Strawberry Matcha Latte with Strawberry Cold Foam

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Strawberry matcha has been one of my favorite drinks ever since we visited Japan two springs ago. The baristas there blended the fresh flavor of the strawberries perfectly with milk and matcha to create an absolutely delicious, refreshing iced strawberry matcha latte.

When I got back home, I made it my mission to recreate those strawberry matcha that I loved.

This homemade strawberry matcha is made with simple ingredients, takes just a few minutes to prepare, and gives you that beautiful café-style layered look.

Strawberry Matcha Latte Recipe

Matcha is a powdered form of green tea made from specially grown leaves. Unlike regular green tea, where leaves are steeped and removed, matcha is whisked directly into water or milk, meaning you consume the entire leaf. This traditional Japanese tea has been used for centuries, especially in tea ceremonies, and is known for its high antioxidant content.

A strawberry matcha latte is a layered drink made with fresh strawberry purée, milk, and matcha. It’s often served over ice for a refreshing iced strawberry matcha latte, though it can also be served warm.

The flavor contrast is what makes a strawberry matcha latte so unique. The strawberries bring natural sweetness and brightness, while matcha adds earthy, slightly grassy notes. Combined with milk, the result is creamy and refreshing, not too sweet, not too bitter, and a perfectly balanced strawberry matcha drink.

Strawberry Matcha Latte Ingredients

Matcha

The main ingredient of a strawberry matcha latte is matcha. The quality of your matcha will directly affect the taste of your strawberry matcha drink. A dull or bitter matcha can overpower the strawberries, while a smooth, high-quality powder creates balance.

What Type of Matcha Should You Use?

Not all matcha tastes the same. Some varieties are grassy and bold, while others are smooth and slightly sweet.

Ceremonial grade matcha: Higher quality, smoother, less bitter flavor, making it the best choice for drinking in lattes like strawberry matcha.

Culinary grade matcha: Slightly stronger and more bitter, more affordable, and works well when mixed with sweet strawberry purée.

Why Is My Matcha Clumpy?

Matcha naturally clumps due to its fine texture. Always sift it before whisking and use hot (not boiling) water to dissolve it properly. This ensures your strawberry matcha drink is silky and smooth.

homemade strawberry syrup for matcha latte

Strawberries

Strawberries are what give strawberry matcha its fruity sweetness and beautiful pink layer.

We use fresh strawberries to create a bright, naturally sweet purée, but you can also use frozen strawberries. If strawberries aren’t in season, frozen strawberries work perfectly for your strawberry matcha latte , just thaw them first before blending.

Milk

Milk plays a major role in the texture and balance of strawberry matcha. It softens matcha’s earthy notes and blends beautifully with the sweet strawberry base.

Whole milk: Classic flavor and traditional café-style richness.

Oat milk: Naturally creamy, has a slight natural sweetness, and froths beautifully.

Almond milk: Lighter texture with a subtle nutty flavor.

Coconut milk: Adds tropical depth and pairs surprisingly well with strawberries.

Immersion blender blending cooked strawberries into a smooth strawberry syrup for layered strawberry matcha latte

Sweeteners (Optional)

Strawberry matcha is meant to be slightly sweeter than regular matcha. Depending on how sweet your strawberries are, you may not need much additional sugar.

Honey: Adds a floral sweetness and is my personal go-to.

Maple syrup: Vegan-friendly with a caramel-like note.

White sugar: Provides clean sweetness and is the closest option if you are looking to recreate the strawberry matcha Starbucks drink.

Vanilla bean paste: Adds softness and a creamy flavor.

Always sweeten the strawberry layer first before adjusting the matcha.

Ice

Optional for the Perfect Iced Strawberry Matcha

How To Make Strawberry Matcha (Step-By-Step)

Making strawberry matcha at home is much easier than you might think.

Here’s exactly how to make the perfect iced strawberry matcha.

Make the Strawberry Base

Start by washing and hulling your fresh strawberries. Slice them and add a small amount of sweetener (honey, maple syrup, or sugar). Using a blender or food processor, blend the strawberries until completely smooth.

The texture should be thick but still pourable. Strain the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve to remove the seeds.

For a strawberry syrup-style base, place the strawberries, sugar, water, and lemon juice in a small pan.

Cook the strawberries over low heat a little longer to reduce the liquid and concentrate the sweetness. With an immersion blender, blend the mixture until smooth.

You can add an extra teaspoon of sugar or honey to enhance the syrupy texture if needed. Once thickened, strain the syrup through a fine-mesh sieve for a smooth, silky consistency and let it cool.

Pour the strawberry purée or syrup into the bottom of your serving glass. This creates the flavorful base for your strawberry matcha latte.

Fine matcha powder being sifted into a small bowl for strawberry matcha latte

Prepare the Matcha

Sift 1-2 teaspoons of matcha powder into a small matcha bowl. Sifting prevents clumps and ensures your strawberry matcha is silky smooth.

Add about 2 ounces of hot water (not boiling).

Using a bamboo whisk (chasen) or small whisk, soak it in warm water for a few minutes, then whisk in a zigzag motion until the matcha becomes frothy and fully dissolved. There should be no visible lumps in the matcha. Set aside.

Matcha being whisked into hot water using a bamboo whisk

Add Ice and Milk

Fill your glass with ice over the strawberry purée.

Slowly pour cold milk over the ice. Pour gently to maintain a clean layer between the strawberry and the milk.

At this stage, you’ll already see the distinct pink and white layers forming.

Pour the Matcha

Now slowly pour the whisked matcha over the milk layer, gently and steadily, to create that iconic green top layer. The result should be three layers or colors: pink (strawberry), white (milk), and green (matcha).

Slowly pouring whisked green matcha over milk and strawberry syrup to create a layered strawberry matcha latte

Stir and Enjoy

Before drinking, stir everything together to combine the flavors.

Once mixed, your strawberry matcha latte becomes creamy, lightly sweet, and perfectly balanced.

Taste and adjust the sweetness if needed.

Optional: Make It Hot

If you prefer a warm strawberry matcha latte, heat your milk separately until it is hot but not boiling, then prepare the strawberry purée and matcha as directed above. Combine the strawberry purée with the hot milk first, then top it with the freshly whisked matcha and stir gently to blend the flavors.

Serve

Serve your homemade strawberry matcha immediately for the freshest flavor and best texture.

You can garnish with sliced strawberries or a light dusting of matcha.

This strawberry matcha drink is refreshing and antioxidant-rich, proof that you don’t need a coffee shop to enjoy a café-style strawberry matcha latte at home. You can also enjoy it with a slice of flan or strawberry shortcake on the side.

Iced strawberry matcha latte served with a straw and fresh strawberries

Strawberry Matcha Latte Recipe Variations

Cloudy Strawberry Matcha with Coconut Milk

For a cloudy tropical twist, prepare the strawberry layer by frothing together the strawberry syrup (or strawberries with sugar), heavy cream, and coconut milk to create a creamy, milkshake-like strawberry base. In a separate cup, whisk your matcha as usual. Finally, pour the matcha over the strawberry layer to combine the flavors.

The coconut milk pairs well with the strawberries and balances the matcha, creating a richer strawberry matcha drink.

Starbucks Strawberry Matcha Latte Copycat with Strawberry Cold Foam

If you love the Starbucks-style strawberry matcha latte, you can easily recreate it at home. Follow our recipe and top your matcha with strawberry cold foam.

To make the strawberry cold foam, in a separate jar, combine 2 tablespoons heavy cream (or 2 teaspoons low-fat milk), 1 teaspoon strawberry purée, and 1 tablespoon vanilla bean extract, then whisk until frothy.

Strawberry Banana Matcha

If you love fruity flavors, combining banana with strawberry matcha creates a naturally sweet and creamy drink. You can make it in a few ways: using banana milk, fresh banana purée, or a cooked banana purée that acts like a banana syrup.

To use banana milk, prepare the strawberry purée and whisk the matcha as directed in the main recipe. Fill your glass with ice and pour in the strawberry purée, then slowly pour cold banana milk over the ice to create a smooth, creamy layer.

Top it with the whisked matcha, pouring gently to maintain distinct layers, and stir lightly before drinking for a perfectly balanced strawberry-banana matcha flavor.

If you prefer fresh banana purée, peel a ripe banana and blend it with a splash of milk (dairy or plant-based) until smooth and creamy, adding more milk gradually for a thinner texture. Layer the banana purée with the strawberry purée and ice, then pour the matcha on top, stirring gently before enjoying.

For a richer, more caramelized flavor, you can make a cooked banana purée or banana syrup.

Start by mashing a ripe banana in a small pan with a teaspoon of water and 1-2 teaspoons of sugar or honey.

Cook over low heat, stirring frequently, until the mixture becomes soft and syrupy, about 5-7 minutes. Let it cool, then layer it with the strawberry purée and ice, then top with milk and the whisked matcha.

Pouring cold milk over for iced strawberry matcha

Strawberry Matcha Without Milk

If you prefer a lighter strawberry matcha drink, you can skip the milk entirely.

Layer strawberry purée with ice, then pour whisked matcha combined with water on top. Stir before drinking.

Strawberry Matcha Recipe Tips

These simple tips will help you create the perfect strawberry matcha latte every time.

Use High-Quality Matcha: The smoother the matcha, the better your strawberry matcha latte will taste. Ceremonial-grade matcha is less bitter than others.

Always Sift Your Matcha: Matcha clumps easily. Sifting ensures your strawberry matcha drink doesn't get grainy.

Use Ripe Strawberries: Naturally sweet strawberries reduce the need for extra sugar in your strawberry matcha.

Sweeten the Strawberry Layer First: Adjust the sweetness in the strawberry purée before assembling the drink. This creates a more balanced strawberry matcha latte overall.

Adjust Milk Ratio to Taste: Customize your strawberry matcha drink depending on how bold you want it. Using more milk creates a creamier drink with a softer flavor, while using less milk allows the matcha taste to come through more strongly.

Make It Ahead: You can prepare the strawberry purée up to 3-4 days in advance and store it in small glass jars in the refrigerator. Whisk the matcha fresh for the best flavor and texture.

Yield: 1

Author: Prancier

Strawberry Matcha Latte

This strawberry matcha latte features a delicious strawberry syrup base, creamy milk, and frothy whisked matcha layered over ice, then topped with sweet strawberry foam.

Prep time: 10 MinCook time: 5 MinTotal time: 15 Min

Ingredients

Strawberry Syrup

1 cup fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
2-3 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons water
1 teaspoon lemon juice

Matcha Latte

2 teaspoons matcha powder
2 ounces hot water (not boiling)
1 cup milk of choice (whole, oat, almond, or coconut)
Ice

Strawberry Foam

2 tablespoons heavy cream
2 tablespoons low-fat milk
1 tablespoon strawberry syrup or purée
1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste

Instructions

Make Strawberry Syrup

In a small saucepan, combine strawberries, sugar, water, and lemon juice.
Cook over low heat for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the strawberries break down and the mixture thickens slightly.
Blend using an immersion blender (or transfer carefully to a blender) until smooth.
Strain through a fine-mesh sieve for a smooth, silky syrup.
Let cool completely before using

Prepare the Matcha

Sift matcha powder into a small bowl to prevent clumps.
Add hot water (not boiling).
Using a bamboo whisk (chasen) or small whisk, whisk in a zigzag motion until frothy and fully dissolved. Set aside.

Assemble the Drink

Spoon 2-3 tablespoons of strawberry syrup into the bottom of a tall glass.
Fill the glass with ice.
Slowly pour milk over the ice to create a clean white layer above the strawberry syrup.
Gently pour the whisked matcha over the milk to form the green top layer

Make the Strawberry Foam

In a small jar or bowl, combine heavy cream, strawberry syrup, and vanilla.
Whisk vigorously (or use a handheld frother) until thick and frothy but still pourable.
Spoon the strawberry foam over the matcha layer.
Garnish and serve