It tasted like Parma Violets—which is a completely different thing.
Each summer, the rituals of refreshment invite us to ask what novelty truly delivers and what merely dazzles from a distance. At Black Sheep Coffee's 69 UK locations, a new season menu of matcha drinks and lemonades — priced between £3.49 and £3.99 — has met that question with uneven answers. A taste test conducted in Manchester found that the most triumphant discoveries were often the simplest, while the most ambitious combinations collapsed under the weight of their own ingredients. In the small theatre of a coffee shop counter, the gap between promise and pleasure remains as instructive as ever.
- Black Sheep Coffee entered summer with bold claims, rolling out a vivid lineup of matcha and lemonade drinks designed to generate social media excitement and foot traffic across dozens of UK outlets.
- The Lavender Matcha Lemonade became the menu's cautionary centrepiece — its purple syrup and matcha merging into a murky swamp-green that tasted as discordant as it looked, each flavour refusing to cooperate with the others.
- Against expectations, the plain Lavender Lemonade stole the show, delivering a nostalgic Parma Violet sweetness that charmed even a sceptic, earning the highest score of the tasting.
- The Passionfruit Matcha Lemonade navigated the complexity more successfully, its smooth matcha and tropical fruit evoking a cocktail-like quality that made it an accessible entry point for matcha newcomers.
- The Norwegian Matcha Waffle arrived heart-shaped and Instagram-ready, its subtle matcha and soft Biscoff-dressed crumb landing as the menu's most reliable pleasure — the kind of thing you order again without deliberation.
Summer has arrived at Black Sheep Coffee, and with it a menu built to turn heads. Across 69 UK locations, the chain has launched cold matcha drinks in flavours like lavender, passionfruit, lychee, and peach, alongside a fresh lemonade range — all priced between £3.49 and £3.99. The Norwegian Matcha Waffle has also returned, available with toppings from Nutella and banana to strawberry and Biscoff. On social media, the drinks have been called "dreamy" and "so nice." A taste test of five items set out to find whether the reality matched the reputation.
The Lavender Lemonade was the surprise of the session. Approached with scepticism — lavender in coffee shops so often tips into perfume — it instead delivered something genuinely nostalgic: a light purple drink that tasted unmistakably of Parma Violet sweets, floral and sweet in equal measure. Staff noted it had already become a shift favourite. It is very sweet, and that will not suit everyone, but as a summer refreshment it earned a 9 out of 10.
The Lavender Matcha Lemonade told a different story. Stirring the syrup into the matcha produced a dark, murky green — described as pond water — and the taste followed suit. Lemonade, lavender, and matcha each remained stubbornly separate, with the matcha's harshness cutting across what might otherwise have been a pleasant pairing. A 4 out of 10, and one to avoid unless harsh flavour combinations are actively your preference.
The Passionfruit Lemonade offered safe, iced-tea-adjacent refreshment — pleasant, unpretentious, and likely to appeal to younger drinkers or those unwilling to take risks. A solid 7. The Passionfruit Matcha Lemonade performed better: the tropical fruit softened the matcha into something reminiscent of a Pornstar Martini, approachable for matcha newcomers and genuinely enjoyable when properly stirred. An 8 out of 10.
The Norwegian Matcha Waffle arrived heart-shaped on a branded plate, soft and fluffy, with Biscoff sauce pooling at its edges. The matcha flavour stayed subtle — present but not dominant — which let the waffle itself shine. Quick to prepare and easy to love, it matched the Lavender Lemonade at 9 out of 10, and a return visit to try it with strawberries and Nutella already feels inevitable.
Black Sheep's summer menu is uneven but not discouraging. The hits are genuine, the one significant miss is easy to sidestep, and for a warm afternoon with a sweet tooth, there are real reasons to walk through the door.
Summer has arrived at Black Sheep Coffee, and with it comes a menu designed to turn heads. The chain, which operates 69 locations across the UK, has rolled out a collection of new cold drinks this season—matcha variants in flavors like lychee, lavender, passionfruit, and peach, alongside a fresh lineup of lemonades. A spokesperson promised these offerings would "change the game." They've also brought back the Norwegian Matcha Waffle, available in flavors ranging from Nutella and banana to strawberry and Biscoff. The drinks are priced at £3.49 to £3.99 for a regular size. On social media, the brightly colored concoctions have been described as "dreamy" and "so nice," leaving customers eager to sample them. But do they live up to the hype?
A taste test across five items revealed a menu of genuine hits and genuine misses. The Lavender Lemonade emerged as an unexpected triumph. The reviewer approached it with skepticism—lavender has become trendy in coffee shops, and the concern was that it would taste like perfume. Instead, stirring the syrup at the bottom created a light purple drink that tasted remarkably like Parma Violet sweets, with a floral sweetness that felt nostalgic and refreshing. The lemonade and lavender syrup complemented each other well, and the drink was perfectly iced. Staff at the location noted it had become a favorite among those working the shift. The only caveat: it's quite sweet, and not everyone will appreciate that level of sugar. Rating: 9 out of 10.
The Lavender Matcha Lemonade, however, was a different story entirely. After stirring, the purple syrup and matcha combined to create what the reviewer described as "pond water" or "swamp colored"—a dark green that looked nothing like the light shade matcha typically presents. More troubling than the appearance was the taste. Rather than blending into a cohesive flavor, each element of the drink—lemonade, lavender syrup, and matcha—remained distinct and separate. The matcha's harshness interrupted the pleasant pairing of lemonade and lavender, and the combined floral notes felt random and off-putting. This one is only for those who actively enjoy harsh flavors. Rating: 4 out of 10.
The Passionfruit Lemonade landed solidly in the middle ground. It tasted similar to an iced tea and was genuinely refreshing, offering a fun alternative to plain lemonade. It's the kind of drink that will likely appeal to children and those seeking something different without taking too many risks. Not revelatory, but a solid addition to the menu. Rating: 7 out of 10.
The Passionfruit Matcha Lemonade proved more successful. The passionfruit flavor combined with the thickness of the matcha created something reminiscent of a Pornstar Martini cocktail—a drink that felt different from typical matcha offerings. Black Sheep's matcha is notably smooth, and the passionfruit elevated it into something genuinely enjoyable. The reviewer noted that a good stir is essential to blend the flavors properly; toward the end of the drink, the passionfruit flavor can disappear, leaving just matcha. For those new to matcha, this is an approachable entry point because the matcha isn't harsh. Rating: 8 out of 10.
The Norwegian Matcha Waffle arrived on a branded plate in an adorable heart shape—Instagram-ready from the moment it landed on the table. The waffle itself was soft and fluffy, and the reviewer chose Biscoff sauce to accompany it. The matcha flavor was subtle rather than prominent, which actually worked in its favor; it provided the matcha goodness without overwhelming the waffle experience. The staff prepared it quickly, making it an ideal snack for those on the go. The reviewer would order it again without hesitation, and next time plans to try it with strawberries and Nutella. Rating: 9 out of 10.
Black Sheep Coffee's summer menu is a mixed bag, but not in a way that should deter a visit. The chain has created some genuinely refreshing options that work particularly well for those with a sweet tooth. The Lavender Lemonade is a surprise winner, the Passionfruit Matcha offers something different, and the waffle is a reliable treat. The Lavender Matcha Lemonade serves as a cautionary tale about flavor combinations that don't quite work, but it's easy enough to avoid. For a summer afternoon with friends, or a quick snack on the go, Black Sheep has given customers reasons to return.
Notable Quotes
The new offerings are going to change the game— Black Sheep Coffee spokesperson
A favourite among staff who make it regularly— Black Sheep Coffee staff member, on the Lavender Lemonade
The Hearth Conversation Another angle on the story
What surprised you most about testing these drinks?
The Lavender Lemonade, honestly. I went in expecting something that would taste like a perfume bottle, but it tasted like Parma Violets—which is a completely different thing. It was nostalgic and actually refreshing.
And the Lavender Matcha Lemonade was the opposite?
Completely. It looked like pond water, and the flavors didn't blend at all. The matcha was harsh and just interrupted everything the lavender and lemonade were doing together. It felt random.
Do you think that's a problem with matcha in general, or just this combination?
Just this combination. The Passionfruit Matcha worked really well—it tasted like a Pornstar Martini. Black Sheep's matcha is smooth, so when you pair it with something bright like passionfruit, it works. Lavender and matcha together is just too much floral.
Who should actually order these drinks?
Anyone with a sweet tooth, really. These aren't subtle drinks. But if you're looking for something refreshing on a hot day, the Lavender Lemonade and Passionfruit Matcha are genuinely worth trying. The waffle is just a win across the board.
Did the ordering process matter to your experience?
It did, actually. The staff were friendly and quick, and you can order at the till or use self-service machines. That ease made the whole thing feel less like a hassle and more like a treat.