How Matcha brings back its summer tonics, and London will notice

There are certain drinks that only really make sense when the weather shifts. Not because they are new, but because they finally feel right.

At How Matcha, the return of matcha tonics sits firmly in that category. First introduced in 2024, they moved quickly from a seasonal experiment to one of the café’s defining drinks. Now, they’re back again as part of the 2026 Japanese Summer Garden menu, with a clearer identity and a stronger sense of what works.

The idea is straightforward. Ceremonial-grade matcha, sourced from Kagoshima, paired with tonic, fruit and light botanical flavours. It sounds simple, but the balance is where it lands or falls away. Here, it holds.

The menu doesn’t try to stretch itself. It stays focused, with four options that each lean into a distinct flavour profile without overloading the drink.

The passionfruit version is the most direct. Sharp, slightly sweet, and built around raspberry and rhubarb tonic, it does exactly what it needs to without trying to stand out too much. It’s easy, and that works in its favour.

Ume plum and sakura sits differently. There’s more softness to it, a quieter flavour that feels more considered. It’s less immediate, but more balanced overall.

Watermelon and lime keeps things clean. Fresh citrus cuts through the tonic, and the finish stays light. It’s the most refreshing of the four, and probably the one that fits the widest audience.

Raspberry and mango lemonade leans slightly sweeter, but it holds its structure. The fruit doesn’t overpower the matcha, which keeps it from becoming too heavy.

At £7, the pricing sits where you’d expect for something that feels both considered and seasonal. It’s not trying to be overly premium, but it doesn’t position itself as casual either.

What works here is the restraint. The menu doesn’t try to reinvent matcha or push it into something unfamiliar. It keeps the base consistent and builds around it in ways that feel natural. That clarity is what makes the drinks feel finished rather than experimental.

With locations in Marylebone and Notting Hill, How Matcha has already built a following that understands what it does well. This menu doesn’t change that. It reinforces it.

As the temperature picks up, these are the kinds of drinks that quietly take over. Not because they demand attention, but because they fit exactly where they should.