The strawberry matcha latte is one of those recipes that brings joy even before the first sip. A fruity pink layer, cold milk, a bright green on top, and plenty of ice: it's fresh, delicious, and surprisingly simple to make.
The secret? Don't mix everything all at once. Prepare your strawberry puree and Ceremonial Matcha concentrate separately, then gently assemble the layers in a tall glass. The result looks just like a coffee shop drink but can be made in less than ten minutes in your own kitchen.
Here's our homemade strawberry matcha latte recipe, with a few tips to tailor it exactly to your taste.
Why matcha and strawberry go so well together
Ceremonial Matcha has an earthy, smooth, and umami profile. Strawberry adds a fruity, slightly tangy, and naturally delicious note. Together, the two flavors complement each other: the strawberry softens the earthy side of the matcha, while the matcha prevents the drink from becoming too sweet.
It's also a very visual recipe. The three layers—strawberry, milk, and matcha—create a pink, white, and green gradient that makes you want to pull out your phone before you even mix the drink.
A strawberry matcha latte doesn't have to be complicated. With good ingredients and a few simple steps, the result is as beautiful as it is delicious.
Ingredients for one large glass
This recipe makes a generous iced strawberry matcha latte. You can adjust the quantities according to the size of your glass or the desired intensity.
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Ingredient
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Quantity
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Role in the recipe
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Fresh strawberries
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5 to 6 strawberries, about 100 g
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For a fruity and fragrant base.
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Maple syrup
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1 to 2 tsp, optional
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For a sweeter note, depending on the ripeness of the strawberries.
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Ceremonial Matcha Arigato Matcha
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1 level tsp, about 1.5 to 2 g
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For the vegetal taste, color, and balance.
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Non-boiling hot water
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45 to 60 ml
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To dissolve the matcha without scalding it.
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Cold milk
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150 ml
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Oat milk, regular milk, or your favorite milk.
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Ice cubes
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A generous handful
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To keep the drink really cold.
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Oat milk is our favorite option for this recipe. Its texture is soft and creamy, and its taste complements both strawberries and matcha well. However, cow's milk, soy milk, almond milk, or coconut milk can also work very well .
Step 1: Prepare the Strawberry Puree
Wash and hull your strawberries. Place them in a small bowl or directly at the bottom of your tall glass. Add maple syrup if you're using it, then mash the strawberries with a fork or the back of a spoon.
You have two options: keep a slightly rustic texture with some fruit pieces, or blend everything to get a smooth coulis. Both are excellent. The coulis gives a cleaner, more uniform effect in the glass, while the small strawberry pieces give a more spontaneous and gourmet touch.
If your strawberries are very ripe, you might not need any syrup. Taste before adding sugar: the fruit often does all the work already.
Step 2: Prepare your lump-free matcha
Sift a level teaspoon of Ceremonial Matcha into a small bowl. This step is optional, but it helps achieve a smoother texture.
Then add 45 to 60 ml of hot, non-boiling water, ideally around 70-80°C. Whisk quickly with a bamboo chasen, a milk frother, or a small electric whisk. The goal is to obtain a homogeneous, slightly frothy green concentrate. Specialized recipes follow this same principle: dissolve the matcha separately in a small amount of water before assembly .
Avoid boiling water. Water that is too hot can accentuate bitterness and diminish matcha's natural sweetness.
Step 3: Create the layers
Add a generous handful of ice cubes over your strawberry puree. Then gently pour in the cold milk until the glass is two-thirds full.
To maintain a beautiful layered effect, pour the milk over the back of a spoon. Do the same with your matcha: place a spoon just above the surface of the milk and gently pour the green concentrate over it. This simple technique helps the ingredients settle without immediately mixing .
Take two seconds to admire the result. Then, mix with a straw or spoon and enjoy immediately.
The express recipe, in one minute
If you just want to remember the essential steps, here they are:
1.Mash the strawberries with a little optional maple syrup.
2.Add the ice cubes to the glass.
3.Pour in the cold milk.
4.Whisk the Ceremonial Matcha with a little hot, non-boiling water.
5.Gently pour the matcha over the milk.
6.Stir and enjoy.
How to adapt the recipe to your taste
Strawberry matcha latte is a very easy recipe to customize. Once you've mastered the basics, you can create your own version depending on your craving of the day.
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Your desire
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The adjustment to try
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More strawberry flavor
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Add 2 or 3 extra strawberries, or use a smooth coulis.
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A less sweet latte
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Omit the maple syrup and choose very ripe strawberries.
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A richer texture
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Use barista oat milk or a touch of coconut milk.
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A more intense matcha
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Slightly reduce the milk before increasing the powder.
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A year-round version
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Use frozen strawberries, thawed before blending.
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A dessert touch
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Add a drop of vanilla or a thin layer of cold milk foam.
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For a sweeter version, you can also add a hint of our vanilla matcha with natural unsweetened flavors to your preparation. But if you want to discover the pure contrast between fruit and tea, Ceremonial Matcha remains the best starting point.
Can you prepare a strawberry matcha latte without a chasen?
Yes. The chasen is the traditional tool and it produces a pleasant fine foam, but it is not essential. An electric milk frother works very well. You can also shake the matcha with room temperature water in a small closed container, then pour it over the milk and strawberries.
However, avoid shaking very hot water in a closed container. Steam can create pressure. For a shaker version, prefer cold or room temperature water.
The three mistakes to avoid
The first mistake is to pour the powdered matcha directly into cold milk. It risks forming clumps that never completely mix. Always prepare your matcha concentrate separately.
The second mistake is to choose boiling water. The water should be hot, but not boiling, to preserve the rounder notes of Ceremonial Matcha.
The third mistake is to add too much syrup. Strawberries already have a natural sweetness, and the balance of the strawberry matcha latte comes precisely from the encounter between their freshness, the milk, and the vegetal taste of the tea.
A little taste of summer, even in Montreal
This recipe is perfect when Quebec strawberries are in season. But it works just as well with frozen strawberries the rest of the year. It's a simple way to recreate a little moment of summer, even when the Montreal weather is still hesitating.
Our Ceremonial Matcha comes from Uji, Kyoto, then is carefully prepared in Quebec. Mixing it with local strawberries and a drizzle of maple syrup is exactly the Arigato Matcha spirit: a respected Japanese tradition, but lived our way.
Prepare your glass, take a picture, and tag @arigatomatcha.co on Instagram. We'd love to see your version.
