Make Blank Street's Viral Blueberry Iced Matcha at Home

If you're already obsessed with Blank Street's blueberry iced matcha, you're not alone. That gorgeous purple-green swirled drink has become your go-to summer order - and for good reason. The sweet-tart blueberry flavor plays beautifully against earthy matcha, creating this refreshing drink that's both Instagram-worthy and genuinely addictive.

But at £4 per drink, your daily habit is probably adding up faster than you'd like. The good news? This trendy drink is surprisingly easy to recreate at home, and you might even prefer your homemade version.

Why This Flavor Combo Works So Well

On paper, blueberries and matcha might seem like an odd pairing, but they're actually perfect together. The bright, fruity sweetness of blueberries balances out matcha's earthy, slightly bitter notes, while the matcha adds this sophisticated depth that keeps the drink from being too sweet or one-dimensional.

Plus, the visual is absolutely stunning - that deep purple blueberry layer contrasting with vibrant green matcha creates natural layers that look like a sunset in a glass. It's the kind of drink that makes you slow down and appreciate both the taste and the beauty.

Ingredients You'll Need

For the Blueberry Base (Choose One):

Option 1 - Homemade Syrup:

  • 1 cup fresh blueberries (or 3/4 cup frozen, thawed)
  • 3 tablespoons sugar or maple syrup
  • 1-2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice (optional, but recommended)
  • 1/4 cup water
  • Pinch of salt

Option 2 - Store-Bought Shortcut:

  • 1/2 cup high-quality blueberry syrup (like Monin or Torani)
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice (optional, for brightness)
  • 2-3 tablespoons fresh or frozen blueberries (optional, for extra texture)

For the Matcha Layer:

For Assembly:

  • Plenty of ice
  • Fresh blueberries for garnish

Step-by-Step Instructions

Make the Blueberry Base

If Making Homemade Syrup: Start with the blueberry base since it needs time to cool. In a small saucepan, combine the blueberries, sugar, lemon juice (if using), water, and a pinch of salt. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally.

Cook for about 8-10 minutes until the blueberries start breaking down and releasing their juices. Use a fork or muddler to gently mash some of the berries, but leave some whole for texture. The mixture should be thick and jammy.

Strain the mixture through a fine mesh sieve if you want a completely smooth syrup, or leave it chunky for more texture. Let it cool completely - you can speed this up by putting it in the fridge.

If Using Store-Bought Syrup: You can use the syrup straight from the bottle, or enhance it by adding a splash of fresh lemon juice for brightness if desired. For extra texture and fresh blueberry flavor, you can muddle a few fresh or thawed frozen blueberries into the mixture - this gives you that homemade taste even with the convenience of store-bought syrup.

Prepare Your Matcha

While the blueberry syrup cools, prepare your matcha. Sift the matcha powder to avoid clumps, then add it to a small bowl. Slowly add the hot water and whisk vigorously in a W or zigzag pattern until completely smooth and slightly frothy. This takes about 30-45 seconds of energetic whisking.

Once smooth, stir in the vanilla extract and simple syrup. Taste and adjust sweetness as needed - remember, the blueberry layer will add sweetness too.

Build Your Layered Masterpiece

This is where the magic happens. Fill a large glass with ice, leaving about an inch at the top. Add 3-4 tablespoons of your cooled blueberry syrup to the bottom of the glass.

Slowly pour in about half of your cold milk, being careful not to disturb the blueberry layer too much. You want some mixing but also distinct layers.

Next comes the fun part - slowly pour your prepared matcha mixture over the back of a spoon or along the side of the glass. This helps create those beautiful distinct layers instead of everything mixing together immediately.

Top with the remaining milk and give it one gentle stir if you want some marbling, or leave it layered for maximum visual impact.

Finishing Touches

Garnish with fresh blueberries and maybe a small sprig of mint if you have it for an extra pop of freshness.

Pro Tips for the Perfect Drink

Lemon Juice Tip: Adding a bit of lemon juice (whether homemade or store-bought) brightens the blueberry flavor and prevents the drink from being too sweet, but it's totally optional based on your taste preference.

Store-Bought Syrup Tips: If using store-bought, look for syrups with natural ingredients and avoid ones that are overly artificial. Monin and Torani make good options, or check if your local coffee shop sells their syrups.

Quality Matcha Matters: With such a simple flavor profile, cheap matcha will taste bitter and muddy. Invest in ceremonial grade for the best results.

Layer Like a Pro: Pour slowly and use the back of a spoon to create clean layers. If they mix too much, don't worry - it'll still taste amazing.

Chill Everything: Make sure all your components are cold before assembling. Warm matcha will melt your ice too quickly and dilute the flavors.

Adjust Sweetness: Start with less syrup than you think you need. Blueberries are naturally sweet, and you can always add more.

Variations to Try

Mixed Berry Matcha: Use a combination of blueberries, blackberries, and raspberries for a more complex fruit flavor.

Blueberry Mint: Add fresh mint leaves when making the syrup for a refreshing twist.

Coconut Blueberry Matcha: Use coconut milk and add a splash of coconut extract to the blueberry syrup.

Sparkling Version: Replace half the milk with sparkling water for a fizzy, refreshing variation.

Protein Boost: Add a scoop of vanilla protein powder to the matcha layer for a more substantial drink.

Make-Ahead Tips

Homemade Syrup: The blueberry syrup actually improves after sitting for a few hours, so feel free to make a big batch and store it in the fridge for up to a week. You can also freeze it in ice cube trays for instant blueberry flavor bombs.

Store-Bought Option: Keep your syrup in the fridge and have fresh blueberries on hand for muddling. The enhanced store-bought mixture will keep for 3-4 days.

The matcha is best prepared fresh, but you can have all your ingredients prepped and ready to go for quick assembly.

Why Homemade is Better

When you make this at home, you control everything - the sweetness level, the intensity of the blueberry flavor, the quality of the matcha. Plus, you can make it exactly how you like it. Want more fruit? Add extra syrup. Prefer it less sweet? Cut back on the sugar.

And honestly, there's something incredibly satisfying about creating something this beautiful in your own kitchen. It's like being your own barista, but better because you know exactly what goes into every sip.

Perfect for Any Occasion

This drink works for so many different moments. It's refreshing enough for hot summer afternoons, beautiful enough for brunch with friends, and sophisticated enough for when you want to treat yourself to something special.

The natural caffeine from matcha gives you a gentle energy boost without the jitters, while the blueberries provide antioxidants and natural sweetness. It's the kind of drink that makes you feel like you're doing something good for yourself while also indulging a little.

The Bottom Line

Blank Street's blueberry iced matcha might be trendy, but the flavor combination is timeless. Sweet, tart blueberries and earthy, complex matcha create this perfect balance that's both refreshing and sophisticated.

Making it at home means you get all the Instagram-worthy beauty and delicious flavor, but at a fraction of the cost. Plus, you get the satisfaction of creating something gorgeous yourself.

Ready to ditch the coffee shop lines and make this stunner at home? Grab some fresh blueberries and quality matcha like Mikata - your taste buds (and your social media followers) will thank you.

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