Fristi × Matcha × Bols: three iconic brands, one cocktail
Three Dutch brands. One cocktail. So simple, yet no one has ever made it before. Together with Fristi and Bols, we at ASA Matcha have developed a cocktail that might look strange on paper but is perfectly balanced in the glass: soft, fresh Fristi, sweet coconut vodka liqueur from Bols, topped with a layer of umami ceremonial matcha. Three flavors, three brands, one drink.
Below, you can read how this collaboration came about, why these three flavors are unexpectedly well-matched, and (more importantly) the full recipe – so you can make it at home.
Why Fristi × Matcha × Bols?
Matcha can be drunk in a thousand ways. Pure in water, as a latte, in an iced version, or with coconut milk. The latter combination – matcha and coconut – isn't just popular for no reason: the sweet, creamy coconut perfectly complements the grassy umami of ceremonial matcha. Add Fristi, and you suddenly get that soft, fruity lightness that is so characteristic of the brand. And with a splash of coconut vodka liqueur from Bols, it elevates the drink to a full-fledged cocktail – without the matcha or Fristi being lost in alcohol.
It's a cocktail that vaguely resembles an iced matcha latte with coconut milk – a classic found on menus in cafes all over the Netherlands. Only now with a twist: the creamy coconut milk is replaced by Fristi (for that soft, fruity base) and coconut vodka liqueur (for extra depth and a slight alcoholic kick).
Why does this flavor combination work?
If you look at the flavors individually, the combination is surprisingly good:
- Ceremonial matcha — umami, slightly grassy, a velvety bitterness. Calls for something sweet and creamy to balance it out.
- Fristi — soft, slightly fruity, not too sweet. Adds body without overshadowing the matcha. Acts like a kind of 'Dutch' version of milk or plant-based milk in a classic matcha latte.
- Bols coconut vodka liqueur — sweet, tropical coconut with a slight alcoholic punch. Brings warmth and rounds off the cocktail. Not too heavy, not too strong.
The three flavors don't clash; they layer. The result is a cocktail that is fresh and easy to drink, but has enough depth to last.
The recipe: Fristi × Matcha × Bols cocktail
Time: 5 minutes · Yield: 1 glass · Difficulty: easy
Ingredients
- 2 grams ceremonial matcha (preferably ASA Matcha Ceremonial — the soft, grass-green Uji quality)
- 80 ml hot water (around 75°C, not boiling – that makes the matcha bitter)
- 120 ml Fristi
- 25 ml Bols coconut vodka liqueur
- Plenty of ice
- Optional: a glass with a wide opening, so you can clearly see the two layers
Equipment
- Matcha bowl (or a wide bowl)
- Bamboo whisk
- Matcha scoop (1 gram per scoop – so two scoops for this recipe)
- Shaker or stirring spoon
Steps
- Whisk the matcha. Scoop 2 grams of ceremonial matcha into your bowl. Pour 80 ml of water at ~75°C. Whisk in a W-motion with the bamboo whisk until you have a smooth, frothy matcha without lumps. This takes about 15-20 seconds.
- Fill your glass with ice. A generously filled glass with ice keeps all layers cold and prevents the cocktail from getting watered down.
- Pour in the Fristi. 120 ml of Fristi over the ice. This will be your pink bottom layer.
- Add the Bols coconut vodka. 25 ml – stir briefly so the alcohol mixes with the Fristi.
- Carefully pour the matcha over the back of a spoon on top. This way, the matcha floats as a green layer on top – and you get that iconic 'two-layer' effect.
- Serve immediately. Stir yourself before drinking, or first sip the matcha layer, then the Fristi base.
Tip: want it even smoother? Replace 30 ml of Fristi with coconut milk. Want it stronger? Increase the Bols to 35 ml.
Where can you taste it?
This cocktail is being released – in collaboration with Fristi and Bols – for the first time as an exclusive limited edition. The first serving will take place at Ter Marsch & Co at Vijzelstraat 4 in Amsterdam.
- Location: Ter Marsch & Co, Vijzelstraat 4, Amsterdam
- Time: Monday, April 27th, between 13:00 – 15:00
- Quantity: only 200 pieces – while supplies last
Come on time, taste the cocktail, and help us come up with a cool name for this new cocktail.
Get started at home
Want to make this cocktail yourself? First, you'll need good ceremonial matcha. Our Ceremonial grade matcha is the variety we also use for this cocktail: soft, umami, bright green, directly sourced from Uji, Japan. Perfect for those who want to start with quality.
Are you new to matcha? Then you can start with our matcha starter kit – with a ceramic bowl, bamboo whisk, ceramic whisk holder, and stainless steel scoop (1 gram). All the tools you need to whisk matcha properly, at home or in a cocktail.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a different matcha than ceremonial?
You can, but for this cocktail, we recommend ceremonial. The taste is softer and less bitter, so the umami remains nicely balanced with the sweet coconut and fruity Fristi. Culinary matcha also works, but will be slightly more bitter – which can be a plus if you prefer more body.
Can I make an alcohol-free version?
Yes – replace the Bols coconut vodka liqueur with 25 ml of coconut milk or an alcohol-free coconut syrup. You'll lose the alcoholic kick, but retain the coconut flavor. Perfect for daytime or for those who don't drink alcohol.
How much caffeine is in this cocktail?
One cup of ceremonial matcha (2 grams) contains about 60-70 mg of caffeine – roughly the same as a cup of coffee, but thanks to the L-theanine in matcha, the energy feels different: more stable, less jittery.
What if I don't have a bamboo whisk?
Then you can use a small whisk, or froth the matcha with an electric milk frother. The bamboo whisk gives the best result, but the recipe also works with fewer tools. See also our separate blog about the perfect matcha preparation for all tips.
Is this cocktail also suitable for larger quantities (e.g., a pitcher)?
Certainly. Simply scale the recipe per person: 2g matcha, 80ml water, 120ml Fristi, 25ml Bols per glass. Whisk all the matcha at once in a large bowl, stir the Fristi and Bols separately in a pitcher, and pour the matcha layer by layer over it. Tip: serve with ice in separate glasses, otherwise it will dilute too quickly.
About the three brands
ASA Matcha is a Dutch matcha brand that sources directly from Japan (Uji, Kagoshima, Shizuoka, Izumo). We select the leaves ourselves and test each batch. Our ceremonial matcha is the quality we use in this cocktail.
Fristi is known to all – one of the most iconic Dutch dairy drinks, a familiar taste on the table for decades. For this cocktail, it serves as the soft, slightly fruity base.
Bols is the world's oldest distilled spirits brand (founded in 1575) and has specialized in liqueurs and genever since then. Their coconut vodka liqueur provides the warm, tropical sweet finish that completes this cocktail.
Three brands, three generations of heritage, one new flavor combination. Taste it at Ter Marsch & Co, or make it at home – we're curious what you think. Tag us on Instagram @asa_matcha and share your own version.
