Dairy-free Vegan White Chocolate Matcha with Coconut Milk
When I visited Japan, I was lucky enough to experience a matcha tea ceremony. The increasingly popular powdered green tea known as matcha comes from the Japanese tea ceremony, where it is prepared in a graceful and serene ritual using traditional utensils. This ceremony is a bonding experience between the host and their guests, with a focus on mindfulness, appreciation, and most of all, hospitality. It was so relaxing, and I’ve just loved matcha ever since!
This white hot chocolate matcha recipe is on my list of all-time favorite winter drink recipes.
Now that the weather is getting colder, I’ve really been enjoying this warm and creamy winter drink: White hot chocolate with matcha. Yum! It’s so delicious and warming, and I like the dairy-free version most of all. Don’t get me wrong—I love making all kinds of hot chocolate (and I may even have a reputation for my Boozy Hot Chocolate Charcuterie).
Try it alone or with a couple of my friend Terri’s homemade marshmallows on top. Just keep in mind that these marshmallows are not vegan! Remember to save my spicy Mexican Hot Chocolate recipe for when you want one with a cinnamon & chile kick.
White chocolate and coconut milk make this dairy-free, vegan hot chocolate extra special.
This is a truly satisfying winter drink. It just makes me feel good! You just add some dairy-free white chocolate, matcha powder, and a touch of agave or honey to a delicious coconut milk base. If you go for the agave, it’ll be vegan too.
What’s the best matcha powder to use for your white hot chocolate?
When you buy matcha, splurge on the good stuff. This is one ingredient where flavor varies widely with quality. Make sure the matcha you choose contains only green tea (no added milk, sweetener, or anything else).
Fun Facts About Matcha
Matcha is stone-ground green tea leaves that have been processed into a fine powder. It’s different from other teas because of a process known as shading. The green tea plants are grown away from direct sunlight for 20 days. This shading process increases the plants’ chlorophyll level which produces both a calming and stimulating effect.
Dairy-free Vegan White Chocolate Matcha Coconut Milk Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon matcha powder
- 2 cups coconut milk (regular and low-fat both work great in this recipe)
- 4 ounces white chocolate, finely chopped (for a diary-free version, make sure to use a dairy-free white chocolate)
- Agave nectar or honey, to taste
Instructions
- Place the matcha powder into a small saucepan. Whisk in 2 tablespoons coconut milk to blend into a paste.
- Add the remaining coconut milk and whisk to combine. Bring to a low simmer then add the white chocolate. Stir on medium-low until the chocolate is melted and the mixture is hot. Add agave or honey to taste.
- Pour into two mugs and garnish with whipped cream and ground cinnamon, cardamom, or nutmeg. I also LOVE my friend Terri’s Homemade Marshmallows with this one. Just keep in mind that even though they are dairy-free, these homemade marshmallows are not vegan.