Once reserved for ceremonial use, the finely milled Japanese green tea known as matcha has become the kale of the beverage world (unless you count, you know, kale juice). This is not without reason. Green tea is absolutely bursting at the seams with phytonutrients, including the amino acid L-theanine, a compound widely touted for its ability to increase metabolism without provoking jitters, to improve focus and mental clarity, and to induce a feeling of calm. If that weren’t plenty of reason to go out of your way for green tea, it’s widely believed to help weight management, combat mood disorders, and even potentially reduce symptoms of ADHD. Matcha is an antioxidant-bomb with implications for everything from bad breath to oxidative stress to dementia to cancer. So if you’re going to throw back a couple of cocktails, consider balancing brain-addling ingredients with the complex, bittersweet flavor of matcha.
These cocktails were concocted using Synergy Matcha Powder. As always, your brand loyalties are your own affair.
Green in the Afternoon
Ingredients
1/2 oz. St. Germain elderflower liqueur
1/4 oz. limoncello
2 dashes of absinthe
Pinch of matcha
Directions: Build carefully in a champagne flute, top with champagne and stir gently.
Green Blossom
Ingredients
3/4 oz. tequila
3/4 oz. St~Germain elderflower liqueur
1/2 oz. matcha mixed with water (1 to 1)
1/4 oz. lemon juice
1/2 unfiltered apple juice
Directions: Combine in a shaker; serve on the rocks garnished with thin, fanned green apple slices.
Matcha Flip
Ingredients
2 oz. sake
1 oz. of St~Germain elderflower liqueur
1/2 oz. coconut & matcha powder syrup
1 whole egg
Directions: Add all the ingredients in a shaker without ice (it will help to emulsify the egg). Once combined, add ice, shake vigorously and strain into a coupette. Add a pinch of matcha powder as a garnish.
Goodnight Julep
Created by Nitecap
Ingredients
3 oz. sparkling wine (I like cava for this; the appley and peachy notes seem to complement this flavor profile)
1.5 oz. Chamomile-infused Encanto Pisco
0.25 oz. St. Germain elderflower liqueur
1 tsp. Cane Syrup
2 dashes Cecil & Merl Matcha Bitters
5-6 fresh mint leaves
Directions: Take your julep tin (because obviously you have those on hand) and rub the mint leaves around the glass. Discard mint. Add all ingredients and swizzle with crushed ice. Top with more crushed ice and garnish with a festive mint bouquet, matcha powder and powdered sugar.