Strawberry Matcha Latte Recipe

Strawberry Matcha Latte Recipe

This strawberry matcha latte is the viral two-layer drink that took social media by storm, and it genuinely tastes as good as it looks. Sweet strawberry sauce sits beneath creamy oat milk, topped with a vibrant green matcha concentrate that slowly swirls through the glass. It takes just 10 minutes, no cooking required, and the layered effect is far easier to nail than you'd think.

Why This Strawberry Matcha Recipe Works

The secret to those picture-perfect layers is density. The strawberry sauce is the heaviest, so it sinks to the bottom. Ice-cold milk sits in the middle. The matcha concentrate, whisked thin, floats beautifully on top. As long as you pour slowly and in the right order, the layers hold.

Ingredients

Strawberry sauce

• 75g fresh strawberries (about 5–6 medium, hulled), or 2 tbsp (10g) freeze-dried strawberry powder
• 1 tbsp (12g) caster sugar
• 1 tbsp (15ml) water

Matcha layer

• 2g matcha powder (about 1 tsp), use ceremonial or premium grade for the best colour and flavour
• 30ml (2 tbsp) hot water, 70–80°C, not boiling

To assemble

• 200ml (¾ cup + 1 tbsp) oat milk, well chilled
• A large handful of ice cubes

Equipment

• Blender or small food processor (for fresh strawberries)
• Matcha whisk (chasen) or small regular whisk
• Tall glass, approximately 400ml capacity, clear glass is essential for the layered effect

Instructions

Step 1: Make the strawberry sauce

Add the fresh strawberries, caster sugar, and water to a blender. Blitz until completely smooth, about 20–30 seconds. For a silky finish, pass the mixture through a fine sieve to remove seeds. You should have roughly 60ml (¼ cup) of sauce.

Using freeze-dried powder? Simply stir the powder into the sugar and water until dissolved. No blending needed.

Step 2: Whisk the matcha concentrate

Sift the matcha powder into a small bowl to remove any lumps. Add 30ml of hot water at 70–80°C (let a freshly boiled kettle sit for 3–4 minutes). Whisk vigorously in a W-shaped motion for 30 seconds until smooth, frothy, and lump-free. Set aside.

Step 3: Layer the drink

This is where it all comes together. Work in this exact order:

1. Pour the strawberry sauce into the bottom of your glass.
2. Add ice cubes gently on top of the sauce, fill the glass about three-quarters full.
3. Pour the cold oat milk slowly over the back of a spoon or down the side of the glass. This prevents it from plunging straight through the strawberry layer.
4. Pour the matcha concentrate over the back of a spoon onto the milk surface.

Step 4: Serve and admire

Photograph first, stir second. When you're ready to drink, use a long spoon or straw to swirl everything together.

Tips for Instagram-Worthy Layers

• Chill your glass in the freezer for 5 minutes beforehand, cold surfaces help layers stay distinct longer.
• Pour slowly. Rushing is the number one reason layers collapse.
• Use a clear, straight-sided glass rather than a curved one for maximum visual impact.
• Barista-style oat milk froths better and holds layers more effectively than standard oat milk due to its higher fat content.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you make the layers in a strawberry matcha latte?

The layers work because each liquid has a different density. Pour the heaviest layer first, the strawberry sauce, followed by ice, then cold milk poured slowly over the back of a spoon, and finally the thin matcha concentrate on top. The key is patience: pour each layer as gently as possible to avoid disturbing the one below.

Can I use frozen strawberries?

Absolutely. Use the same weight (75g) and let them thaw for 10–15 minutes before blending, or blitz them straight from frozen with the sugar and water. Frozen strawberries actually tend to be sweeter than fresh out-of-season ones, so taste the sauce before adding all the sugar.

Is a strawberry matcha latte healthy?

Compared to most café drinks, yes. Made with oat milk and fresh strawberries, this recipe comes in at roughly 180 calories with no artificial colours or flavourings. Matcha provides L-theanine and antioxidants, while strawberries add vitamin C. The only added sugar is one tablespoon, you can reduce this or swap it for honey or agave if you prefer.

What does strawberry matcha taste like?

Before stirring, each sip through a straw gives you distinct layers, sweet berry, creamy oat, and earthy matcha. Once mixed, the flavours merge into something surprisingly harmonious: the strawberry's natural sweetness softens matcha's slight bitterness, while the oat milk adds a smooth, rounded body. Think of it as a more sophisticated, less sugary version of a strawberry milkshake with a green tea twist.

Which matcha to use: A premium or ceremonial grade gives the best colour and flavour for this recipe. See our best matcha powder for lattes guide for tested picks that hold their green vibrancy in cold milk.