Ginger + Turmeric + Matcha Latté

There is an awesome place called Cha Cha Matcha near my acupuncture office in Nolita that serves an iced turmeric-ginger latté with the creamiest macadamia nut milk ever. Its AH-MAZ-ING. I treated myself to it once a week this summer even though its six bucks and kind of a schlep for me to get to in the middle of my busy day seeing patients.  What I love about a matcha latté is that it is energizing but doesn't buzz you like coffee, so there is no crash or late night insomnia. I still do my coffee in the morning, but this is my favorite drink when two or 3pm roles around and I need a pick-me-up.  Plus its loaded with anti-oxidants so your cells will be singing!

Today in my kitchen I whipped up TWO versions of this yummy drink that are just as good as the Cha Cha Matcha experience but a lot cheaper and really easy. Depending on how involved you want to get and what you have on hand in your pantry you can choose the version that suits you best.

The first is super simple and requires dried ginger and turmeric, plus your matcha tea powder, milk and sweetener of choice. It comes together quickly and simply by whisking everything together in a mug or bowl.

The second uses fresh ginger and turmeric instead of the dried and also whizzes it all up in a blender with some coconut oil for extra froth-factor. It's definitely more delicious but decidedly more work. I mean, just to get the blender involved might lead some of you to walk all the way to Nolita to Cha Cha Matcha just to avoid having to do any extra dishes. 

Pick your recipe (Super Simple or Super Fresh) and get this into your rotation! 

SUPER SIMPLE GINGER TURMERIC MATCHA LATTÉ  

1 teaspoon Matcha powder

1/4 teaspoon ginger powder 

1/4 teaspoon turmeric powder

1 tablespoon hot water (or enough to dissolve the spices and make a loose paste)

1 cup milk of choice (nut, hemp, coconut or cows), heated 

Agave, honey, maple syrup, stevia or raw sugar to taste

DIRECTIONS:

Add the ground spices and matcha into a mug or bowl with hot water and form a smooth paste by whisking or stirring vigorously. Top with heated milk and sweetener of choice. Stir again. Enjoy!

FRESH GINGER + TURMERIC MATCHA LATTÉ

If you are using fresh spices, increase to 1 teaspoon of each per person. Blend ginger, turmeric, matcha powder, a tablespoon hot water and a teeny pinch of sea salt, with 2 teaspoons of coconut oil and sweetener of choice in a high power blender or Vitamix until smooth.  Add 1 cup of heated milk and blend again until frothy.  Enjoy!