A strawberry matcha latte combines matcha green tea with strawberry syrup or a quick fruit puree and cold milk. It is a vibrant pink and green layered drink that is refreshing, naturally fruity, and ready in about 5 minutes at home.
What you'll learn:
| Prep time | 5 minutes |
| Total time | 5 minutes |
| Servings | 1 |
| Difficulty | Easy |
Strawberry matcha is usually an iced drink: strawberry syrup (or a quick fruit purée) mixed into milk, topped with a bright green matcha layer. The flavour is fruity and creamy, with matcha’s earthy note in the background.
If you want the fundamentals first, follow how to make a matcha latte and then come back to add the strawberry layer. For the basics of what the drink is (not a recipe), see matcha latte. If you want a plain version, start with iced matcha latte.
One quick heads up: syrups add sugar, so calories can jump fast. If that matters to you, skim matcha calories and adjust the syrup amount. For the benefits angle, see matcha latte benefits.
Ingredients
- 1 to 2g matcha powder (about half to one level teaspoon)
- 30ml hot water (about 80°C)
- 200ml cold milk of choice (oat or dairy work especially well)
- 1 to 2 tbsp strawberry syrup (store-bought or homemade)
- Ice cubes (enough to fill a tall glass)
The only “non-negotiable” here is mixing matcha with warm water first. If you try to stir matcha straight into cold milk, you will usually get gritty clumps.
How to Make Strawberry Matcha
- Make the strawberry milk base. Add strawberry syrup to a tall glass. Fill the glass with ice, pour in the cold milk, then stir until the milk is evenly pink.
- Sift the matcha into a small bowl or cup. This takes seconds and makes it much easier to get a smooth drink.
- Whisk matcha with 30ml hot water (80°C) until smooth. Whisk briskly until you have a lump-free, vivid green mixture with a light foam.
- Pour matcha over the strawberry milk. For a layered look, pour slowly over the back of a spoon. If you prefer it fully mixed, pour it in and stir gently.
- Taste and adjust. Add a little more syrup if you want it sweeter, or add a splash more milk if it tastes too strong.
Quick Homemade Strawberry Syrup for Matcha (Optional)
If you do not have a store-bought syrup, you can make a quick one that works well in cold milk. This is not a jam, it is a simple syrup that pours easily.
- Use: 5 to 6 strawberries (fresh or thawed), 1 tbsp sugar, 2 tbsp water
- Method: chop the strawberries, simmer with sugar and water for 5 to 7 minutes, then mash and strain (or leave it a bit chunky).
Let it cool for a few minutes before adding it to cold milk. If it is too thick, thin it with a splash of water.
How to Get the Layered Strawberry Matcha Look
The clean “pink on the bottom, green on the top” look comes down to two things: plenty of ice, and a slow pour. If you rush, the matcha mixes straight away.
- Stir syrup into milk first so you do not end up with syrup sitting at the bottom.
- Fill the glass with ice before you add the milk. Ice helps the layers hold for longer.
- Pour matcha over a spoon so it lands gently on top of the milk instead of punching through it.
If you are posting it online, build the layers, take your photo, then stir and drink. It tastes the same either way.
Tips for the Best Results
- Whisk the matcha properly first - the warm-water step is what keeps the drink smooth once it hits cold milk.
- Start with less syrup - 1 tbsp is usually enough. You can always add more after you taste it.
- Pour slowly for clean layers - ice helps the matcha sit on top. If you stir, the layers disappear, which is fine.
- Use oat or dairy for a creamy finish - they balance fruit syrups well and make the drink taste less sharp.
- If it separates, it is still safe - fruit syrups and milk can split a little. Stir before drinking and it usually comes back together.
Variations
- Dairy-free: oat milk is the easiest swap for a creamy texture.
- Less sweet: use 1 tbsp syrup, or dilute your syrup with a splash of water before mixing into milk.
- Extra creamy: use slightly less ice and a splash more milk, or choose a barista-style oat milk.
- Hot strawberry matcha: warm the milk first, stir in the syrup, then add the whisked matcha. It will not stay layered, so treat it as a mixed drink.
- Try other flavours: if you like fruity matcha, also try blueberry matcha or vanilla matcha latte.
Related reading
Frequently Asked Questions
What strawberry syrup is best for matcha?
A pourable strawberry coffee syrup works well, but anything that mixes smoothly into cold milk can work. If your syrup is very thick, thin it with a splash of water so it blends evenly.
Can I use fresh strawberries instead of syrup?
Yes. Blend a few strawberries into a quick purée and mix it into the milk, or simmer chopped strawberries with a little sugar and water for a simple syrup. Purées can be thicker, so the drink may not layer as neatly.
How do I stop strawberry matcha from separating?
Stir the syrup and milk until fully combined before you add matcha, and choose a syrup that is not too thick. If it still separates, stir before drinking and it usually comes back together.
Can I make strawberry matcha hot?
Yes. Warm the milk, stir in the strawberry syrup, then pour in the whisked matcha. It will taste great, but the layers will not hold the same way they do in an iced drink.
Is strawberry matcha healthy?
It can be, but it depends on the milk and how much syrup you use. The matcha itself is low calorie, while most of the sugar and calories come from the syrup and milk.
Make This at Home
If you are making flavoured lattes at home, the matcha part is the bit that often goes wrong. Our matcha kit gives you the tools to whisk smooth matcha without lumps. If you already have tools, start with our matcha powder.
More Matcha Recipes
Written by the Popcha team.