Kitaoka Honten Matcha Latte Liqueur 抹茶ラテ酒 720mL
Founded in Nara in 1868, Kitaoka Honten spent generations making soy sauce, oil and sake before one of the family's sons turned the brewery's attention to botanical liqueurs. That pivot paid off — the brewery is now recognised across Japan for the clarity with which they express natural flavours.
The Matcha Latte Liqueur is the latte-style expression in their Japanese tea liqueur range. Where a straight matcha liqueur leads with bitterness, this one softens the profile into something rounder and creamier — closer to a well-made matcha latte than a ceremonial tea bowl. The green tea character is still genuine and present, but wrapped in a smooth, sweet, milky body that makes it immediately approachable.
At 9% ABV, it has enough presence to work on its own over ice, but it's equally at home stirred into cocktails, poured over vanilla ice cream, or added to coffee for a Japanese-style matcha affogato. Best served between 6–12°C — cold enough to keep the texture silky.
Tasting Notes
| Nose | Fresh green tea, creamy milk sweetness, subtle earthy depth |
| Palate | Smooth and latte-like — soft matcha bitterness balanced by rounded sweetness and a creamy texture |
| Finish | Gentle and lingering — clean green tea warmth, dessert-sweet, no harsh edges |
| Colour |
Deep, opaque jade green — striking and immediately recognisable
|
Product Details
| 🇯🇵 | Origin | Nara, Japan |
| 🏭 | Producer | Kitaoka Honten (est. 1868) |
| 🍵 | Style | Matcha Latte Liqueur (Dessert) |
| 🌿 | Additive | Tea (ceremonial-grade matcha) |
| 📦 | Volume | 720mL |
| 🔢 | ABV | 9% |
| 🌡️ | Best Served | 6–12°C — chilled or over ice |
| 🎨 | Colour | Green (jade) |
Why We Like It
- Latte-style profile — matcha flavour without the intensity that puts some people off
- Genuinely versatile: neat, over ice, in cocktails, over dessert, in coffee
- That jade green colour makes it one of the most visually striking bottles on the shelf
- Made by a brewery that has been perfecting botanical liqueurs for over 150 years
- Easy gifting — works for matcha lovers and curious drinkers alike
- 9% ABV sits in a comfortable mid-range — more presence than RTD, still easy to drink
How to Serve
Best served chilled between 6–12°C. Pour straight over ice, stir into cocktails, or drizzle over vanilla ice cream for a quick matcha dessert. Also works added to cold brew coffee or warm milk for a Japanese-style matcha latte.
Food Pairing
- Vanilla ice cream or mochi
- Cheesecake or panna cotta
- Dark chocolate
- Traditional wagashi sweets
- Aged cheese for contrast
Serve cold. Think latte. Drink slowly.
