This week has been a challenge. I’m not a person who gets sick very often, but today marks Day 10 of a nasty cold that I just can’t seem to shake. I was sad to cancel some longstanding plans to spend time with friends this weekend, but my body is clearly just screaming to me, “enough. just stop,” and so I’m doing my best to listen and oblige.

Today, instead of making myself an afternoon coffee as I usually do on a Sunday, I whipped up a Matcha Ginger Latte in an attempt to take advantage of all the healthy promises that come with matcha tea. It sounds fancy, but it’s really pretty simple. I use a ginger syrup from More Good, a local Hudson Valley company, but ginger syrup is pretty easy to make with just some sugar, water and fresh ginger root. You could also sub in a little ginger powder and honey instead of the syrup. Or skip it all together!

On a positive note, being knocked down this week gave me an excuse to finally experience the joy that is The Great British Baking Show, of which I watched an entire season (10 hours) in less than 24 hours. Cheers to health and the perfect Victoria sponge.

Matcha Ginger Coconut Latte

Makes 1 beverage

Ingredients

1 tsp. (scant) high-quality matcha tea powder (I use Fortnum & Mason)
1/4 c. hot water
1 tsp. ginger syrup (I like the one from More Good)
1/4 c. full fat coconut milk + 1/2 c. water (if you’re using the thinner coconut milk beverage, just use 1/2 c. with no water)

Instructions

Put the matcha powder in the bottom of a cup. Pour the hot water over the powder and whisk it well with a small kitchen whisk, fork or matcha powder whisk. Be sure to whisk out all of the lumps.

Add the ginger syrup, if using. Alternatively, you could just sweeten with honey or skip the sweetener altogether.

Warm the coconut milk and water — I use my Nespresso machine milk frother to warm and froth the coconut milk. If you don’t have a frother, warm the milk on the stovetop or in the microwave until just warm (not boiling), then use a whisk to froth it as much as you can.

Pour the coconut milk over the matcha. Add an extra sprinkle of matcha powder on top for some extra color if desired and enjoy!