Sea Salt Vanilla Hojicha
Share
- Prep Time: 8 mins
- Chill Time: None
- Servings: 1 Drink
- Category: Drink/Refreshment
Why You'll Love This Hojicha Recipe
- Sweet Meets Salty: A rich vanilla cream foam finished with a pinch of sea salt for that irresistible sweet-salty contrast.
- Cosy & Low-Caffeine: Roasted hojicha is naturally gentle on caffeine, perfect for afternoons and evenings.
- Café-Style at Home: Layered milk, hojicha, and cream foam for a drink that looks and tastes like it came from a specialty café.
- Quick & Simple: Ready in under 10 minutes with no special equipment beyond a whisk or frother.
Ingredients
Sea Salt Vanilla Hojicha
- 6g hojicha powder
- Milk (your choice, dairy or plant-based)
- 60ml thickened cream
- Sweetener of choice (to taste)
- Vanilla bean paste (to taste)
- Pinch of sea salt, to finish
Shop Your Hojicha Ingredient
Directions
Step 1
Prepare the Hojicha
- Sift 6g of hojicha powder into a bowl or chawan.
- Add a small amount of warm water and whisk until smooth and well combined, with no clumps remaining. Set aside.
Step 2
Whip the Sea Salt Vanilla Cream
- In a separate container, add the thickened cream, a touch of sweetener, and vanilla bean paste.
- Use a frother stick or whisk to whip until slightly thickened into a soft, pourable foam. Set aside.
Step 3
Build the Base
- Add your sweetener, a touch more vanilla bean paste, and milk into a glass.
- Stir gently to combine.
Step 4
Add the Hojicha
- Pour the prepared hojicha into the glass and stir through the milk mixture until evenly combined.
Step 5
Top & Finish
- Spoon or pour the vanilla cream foam over the top of the drink.
- Finish with a small pinch of sea salt sprinkled over the foam.
Step 6
Serve & Enjoy!
- Serve immediately and enjoy your cosy, sweet-and-salty Sea Salt Vanilla Hojicha!
Pro Tips for the Best Sea Salt Vanilla Hojicha
- Use warm, not boiling, water when whisking your hojicha, this keeps the roasted flavour smooth without turning bitter.
- Don't over-whip the cream – a soft, pourable foam sits more beautifully on top than a stiff, spoonable one.
- Go easy on the salt – a light pinch is enough to enhance the sweetness without overpowering it. You can always add a touch more to taste.
- Serve hot or iced – this recipe works beautifully either way, simply warm the milk for a cosy version or pour over ice for a refreshing one.
FAQs
1. What sweetener works best?
Maple syrup, honey, or simple syrup all work beautifully. Adjust the amount to your taste, hojicha has a naturally mellow flavour that pairs well with a range of sweetness levels.
2. Can I make this dairy-free?
Yes! Use your favourite plant-based milk and a whippable dairy-free cream alternative for the foam, coconut cream works particularly well with hojicha's roasted notes.
3. Can I serve this hot?
Absolutely. Simply warm your milk before combining, and prepare the hojicha with warm water as usual. The cream foam and sea salt finish work just as well on a hot drink as an iced one.
4. What does hojicha taste like?
Hojicha is roasted Japanese green tea, giving it a warm, toasty flavour with notes of roasted grain and subtle caramel, quite different from the grassy, vegetal taste of matcha, and naturally lower in caffeine.
