A strawberry matcha latte is a layered iced drink with fresh strawberry puree at the bottom, cold milk in the middle, and whisked matcha poured on top. The layers create the visual you’ve seen everywhere — deep red, white, and bright green. The taste is earthy, sweet, and fruity in a combination that genuinely works.
This drink went viral on TikTok and Instagram in 2022–2023 and hasn’t slowed down. It’s not on the permanent Starbucks menu, but it’s one of the most-recreated drinks at home because the layered effect is achievable in under 10 minutes with the right technique.
What Is a Strawberry Matcha Latte?
A strawberry matcha latte is an iced layered drink made with fresh strawberry puree, milk, and whisked matcha. The three distinct layers create the visual appeal that made it go viral: red strawberry at the base, white milk in the middle, and vivid green matcha on top.
The drink originated in specialty coffee and tea shops in East and Southeast Asia before spreading through social media. It’s not a Starbucks menu item — it’s a home barista and independent café creation. The combination of sweet-tart strawberry with grassy, umami matcha sounds unusual but is genuinely complementary.
Ingredients and Substitutions
| Ingredient | Amount | Substitutions |
|---|---|---|
| Matcha powder | 1 tsp (2–3g) | Ceremonial or premium ceremonial grade only |
| Water for matcha | 60ml at 80°C | Never use boiling water — kills flavor |
| Fresh strawberries | 3–4 medium | Frozen works, freeze-dried works for concentrate |
| Sweetener | 1–2 tsp | Honey, simple syrup, agave, or maple syrup |
| Milk | 180ml cold | Oat milk recommended; whole, almond, coconut work |
| Ice | Generous | Essential for the temperature contrast |
Strawberry options compared:
| Type | Flavor | Texture | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fresh strawberries | Bright, natural | Chunky if muddled | Best in summer peak |
| Frozen strawberries | Sweeter, concentrated | Smooth when blended | Available year-round, often better |
| Freeze-dried powder | Very intense | Dissolves completely | No added water — best for deep color |
| Jam or preserve | Sweet, cooked | Smooth | Less fresh flavor but easy |
| Strawberry syrup | Mild, sweet | Liquid | Weakest flavor — last resort |
For the most vivid color: Use freeze-dried strawberry powder (1–2 tsp) dissolved in 2 tbsp water. The color is deeper than fresh and the flavor more concentrated.
How to Make a Strawberry Matcha Latte (Step-by-Step)
Step 1: Make the Strawberry Layer
By blender: Blend 3–4 strawberries with 1 tsp honey and a splash of water (1 tbsp) until smooth. For a more intense color, use 5–6 berries.
By muddling: Place strawberries in the bottom of the glass with honey. Use a muddler or the back of a spoon to mash into a rough puree. This gives a chunkier texture that some prefer.
Pour the puree into the bottom of a 16oz glass.
Step 2: Build the Ice and Milk Layer
Add a generous amount of ice directly on top of the strawberry layer — the ice acts as a buffer to keep the layers separate.
Pour 180ml of cold milk slowly over the ice. Pour against the side of the glass or over the back of a spoon to minimize disruption to the strawberry layer below.
Step 3: Whisk the Matcha
This step determines whether your matcha layer is smooth and vivid or gritty and dull.
- Sift the matcha powder through a fine mesh sieve into a small bowl. Matcha clumps — sifting prevents lumps.
- Add 60ml of water heated to 80°C (175°F). Do not use boiling water. Boiling water makes matcha bitter and diminishes its color.
- Whisk in a Z or W pattern (not circular) with a bamboo matcha whisk or small metal whisk until completely smooth and slightly frothy.
Step 4: The Pour for Perfect Layers
Hold a spoon just above the surface of the milk layer. Pour the whisked matcha slowly over the back of the spoon. The spoon disperses the matcha gently so it floats on the milk rather than sinking.
Why layers separate: The strawberry puree is denser than milk, which is denser than the freshly whisked matcha. Pouring slowly and using the spoon technique maintains these density differences and creates the distinct layers.
Stir before drinking to blend the flavors.
The “Dirty” Strawberry Matcha Latte (With Espresso)
A “dirty” strawberry matcha latte adds a shot of espresso. This creates a four-layer drink with an espresso kick alongside the matcha caffeine.
Build order for dirty version:
- Strawberry puree (bottom)
- Ice
- Cold milk
- Whisked matcha
- Pour a single or double espresso shot slowly over the back of a spoon as the top layer
The espresso’s flavor is strong enough to hold its own alongside matcha and strawberry. Use a light or medium roast espresso — the brightness pairs better with the floral matcha than a dark roast’s charred notes.
Caffeine: Dirty version contains ~100–170mg caffeine (matcha ~70mg + espresso ~70–100mg). Regular version contains matcha caffeine only (~70mg for 1 tsp ceremonial grade).
Matcha Grade Guide for This Drink
| Grade | Best Use | For This Drink |
|---|---|---|
| Ceremonial grade | Drinking straight (matcha tea) | ✅ Best — vibrant color, smooth umami flavor |
| Premium ceremonial | Drinking + lattes | ✅ Excellent |
| Culinary grade | Baking, cooking | ✗ Avoid — dull color, bitter, harsh |
| Latte/blend grade | Lattes with strong milk | ✗ Will look dull and muddy |
For a strawberry matcha latte, use ceremonial or premium ceremonial grade. The strawberry and milk are lighter than espresso — they don’t mask a poor-quality matcha the way a dark roast can. Culinary grade matcha will look brownish-green and taste bitter next to sweet strawberry.
Recommended: Ippodo Kan, Matcha Konomi, Encha Ceremonial, or any single-origin ceremonial grade from Japan.
Milk Options
| Milk | Flavor Pairing | Layer Clarity | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oat milk (barista) | Mild sweet — best pairing | ✅ Excellent | Most popular choice, pairs naturally |
| Whole milk | Neutral, creamy | ✅ Good | Classic choice |
| Coconut milk | Tropical, sweet | ✅ Good | Adds complexity |
| Almond milk | Slightly nutty | ✅ Good | Use unsweetened |
| Soy milk | Bean-forward | ✅ Fair | Some brands curdle slightly |
Oat milk has become the default for this drink because its natural sweetness complements both strawberry and matcha without competing. The slightly thicker consistency also holds the layer definition better than thinner milks.
Variations
Hot strawberry matcha latte: Steam the milk, make strawberry compote (cook berries with sugar until jammy), layer in a mug — compote at bottom, hot matcha on top, steamed milk poured over. Less visual but comforting.
Strawberry matcha latte with cold foam: Make a cold foam (heavy cream + milk + 1 tsp vanilla, shaken or frothed cold until thick). Pour on top of the matcha layer. Adds richness and makes the drink look like a Starbucks specialty item.
Frozen strawberry matcha: Use frozen strawberries blended with 2 tbsp heavy cream as the base, then build layers as above. More smoothie-texture — different experience.
Strawberry matcha lemonade: Replace milk with fresh lemonade. Tart, refreshing, and slightly more adult-oriented in flavor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a strawberry matcha latte have caffeine? Yes. Matcha contains approximately 70mg of caffeine per 1 tsp (3g) of ceremonial grade matcha. The dirty version with espresso adds another 70–100mg, for a total of ~140–170mg.
What type of matcha should I use? Ceremonial grade. Culinary grade matcha is designed for baking and will look brownish and taste bitter next to the sweet strawberry. Ceremonial grade produces the vivid green color and smooth umami flavor the drink requires.
Why won’t my layers stay separate? Two common causes: (1) Not enough ice — the ice acts as the physical barrier between layers; (2) Pouring too fast — always use the back of a spoon to slow and disperse the matcha pour. Also ensure your milk is cold rather than room temperature.
Is this a Starbucks drink? Starbucks does not have a strawberry matcha latte on their permanent menu. It originated in independent cafés and spread through social media. You can order it as a custom drink at Starbucks (iced matcha latte + strawberry purée), but it’s not a named menu item.
Can I use strawberry jam instead of fresh strawberries? Yes. Use 1–2 tsp of good-quality strawberry jam thinned with 1 tbsp water. The flavor will be more cooked and sweet than fresh, but it works in a pinch. Avoid jam with artificial strawberry flavoring.
Related: Matcha Latte Recipe | Iced Matcha Latte | Matcha Frappuccino | Lavender Latte