YOSHI Matcha Liqueur Is One of 2026's Hottest New Liqueurs
A creamy matcha liqueur made with oat milk that needs no fridge? That's YOSHI Matcha Liqueur, and it took nearly two years of development to get right. The brand calls it the first matcha liqueur, and it's one of the most exciting new bottles of 2026 for anyone who likes to shake things up behind the bar. It brings earthy green tea, a smooth, creamy texture and a bright green color to almost any drink, from a matcha twist on an espresso martini to a frothy colada or a simple pour over ice. After starting out in New York and New Jersey, YOSHI went nationwide on September 1, 2026, so you can now find it in many more states across the U.S.
Did You Know?
The name YOSHI means "good luck."
According to a retailer listing, each 750ml bottle holds about 5 grams of matcha, and the matcha comes from Uji, Japan.
Before the recent Southern Glazer's deal, the brand was already sold through Empire Merchants in New York and Allied Beverage Group in New Jersey.
The Release
What's Inside
YOSHI is a cream liqueur, but not the dairy kind. It's made with ceremonial-grade matcha (the top grade of powdered green tea, traditionally used in Japanese tea ceremonies), oat milk and a clean, neutral grain spirit. That makes it dairy-free and gluten-free, and the brand says it has less sugar and fewer calories than traditional cream liqueurs. At 17% ABV it's shelf-stable, so it can live on a back bar or a home bar cart with no refrigeration.
How It Tastes and How to Drink It
According to the brand, YOSHI pours with a rich, creamy texture, earthy depth and a smooth finish. Anyone who has whisked matcha by hand knows the fuss. YOSHI skips all of it: no whisking, no guesswork, just pour, shake and serve. Try it over ice, in a Matcha Martini or a Matcha Margarita, blended into a frozen cocktail, as a brunch drink or as a shot.
The Big Goal
Founder and CEO Brett Jacobs has a clear goal. He wants YOSHI "to define the Matcha Martini," the way coffee liqueurs became tied to the Espresso Martini. He says the response from bartenders, retailers and drinkers has exceeded the team's expectations.
Where to Find It
YOSHI is a US release, now available at retailers across the country and online at DrinkYoshi.com.
The Story of YOSHI Matcha Liqueur
YOSHI is a young New York-linked brand led by Founder and CEO Brett Jacobs. Its entire pitch is that it is the first matcha liqueur, and it has been built to start a category rather than slot into an existing one. The lineup is simple, with one namesake 750ml bottle.
The target audience is clear too. The brand is aimed at Gen Z and Millennial drinkers, the group that has turned matcha into a cultural staple in cafes, wellness and food. YOSHI's argument is that the spirits world has mostly ignored that momentum, and that a ready-to-pour matcha liqueur can fix it for both professional bartenders and home mixers.
Why It Stands Out
Flavored and cream liqueurs are crowded, but a liqueur built around matcha is rare. The Espresso Martini boom showed how one liqueur-driven cocktail can reshape a menu, and YOSHI is betting matcha can do the same. A national distributor behind it gives the idea a real chance to reach bars and shelves outside its first two states.
The Details
Style: Matcha cream liqueur
ABV/Proof: 17% ABV (34 proof, per a retailer listing)
Base: Ceremonial-grade matcha, oat milk, neutral grain spirit
Size: 750ml
Dietary: Dairy-free, gluten-free, shelf-stable
Price (SRP): $49.99 per Global Drinks Intel; retailer listings range from $34.99 to $44.99
Availability: Nationwide (47 markets) and online at DrinkYoshi.com
US Availability: Yes, rolling out nationwide since September 1, 2026
Release Date: September 1, 2026 (national rollout)
Quick Answers
What is YOSHI Matcha Liqueur? It is a cream liqueur made with ceremonial-grade matcha, oat milk and a neutral grain spirit base. The brand calls it the first matcha liqueur.
How strong is YOSHI Matcha Liqueur? It is 17% ABV, which is 34 proof according to a retailer listing.
How much does YOSHI Matcha Liqueur cost? Global Drinks Intel reports an SRP of $49.99 for the 750ml bottle. Retailer listings vary, with prices from $34.99 to $44.99.
Tonights Poison Take
YOSHI is a fresh idea, and it comes with its own signature drink, the Matcha Martini, built right into the pitch. Because it was available in New Jersey and New York first, I've already had the chance to try YOSHI cocktails around here, and they're a lot of fun: creamy, bright green and different from anything else on the menu. It's easy to see why bartenders are having fun with it. The shelf-stable, dairy-free formula makes it easy to stock and easy to mix, so expect to see it on a lot more menus soon.
Bar Talk: The first matcha liqueur took nearly two years to develop, and now it is on its way to bars in 47 U.S. markets.
Send this to the friend who orders a matcha latte every morning and would love to hear what the cocktail version tastes like.
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About the author: Jas Sawhney (Tonights Poison) has spent 18 years in the beverage alcohol industry and shares new releases, tastings and spirits news as @tonightspoison on Instagram, TikTok and YouTube.
Please enjoy responsibly.
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