Los Angeles is getting a cookie-loaded twist on its matcha habit this weekend, as Levain Bakery rolls out a limited Cookie Milk Matcha pop-up across its local shops. The drink starts with matcha blended into milk that has been steeped with Levain’s white chocolate macadamia cookies, then gets topped with salted sweet cream and cookie crumble. The special will rotate through Levain’s L.A. locations from Friday through Sunday, starting at 8 a.m. each day and running only until supplies are gone.
According to Time Out, the Cookie Milk Matcha will land in Beverly Hills on Friday, Venice on Saturday and Larchmont on Sunday, with service beginning at 8 a.m. and ending whenever the last cup is poured. Time Out also notes that the pop-up is a collaboration with Hamptons-based Montauk General and that quantities are limited. Translation: if you are serious about trying it, getting there on the early side would be wise, since short-run drops like this tend to disappear fast.
The concept made its debut on the East Coast, where Levain and Montauk General first introduced the Cookie Milk Matcha at a one-day NoHo pop-up in late February, Bake Magazine reports. That coverage breaks down the "cookie milk" method, which involves steeping Levain’s white chocolate macadamia cookies in milk to create a sweet, nutty base that complements Montauk General’s matcha. The Los Angeles run is set up in the same spirit, pairing a tea-forward matcha with dessert-style toppings for a treat that leans more playful than purist.
What the Cookie Milk Matcha Tastes Like
Time Out describes the drink as a balance of bright, naturally sweet matcha with creamy vanilla and toasted macadamia notes, layered with salted sweet cream and cookie crumble. The result skews dessert-first while still keeping matcha’s grassy character in the mix. Think of it as a nostalgic, sweeter spin on a latte rather than a traditional ceremonial-style matcha.
Levain's L.A. Footprint
Levain entered the Los Angeles market with its Larchmont Village bakery in June 2023, then expanded its Southern California presence with a Venice outpost, according to Eater LA. Those openings drew long lines, which suggests the Cookie Milk Matcha weekend could bring early morning queues to all three participating locations. For locals, this rotating drop is another example of national bakery brands using L.A. as a stage for quick-hit, high-demand releases.
Bake Magazine notes that at the original NoHo event, both the drink and its accompanying merch were available only while supplies lasted. The same approach applies here, so timing will matter. If you are determined to snag a Cookie Milk Matcha, plan for an 8 a.m. arrival, some patience in line, and possibly a backup plan to try another location if your first stop sells out. For official details and the initial announcements, Levain and Montauk General are directing fans to their social media channels.
