Iced Strawberry Matcha Latte (Easy Cafe Style Recipe)

This iced strawberry matcha latte is the prettiest drink I make, and it tastes even better than it looks. Sweet, jammy strawberry purée sits at the bottom, creamy milk fills the middle, and a layer of bright green matcha floats on top. When you stir it together, you get a drink that tastes like strawberries and cream with a smooth, earthy green tea finish. Cafes charge a lot for this, but you can make it at home in about 10 minutes.

Quick answer: To make a strawberry matcha latte, blend or mash 1 cup (150g) of strawberries with 1 to 2 tbsp of sugar or honey to make a quick purée. Spoon 3 tbsp of the purée into a glass, add ice and ¾ cup (180 ml) of milk. Whisk 1 to 2 tsp of matcha powder with 2 oz (60 ml) of warm water until smooth and frothy, then pour it slowly over the milk to make layers. Stir before drinking.

The strawberry purée makes enough for 3 or 4 drinks and keeps in the fridge for up to 5 days.

Why You Will Love This Strawberry Matcha Latte?

• It is beautiful. Pink, white and green layers make it the prettiest drink in the house.
• It tastes like strawberries and cream. The fruit softens the earthy matcha, so it is a great drink for matcha beginners.
• It uses real fruit. No artificial syrups, just fresh or frozen strawberries.
• It is quick. About 10 minutes, or 3 minutes if you have purée ready in the fridge.
• It saves money. One homemade glass costs a fraction of a cafe version.

Ingredients

This makes 1 large drink (about 14 oz / 410 ml).

For the strawberry purée (makes enough for 3 to 4 drinks)

• 1 cup (150g) fresh or frozen strawberries, hulled and chopped
• 1 to 2 tbsp sugar, honey or maple syrup
• 1 tsp lemon juice

For the latte

• 1 to 2 tsp (2 to 4g) matcha powder
• 2 oz (60 ml) warm water, about 175°F (80°C)
• ¾ cup (180 ml) cold milk (oat, whole or almond)
• 3 tbsp strawberry purée
• 1 cup ice
• 1 tsp honey or vanilla syrup for the matcha (optional)

A few notes on the ingredients

Matcha: Choose a bright green matcha. Dull, yellowish matcha tastes bitter. A good “latte grade” or culinary grade matcha is perfect here because the strawberry and milk balance its flavor. For a full guide on choosing matcha, see my classic matcha latte post.

Strawberries: Fresh, ripe strawberries give the brightest flavor. Frozen strawberries work just as well and are great outside of berry season.

Milk: Oat milk is my favorite because it is naturally sweet and creamy. Whole milk makes it richer, and almond milk keeps it light.

How to Make Strawberry Purée?

You have two easy options:

• Quick blended purée: Blend the strawberries, sugar and lemon juice until smooth. That is it. It is fresh and bright.
• Cooked jammy purée: Simmer the strawberries, sugar and lemon juice in a small pan over medium heat for 5 to 7 minutes, mashing with a fork, until thick and jammy. Let it cool. This one is sweeter and richer, and it lasts longer in the fridge.

I usually make the cooked version on Sunday and keep a jar for the week.

How to Make an Iced Strawberry Matcha Latte (Step by Step)

Add the strawberries. Spoon 3 tbsp of strawberry purée into the bottom of a tall glass. Add a few chopped fresh strawberries if you like.

Add ice and milk. Fill the glass with ice, then slowly pour in the cold milk. Pouring slowly over the ice keeps the pink layer at the bottom.

Sift the matcha. Sift the matcha powder into a small bowl through a fine sieve to remove clumps.

Whisk the matcha. Add the warm water (not boiling) and whisk quickly in a “W” shape with a bamboo whisk, or use a handheld frother, for 20 to 30 seconds until smooth and foamy. Stir in honey if you want it sweeter.

Layer the matcha. Slowly pour the matcha over the back of a spoon on top of the milk. It will float and create a green layer.

Stir and enjoy. Admire the layers, take a photo, then stir everything together before drinking.

6 Easy Variations

• Hot strawberry matcha latte. Warm and froth the milk, stir in the strawberry purée, then pour the matcha on top. Cozy and lovely in cooler months.
• Strawberry cream cold foam. Froth 3 tbsp heavy cream, 1 tbsp milk and 1 tbsp strawberry purée until thick and pink. Spoon it on top of an iced matcha latte.
• Strawberry vanilla. Add ½ tsp vanilla extract to the purée for a strawberries and cream flavor.
• Blended strawberry matcha frappe. Blend 1 cup ice, the milk, matcha, ½ cup frozen strawberries and a little honey until thick and slushy.
• Mango or blueberry matcha. Swap the strawberries for mango or blueberries. Mango and matcha is a gorgeous combo.
• Dairy free coconut. Use coconut milk for a tropical twist.

How to Get Perfect Layers?

Those pretty layers come from density. The sweet strawberry purée is the heaviest, so it stays at the bottom. Cold milk sits in the middle, and the light, frothy matcha floats on top. A few tricks help:

• Fill the glass with ice before the milk so it has something to land on.
• Pour the milk and matcha slowly over the back of a spoon.
• Make sure the matcha is well whisked and a little frothy, as the air helps it float.
• Use cold milk. Warm milk mixes with the other layers faster.

My Tips for the Best Strawberry Matcha Latte

• Never use boiling water. It burns the matcha and makes it bitter. Aim for about 175°F (80°C), or let boiled water sit for 2 to 3 minutes.
• Sift the matcha. It takes 10 seconds and removes all the little lumps.
• Sweeten the purée, not just the matcha. The fruit layer is where most of the sweetness should live.
• Taste your strawberries. Very sweet berries need less sugar. Tart berries may need a little more.
• Make purée ahead. A jar in the fridge means this drink takes 3 minutes on busy mornings.

Common Mistakes

• Using low quality matcha. It turns the drink brownish and bitter.
• Pouring too fast. You lose the layers. Go slow.
• Too little purée. You need at least 3 tablespoons to really taste the strawberry.
• Not stirring before drinking. The layers are for looks. Stir so every sip tastes balanced.

What to Serve With It

This drink is lovely with a light breakfast, like yogurt with granola or a slice of toast. If you love fruity drinks, my mango smoothie is another easy morning favorite. On days when I want coffee instead, I make my simple iced coffee recipe.

Strawberry Matcha Latte FAQs

What does a strawberry matcha latte taste like?

It tastes like strawberries and cream with a smooth, earthy, slightly grassy green tea finish. The fruit makes it sweeter and softer than a plain matcha latte.

Can I use strawberry jam instead of purée?

Yes. Use 2 tbsp of strawberry jam loosened with 1 tbsp of water. It is a great shortcut.

How much caffeine is in a strawberry matcha latte?

One teaspoon (about 2g) of matcha usually has around 60 to 70 mg of caffeine. With 2 teaspoons, you get roughly 120 to 140 mg.

Can I make it without a bamboo whisk?

Yes. A handheld milk frother works great, or shake the matcha and warm water in a small jar with a lid for 20 seconds.

Can I use frozen strawberries?

Yes. Thaw them first, or cook them into the jammy purée. Frozen berries are often sweeter than out of season fresh ones.

How long does strawberry purée last?

Blended raw purée lasts about 3 days in the fridge. The cooked version lasts up to 5 days in a sealed jar.

Final Thoughts

This iced strawberry matcha latte is one of those drinks that makes an ordinary morning feel special. It is fruity, creamy and refreshing, and it looks amazing in the glass. Make a jar of strawberry purée this week and enjoy cafe style drinks at home whenever you like.