Iced Watermelon Matcha recipe for #FoodieExtravaganza! Pureed watermelon is layered with matcha for a light and refreshing summer drink.
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Foodie Extravaganza
Foodie Extravaganza is a monthly party hosted by bloggers who love food! Each month we incorporate one main ingredient or theme from The Nibble into recipes to share with you and Caroline of Caroline’s Cooking chose to celebrate National Watermelon Month for today’s event!
If you are a blogger and would like to join our group and blog along with us, come join our Facebook page Foodie Extravaganza.
Posting day is alway the first Wednesday of the month. We would love to have you! If you’re a spectator looking for delicious tid-bits check out our Foodie Extravaganza Pinterest Board!
Iced Watermelon Matcha
To celebrate this event, I am sharing a recipe for an Iced Watermelon Matcha! Since moving to Los Angeles last summer, I have been amazed by the availability of matcha and how it has been incorporated into nearly every food and drink imaginable.
While visiting Midori Matcha in Little Tokyo, I tried their matcha with watermelon and it was such a light and refreshing drink perfect for summer.
While searching for a way to make the drink at home, I came across Oh, How Civilized’s recipe and loved the presentation of with the separated layers.
It definitely looks better than the unfortunate color that results from mixing together the green matcha and red watermelon.
A Few Tips
To create a smooth matcha, I first whisked the powder into 1/4 cup (60 milliliters) hot water until dissolved with no lumps. I poured the matcha into a cocktail shaker with ice and the remaining 3/4 cup (177 milliliters) cold water to blend the mixture even further.
If you don’t have a cocktail shaker, you can also whisk well and strain the mixture if needed.
With the sweetness of the watermelon, I didn’t need to add any sugar at all. If you do want the drink a little sweeter, adjust to taste with a little honey or granulated sugar.
I poured the pureed watermelon into the glass first. With the back of a spoon resting just above the watermelon puree, I very slowly poured the prepared matcha over the spoon to create the two distinct layers.
I served the drink immediately topped with watermelon wedges, lemon slices, and fresh mint.
Notable Ingredients
Matcha is a powder created by grinding whole green tea leaves. There are various grades. The higher quality grades are made from the fine, new leaves from the very top of the Camellia sinensis tea bush. Use the premium grades for drinking, while the lower culinary grades are fine for baking.
Be careful when storing matcha. It can become stale and brownish when exposed to oxygen. I have been able to find matcha at the local markets with Japanese ingredients and more recently in the tea section of larger supermarkets. It is also available on Amazon: Matcha Konomi and less expensive: Jade Leaf Matcha Green Tea Powder.
Check out what everyone else made:
- Beef and Watermelon Stir Fry from A Day in the Life on the Farm
- Disneyland Watermelon Mint Julep from Simply Inspired Meals
- Iced Watermelon Matcha from Tara’s Multicultural Table
- Russian Pickled Watermelon from Pandemonium Noshery
- Spicy Watermelon Margarita from Caroline’s Cooking
- Vegan & Gluten Free Watermelon Jelly by Sneha’s Recipe
- Watermelon Salad with Mint and Lime from Karen’s Kitchen Stories
Iced Watermelon Matcha Recipe
Adapted from Oh, How Civilized
Iced Watermelon Matcha
Ingredients
- 2 cups (300 grams) cubed fresh watermelon seeds removed
- 1/4 cup (60 milliliters) hot water
- 2 teaspoons matcha green tea powder
- 3/4 cup (177 milliliters) cold water
For serving:
- Small watermelon wedges
- Lemon slices
- Fresh mint
Instructions
- Place the cubed watermelon in a blender and blend until smooth. Divide among 2-3 glasses with ice until halfway filled.
- In a small bowl, whisk the matcha in the 1/4 cup (60 milliliters) hot water until completely dissolved and smooth.
- Pour into a cocktail shaker with ice and add the remaining 3/4 cup (177 milliliters) cold water. Shake until well-blended.
- Carefully, over the back of a spoon to create more distinct layers if desired, pour the matcha into the glasses on top of the pureed watermelon.
- Garnish the glasses with watermelon wedges, lemon, and fresh mint and serve immediately.
Caroline
What a fun, colorful drink! I can imagine it’s really refreshing too – perfect for summer.
Juli
That is really eye cathcing, I love the look!
Wendy Klik
I have not jumped onto the matcha bandwagon yet but this recipe has me very tempted.
Karen
Those separated layers are really beautiful! This sounds so refreshing!
heather (delicious not gorgeous)
i’m convinced there’s no bad drinks at midori matcha. i love this one when i want something refreshing and light, and i love their granitas when i want something ice cream-y and decadent :3
Tara
One of our favorite stops when we are in Little Tokyo!
sneha datar
That sounds delicious, love the combo of flavors and color!
Anita
I love matcha and would have never guessed that it works great with watermelon. This is a great recipe for summer since watermelon will be abundant in the market.
Jamie
I love how simple the ingredients are but best of all the taste and color was so beautiful!