A classic, popular Japanese jelly drink made with Matcha! Smooth, rich matcha mixed with creamy plant milk and delightfully chewy pieces of jelly throughout. The ultimate morning or afternoon pick-me-up!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This Matcha Jelly Drink is a fun take on a classic Japanese jelly drink, often made with coffee. It’s smooth, rich matcha with creamy plant milk and delightful, chewy pieces of matcha jelly.

Coffee jelly drinks are a Japanese treat. They’re like an upgraded latte with coffee jelly cubes for texture and added flavor. This is a non-coffee version made with matcha! It’s similar to bubble tea but has a slightly firmer jelly texture to chew on and enjoy with a spoon (and straw). 

Today, we’re making a vegan and gluten-free version of this delicious jelly drink, plus swapping the coffee for matcha. Consider this your newest, go-to, pick-me-up beverage!

Jelly Drink Ingredients

• agar powder: To make this matcha jelly vegan, we’re using agar, which is a plant-based substitute for gelatin. It’s an emulsifier and thickener and great for creating gelatinous textures. For reference, 1 tsp of agar is equivalent to about 8 tsp of gelatin. You can find agar in flake/granule form or powder, and 1 tbsp agar flakes is equivalent to 1/2 tsp agar powder. When following this recipe, be sure to use agar powder, not flakes, as the powder is what the measurement was taken from for this recipe. Keep in mind that all agar brands vary slightly, so the amount you may need to achieve a bouncy texture will also vary.
• water
• matcha powder: When cooking with matcha powder, be sure to use a quality ceremonial-grade matcha. It makes a difference in the smoothness of the sip and the flavour. Sift your matcha powder for the smoothest texture before whisking, and try to minimize how much you’re cooking the matcha at high temperatures. Doing so can often lead to a more bitter flavour. 
• vanilla extract
• maple syrup
• plant milk of choice

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. To begin, prepare your matcha jelly cubes. Bring 3 cups of water to a boil, lower to a simmer, and add the agar powder. Whisk continuously to make sure the agar evenly dissolves. Add your maple syrup to sweeten, then remove the pot from the stove.
2. Sift your matcha powder, then whisk it with the remaining 1/2 cup hot water. Add your matcha mixture to the pot. Whisk again to combine, pour your jelly mixture into an eighth sheet pan, and cool at room temperature for 5 minutes. Transfer to the fridge to chill until firm to the touch.
3. Once the jelly is set, remove it from the fridge and use a small paring knife to slice your jelly into small cubes. Use a spatula to wiggle your cubes out of the tray gently.
4. Now we are ready to assemble the drink! Add a handful of matcha jellies in a glass, then pour milk of choice. Lastly, add a serving of whisked matcha on top and then sweeten to taste as desired. I like to add fresh vanilla beans and a pinch of salt to finish.

Secrets to Success

• Agar powder tends to vary based on the brand you use, so if your jelly feels too firm, add less agar and re-do your jelly. If it feels too loose, add more agar and re-do the jelly. It’s all about finding that perfect balance in texture, and of course, this will also vary based on how you like your jelly.
• If you’re unfamiliar with matcha and want to learn more, check out my Matcha 101 post. This will teach you all about matcha, plus how to make your own! 

Serving Tips

• To serve your matcha jelly drink, add a handful of matcha jellies in a glass, then pour in your plant milk of choice. 
• Lastly, add a serving of whisked matcha on top and then sweeten to taste as desired. 
• I like to add fresh vanilla beans and a pinch of salt to finish.

Recipe FAQs

Try These Fun Drinks…

Homemade Bubble Tea

Strawberry Rose Milk Tea Latte

Vegan Matcha Frappe

Golden Cacao Latte

Birthday Cake Bubble Tea (Boba Tea)

If you make this recipe, be sure to let me know what you think with a star rating and comment below! Follow me on Instagram for more delicious recipes!