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A layered strawberry matcha latte in a clear glass with fresh strawberry puree, creamy milk, and vibrant green matcha over ice, served on a white marble countertop with fresh strawberries and a bamboo matcha whisk.
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Strawberry Matcha Latte

A refreshing café-style Strawberry Matcha Latte made with fresh strawberry puree, creamy milk, and vibrant ceremonial matcha. This beautiful layered drink is lightly sweetened, perfectly balanced, and surprisingly easy to make at home in just minutes.
Course Beverage, Drinks
Cuisine American, Japanese-Inspired
Keyword barista style latte, café style matcha latte, ceremonial matcha latte, easy strawberry matcha, green tea latte, homemade matcha latte, homemade strawberry matcha latte, iced matcha latte, iced strawberry matcha latte, layered matcha latte, matcha latte recipe, refreshing summer drink, strawberry latte, strawberry matcha latte, strawberry milk matcha
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 3 minutes
Total Time 13 minutes
Servings 1 latte
Calories 280kcal
Cost $4 for entire recipe

Equipment

  • Blender
  • Small saucepan (optional, for reducing the strawberry puree)
  • Fine-Mesh Sieve (optional)
  • Matcha whisk (chasen) or handheld milk frother
  • Small heatproof bowl
  • Measuring cups and measuring spoons
  • Silicone spatula or spoon
  • 16-ounce serving glass
  • Small saucepan or kettle (for heating water)
  • Spoon (for pouring the matcha to create layers)

Ingredients

Strawberry Layer

  • 1½ cups 225 g fresh strawberries, hulled
  • 1 tablespoon simple syrup plus more to taste
  • ¼–½ teaspoons fresh lemon juice
  • Pinch of fine sea salt
  • ¼ teaspoon pure vanilla extract optional

Matcha Layer

  • 3 g ceremonial-grade matcha powder about 1½ teaspoons
  • ¼ cup 60 ml hot water (170–175°F / 77–80°C)

Latte

  • 1 cup 240 ml cold whole milk or barista-style oat milk
  • Ice enough to fill a 16-ounce glass about three-quarters full

Instructions

Prepare the Strawberry Layer

  • Blend the strawberries until completely smooth.
  • If the puree is very thin, transfer it to a small saucepan and simmer gently over medium heat for 2–3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it lightly coats the back of a spoon. If the puree is already thick, you can skip this step.
  • Remove the puree from the heat and stir in the lemon juice, salt, vanilla extract (if using), and 1 tablespoon of simple syrup. Taste and add more simple syrup if needed.
  • For an extra-smooth café-style texture, strain the puree through a fine-mesh sieve. Chill completely before assembling the drink.

Prepare the Matcha

  • Sift the matcha powder into a small bowl.
  • Pour in the hot water and whisk vigorously in a zigzag motion for 20–30 seconds until smooth and lightly foamy.

Assemble the Latte

  • Spoon the chilled strawberry puree into the bottom of a 16-ounce glass.
  • Fill the glass about three-quarters full with ice.
  • Slowly pour the cold milk over the ice.
  • Gently pour the freshly whisked matcha over the back of a spoon to create distinct layers.
  • Serve immediately. Stir before drinking, as the layers will naturally blend over time.

Notes

Making a homemade strawberry matcha latte is simple, but a few small details will help you achieve café-quality flavor and beautiful layers every time.

Use Ripe Strawberries for the Best Flavor

Fresh, ripe strawberries provide the sweetest, brightest flavor and require less added sweetener. If your strawberries are slightly tart or out of season, simply add a little more simple syrup to balance the drink.

Frozen Strawberries Work Too

No fresh berries? Frozen strawberries are an excellent substitute. Let them thaw completely and drain any excess liquid before blending to prevent a watery strawberry layer.

Choose High-Quality Matcha

For the smoothest flavor and most vibrant green color, use ceremonial-grade matcha. If you make matcha lattes frequently, a high-quality culinary-grade matcha is also a great budget-friendly option.

Don't Use Boiling Water

Hot water that is too hot can make matcha taste bitter. Aim for water between 170–175°F (77–80°C) for a smooth, naturally sweet flavor.

Adjust the Sweetness

Strawberries vary in sweetness depending on the season. Start with 1 tablespoon of simple syrup, then taste the strawberry mixture before adding more. Honey, maple syrup, or agave syrup also work well if you prefer natural sweeteners.

Strain for a Café-Style Texture

For an ultra-smooth strawberry matcha latte, strain the strawberry puree through a fine-mesh sieve. This removes the seeds and creates a silky texture similar to what you'll find at a specialty coffee shop.

Chill Before Assembling

Make sure the strawberry puree is completely chilled before building the drink. Cold ingredients help create cleaner layers and keep the ice from melting too quickly.

Pour Slowly for Beautiful Layers

To create the signature layered look, pour the milk slowly over the ice, then gently pour the whisked matcha over the back of a spoon. The layers will naturally blend as the drink sits, so stir before enjoying.

Make It Dairy-Free

Barista-style oat milk creates the creamiest dairy-free iced strawberry matcha latte, but almond milk, soy milk, coconut milk, or cashew milk all work well.

Enjoy Immediately

This drink is best served fresh. The vibrant layers look their best right after assembling, and the matcha foam is at its peak within the first few minutes.