Homemade Green Tea Ice Cream: An Icy Indulgence

Name: Green Tea Ice Cream
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 40 min
Yield: 8
Cuisine: Japanese
Ingredients: 2 tablespoons latte grade matcha; 2 cups heavy cream; 1 cup whole milk; 3/4 cup granulated sugar; 4 large egg yolks; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)

Published October 17, 2023 Updated August 21, 2025

Green Tea Ice Cream

Nio Teas

Servings

Cook Time

40 minutes

Calories

200

Cuisine

Japanese

Ingredients

2 tablespoons latte grade matcha
2 cups heavy cream
1 cup whole milk
3/4 cup granulated sugar
4 large egg yolks
1 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)

Directions

In a mixing bowl, whisk together the green tea powder and 1/2 cup of the whole milk to create a smooth green tea paste.
In a separate saucepan, combine the remaining 1/2 cup of whole milk and 2 cups of heavy cream. Heat the mixture over medium heat until it begins to simmer.
Remove it from the heat as soon as you see small bubbles forming around the edges of the saucepan. Don’t let it boil!
In a different bowl, whisk together the egg yolks and granulated sugar until the mixture becomes pale and slightly thick.
Gradually pour the hot milk and cream mixture into the egg yolk mixture, whisking continuously to prevent the eggs from curdling. This will temper the eggs.
Pour the entire mixture back into the saucepan and place it over low heat. Stir continuously with a wooden spoon or heat-resistant spatula until the mixture thickens and coats the back of the spoon. This should take about 5-7 minutes. Do not let it boil.
Remove the mixture from the heat and strain it through a fine-mesh sieve into a clean bowl to remove any lumps or bits of cooked egg.
Stir in the vanilla extract if you'd like to enhance the flavor.
Add the green tea paste you made earlier and mix it into the custard until it's fully incorporated.
Let the mixture cool to room temperature, and then cover it and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight to chill thoroughly.
Once the mixture is chilled, churn it in your ice cream maker according to the manufacturer's instructions.
Transfer the churned ice cream to a lidded container and freeze it for a few hours or until it reaches your desired consistency.
Serve the green tea ice cream in bowls or cones, garnished with a sprinkle of matcha powder, if desired. Enjoy your homemade green tea ice cream!

Ways to Improve your Green Tea Ice Cream

This green tea ice cream recipe is great as it is, but feel free to experiment and add your own personal twist. You can really mix it up and make this recipe your very own!

Add Mix-Ins

Incorporate mix-ins like crushed cookies, chocolate chips, or chopped nuts to add texture and extra flavor to your ice cream. Simply fold them into the green tea ice cream during the last few minutes of churning.

Experiment with Sweeteners

Adjust the level of sweetness to your liking by using different sweeteners, such as honey, maple syrup, or agave nectar. Remember that the sweetness level can affect the texture of the green tea ice cream, so adjust accordingly.

Sweetening green tea can be a tricky business. That's why we made a whole guide about it! If you want to learn more check out 👉 How to Sweeten Green Tea

Infuse Additional Flavors

For a more complex flavor profile, consider infusing the cream and milk mixture with additional ingredients like a cinnamon stick, citrus zest, or even a touch of lavender before heating. Strain them out before churning your green tea ice cream.

Want a quicker floral fix? Try it in drink form with our 👉 Lavender Matcha Latte Recipe: Serenity in a Cup.

Dairy Substitutes

If you're looking for a lighter option, you can substitute some or all of the dairy with coconut milk, almond milk, or soy milk to make the ice cream dairy-free. Almond milk, in particular, adds a subtle nutty flavor that pairs beautifully with matcha. Curious how almond milk transforms matcha recipes? Wait until you see what it does in this creamy twist on a classic 👉 Matcha Almond Milk Latte: How to Make the Best Latte at Home

Garnish Creatively

Elevate the presentation and flavor by garnishing the green tea ice cream with fresh fruit, a drizzle of honey, or a sprinkle of toasted coconut or sesame seeds.

Adjust Green Tea Flavor

Tweak the intensity of the green tea flavor by adding more or less green tea powder. If you prefer a milder flavor, reduce the amount, and for a stronger taste, increase it slightly.

The green tea taste is quite complex. If you want to learn more about it and how to pair it with different foods, we recommend you read this article 👉 What does matcha taste like? Taste Chart with Video

Flavor Pairings for your Green Tea Ice Cream

This green tea ice cream recipe tastes great on its own, but if you really want to take it to the next level, there are a few different flavor pairings you can try to really enhance the experience!

Fresh Berries

Serve a scoop of green tea ice cream with a side of fresh berries like strawberries, blueberries, or raspberries. The tartness and juiciness of the berries contrast beautifully with the creamy, earthy notes of the ice cream.

Mochi

Green tea ice cream and mochi (sweet, chewy rice cakes) make a classic Japanese dessert combination. The soft and slightly sticky texture of mochi complements the creamy ice cream, creating a harmonious balance of textures.

Ginger Cookies

Pairing green tea ice cream with ginger cookies offers a lovely blend of flavors. The spiciness and warmth of ginger provide a nice contrast to the cool, herbal notes of the ice cream.

If you really want to take your green tea ice cream to the next level, you can try pairing it with green tea cookies. Check out our recipe here 👉 The Best Matcha Cookies You’ll Ever Eat!

Honey Drizzle

Drizzle a bit of honey over your green tea ice cream to add natural sweetness and a hint of floral flavor. The honey's sweetness balances the slight bitterness of the green tea.

Toasted Coconut

Sprinkle toasted coconut flakes on top of your green tea ice cream for a tropical twist. The crunch and nutty aroma of toasted coconut add a delightful dimension to the dessert.

Red Bean Paste

Create an Japanese-inspired dessert by serving green tea ice cream alongside red bean paste (anko). The sweet, earthy flavor of the red bean paste complements the green tea ice cream's natural notes.

Unique pairing drink idea

For a unique pairing drink idea, it's essential to ensure you have not only the right green tea to prepare the recipe but also the perfect tea to craft a complementary beverage.

To achieve the ideal pairing, we highly recommend opting for an Iced Green Tea, , as it offers a refreshing and icy indulgence that beautifully complements the flavors of the recipe.

Thanks for reading this article and let us know what you think about it in the comment section 🍨🎉

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