Sweetness can soften bitterness and support milk drinks, but too much can erase the matcha. Begin with a measured amount and adjust only after tasting the complete drink.
Good starting options
- Simple syrup: Neutral and easy to standardize.
- Honey: Floral and rounded; use a mild variety.
- Maple syrup: Adds caramel and wood notes.
- Vanilla syrup: Familiar and café-friendly.
- Brown sugar syrup: Adds caramel and light molasses.
A 16 oz starting range
For Tay Leaf’s 4-gram latte base, begin around 10–15 grams of a standard syrup, then adjust by 2–3 grams. Concentrated or heavily spiced products may require less.
Standardize pumps by weight
Pumps vary. Cafés should weigh several pump dispenses, calculate an average and write the recipe in grams before translating it into pumps.
Compare options in the Best Sweeteners for Matcha Lattes guide.
Explore more methods in the Complete Matcha Guide.