 150 ml of milk; oat milk works best.
  4. Whisk the matcha. Sift 3 g of matcha into a bowl. Add 50 ml of water at 80–85°C, never boiling, and whisk in a quick W or M motion until smooth with a fine foam.
  5. Layer and stir. Pour the matcha slowly over the milk so it settles on top. Stir well before drinking so the sesame blends all the way through. A powder gives a little texture; stirring well keeps it smooth.

Why We Like This Recipe

Most flavored matcha lattes lean on syrup. This one leans on an ingredient with real depth: black sesame, roasted until it smells almost like coffee. It gives the drink a body and nuttiness that sugar alone can't, so you can keep the sweetener light or leave it out entirely.

It's also a good test of the matcha. Sesame is bold, and a dull matcha turns muddy under it. Matcha 007 keeps its fresh, savory character through the sesame and the oat milk, so the last sip still tastes like matcha.

Make it at home

Start with our ceremonial-grade Guizhou matcha, then add the tools that help you whisk a smooth, clump-free shot for this latte.

Ceremonial-grade single-origin Guizhou matcha powder
Featured in this recipe

Ceremonial Matcha Powder

Ceremonial-grade single-origin Guizhou matcha, milled fine for whisking. Its umami holds up under roasted sesame.

From $31.90 USD
Choose options

Frequently asked questions

What does a black sesame matcha latte taste like?
Nutty and toasty from the roasted sesame, with the fresh, savory green of matcha on top. Oat milk softens the edges, and a little condensed milk or sugar rounds it out. It tastes richer than a plain matcha latte without feeling heavy.
Should I use black sesame powder or paste?
Both work. Roasted black sesame powder is easy to find and easy to streak up the glass — it gives a little texture, which many people like, so stir well before drinking. Black sesame paste (sometimes sold as black sesame butter) is richer and blends silkier into the milk; loosen it with a splash of milk first. Either way, look for a product made from roasted black sesame, not white sesame or tahini, for the dark color and deep roast.
Can I make black sesame paste at home?
Yes. Toast black sesame seeds in a dry pan over low heat until fragrant, about 3–5 minutes, stirring so they don't scorch. Let them cool, then blend in a high-speed blender or spice grinder until the oils release and the seeds turn into a paste.
Can I make a hot black sesame matcha latte?
Yes. Warm the milk instead of pouring it over ice, stir the loosened sesame into the warm milk, then pour the whisked matcha on top.
Which milk works best with black sesame and matcha?
Oat milk is our pick: its light sweetness sits naturally between the sesame and the matcha. Whole milk makes the drink richer, and soy milk adds its own nutty note that pairs well with sesame.
Does this recipe contain allergens?
Yes, it contains sesame. Sesame is a major food allergen in the US and a priority allergen in Canada, so skip this recipe if you or a guest has a sesame allergy. Check your milk as well if you avoid dairy, nuts, or soy.
宋 點 茶
The Song Cha
Back to blog