9 Must-Try Matcha Drinks at Starbucks (Ranked by Taste)

Picture this: you’re standing in line at Starbucks, craving that perfect balance of earthy matcha flavor and creamy sweetness, but you’re overwhelmed by the growing menu of green tea options. With Starbucks recently adding two new permanent matcha drinks to their lineup in February 2026, the choices have never been more exciting—or more confusing. Whether you’re a matcha newcomer or a green tea enthusiast, finding the perfect drink can make or break your coffee shop experience. That’s why I’ve taste-tested and ranked the 9 Must-Try Matcha Drinks at Starbucks (Ranked by Taste) to help you navigate this delicious green landscape with confidence.

Nine ranked starbucks matcha drinks flat lay infographic

Key Takeaways

Two new permanent matcha drinks joined Starbucks’ menu in February 2026: Iced Double Berry Matcha and Iced Banana Bread Matcha [2]
Flavor complexity matters most – drinks with complementary ingredients like fruit or spices rank higher than basic preparations
Temperature affects taste significantly – iced versions often provide better flavor balance than hot alternatives
Customization is key – adjusting sweetness levels and milk choices can dramatically improve your matcha experience
Spring 2026 will bring even more options as Starbucks continues expanding their matcha lineup [1]

Understanding Starbucks’ Matcha Revolution

Before diving into our rankings, it’s important to understand what makes Starbucks’ matcha program special. The coffee giant has been steadily expanding their green tea offerings, and 2026 marks a significant milestone in this journey. As part of CEO Brian Niccol’s “Back to Starbucks” turnaround initiative, the company has shown renewed focus on menu innovation, with same-store sales rising 4% in the most recent quarter [3].

The matcha powder used at Starbucks is a sweetened blend that provides consistency across all locations. While purists might prefer ceremonial-grade matcha, Starbucks’ approach ensures that every drink delivers the same familiar taste experience. This sweetened base means that some drinks can become quite sweet, which factors heavily into our taste rankings.

Top-Tier Matcha Excellence: The Must-Try Champions

1. Iced Matcha Tea Latte with Vanilla Sweet Cream Cold Foam

Why it ranks #1: This customized version of the classic transforms an ordinary drink into something extraordinary. The vanilla sweet cream cold foam adds a luxurious texture that perfectly complements matcha’s earthy notes.

Taste profile: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Sweetness level: Perfectly balanced
Texture: Creamy and velvety
Matcha intensity: Medium-strong
Best time to order: Afternoon pick-me-up

The vanilla cold foam creates beautiful layers that Instagram-worthy presentation while adding subtle sweetness that doesn’t overpower the matcha. I recommend asking for one less pump of classic syrup to let the matcha shine through.

2. Iced Double Berry Matcha

Iced double berry matcha with raspberry syrup and strawberry puree

The newest sensation: Added to the permanent menu in February 2026, this drink features raspberry syrup and strawberry puree with raspberry cold foam [2]. It’s a bold flavor combination that surprisingly works beautifully.

Taste profile: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Sweetness level: Moderately sweet
Texture: Layered and complex
Matcha intensity: Medium
Best time to order: Morning treat or afternoon refresher

The raspberry syrup’s return to the permanent menu makes this drink possible, and the berry flavors create an almost dessert-like experience. The tartness of the berries balances the sweetness of the matcha base perfectly.

3. Matcha Tea Latte (Hot) with Oat Milk

Hot matcha tea latte with oat milk in a ceramic mug

The comfort champion: Sometimes simplicity wins, and this classic preparation with oat milk creates the most comforting matcha experience on the menu.

Taste profile: 🌟🌟🌟🌟⭐

Sweetness level: Naturally sweet
Texture: Creamy and warming
Matcha intensity: Strong
Best time to order: Cold mornings or evening wind-down

Oat milk’s natural sweetness and creamy texture make it the ideal dairy alternative for matcha. The hot preparation allows the matcha’s complex flavors to fully develop.

Mid-Tier Matcha: Solid Choices Worth Trying

4. Iced Banana Bread Matcha

Iced banana bread matcha in a starbucks cup with garnish

The bakery-inspired newcomer: Another February 2026 addition, this drink attempts to capture banana bread flavors in liquid form [2]. While creative, the execution is somewhat polarizing.

Taste profile: 🌟🌟🌟🌟⭐

Sweetness level: Very sweet
Texture: Smooth with artificial notes
Matcha intensity: Light
Best time to order: Dessert replacement

The banana flavoring can feel artificial to some palates, but fans of banana-flavored treats will appreciate this unique offering. It’s definitely sweet enough to replace dessert.

5. Iced Matcha Tea Latte

Classic iced matcha tea latte in a clear starbucks cup

The reliable standard: This is where most people start their matcha journey at Starbucks, and for good reason. It’s consistent, approachable, and showcases the base matcha flavor clearly.

Taste profile: 🌟🌟🌟⭐⭐

Sweetness level: Sweet
Texture: Smooth and refreshing
Matcha intensity: Medium
Best time to order: Any time

While not groundbreaking, this drink serves as an excellent baseline for comparing other matcha offerings. It’s the safe choice that rarely disappoints.

6. Matcha Tea Latte with Coconut Milk

Iced matcha tea latte with coconut milk and tropical garnish

The tropical twist: Coconut milk adds subtle tropical notes that complement matcha’s earthiness, though the combination isn’t for everyone.

Taste profile: 🌟🌟🌟⭐⭐

Sweetness level: Moderately sweet
Texture: Light and slightly nutty
Matcha intensity: Medium-light
Best time to order: Summer afternoons

The coconut flavor is subtle but noticeable, creating an interesting flavor profile that transports you to warmer climates.

Lower-Tier Options: Proceed with Caution

7. Hot Matcha Tea Latte (Regular Milk)

Overly sweet hot matcha latte with regular milk in mug

The temperature challenge: While hot matcha lattes can be comforting, the standard preparation often results in overly sweet drinks where the matcha gets lost.

Taste profile: 🌟🌟⭐⭐⭐

Sweetness level: Too sweet for most
Texture: Thin and hot
Matcha intensity: Weak
Best time to order: Only when you need warmth

The heat tends to intensify the sweetness of Starbucks’ matcha blend, making this version less balanced than its iced counterpart.

8. Matcha Tea Latte with Almond Milk

Thin gritty almond milk matcha latte in a paper cup

The nutty disappointment: While almond milk works well in coffee drinks, it doesn’t complement matcha as successfully as other alternatives.

Taste profile: 🌟🌟⭐⭐⭐

Sweetness level: Artificially sweet
Texture: Thin and slightly gritty
Matcha intensity: Weak
Best time to order: When avoiding other milk options

The almond flavor can clash with matcha’s earthiness, creating a somewhat medicinal aftertaste that many find off-putting.

9. Matcha Tea Latte with Soy Milk

Unpleasant soy milk matcha latte with beany aftertaste cue

The bottom of the barrel: Unfortunately, soy milk’s distinct flavor profile creates the least appealing matcha combination on the menu.

Taste profile: 🌟⭐⭐⭐⭐

Sweetness level: Oddly sweet
Texture: Thick but unpleasant
Matcha intensity: Masked
Best time to order: Only if it’s your only milk option

The soy milk’s beany flavor compounds with matcha’s earthiness in an unappetizing way, making this the combination I’d recommend avoiding.

Pro Tips for Ordering the Best Matcha Drinks at Starbucks

Customization Secrets

Sweetness adjustments are crucial for enjoying Starbucks matcha. Here are my top recommendations:

Ask for half the classic syrup in any matcha drink to reduce overwhelming sweetness
Request an extra half scoop of matcha to intensify the green tea flavor
Try different milk alternatives – oat milk and coconut milk work best
Add vanilla sweet cream cold foam to any iced matcha drink for luxury texture

Timing Matters

The best times to order matcha drinks can affect both taste and preparation quality:

Morning orders (7-10 AM) often receive more attention to detail
Avoid rush hours when baristas might rush the layering process
Ask for drinks to be stirred if you prefer uniform flavor throughout

Seasonal Considerations

With new matcha beverages coming in spring 2026 [1], timing your visits around menu updates can help you discover limited-time offerings before they potentially become permanent additions.

The Future of Matcha at Starbucks

The addition of the Iced Double Berry Matcha and Iced Banana Bread Matcha to the permanent menu signals Starbucks’ commitment to expanding their matcha program [2]. These drinks were initially launched as Valentine’s Day limited-time offerings but proved popular enough to earn permanent status [3].

As part of the broader “Back to Starbucks” initiative, we can expect continued innovation in the matcha space. The success of these fruit-forward and dessert-inspired combinations suggests that future offerings might explore even more creative flavor pairings.

Making Your Matcha Choice

When deciding which of these 9 Must-Try Matcha Drinks at Starbucks (Ranked by Taste) to order, consider these factors:

For matcha newcomers: Start with the Iced Matcha Tea Latte with Vanilla Sweet Cream Cold Foam (#1) for the most balanced introduction to the flavor.

For adventurous drinkers: Try the new Iced Double Berry Matcha (#2) to experience Starbucks’ latest innovation.

For comfort seekers: The Hot Matcha Tea Latte with Oat Milk (#3) provides the most satisfying warm option.

For sweet tooth satisfaction: The Iced Banana Bread Matcha (#4) delivers dessert-level sweetness.

Conclusion

After extensive tasting and ranking these 9 Must-Try Matcha Drinks at Starbucks (Ranked by Taste), it’s clear that the coffee chain has significantly elevated their green tea game in 2026. The addition of creative new permanent options like the Iced Double Berry Matcha and Iced Banana Bread Matcha shows promising innovation, while classic preparations continue to serve as reliable choices for matcha enthusiasts.

Your next steps:

Start with our top three recommendations to experience the best Starbucks has to offer
Experiment with customizations like different milk alternatives and sweetness levels
Keep an eye out for spring 2026 releases as Starbucks continues expanding their matcha lineup
Don’t be afraid to ask your barista for modifications to create your perfect matcha experience

Remember, taste is subjective, and your perfect matcha drink might rank differently on your personal list. Use this guide as a starting point for your own matcha exploration journey at Starbucks, and don’t hesitate to customize any drink to match your preferences. With the continued expansion of matcha options, 2026 is shaping up to be an exciting year for green tea lovers everywhere.