Iced Strawberry Matcha Latte
If you’re craving a drink that’s both refreshing and beautiful, Strawberry Matcha is the perfect choice. This trendy summer beverage combines the sweet flavor of fresh strawberries with the earthy tones of matcha powder, creating a vibrant and tasty layered latte. It’s not only delicious but also healthy, especially when made with plant-based milk like oat milk or almond milk. Whether you’re sipping it at a bubble tea shop like Boba Guys or whipping up your own homemade matcha, this drink never fails to impress. With its simple ingredients and natural color contrast, Strawberry Matcha makes a great pick for any time you want a cool, energizing, and sweet treat.
This Strawberry Matcha recipe brings together fresh strawberries, ceremonial matcha or everyday matcha, and creamy plant-based milk. If you’ve ever enjoyed a green tea latte at a bubble tea shop like Boba Guys, this homemade version offers the same beautiful layered latte effect with more control over sweetness and ingredients. It becomes your perfect chilled beverage for hot summer days.
Why You’ll Love This Iced Strawberry Matcha Latte
You’ll fall in love with this drink because it delivers flavor, beauty, and refreshment in every glass. The bright red strawberry purée layer stands out beneath the vibrant green matcha, giving you a visual treat and a delicious iced latte. The sweet fruit and earthy matcha flavor blend perfectly, offering both energy and satisfaction when the temperature hits summer months.
This vegan latte also fits many dietary needs. Choosing dairy-free milk options like oat milk or almond milk makes it a healthy substitute for dairy milk. You can adjust sweetness to your taste or turn it into a sweetened matcha drink with minimal fuss. Plus, this homemade matcha recipe is a cold drink for summer that doesn’t rely on artificial syrups or expensive café runs.
Ingredients & Substitutions
At its heart, this Strawberry Matcha drink uses fresh strawberries and matcha powder with plant-based milk. For matcha, choose ceremonial matcha for vibrant color and smooth taste, or everyday matcha when you want an affordable yet flavorful option. Culinary matcha can also work, though it may carry a stronger, slightly bitter edge.
Choosing the right milk enhances texture and flavor. Oat milk gives creamy richness and fiber while almond milk offers a light nutty flavor with fewer calories. Both are excellent dairy-free milk alternatives. If you want variety, experiment with a strawberry milk alternative like oat-strawberry blend. And yes, frozen strawberries thawed first work when fresh aren’t available. The strawberry sugar mixture can be prepped in advance as a make-ahead Strawberry mixture for faster assembly.
How to Make a Strawberry Matcha Latte (Step-by-Step)
Start by cooking a simple strawberry purée. Combine fresh strawberries with a bit of sugar and water in a saucepan. Simmer until softened, mash it, and strain through a sieve to create the smooth strawberry purée layer. Once cooled, it becomes a bright and fruity base for your drink.
In a separate bowl, sift matcha powder and add hot water before whisking vigorously with your matcha whisk until frothy. Fill your glass with ice and pour in the strawberry puree. Top with chilled oat milk or almond milk, then slowly create the green tea latte layer by pouring the matcha over the back of a spoon. Watch as it forms that signature layered latte effect just like at Boba Guys.
Recipe Tips for the Best Results
To maintain crisp layers and vibrant colors, keep all ingredients chilled. Warm liquids can melt ice and spoil the layered latte appearance. For the deepest green and smoothest taste, opt for ceremonial matcha, which is widely recognized as the best Strawberry matcha for lattes. If budget matters, everyday matcha still works well and offers great flavor.
Strain your strawberry mixture to avoid seeds or pulp that could muddy the drink’s texture. Whisk the matcha until frothy to create a creamy cap that elevates the texture. Finally, taste and adjust sweetness before layering. This drink is all about balance, showcasing strawberry matcha nutrition without overpowering your taste buds.
Customizations and Variations
If you want to add boba to matcha latte, cook tapioca pearls separately and add them to the bottom of the glass before starting your layers. This gives you that authentic bubble tea shop experience at home. You can also flavor it with mint, vanilla, or mango by blending fruit or extracts into your base.
Another variation is to make Strawberry Matcha smoothies by blending all ingredients, including a make-ahead strawberry mixture. For a frosty twist, freeze strawberry purée in ice cube trays and blend with milk and matcha. The drink remains a cold drink for summer but transforms into a thicker, more indulgent form.
Storage & Make-Ahead Tips
Yes, you can prepare parts of this drink ahead of time. The strawberry sugar mixture keeps fresh in a sealed jar in the fridge for about four days, making it easy to create an easy 5-minute drink when you’re in a hurry. You can freeze the mixture in ice cube trays to extend its life and have pre-portioned servings ready.
Whisking matcha can be done shortly before serving or even early in the day and kept cold. When you’re ready, assemble the drink by pouring the fruit, milk, and matcha layers. If you wonder “Can I make matcha latte in advance?”, the answer is yes as long as you keep ingredients separate until serving and layer just before drinking.
Perfect Pairings and Serving Suggestions
Pair this chilled beverage with light snacks like almond biscotti, matcha shortbread, or a yogurt parfait. It fits wonderfully into a brunch spread with avocado toast or fruit salad. Many fans describe it as “summer in a glass,” and paired with outdoor dining or poolside lounging, it delivers that perfect balance of refreshment and nourishment.
For an elevated presentation, serve it in a clear glass with a reusable straw or a metal straw for eco-friendliness. Use colorful ice cube molds or add edible flowers as garnish. This iced latte feels as festive as it is flavorful, making it a star at gatherings, picnics, or wellness events.
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Strawberry Matcha Latte
Ingredients
For the Matcha Layer
- 1 cup fresh strawberries chopped
- 1 to 2 tablespoons sugar adjust to taste
- 2 tablespoons water
For the Matcha Layer
- 1 teaspoon matcha powder use ceremonial matcha or everyday matcha
- 2 tablespoons hot water not boiling, around 175°F / 80°C
For the Milk Layer
- ¾ cup plant-based milk such as oat milk or almond milk chilled
Instructions
- Wash and chop 1 cup of fresh strawberries. Add them to a small saucepan with 1–2 tablespoons of sugar and 2 tablespoons of water.
- Cook the strawberry mixture over medium heat for about 5–7 minutes until soft. Stir and mash the berries gently as they cook into a thick strawberry sugar mixture.
- Once cooked, remove from heat and let it cool. Strain the mixture through a fine sieve to make smooth strawberry purée. Set it aside.
- In a small bowl, sift 1 teaspoon of matcha powder. Add 2 tablespoons of hot water (about 175°F) and whisk matcha until frothy using a bamboo whisk or handheld frother.
- Fill a clear glass with ice cubes. Pour the strawberry purée into the bottom of the glass to create the first layer.
- Slowly pour ¾ cup of chilled plant-based milk such as oat milk or almond milk over the strawberries to form the middle layer.
- Carefully pour the whisked matcha on top using the back of a spoon to keep the layered latte effect. Your homemade matcha drink is ready to serve.
Notes
FAQs
What is strawberry matcha?
Strawberry matcha is a layered drink made with fresh strawberries, matcha powder, and plant-based milk, blending fruity sweetness with earthy green tea flavor.
Are strawberry and matcha good?
Yes, they create a perfect sweet and grassy flavor combo that’s refreshing, balanced, and visually stunning.
What is the strawberry matcha drink at Starbucks?
It’s a popular layered latte featuring matcha, milk, and strawberry purée—often customized with oat milk or almond milk.
Why is Gen Z obsessed with matcha?
Gen Z loves matcha for its natural energy, health benefits, and how it fits into aesthetic, vegan latte and wellness trends.
Why is matcha so expensive?
Ceremonial matcha is pricey because it’s made from high-quality, shade-grown tea leaves that are carefully stone-ground for purity and taste.
