Day Tripping: Cha Cha Matcha + Raw Matcha Macaroon Recipe

Need to escape your daily routine? While a full-fledged vacation may not be in your budget (or schedule), there’s nothing like a day trip to remind yourself that life can be straight up fun when you let …

Not open yet a year, Cha Cha Matcha has caught the hearts of many (hi Gigi Hadid, what up Leonardo DiCaprio). Are you in the car yet? This quaint cafe sits in the heart of Nolita, a New York City hood just east of SoHo. No detail was overlooked when creating this matcha heaven. From the neon sign reading “matcha gracias” to the hand-whisked lattes, this cafe beckoned us to stay and already looking to a quick return.

Drenched in hues of pink, Cha Cha Matcha is akin to a Beverly Hills Hotel-meets-Havana utopia. During your visit, indulge in a matcha-infused sweet treat or one of their Instagram-worthy signature drinks while daydreaming of warmer days to come. Matcha not your thing? No worries, this cafe has something for us all, including a good old fashioned cup of joe for anyone not quite ready to join the green side.

Ok, so if you’re one of the many who can’t pick up and head out for some matcha goodness right this second, we pulled together a simple matcha macaroon recipe for you to enjoy at home, inspired by this wonderful little cafe.

Raw Matcha Macaroons

Ingredients:

2 tbsp melted extra virgin coconut oil

3 tbsp coconut nectar (for the vegans) or raw honey

2 tbsp coconut milk

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 tsp matcha

1/8 tsp sea salt

Method

Add 1 3/4 cups finely shredded coconut to food processor and blend until a thick paste forms. This will take approximately 2 minutes.

Add the rest of the ingredients and process for another 30 seconds. Next, add the remaining 3/4 cup of coconut to the mixture and pulse for approximately five seconds until well-combined.

Make small balls with the dough. This should yield about 10 macaroons, depending on size. Sprinkle with flake salt and/or hemp seeds. Refrigerate until firm and enjoy!

To learn more about matcha and its benefits, check out this article.

+ Where should we day trip next? Let us know — we want to hear from you! 

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