Nomi is a cute new coffee bar located inside Ryuko Beltline that opened back in December 2025. They are a sister business to modern Japanese restaurant Ryuko that first opened in their original location in 2022. This Iced Brown Sugar Hojicha Latte is one of the everyday drinks at Nomi. Crafted by Nomi Creative Director Chay Lee, it is built around the roasted, nutty flavour of hojicha (Roasted uji matcha), balanced with a soft sweetness from brown sugar and a hint of vanilla. While it may seem simple, it is layered and comforting—something you can drink regularly without getting tired of it. If you can’t make it to Nomi in person, you can make yourself one of these Iced Hojicha Lattes at home by following this simple recipe.
Iced Brown Sugar Hojicha Latte
Ingredients:
- 2 tsp hojicha powder
- 70 ml hot water
- 1.5 tbsp brown sugar vanilla syrup
- 200 ml milk
- Ice
For Brown Sugar Vanilla Syrup (batch)
- 1 cup brown sugar
- ½ cup water
- ½ tbsp vanilla bean paste (or a small amount of vanilla extract)
Directions:
- In a small saucepan, combine brown sugar and water (2:1 ratio). Heat gently until dissolved. Add vanilla paste and let it infuse, then cool.
- In a small bowl, whisk 2 tsp hojicha powder with 70 ml hot water until smooth and fully dissolved.
- Fill a glass with ice. Add 70 ml hojicha and 1.5 tbsp syrup, then pour in 200 ml milk. Stir gently to combine.
