Strawberry Matcha Latte Recipe

If you’ve been craving a pretty, refreshing, café-style drink you can make at home, this Strawberry Matcha Latte Recipe is the one to try. It’s creamy, lightly earthy, sweet from real strawberries, and gorgeous enough to feel like a little treat on an ordinary afternoon.

A pretty little pick-me-up you can make at home

There’s something special about a strawberry matcha latte. Maybe it’s those beautiful layers—pink strawberry puree, creamy milk, and that bright green matcha on top. Or maybe it’s the flavor contrast. You get sweet berry notes first, then the mellow, grassy richness of matcha. It’s fresh, balanced, and honestly feels a bit fancy without being fussy.

I love making this homemade strawberry matcha latte when the weather starts warming up and I want something cold, cheerful, and a little different from my usual coffee. It’s especially lovely in spring and summer, when strawberries are sweet and fragrant, but frozen strawberries work well too, so you don’t have to wait for peak season. That’s always a win in my kitchen.

And while this drink looks like something from a trendy café menu, it’s surprisingly simple. If you can blend strawberries and whisk matcha, you can make this. It’s also easy to tweak depending on your mood—more sweet, less sweet, dairy-free, extra creamy, or even a touch vanilla if that’s your thing. The whole recipe has that “treat yourself” feeling, but with ingredients you can feel good about serving.

Matcha, after all, is green tea in powdered form, so you’re getting antioxidants along with that gentle caffeine lift. Compared with a sugary coffee shop drink, this green tea latte at home usually gives you more control over sweetness, milk choice, and ingredient quality. That matters. A lot.

Why you’ll love this recipe

Beautiful café-style layers with very little effort
Made with real strawberries for fresh flavor
Easy to customize with dairy-free milk or different sweeteners

A refreshing summer drink that feels light but satisfying
Cheaper than buying a coffeehouse version
Ready in about 15 minutes
Naturally colorful and photo-worthy
Great for beginners who want an easy matcha latte
Balanced flavor—sweet, creamy, and earthy
Works with fresh or frozen strawberries

Ingredients you’ll need

This strawberry matcha latte recipe makes 2 servings.

For the strawberry layer:

1 cup strawberries, hulled and chopped (fresh or frozen, thawed)

2 tablespoons sugar or honey (adjust to taste)
1 teaspoon lemon juice (brightens the berry flavor)
2 tablespoons water, if needed for blending

For the matcha layer:

2 teaspoons ceremonial grade or good-quality culinary matcha
1/4 cup hot water, about 175°F, not boiling

For the latte:

2 cups milk of choice, divided (whole milk, oat milk, almond milk, or 2%)
1 to 2 cups ice
1 to 2 teaspoons maple syrup, honey, or simple syrup, optional

Optional garnish:

Sliced strawberries
A dusting of matcha
Vanilla cold foam

A few ingredient notes, because they really do help:

Strawberries: If they’re in season, use fresh. They’ll give you the brightest, sweetest flavor. If not, frozen berries are perfectly fine and often picked at peak ripeness.

Matcha: Ceremonial grade gives a smoother, cleaner taste if you’re drinking it straight in lattes. Culinary grade works too, especially if you already have some on hand, but choose one with a vivid green color instead of dull olive.
Milk: Oat milk makes a wonderfully creamy matcha milk tea style drink. Whole milk gives a rich café texture. Almond milk is lighter and lets the strawberry come through more clearly.
Sweetener: Taste your berries first. If they’re naturally sweet, you may need less sugar. That’s one of those little kitchen truths nobody tells you enough.

How to make this layered latte without a fuss

1. Make the strawberry puree

Add the strawberries, sugar or honey, lemon juice, and a splash of water to a blender or small food processor. Blend until smooth. If you want a silky sweet strawberry puree, strain it through a fine mesh sieve to remove seeds. If you like a more rustic fruit texture, leave it as is.

2. Taste and adjust

Give the puree a quick taste. If your berries are tart, add a little more sweetener. If it feels too thick, stir in a teaspoon or two of water. You want it pourable, but still rich enough to sit at the bottom of the glass and create that lovely layered matcha latte effect.

3. Whisk the matcha

Sift the matcha powder into a small bowl or mug. Pour in the hot water and whisk briskly until frothy and smooth. A bamboo whisk works beautifully, but a small handheld frother is even quicker on a busy weekday. Try not to use boiling water—it can make the matcha taste bitter.

4. Fill the glasses

Divide the strawberry puree between two tall glasses. Add ice over the puree, then pour in the milk, leaving a little room at the top for the matcha layer. This is where the drink starts looking extra pretty, and yes, it’s as satisfying as it sounds.

5. Pour the matcha on top

Slowly pour the whisked matcha over the milk. Pouring it over the back of a spoon can help create cleaner layers if you want that classic iced strawberry matcha latte look. If it swirls a little, don’t worry. It’ll still taste wonderful.

6. Sweeten if needed and serve

Add maple syrup or simple syrup if you want the latte sweeter, then stir before drinking—or leave it layered for photos first. No judgment here. Serve right away for the freshest taste and the best texture.

Servings & timing

Yield: 2 glasses
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Chill/Rest Time: None, unless chilling the strawberry puree for 10 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes

If you make the strawberry puree ahead, the whole drink comes together in about 5 minutes the next day.

Variations to try when you’re feeling creative

Vanilla version: Add 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract to the milk for a softer, creamier flavor.

Dairy-free version: Use oat milk or coconut milk for a creamy non-dairy strawberry milk matcha.
Extra fruity version: Blend in a few raspberries with the strawberries for a berry twist.
Protein boost: Add a spoonful of vanilla protein powder to the milk and shake well before assembling.

Blended version: Blend everything with ice for a frozen matcha strawberry drink that feels like a smoothie-meets-latte.
Lower sugar version: Use unsweetened milk and sweeten only with ripe fruit or a small amount of monk fruit sweetener.

Storage & reheating

This drink is best served fresh, but a few parts can absolutely be made ahead.

Strawberry puree: Store in an airtight jar in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Whisked matcha: Best made fresh, though you can keep it in the fridge for up to 24 hours and re-whisk before using.
Fully assembled latte: Drink right away for the best layers and texture; once it sits, the ice melts and the layers blend.

There’s no reheating needed for this refreshing summer drink, of course, but if you want a warm version, you can skip the ice and gently warm the milk before layering or stirring everything together.

For make-ahead advice, I’d suggest prepping the strawberry puree the night before. That turns this into a very quick morning treat.

Notes from my kitchen

I’ve tested this strawberry latte recipe a few different ways, and here’s what made the biggest difference:

First, good matcha matters more than people think. If your matcha tastes harsh or muddy, the whole drink can feel off-balance. Look for a bright green powder with a fresh scent. I’ve had good results with Ippodo, Jade Leaf, and Golde for home lattes.

Second, chill your glasses if you want the layers to hold a little longer. It’s a small thing, but it helps. And if your strawberry puree is too thin, the whole drink turns pink too quickly. Not a tragedy—still delicious—but if you’re after that classic layered look, keep the puree thick.

Also, sweetness is personal. Very personal. Some folks like this cafe style latte barely sweet so the matcha shines. Others want the strawberry layer more like a berry syrup. Both are fine. Let your taste buds decide.

One more thing: if you’re new to matcha, start with a lighter hand. Two teaspoons for two drinks gives a pleasant green tea flavor without taking over. You can always work your way up.

FAQs

Can I use frozen strawberries?

Yes, absolutely. Thaw them first so they blend smoothly, and drain off any excess liquid if the puree seems watery.

What’s the best milk for a strawberry matcha latte?

Oat milk and whole milk are my favorites because they make the drink creamy and balanced, but almond milk works well for a lighter version.

Why is my matcha clumpy?

Matcha often clumps if it isn’t sifted first. Sifting and whisking with hot—not boiling—water makes a much smoother matcha latte recipe.

Can I make this drink sugar-free?

Yes. Use very ripe strawberries and a sugar-free sweetener if needed. Unsweetened vanilla almond milk can also add flavor without much extra sugar.

How do I get clean layers?

Use thick strawberry puree, plenty of ice, and pour the milk and matcha slowly. Pouring the matcha over the back of a spoon helps keep the top layer neat.

Can I make a hot version?

You can. Skip the ice, warm the milk, and either layer gently or stir everything together for a cozy take on a green tea latte with strawberry.

Is this drink high in caffeine?

Not usually. Matcha contains caffeine, but the lift tends to feel steadier than coffee for many people. One teaspoon of matcha often has around 30–70 mg caffeine, depending on the brand.

What if I don’t have a bamboo whisk?

A small electric frother works beautifully. Even a tight-lidded jar can help in a pinch—shake carefully with warm water, though a whisk gives the smoothest result.

A few extra ideas if you want to make it a whole moment

If you’re serving this for brunch, pair it with lemon loaf, vanilla scones, or a simple avocado toast spread. The bright strawberry and earthy matcha play so nicely with light, fresh foods. I’ve also found that this homemade strawberry matcha latte makes a lovely afternoon pick-me-up with a small oatmeal cookie or a rice crispy treat. A little sweet with a little sweet—sometimes that’s exactly right.

And if you run a food blog, café menu, or even just keep a handwritten recipe binder like I do, this drink pulls people in because it checks so many boxes: visual appeal, seasonal flavor, simple method, and easy customization. It’s what I’d call a high-interest, low-stress recipe. Those are the keepers.

If you enjoy recipes like this, you might also like to explore a classic iced matcha latte, a strawberry smoothie, or a vanilla cold foam cold brew for another easy homemade café drink.

Conclusion

This Strawberry Matcha Latte Recipe is sweet, creamy, refreshing, and surprisingly simple to make at home. With real strawberry puree, smooth matcha, and those beautiful layers, it’s a drink that feels special without asking much from you in the kitchen. Give it a try, and if you do, I’d love to hear how you made it your own—leave a comment, share your twist, or bookmark it for your next warm afternoon craving.