I'm kind of addicted to this tall, frosty, pastel green matcha shake. It has become my morning ritual, my afternoon craving and my "makes everything all better" blend.
I drink it for energy, focus, hydration and calm. It fills me up and sends me clear into whatever project for the day I have in mind. I think it is my official "smoothie book writing" blend - I can thank it for fueling me through my long hours of editing photos, typing ingredients and tallying nutritional content.
And yes, it has a secret ingredient that makes it better, more delightful (and more addictive) than any other matcha smoothie I have tasted! ps - the shake is even delicious WITHOUT adding matcha...
See the 2.0 post here: Matcha Shake 2.0
I make many matcha shakes...
And one more via crappy cell pic..
Why Matcha? Learn all about my obsession with it - and why it is so great + my matcha muffins recipe here.
secret ingredient: frozen watermelon
Secret Ingredient Matcha Shake
serves 1-2
1 large banana, frozen
1 ¼ cups watermelon, frozen
¾ -1 cup soy milk
1 teaspoon chia seeds (optional)
½ - 1 teaspoon matcha powder*
*the matcha is actually optional. The watermelon-soy-banana shake on its own is quite fantastic.
calories: 276, fat: 5g, protein: 9g, fiber: 7g Rich in vitamins A and C and calcium.
Blend until frosty smooth.
This is a thick blend so use a plunger to get things moving.
If you have a weaker blender, adding a few more splashes of soy milk may help.
Switcheroo. If you'd like you can flip flop the amounts for melon vs. banana - and use 1 ½ frozen bananas + about 1 cup frozen watermelon. This will produce a creamier shake - even more like a "milkshake"
I seriously can't even describe how much I love this smoothie. You just have to try it. There is something about the watermelon that makes it frosty - and when blended with the creamy banana and soy it takes on the texture of an ice cream milkshake.
I tried subbing the watermelon for strawberries one day and it just didn't have the same effect.
No matcha? ..yes, you can actually remove the matcha if need be and just enjoy as a creamy watermelon-banana shake.
Back to smoothie book writing for me! Hope you are all having a fabulous weekend. Nelly sure is..
Lady Phade says
Kind of a stupid question but I am wondering how you freeze your watermelon in which case you can actually measure it when taken out
kerenbrown says
This was delicious!
Donna says
Question regarding the matcha.........What brand of Matcha do you buy........I have read that the massive Japan earthquake and the resulting nuclear meltdown which is still leaking has contaminated much of the countryside not to mention all of the surrounding waters. The U.S. is still allowing foods from Japan by allowing in contaminated food - this is fact. Is there a different Matcha source.
Thank you.....just love your site.
Guest says
I don't have soy milk but would whole milk work? My smoothie would just be the milk, watermelon, and banana.
Bree says
I just made this but with cantaloupe instead of watermelon (that's what I had on hand) and it was SOOOO good!
C Hall says
Allergic to soy, will sub coconut or almond milk
alicia says
Oh I believe it! I don't mind splurging on quality, delicious food every once in a while 🙂 Thank you !
Kathy Patalsky says
It seems expensive but it really does last a long time since you can use just a tiny bit at a time! 🙂 I love my matcha addiction.
alicia says
No worries at all! Thank you so much for taking the time to respond to my comment. I saw one at whole foods--I'll make sure it's organic and I'll pick it up! 🙂
Kathy Patalsky says
I just make sure to buy an organic brand and it is always delish. From my experience, the cheapest non-organic brands have not tasted nearly as good as organic varieties. Whole Foods has a few brands. There are so many great brands out there! Sorry in not being specific right now 🙂 I am on my cell and can't think of names!
alicia says
What type of matcha powder do you use? I have been wanting to get some for a while--and especially want to some to try this smoothie and before I get your new book 🙂
peace2mankind says
You can find Matcha powder at Whole Foods in the tea and coffee aisle or on Amazon. It's definitely worth getting.
peace2mankind says
I ordered matcha thanks to all your lovely bright green smoothies! Happy to say I was not disappointed, the taste is so lovely and the color....oohhh just love it.
Kathy Patalsky says
Frozen or fresh avocado
Alter says
I'm allergic to bananas. what could be a substitute that will give similar results with respect to texture?
Chris says
Both of these drinks look delicious and refreshing during this heat wave! Will have to try both!
PS Nelly is adorable!!!
Maria says
Where do you find matcha powder? I spent about an hour in a specialty food store looking for it and didn't find it.
PadmainSea says
Subbed banana for a handful of fresh cherries. So good!
Dunlea says
I use Republic of Tea matcha, expensive but great-- and it STILL isn't this green. What gives?
Foodieesq says
this is amazing! watermelon, who knew? i just tried it and LOVE it! thank you!
Kathy Patalsky says
right?! watermelon + matcha + bananas .. crazy good
Eleanor Ripley says
Kathy, what matcha brand would you recommend?
Shelley says
Which ingredient makes it so green? My Macha isn't green....
Hayley says
I've made this smoothie a few times now, and it is delicious. My only problem is that every time I add watermelon to a smoothie, it becomes so watered down. It's never thick and creamy like yours, looks mostly like green juice. I'm thinking it's because I don't have a vita mix?
Hayley says
I think I've solved my problem. Haha. Didn't freeze the watermelon! I'll try that tomorrow!
Califlora says
A couple of us in my family have an intolerance to bananas and avacados, and a problem with too much mango. Do you have any ideas for getting thick and creamy smoothies without those ingredients?
Marcoislandmamma says
Soooooo delicious and refreshing! I read your recipr about a month ago and it has stayed in the back of my mind- until now! We doubled the recipe (knowing that we would want more) and otherwise made it exactly as listed. Our matcha is not as green as the smoothie pictured..but tasted out of this world! Watermelons are now plentiful and our banana trees are producing. Will freeze the fruits and make many more! Thank you!
Dunlea says
banana trees?! SO JEALOUS!
guest says
i just made this and it was incredible! i added some agave nectar and a splash of vanilla for sweetness because the matcha powder i used was only green tea. this smoothie is incredible! the only thing i was disappointed by was how it wasn't very green and more of a brown. regardless....it tasted great!
Blub :3 says
I made my own matcha powder with green tea leaves
I cant wait to try to make this smoothie 😀
Karozma says
So good! Thank you!!!
Jessesmom07 says
How do you make yours look so pretty? I LOVE this smoothie, but it wasn't a pretty color like yours!
Kathy Patalsky says
hmm.. could be the variety of matcha you are using. They tend to vary from deep army green to bright spring green!
Michelle says
Matcha is sooo expensive! I really really want to try it, though!
Michelle says
Although, I haven't looked in asian grocery stores. Maybe cheaper there...
Kathy Patalsky says
I know it is!! boo. But you can find some deals online - Amazon.com is usually where I look. And if you buy in bulk, that helps too. Worth it for a splurge once in a while!
Tlinder Asb says
Remember that if you are using 1/2 per 14 or 16 oz your match is going to stretch an incredibly long way. So it is more cost effective than it seems.
In the short-term if you would like a similar type experience, ground up some organic japanese sencha and add that to your smoothie. The texture and taste wont be as smooth or grassy but it is a solution of sorts. Also you should store it in the freezer in an air tight container that is not exposed to the light at any points. Your matcha will continue to taste amazing for at least 6 months. Hurray for tea!
Anna says
I just made this smoothie and it is SO good!! Thank you for sharing so many great recipes and helping me be more healthy 🙂
skyesmom says
This sounds amazing! However my husband and daughter have banana intolerance (yes, it actually exists, something to do with being intolerant of the serotonin). Any thoughts on a substitute or whether this will be good without the banana?
Mdspina says
My son also can't tolerate bananas. When I tell people they act like I am an alien:) Let me know if you find a good substitute because so many smoothies use banana.
Kgaddis18 says
Dates
Kathy Patalsky says
Try avocado + mango (u can freeze both!) They have a creamy texture similar to banana.
Jessica C says
Just finished my first one of these, it was amazing! I can't agree more about how delicious it was! I matched recipe exactly except I used flax seeds instead of chia. So simple once I had all the ingredients. I want to make another one already! Thank you!!!
Adallane48 says
I question soy milk. I believe most is GMO soy beans. I'll use almond milk for this.
Mar says
Not unless you get organic and certified non GMO in which case it's yummy.
Marcoislandmamma says
Many brands of soy milk are organic and non-GMO. My favorite is "Earth Balance," but even my grocery store brand sells organic soy milk.
Lisa B. says
Oh, my, the picture is gorgeous. This looks so delicious!
Zoe says
I was wondering what I could use to substitute for the soy milk?
Kathy Patalsky says
Any non-dairy milk will work
Igloo says
I think I would *feel* like Nelly *looks* after drinking this - utterly content.
Kathy Patalsky says
🙂
Mirella says
This was AMAZING! Yum -thanks for the recipe 🙂
Rachel_oppelt says
i gotta make this ASAP
Kathy Patalsky says
🙂
Amanda Blog & Kiss says
Oh man, I love matcha thanks to my year abroad in high school in Japan. I've seen the powder here in the chinese supermarket, but is it really only 1 teaspoon? One little teaspoon? That seems like a small amount! Does it still have the lovely matcha flavor with so little? I'll try it asap! Thanks for this recipe!
Kathy Patalsky says
You can add more! I usually do 🙂 - 1 tsp is a nice starter amount for matcha newbies.
Debbie says
where can I buy matcha?
Kathy Patalsky says
Whole foods - most gourmet-style stores or specialty tea/coffee shops will have in tea section.
Also online for a nice selection and range of prices.
JenniferBarnaby says
I totally share your matcha addiction!! I love it in practically everything. In the summer I've taken to sprinkling it on vanilla ice cream. Whenever I travel to Asia, I head directly to the nearest Häagen-Dazs store for a scoop of their green tea ice cream. Totally addictive. For some strange reason it's only available in Asia but I guess that's a good thing... If you're in Tokyo you should try the Green Tea soft serve on the roof of the Takashimaya department store in Ginza. It's fantastic. My Japanese friends told me about it and I've been cursing them ever since!
Barb Wehrspann says
Green tea ice cream is available in Asian markets in and around Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
JenniferBarnaby says
Hi Barb! Yes, but it's not Häagen-Dazs. Sigh....
apesa says
You should try the green tea ice cream at Cold Stone 😉 I know they have it in Korea but I'm not sure about other countries.
Valencia Lia says
This looks really easy and yummy, gonna try it for sure!
molly alice says
I'm allergic to matcha, but a banana-watermelon shake sounds like heaven!
judy says
this looks great!!! anything you would look out for when buying matcha?
Kathy Patalsky says
Check out my matcha muffin post for some good info. But try to buy organic if you can. I haven't had a "bad" matcha purchase yet, so that is good news!
GlutenFreeHappyTummy says
how interesting! it looks delicious -- creamy and fabulous! i definitely need to give this matcha stuff a try!!
Kathy Patalsky says
Try it! And even if you omit the matcha - the shake base is pure bliss 🙂