Iced Strawberry Matcha Latte

The Iced Strawberry Matcha Latte is a delightful and aesthetic beverage that has gained significant popularity in cafes and on social media. It features three distinct layers: a vibrant red strawberry puree at the bottom, a creamy white layer of milk in the middle, and a rich green matcha tea layer on top. The flavor profile is a beautiful balance of fruity sweetness from the strawberries, the smooth creaminess of milk, and the unique, slightly bitter, and earthy notes of matcha. It's a perfect thirst-quencher for a warm day.
Iced Strawberry Matcha Latte

Preparation

Preparation time: 10 minutes

Preparation time
Difficulty

Drink Classification

This beverage is classified as a modern tea drink. It's a contemporary take on a traditional latte, incorporating fruit and Japanese green tea powder into a visually appealing, layered non-alcoholic beverage.

Serving

Served cold in a tall, clear glass like a Highball to showcase its beautiful layers, this is a non-alcoholic drink of about 12-14 oz.
Serving size
350-400 ml / 12-14 oz
Alcohol content
0% ABV
Alcohol strength
Serving temperature
Cold
Glass type
Highball
Glass treatment
None

Backstory

While it doesn't have a deep historical backstory, the Iced Strawberry Matcha Latte is a product of modern cafe culture, likely originating in East Asia. Its rise in global popularity is closely tied to social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok, where its beautiful layered appearance made it a viral sensation. It represents a fusion of traditional Japanese tea culture with contemporary beverage trends.
Origin
Modern cafe culture, likely with origins in Japan, South Korea, or Taiwan within the last decade (circa 2010s).

Iced Strawberry Matcha Latte

The drink is commonly known as Iced Strawberry Matcha Latte or simply Strawberry Matcha Latte. The names are often used interchangeably, emphasizing the two key flavors and the layered presentation.
Original name
Iced Strawberry Matcha Latte
Alternative names
  • Strawberry Matcha Latte
  • Matcha Strawberry Latte
  • Layered Strawberry Matcha Drink

Characteristics overview

This drink boasts a complex flavor profile that is sweet, fruity, and earthy, with a smooth, creamy texture. Its stunning tri-color layered appearance is its most notable characteristic, making it a refreshing choice for warmer seasons.
Flavor
Sweet, fruity, earthy, creamy, refreshing
Aroma
Fresh strawberry, grassy matcha, sweet
Taste balance
Sweet, slightly bitter, creamy
Aftertaste
Clean, milky, lingering sweetness with a hint of green tea
Fizziness
Still
Color appearance
Layered, vibrant red bottom, white middle, deep green top
Texture
Smooth, creamy, slightly pulpy
Seasonality
Refreshing, summery, spring

Flavor intensity & Experience

The flavor is moderately intense, characterized by a dominant fruitiness and sweetness, balanced by creaminess and a subtle bitterness from the matcha. It is a completely non-alcoholic and still beverage.
Sweetness
Saltiness
Sourness
Bitterness
Spiciness
Fruitiness
Creaminess
Carbonation

Ingredients

You'll need fresh strawberries and sugar for the base puree, milk for the creamy middle layer, and high-quality matcha powder whisked with hot water for the top.
  • Fresh or Frozen Strawberries100 grams / 3.5 ounces
    Muddled or blended into a puree.
  • Granulated Sugar1 tablespoon
    Adjust to taste. Maple syrup or agave can be substituted.
  • Water1 tablespoon / 15 ml / 0.5 oz(optional)
    Only needed if blending the strawberries for a smoother puree.
  • Milk180 ml / 6 oz
    Whole milk is recommended for creaminess. Can be substituted with oat, almond, or soy milk.
  • Ceremonial Grade Matcha Powder1-2 teaspoons
    Ceremonial grade provides a vibrant color and less bitterness.
  • Hot Water60 ml / 2 oz
    Not boiling, around 80°C / 175°F, for whisking the matcha.

Ice type

  • Cubed

Mixing equipments

Basic equipment includes a bowl and fork or a small blender for the strawberry puree, and ideally a matcha whisk (chasen) to properly dissolve the matcha powder.
  • Small bowl or blender for strawberry puree
  • Matcha whisk (chasen) and bowl (chawan) for matcha tea
  • Tall glass for serving

Instructions

The process involves creating three separate components—strawberry puree, milk, and a matcha shot—and then carefully layering them over ice in a tall glass.
1. Prepare the strawberry puree: In a small bowl, muddle the strawberries with sugar using a fork until a chunky puree forms. Alternatively, blend strawberries, sugar, and 1 tbsp of water for a smoother texture.
2. Add the strawberry puree to the bottom of a tall serving glass.
3. Fill the glass with ice cubes, carefully placing them on top of the puree.
4. Slowly pour the cold milk over the ice. The ice will help create a distinct layer between the puree and the milk.
5. Prepare the matcha: In a separate bowl, add the matcha powder and hot water. Whisk vigorously with a matcha whisk or a small frother until smooth and frothy, with no lumps.
6. Gently and slowly pour the prepared matcha shot over the back of a spoon onto the milk layer. This creates the final green layer.
7. Garnish with a fresh strawberry slice on the rim, if desired. Serve immediately with a long spoon or straw to stir before drinking.

Garnishing

A simple slice of fresh strawberry on the rim of the glass enhances the visual appeal and hints at the drink's primary fruit flavor.
  • A fresh strawberry, sliced and placed on the rim of the glass

Dietary Information

This drink contains caffeine from matcha and dairy if cow's milk is used. It can easily be made vegan and dairy-free by substituting with plant-based milk like oat, almond, or soy milk.
✕ Contains alcohol
✕ Caffeine-free
✕ Dairy-free
✓ Egg-free
✓ Soy-free
✓ Nut-free
✓ Gluten-free
✕ Vegan-friendly
✓ Vegetarian-friendly

Nutrition information

This drink is moderately caloric, with most calories coming from carbohydrates and sugar in the milk and strawberry puree. Nutritional value varies with milk type and sugar quantity.
Calories
Averagely 150-220 kcal / 628-920 kJ
Calories level
Carbohydrates
Averagely 25-35 g
Carbohydrate level
Sugar
Averagely 20-30 g
Sugar level

Occasions

This drink is perfect as a refreshing afternoon pick-me-up, a special brunch beverage, or a cooling treat on a hot summer day. Its eye-catching appearance also makes it ideal for sharing on social media.
  • Afternoon Treat
  • Summer Refreshment
  • Brunch
  • Social Media Post

Pairing suggestions

This latte pairs wonderfully with light, not-too-sweet pastries and desserts. It complements the flavors of shortbread cookies, scones, or Japanese sweets like mochi, making for a perfect afternoon tea-time snack.
  • Light pastries like croissants or scones
  • Japanese sweets (wagashi) like mochi
  • Shortbread cookies
  • Fruit tarts

Iced Strawberry Matcha Latte: A Symphony in Layers

The Iced Strawberry Matcha Latte is a modern, non-alcoholic tea drink celebrated for its stunning visual appeal and delicious flavor combination. It masterfully balances the fruity sweetness of a strawberry puree with the creamy texture of milk and the distinct, earthy bitterness of matcha green tea. Easy to prepare at home, it offers a refreshing and Instagram-worthy cafe experience. It's the perfect choice for a warm day, a stylish brunch, or anyone looking for a unique and satisfying cold beverage.