Banana pudding turns an iced matcha latte into a drink you can finish with a spoon. This home version layers unsweetened matcha and milk beneath ready-made banana pudding, with fresh banana and wafer crumbs on top. The pudding supplies the sweetness, so start without extra syrup.
Ingredients
- 2 g matcha powder (about 1 level tsp)
- 1 1/2 oz (45 ml) hot water, about 175 F / 80 C
- 6 oz (180 ml) cold milk
- 1/4 cup (about 60 g) prepared, chilled banana pudding
- 2 thin banana slices, for garnish (optional)
- 1 vanilla wafer, crumbled, for garnish (optional)
- Ice cubes
Instructions
- Sift the matcha into a small bowl. Add the hot water and whisk until the powder is dispersed and no dry clumps remain.
- Fill a 16 oz (475 ml) glass about halfway with ice. Pour in the milk, leaving space for the pudding.
- Slowly pour the matcha over the milk. A partial swirl is fine; perfect layers are not necessary.
- Spoon the chilled banana pudding over the drink. Add the optional banana slices and wafer crumbs.
- Serve immediately with a wide straw and a spoon. Stir the liquid before drinking, or eat a little pudding between sips.
Serve in
Large highball glass, about 16 oz / 475 ml
Preparation notes
- The five-minute assembly time assumes the pudding is already made and chilled. Prepare a packet or homemade pudding according to its own instructions; do not add dry pudding powder directly to the glass.
- Use a matcha you enjoy drinking with milk. Sifting and whisking before adding ice prevents pockets of dry tea powder.
- Prepared pudding varies in thickness and sweetness. If it is too stiff to spoon, loosen the topping with a teaspoon of the measured milk. Add syrup only after tasting.
- Milk and most banana puddings contain dairy; wafer crumbs usually contain wheat. Check the specific products when choosing substitutions. This alcohol-free drink still contains caffeine.
Recipe references
- Community Goods on the banana-pudding matcha format. Format inspiration; the home quantities and instructions above are written for DrinkSpin.
- Ippodo matcha preparation reference. For general matcha-latte preparation.
Image: AI-generated recipe illustration. See our recipe and image policy.
