Matcha Cocktails Are The Next Big Thing; Here’s Where To Sip Them

Matcha has been on a world tour for a while now — first taking over skincare, then desserts, then coffee shops, then everyone’s morning routines. But now? It has officially made its way to the place it always secretly belonged: behind the bar. Yes, India’s nightlife has gone a little green, a little earthy, and very, very interesting. If you thought matcha was only for the wellness girlies and the 7 a.m. crowd, wait till you meet its 10 p.m. version—smoother, boozier, and surprisingly sophisticated. Matcha-infused cocktails have made it to the bar tables, getting shaken, stirred, strained, and served in coupe glasses across the country. And as someone who has tried matcha in everything from pastries to pancakes, I can confirm: the boozy version might just be the best one yet.

The flavour profile makes perfect sense—earthy, creamy, a little bitter, and a little sweet. It’s practically designed to flirt with gin, sake, vodka, and even tequila. And while the trend is still young, the bars that are doing it are treating matcha like a serious mixology moment, with real bar potential. Think clarified matcha cocktails, Japanese-inspired twists, and all your fav cocktails—except even better, in matcha form. Let’s be honest — it’s the kind of drink that makes everyone at the bar turn around and go, “What’s that?” And in an era where trends move faster than traffic, matcha cocktails are quickly becoming the drink order that separates the boring from the bold.

So if you’ve ever wondered what happens when your favourite green tea grows up and starts going out at night… this is the guide you’ve been waiting for! Let’s talk matcha—the alcoholic kind.

Blondie 

Mumbai’s matcha connoisseurs swear by Blondie, thanks to their very widespread matcha menu and very, very delicious matcha lattes. This was where I first tried everyone’s fav green tea, and I, too, swear by it. Nobody thought it could get any better until now—they have released an enticing after-hours menu, offering the best of both worlds, all in one.

The after-hours menu features numerous experimental cocktails, but my favourite ones have got to be the ones with matcha. I tried their matcha pina colada and absolutely fell in love—it’s the perfect mix of tropical with tea, with just the right amount of fruityness, and that bitter, grassy matcha flavour. I think matcha pairs perfectly with rather fruity drinks thanks to its coastal nature, which is why this cocktail just works. The pineapple and coconut cream complement the matcha perfectly, and the pungent depth of white rum is just the cherry on top! An absolute 10/10 for me.

Other drinks on the after-hours menu also include a matcha cloud, a pour-over negroni, a hazeltini, and more. What I love most is, of course, their experimentation—the mix of coffees and teas with liquor finds the most perfect semblance between both worlds here, at Mumbai Blondie, leaving no room for gimmicks. Just some good, original cocktails.

Run, don’t walk, to Blondie this coming weekend!

Address: Sant Kutir Apartments, 500, Rd Number 24, Khar West, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400052

Timings: Monday to Sunday (9 AM – 12 AM)

Price for two: INR 2,000

Donmai

At Donmai’s Worli izakaya, their matcha menu goes beyond everyday tea rituals—the restaurant is blurring the lines between matcha ceremony and mixology, leading to cocktails that are thoughtful, layered, and unexpectedly yummy. Case in point: the Kyoto Twilight.

A matcha and cranberry infusion spiked with gin, Kyoto Twilight is a cocktail that’s refreshingly tart yet grounded by the soothing bitterness of matcha. The berry notes blend with the green tea in a way that feels smooth, just bitter enough, and so, so delicious. It’s the kind of drink you sip slowly, ideally while watching the lights shift in the bar’s semi-circular, design-forward interior. Another one of their famous matcha-infused cocktails includes Matchaaaa, a delight of a drink made with clarified matcha with gin, sake, and a hint of vanilla, then carefully stirred over ice. The finishing touch: a drop of shiso oil and a side of matcha-flavoured Pocky, giving it a soft, aromatic lift.

Other matcha-based favourites at Donmai include their Ichigo Cloud, which serves matcha with lots of strawberry and milk, and Ringo Cha, a blend of green tea, apple, and Earl Grey. These drinks feel like a bridge between calm and celebration, and in a city that’s always on the go, they offer something really rare: a sip of mindfulness (with a twist and buzz).

Address: G-03, Altimus, Pandurang Budhkar Marg, opposite Worli Doordarshan Tower, B Wing, BDD Chawls Worli, Worli, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400018

Timings: Monday to Thursday (12–3:30 PM, 7 PM –1 AM), Friday to Sunday (12 PM – 1 AM)

Price for two: INR 2,200

The Dimsum Room

At The Dimsum Room in Kala Ghoda, the bar menu is as imaginative as their dim sums (it’s quite literally in the name), with some of the intriguing matcha-based alcoholic drinks on the menu. Their Salty Dog is a crowd favourite, combining tequila, grapefruit juice, yuzu, and matcha, which births a drink that is bright, citrusy, slightly bitter, and grounded by the grassy notes of the green tea. It’s the perfect mix of just enough tea and just enough liquor, balanced by the ample fruitiness offered by the grapefruit.

The best part? This drink’s flavour profile makes it a perfect partner for dim sums—the citrus and tequila keep things refreshing, while matcha brings in an earthiness that stays throughout the meal. I would call it a conversation piece, because it’s so many different flavours, all amalgamated into one, picture-perfect drink. The Jade cocktail on their list is also another recommendation for matcha-in-liquor seekers. The drink blends vodka, cantaloupe, matcha, and lime, and is flavoured with a touch of Yakult, adding a mildly tangy and creamy finish on top. It’s bitter, soft, and just caffeinated enough.

Interestingly, this matcha mix is part of a broader East-Asian-inspired cocktail philosophy at the Dimsum Room. The bar uses regional ingredients like yuzu, tamari, sake, and matcha across its creative drinks in order to add a unique twist to its menu that not many are doing at the moment.

Matcha has finally made it to our PM routines, and this spot is making it up, one cocktail at a time!

Address: 3rd Floor, Building 30, K Dubash Marg, Kala Ghoda, Fort, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400001

Timings: Thursday & Sunday (12–3:30 PM), Other days of the week (12–3:30 PM, 7 PM – 1 AM)

Price for two: INR 5,000

INJA

At INJA, in Delhi, innovation does not stop at the plate, and their cocktail menu is proof!

The star of the show ingredient in question is, of course, matcha, and INJA’s ‘Bouquet’ is a wonderful rendition of liquor in this green tea. Originally crafted by head mixologist Supradeep Dey, this drink takes the earthiness of high-grade matcha and folds it into an unexpectedly lush pairing with mishti doi, giving you a sip that’s creamy, tangy, floral, and gently bitter (thanks to the vodka) all at once.

INJA does numerous inventive cocktails such as this one, combining ingredients that wouldn’t usually be found together, but just work. For the sake of this list, Bouquet outshines all others on the menu. The sweet Bengali yoghurt brings a soft, mellow creaminess that rounds out the bitterness of the matcha, creating a contrast so smooth it feels intentional. It’s the kind of cocktail that feels like a dessert, a nightcap, and a mood—all in one, wrapped neatly into an elegant glass. The matcha doesn’t overpower. Its sweetness is mellow, accompanied by an almost meditative finish. It’s no surprise that this drink became one of INJA’s quiet cult favourites—if you’re lucky enough to catch it on the menu, don’t think, just order!

Address: INJA Restaurant, The Manor Hotel, 77, NH-19, Friends Colony West, New Delhi, Delhi, 110065

Timings: Monday to Friday (7–11 PM), closed on Tuesday, Saturday & Sunday (1–4 PM, 7–11 PM)

Price for two: INR 4,000

Japonico

At Japonico in Gurgaon, the cocktail menu is built around an imagined character named Kaito Sakamoto, and each drink is a chapter in his story. If that wasn’t fascinating enough, they do a matcha-based cocktail that is among their top 5 bestsellers—yes, it really is that good.

Referred to as Union, this cocktail is one of those drinks that started as an experimental addition to the menu and ended up as a full-blown obsession among regulars. Served dramatically from a teapot (yes, a teapot), Union leans into Japonico’s theatrical, Tokyo-meets-modern-India aesthetic. The cocktail blends premium matcha with a spirit base that’s smooth enough to let the green tea’s own flavours shine, creating a drink that is equal parts earthy, creamy, and so, so good. It’s no surprise then that Japonico reportedly sells close to a hundred servings of this cocktail every week. Union isn’t just a drink; it’s the kind of moment you end up recommending to everyone you know—and for good reason.

Go for the food and drinks, stay for the very fun nights offered at this Japan-themed hotspot!

Address: Second Floor, Tower D, Vipul Tech Square, Golf Course Rd, near Sector 42-43, Sector 43, Gurugram, Haryana 122009

Timings: Monday to Friday (12–4 PM, 7 PM – 1 AM), Saturday & Sunday (12–4 PM, 7 PM – 2 AM)

Price for two: INR 3,000

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