Hot vanilla hojicha latte in a ceramic mug with hojicha powder and vanilla on a soft ivory surface.

Vanilla Hojicha Latte Recipe

May 20, 2026

A vanilla hojicha latte is smooth, toasty, and comforting. It has the creamy feel of a café latte, but with the warm roasted flavor of Japanese green tea.

Hojicha is known for its mellow, nutty, lightly caramel-like flavor. When paired with vanilla and milk, it becomes a soft and cozy tea latte that is perfect for slow mornings, quiet afternoons, or evening sipping. If matcha feels too grassy or intense, hojicha may be the Japanese green tea you reach for instead.

Why It Works

Why Vanilla Works With Hojicha

Vanilla adds gentle sweetness and warmth without covering up hojicha's roasted flavor. Instead, it brings out the tea's natural notes of toasted grain, roasted nuts, and soft caramel. This latte is:

Creamy, toasty, and smooth
Lightly sweet with lower bitterness
Easy to enjoy hot or iced

Ingredients

What You'll Need

1 to 2 tsp hojicha powder
2 oz warm water
1 to 2 tsp vanilla syrup, maple syrup, or honey
6 to 8 oz steamed or warm milk

Optional:

Splash of vanilla extract
Cinnamon
Cold foam (for iced version)
Brown sugar drizzle

Instructions

How to Make It — Hot or Iced

Step 1: Whisk the hojicha — Add hojicha powder to a small bowl or cup. Pour in warm water and whisk until smooth.

Step 2: Add vanilla — Stir in vanilla syrup, maple syrup, honey, or a small splash of vanilla extract.

Step 3 (Hot): Warm the milk — Heat milk gently until warm. Froth if desired. Pour into the hojicha mixture and stir. Top with foam or cinnamon.

Step 3 (Iced): Fill a glass with ice. Add milk. Pour hojicha over the top. Stir and enjoy. Especially good with oat milk.

Milk Options

Best Milk for Vanilla Hojicha

Oat milk — Adds creaminess and supports hojicha's toasted flavor. Our top pick.

Whole milk — Richer and more indulgent.

Almond milk — Lighter finish. Try with a little vanilla syrup for extra warmth.

Try This With Willow Creek Hojicha

More Hojicha Recipes to Explore

Hojicha is a beautiful tea for anyone who loves roasted, smooth, comforting flavors. Try it hot, iced, or as a latte with vanilla, brown sugar, oat milk, or cold foam.

→ Hojicha Guide: Flavor, Preparation & Pairings

→ Hojicha Hot Tea, Iced Latte & Affogato

→ Iced Brown Sugar Hojicha Latte Recipe

→ Hojicha Cold Foam Latte Recipe

→ Hojicha vs. Matcha: What's the Difference?

→ Shop Hojicha

→ More Tea Recipes from Willow Creek

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The single origin coffee line-up is truly impressive. I've had Bali Blue and it is easily the best medium-dark roasted coffee I've had in a long time. I knew it was genuine craft coffee the moment I opened the bag.

I'm looking forward to trying more of Willow Creek Coffee Company's options from this line-up. If they are anything like the quality of Bali Blue, I'm excited to try it!

Thank you so much — this genuinely made our day! Bali Blue is one of our favorites too; there's something about that natural processing from the Kintamani Highlands that gives it that unmistakable depth. We're so glad it came through from the first open of the bag — that's exactly the experience we craft for. We can't wait for you to explore the rest of the single origin lineup. Each one has its own story to tell. Welcome to the Willow Creek family!

This tea exceeded my expectations. I have had Hibiscus tea before and liked it but this one was so much better than any that I have had before. The flavor profile was so much more. The hint of berries in this tea take it to a whole new dimension. I am a fan!

Thank you so much — this is exactly what we hoped to hear! Our Hibiscus tea is something we're really proud of; that natural berry complexity sets it apart from what most people expect from a hibiscus. Once you taste that depth, it's hard to go back to anything else. So glad you're a fan — welcome to the Willow Creek family, and we hope to have you exploring more of our tea lineup soon!

So flavorful & relaxing, I love it. I think this is the best Apple Cider tea that I have ever had.

Thank you so much — 'flavorful and relaxing' is exactly the experience we designed our Apple Cider tea to deliver. Knowing it's the best you've ever had is high praise and we don't take that lightly. We hope it becomes a staple in your daily routine. Enjoy every cup!

Medium-dark roasts are my favorite and this one does not disappoint. I am glad I found this and will reorder in the future for certain.

Thank you! Medium-dark is such a rewarding roast range and we're glad Bali Blue hit the mark for you. Knowing you'll be back means the world to us — and when you're ready to reorder, don't forget to explore the rest of our single origin lineup. Each one is worth the journey. See you soon!

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