MATCHAStrawberry Matcha Latte
The quick answer
Blend 3-4 fresh or frozen strawberries into a puree and spoon it into the bottom of a glass. Add ice and oat milk, then pour a pre-whisked matcha concentrate (1 tsp matcha in 2 oz of 175 F water) slowly over the top to create distinct pink and green layers. Stir before drinking.
The strawberry matcha latte went viral because it looks stunning, but the real reason to make it at home is that the fresh strawberry version tastes nothing like the syrup-heavy cafe copies.
The layered look requires one trick: pour the matcha slowly over the back of a spoon held just above the surface of the milk. This breaks the fall of the liquid and lets the denser matcha concentrate sit on top of the lighter strawberry-milk mixture for a few seconds before you photograph it. Once you stir it together, the flavor is bright, fruity, and earthy all at once.
Strawberry puree made from real fruit beats strawberry syrup for both flavor and nutrition. Blend 4-5 fresh or frozen strawberries with 1 teaspoon of honey or sugar in a small blender or with an immersion blender. This takes 60 seconds and produces about 2 tablespoons of puree with a fresh, tart sweetness that syrup simply cannot replicate.
Oat milk is strongly preferred over other milk types in this recipe. Its creamy, neutral flavor does not fight the strawberry or the matcha. Almond milk can work, but its thin texture makes the layers separate too fast. Coconut milk adds a competing tropical note that muddles the strawberry.
Frozen strawberries work just as well as fresh in this recipe and are available year-round. Thaw them for 5 minutes before blending, or blend them frozen if your blender is powerful. The flavor is actually more consistent with frozen berries because they are picked at peak ripeness.
Dial it in before you make it
Dial in matcha, water, and milk for a smooth, un-bitter latte.
Matcha Ratio Calculator
| Ingredient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Matcha powder | 1.5 tsp (3 g) |
| Hot / warm water (to whisk) | 2 fl oz |
| Milk (or milk alternative) | 10 fl oz |
| Suggested sweetener (honey / syrup) | 1.5 tsp |
- 1. Sift matcha into a bowl or cup.
- 2. Add 2 fl oz warm water (~175°F / 80°C) and whisk in a W-motion until smooth.
- 3. Pour over ice, add your milk, and sweeten to taste.
1 tsp matcha ≈ 2 g. Standard ratio is 1 tsp per 8 oz of drink.
Make it
Makes 1 drink
Ingredients
Steps
We made this drink seven times testing different strawberry-to-matcha ratios. Two tablespoons of puree at the base is the sweet spot. Less than that and the strawberry gets lost. More than 3 tablespoons and the drink tips too sweet. The 1:1 matcha-to-strawberry balance in this recipe is the one people ask for again and again.
Pro tips
- Add a pinch of salt to the strawberry puree. It deepens the berry flavor significantly.
- For a sweeter drink, use strawberry oat milk instead of plain oat milk.
- The layers only stay distinct for 60-90 seconds. Build it, photograph it, then stir right away.
- Freeze extra strawberry puree in ice cube trays for quick future batches.
- For a pink matcha drink without layers, blend everything together and serve over ice.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use strawberry syrup instead of real strawberries?
Yes, Torani or Monin strawberry syrup works and skips the blending step. Use 1.5 tablespoons at the base. Real fruit tastes brighter and less artificial, but syrup is the faster option on busy mornings and still looks great layered under the matcha.
How do I get the layers to stay in a strawberry matcha latte?
Cold milk is denser than matcha concentrate at room temperature. Pour the matcha last and go slow, using a spoon to break its fall. The layers hold for about 60-90 seconds. If they blend immediately, your matcha was too warm or you poured too fast.
Is a strawberry matcha latte caffeinated?
Yes. One teaspoon of matcha contains roughly 70 mg of caffeine. The strawberry and milk in the recipe do not add caffeine. The total caffeine is similar to a moderate cup of green tea, less than a shot of espresso.
Can I make this ahead of time?
Prep the strawberry puree and matcha concentrate separately and refrigerate each for up to 24 hours. Assemble over ice when ready to serve. Do not pre-combine them, or the layers will not form and the drink loses its visual appeal.
