There’s something magical about that first sip of a strawberry matcha latte—the way the bright sweetness of strawberries dances with earthy matcha, creating this perfectly balanced, refreshing drink that wakes up your taste buds and your energy levels. I fell in love with this combo during my first trip to Tokyo, where tiny cafes served these gorgeous layered drinks that looked almost too pretty to drink (almost!).
What makes my strawberry matcha latte special? Years of tweaking! After burning through more matcha powder than I’d care to admit (pro tip: never over-whisk with boiling water—it turns bitter!), I’ve nailed the method that gives you that dreamy frothy top and those beautiful pink-green swirls every time. It’s become my morning ritual—way better than coffee crashes—and my friends constantly beg me to make it when they visit.
The best part? You’re getting the gentle caffeine boost from ceremonial-grade matcha (about as much as half a cup of coffee) packed with antioxidants, while fresh strawberries add natural sweetness and vitamin C. It’s like sunshine in a glass, ready in under 5 minutes with no fancy equipment needed. Trust me, once you try this homemade version, those expensive cafe versions won’t stand a chance!
Why You’ll Love This Strawberry Matcha Latte
This drink isn’t just another trendy beverage—it’s a total game changer! Here’s why it’ll become your new obsession:
- Instant mood booster: That vibrant pink-and-green swirl alone will make you smile before the first sip
- 5-minute magic: Faster than waiting in line at a café, and you control the ingredients
- Perfect balance: Sweet strawberries mellow out matcha’s earthiness—no “grassy” aftertaste here
- Caffeine without the jitters: Matcha gives you clean energy (about 30mg per serving—half a coffee!)
- Endlessly customizable: Use any milk, adjust sweetness, or make it extra fruity with bonus berries
My favorite thing? That gorgeous layered look—so impressive, yet stupidly easy to make. Your Instagram feed (and taste buds) will thank you!
Ingredients for Strawberry Matcha Latte
Here’s the beautiful part – you only need five simple ingredients to make magic happen! But trust me, the quality and prep of these ingredients makes all the difference between a good latte and an “oh-my-gosh-I-need-another-sip” latte.
- 1 tsp matcha powder (sifted) – Don’t skip sifting! Ceremonial grade gives the smoothest flavor, but culinary grade works in a pinch
- 1 cup milk (chilled, dairy or plant-based) – My go-to is oat milk for creaminess, but coconut milk makes it extra decadent
- 1/2 cup fresh strawberries (hulled) – About 4 medium berries. Ripe ones blend smoother and sweeter!
- 1 tbsp honey or sweetener (optional, adjust to taste) – I often use half this amount when berries are super sweet
- 1/2 cup ice cubes – Pro tip: Freeze some strawberry slices in your ice cubes for a pretty effect
See that “(sifted)” next to matcha? Learned that the hard way after serving lumpy matcha to friends – not cute! Now I keep a tiny sieve just for matcha days. And those strawberries? Hulling them first means no weird leafy bits in your puree. Tiny details, huge difference!
How to Make a Strawberry Matcha Latte
Okay, here’s where the magic happens! Making this beauty is easier than you think – I’ll walk you through each step so you get those Instagram-worthy layers every time. Just follow along and soon you’ll be sipping on café-quality goodness!
Step 1: Prepare the Strawberry Puree
First, let’s tackle the strawberry layer. Toss those hulled berries into your blender – no fancy equipment needed, even a bullet blender works great here. Blend until completely smooth, about 30 seconds. The seeds? Totally optional – I leave them in for texture (and laziness!), but if you prefer silky smooth, strain through a fine-mesh sieve. Pro tip: If your berries aren’t super ripe, add a teaspoon of honey while blending to boost sweetness naturally.
Step 2: Whisk the Matcha
Now for the matcha magic! Sift your powder into a bowl (those little clumps are sneaky!). Heat 2 tablespoons of water to about 175°F – boiling water makes matcha bitter, so think “baby bottle warm.” Pour it over the powder and whisk vigorously in a “W” or “M” motion for about 1-2 minutes until frothy. No fancy bamboo whisk? A small regular whisk or even a fork works in a pinch – just put some elbow grease into it! You’ll know it’s ready when you see those tiny bubbles forming on top.
Step 3: Assemble the Latte
Time for the fun part – layering! Grab your favorite glass and start with ice (those strawberry ice cubes if you’re feeling fancy). Pour in your chilled milk, leaving about 1½ inches at the top. Now slowly drizzle the strawberry puree over the back of a spoon – this helps it float beautifully on the milk instead of sinking. Top with your whisked matcha, pouring gently over the spoon again. For that artsy marbled effect, use a straw to give one gentle swirl – just enough to create swirls but keep the layers distinct. First sip tip: Don’t stir completely! Part of the joy is tasting the separate flavors coming together as you drink.
Tips for the Perfect Strawberry Matcha Latte
Want to take your drink from “pretty good” to “can’t-stop-drinking-this” level? Here are my hard-won secrets:
- Temperature matters: Always use chilled milk—warm milk makes the ice melt too fast and dilutes those gorgeous flavors
- Shaker shortcut: No time to whisk? Add matcha + 2 tbsp hot water to a jar, seal tight, and shake like a cocktail mixer for instant froth
- Sweetness sweet spot: Taste your strawberry puree first—sometimes ripe berries need zero added sugar
- Artistic layers: Pour everything over the back of a spoon slowly—it’s the difference between a muddled mess and café-worthy stripes
- Prep ahead: Make extra puree and keep it in the fridge for up to 2 days—morning me thanks night-before me constantly for this!
Strawberry Matcha Latte Variations
Once you’ve mastered the basic recipe, the fun begins! Here are my favorite ways to switch things up:
- Frozen berry boost: Swap fresh strawberries for frozen when they’re not in season—just thaw slightly first
- Coconut dream: Use coconut milk instead of regular milk for a tropical twist (amazing with a sprinkle of toasted coconut on top!)
- Vanilla kiss: Add ¼ tsp vanilla extract to the strawberry puree for extra warmth
- Protein power: Blend in a scoop of vanilla protein powder with the milk for a post-workout treat
- Sparkling surprise: Replace half the milk with chilled sparkling water for a fizzy summer version
My latest obsession? A pinch of ground ginger in the matcha—just enough to give it a little zing!
Serving and Storage
Serve your strawberry matcha latte immediately for those picture-perfect layers and maximum freshness! The ice will start melting fast (especially if you’re snapping photos like I always do). If you need to prep ahead, store the strawberry puree and matcha mixture separately in the fridge for up to 24 hours—just give them a quick stir before assembling with fresh ice and milk.
Strawberry Matcha Latte FAQs
I get questions about this drink all the time—here are the ones that pop up most often from friends and readers trying it for the first time!
Can I use frozen strawberries instead of fresh?
Absolutely! Frozen berries work great—just thaw them slightly first so they blend smoothly. I actually keep a bag in my freezer for emergency latte cravings. The texture might be slightly thicker, which can make those beautiful layers even more dramatic!
How much caffeine is in a strawberry matcha latte?
One teaspoon of matcha powder (about 2 grams) typically has around 30-40mg of caffeine—that’s about half a cup of coffee. The cool thing? Matcha’s caffeine releases slowly thanks to L-theanine, so you get steady energy without the jitters or crash.
My matcha keeps clumping—help!
Oh man, I’ve been there! Two game changers: 1) Always sift your matcha first—those tiny clumps disappear. 2) Use water that’s hot but not boiling (around 175°F). Too hot = bitter, too cold = stubborn clumps. If you’re really struggling, try the jar-shaking method I mentioned earlier—it’s foolproof!
Can I make this dairy-free?
100%! I make it with oat milk most days—the creaminess mimics dairy perfectly. Almond, coconut, or soy milk work great too. Just make sure whatever you use is chilled, because warm plant milks can sometimes separate when they hit the cold ingredients.
How long does the strawberry puree last in the fridge?
Stored in an airtight container, it’ll stay fresh for about 2-3 days. The color might darken slightly, but the flavor stays delicious. Pro tip: Squeeze a little lemon juice over the puree before storing to keep it vibrant!
Nutritional Information
Here’s the scoop on what’s in your strawberry matcha latte—but remember, these numbers can dance around depending on your exact ingredients! My estimates are based on using 2% dairy milk and honey. If you swap in coconut milk or skip the sweetener, your totals will change.
- Calories: Around 180 per serving
- Sugar: Roughly 18g (mostly natural from the berries and honey)
- Protein: About 6g (thank you, milk and matcha!)
Not too shabby for a drink that tastes like dessert, right? The matcha brings antioxidants called catechins (way more than regular green tea!), and those fresh strawberries pack a vitamin C punch. My nutritionist friend always reminds me—it’s not just about the numbers, but the quality ingredients you’re putting in your body. And this latte? Definitely qualifies as a “healthy-ish” treat in my book!
Ready to Make Your Own Strawberry Matcha Latte?
There you have it—everything I’ve learned from years of making (and occasionally messing up!) this gorgeous drink. Now it’s your turn to experience that magical moment when sweet strawberries meet earthy matcha in perfect harmony. The best part? You probably have most of these ingredients already—so what are you waiting for?
I’d love to hear how your strawberry matcha latte turns out! Did you add a creative twist? Discover a new favorite milk pairing? Maybe you nailed those picture-perfect layers on your first try (show-off!). Drop a comment below and share your experience—I read every single one and might even feature your creation on my socials! You can also find more delicious recipes on Pinterest.
And hey—if this becomes your new morning ritual like it did for me, don’t say I didn’t warn you about the addiction potential. One sip and you’ll be hooked!
Print
Irresistible Strawberry Matcha Latte Recipe in 5 Minutes
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 minutes
- Total Time: 7 minutes
- Yield: 1 serving 1x
- Category: Beverage
- Method: Blending
- Cuisine: Japanese-inspired
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A refreshing and energizing drink combining the sweetness of strawberries with the earthy flavor of matcha.
Ingredients
- 1 tsp matcha powder
- 1 cup milk (dairy or plant-based)
- 1/2 cup fresh strawberries
- 1 tbsp honey or sweetener (optional)
- 1/2 cup ice cubes
Instructions
- Blend strawberries until smooth.
- Sift matcha powder into a bowl.
- Add a small amount of hot water and whisk until frothy.
- Pour milk into a glass, add ice.
- Layer strawberry puree, then matcha mixture.
- Stir gently before drinking.
Notes
- Adjust sweetness to taste.
- Use chilled ingredients for best results.
- Shake matcha with milk in a jar for quicker preparation.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 glass (300ml)
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 50mg
- Fat: 5g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
Keywords: strawberry matcha latte, matcha drink, strawberry beverage
