Strawberry Matcha Latte (Easy Recipe, Perfect Layers)

strawberry-matcha-latte-(easy-recipe,-perfect-layers)

This Strawberry Matcha Latte is creamy, layered, and naturally sweet-made with real strawberries and ceremonial-grade matcha powder. Learn how to make a café-style drink at home with clean, perfect layers every time.

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🔍 Quick Look: Strawberry Matcha Latte

  • ⏱️ Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • 🎛️ Cook Time: 0 minutes
  • 👥 Servings: 1
  • 📊 Calories: ~145 kcal per 1 cup serving (based on nutrition panel)
  • 👩🏽‍🍳 Flavor Profile: creamy, lightly sweet, slightly earthy, and refreshing
  • 💪🏼 Nutrition: 12 grams of protein, 2 grams of fiber
  • Difficulty: Beginner
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👩🏽‍⚕️ Nutritionist’s Note

Matcha provides antioxidants and a more stable energy lift compared to coffee due to its natural combination of caffeine and L-theanine.

For this recipe, I used a high-protein, unsweetened, unfortified plant milk-so there’s no added calcium. Minerals like calcium may bind to the beneficial compounds in green tea and reduce absorption, so this helps preserve more of matcha’s benefits.

I also use a tested ceremonial-grade matcha powder to help reduce potential exposure to heavy metals, since tea leaves can naturally accumulate them from the soil. (See my brand of choice here, under ‘Teas & Health Drinks’.)

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Fresh strawberries and earthy matcha create a balanced mix of sweet, earthy, and creamy. Here’s why this one Strawberry Matcha Latte stands out:

  • simple method for perfect layers
  • easy recipe you can make in minutes
  • made with real strawberries (no syrup)
  • smoother, tested ceremonial matcha
  • naturally sweet (safe for diabetics)

🍓 What Is a Strawberry Matcha Latte?

A strawberry matcha latte is a layered iced drink made with three simple components:

  • Strawberry purée or strawberry milk
  • Milk (dairy or plant-based)
  • Whisked matcha

The layers are typically stacked for a visual gradient, then stirred before drinking.

👩🏼‍🌾 Ingredients

Below, I share ingredient notes from both a nutrition expert’s and trained chef’s perspective.

Fresh strawberries, matcha, and nondairy milk.
  • Matcha powder: Ceremonial-grade matcha powder is recommended. Culinary-grade matcha can be used, but the flavor and color are noticeably different. Ceremonial-grade matcha is a deep, vibrant green, more aromatic, and naturally fresher and smoother in taste. I use one that’s tested for heavy metals. (See my brand of choice here, under ‘Teas & Health Drinks’.)
  • Strawberries: Ripe strawberries are sweeter and reduce need for added sugar.
  • Milk: Choose a plant milk based on your preference-soy for higher protein, oat for a creamier texture, almond for a lighter option.
  • Ice cubes: Essential for layering.

See the printable recipe card below for quantities.

🌱 Substitutions

This recipe is versatile and easy to adapt. Below are some simple ingredient substitutions.

  • Strawberries: Use thawed frozen strawberries, or 2 tablespoons strawberry jam, instead of fresh strawberries as needed
  • Sweetener: Add maple syrup, agave, or use date syrup or a blended Medjool dates for extra sweetness
  • Milk: use soy or pea (higher protein), oat (creamier), almond (lighter), or dairy milk
  • Matcha powder: culinary-grade can be used, but flavor and color will be less vibrant

📝 How to Make Strawberry Matcha Latte

The complete recipe with exact amounts is below. These additional tips will help you get the best results.

🫗 How to Get Perfect Layers

This is what separates a basic drink from a café-style strawberry matcha latte.

Build from heaviest to lightest

  • Bottom layer: strawberries (thick and dense)
  • Middle layer: milk + ice cubes
  • Top layer: matcha (lightest layer)

Control temperature

  • Strawberries: cold or room temp
  • Milk: cold
  • Matcha: warm (not hot), then slightly cooled. Hot matcha melts ice and the layers collapse.

Pouring technique

  • Pour matcha slowly to keep it from breaking through the milk layer.
  • Use the back of a spoon to gently diffuse the flow and guide it across the surface.
  • Don’t pour directly into the center, which pushes everything down and mixes the layers.
  • Keep plenty of ice cubes in the glass-they act as a barrier and help the matcha sit on top.

✔️ Storage & Meal Prep Tips

These simple steps help preserve freshness and flavor:

  • Store matcha powder in an airtight container in the fridge after opening to preserve its color and freshness.
  • Prep a batch of mashed or blended strawberries ahead of time. Store strawberry base separately in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days.
  • Stir before using, as natural separation may occur.
  • Make matcha fresh for best flavor and color.
  • Assemble just before serving to maintain clean layers.
  • Do not store the fully assembled drink-the layers will mix and the flavor will dull.

☕️ More Health Drinks

Try my high-antioxidant Sencha Japanese green tea recipe. See its health benefits, and how to prepare it.

Learn how to make filtered coffee without a machine and why it’s a heart-healthier option for managing cholesterol. 

Protein Coffee is an easy way to fuel your body in the morning without forcing a full meal.

This Prune Smoothie combines prunes, leafy greens, chia seeds, and healthy fats to provide minerals like calcium, magnesium, potassium, and vitamin K-nutrients linked to long-term bone support.

🙋🏽‍♀️ Recipe FAQs

Can strawberry matcha latte be made ahead?

The strawberry base can be made 3-4 days in advance and stored in the fridge. Matcha is best whisked fresh. Assemble the strawberry matcha latte just before serving for the best flavor and layers.

Can I add boba to a matcha latte?

Yes. Cooked tapioca pearls can be added to the bottom of the glass before the other ingredients. They pair well with the creamy milk and matcha.

What’s in the Starbucks strawberry matcha latte?

A Starbucks-style strawberry matcha latte typically includes strawberry purée or syrup, milk, and matcha (often as a foam or sweetened powder). It’s usually sweeter and not made with fresh strawberries.

Can diabetics drink a strawberry matcha latte?

It depends on how the strawberry matcha latte is made. Unsweetened milk and matcha with real strawberries and minimal added sweetener can fit into a diabetic meal plan.

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⚖️ Convert the Recipe to Metric (g & mL)

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Strawberry matcha latte in a glass with ice.

Nisha Melvani

Strawberry Matcha Latte made with real strawberries and matcha powder. Learn how to get perfect layers for a creamy, café-style drink at home.

Prep Time 5 minutes

Cook Time 0 minutes

Course beverage

Cuisine Vegan

Servings 1 serving

Calories 145 kcal

  • 4 medium fresh ripe strawberries or frozen and thawed (about ½ cup)
  • Date sugar or date syrup, maple syrup, or agave, to taste (optional)
  • 1 ½ teaspoons matcha powder preferably ceremonial grade
  • 4 tablespoons hot water about 175°F / 80°C
  • ¾ cup cold unsweetened nondairy milk or milk of choice
  • Ice cubes as needed (about 4 to 6)

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  • 1 muddler or garlic grater plate, or immersion blender

  • Mash Strawberries: Mash the strawberries using a fork, muddler, ceramic grater plate, or immersion blender. If using a plate, leave the stems on while grating, then remove and discard them once fully grated.

    If using a sweetener, mix it in at this stage so it blends evenly with the juices.

  • Add Ice Cubes: Fill a tall glass completely with ice cubes.

  • Add Milk: Pour cold milk slowly over the strawberries.

  • Sift matcha powder: Sift matcha powder into a small bowl.

  • Whisk matcha: Add hot water (~175°F / 80°C) and whisk until smooth.

  • Cool slightly: Let the whisked matcha sit for 60 seconds.

  • Pour matcha: Slowly pour over the milk to create layers. For a more dramatic effect, pour over the back of a spoon.

  • Serve: Stir before drinking or enjoy layered.

Note: I use unfortified plant milk, but you can use fortified milk for more calcium.

Sweetener: If using added sweetener, date sugar is the best choice because it’s made from whole dried dates, so it retains fiber and micronutrients. 

Perfect layer technique: See the blog post for how to create the perfect layers.

Ingredients: See my brand of tested ceremonial-grade matcha and date sugar here, under ‘Teas & Health Drinks’ and ‘Shop Healthy Ingredients.’

Calories: 145kcal | Carbohydrates: 12g | Protein: 12g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 0.5mg | Potassium: 473mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 306IU | Vitamin C: 28mg | Calcium: 44mg | Iron: 3mg

This information is provided as a courtesy and is only an estimate. Nutritional values may vary depending on factors such as product types and brands used.

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