This iced strawberry matcha latte combines fresh strawberries with earthy matcha. Lightly sweet and SO refreshing, it's the perfect drink for a hot day.

My drink of the summer has been an iced strawberry matcha latte—not one I get at Starbucks, but one I make at home. This viral latte has three layers: macerated strawberries at the bottom, milk in the middle (I like almond), and frothy matcha green tea on top. It’s fruity, refreshing, and not too sweet, with smooth, umami notes from the matcha.

If you’re already a matcha fan, I think you’ll love this drink. And if you’re new to matcha, it’s a great first recipe to try!

In case you’re not familiar, matcha is a green tea powder that has been used for centuries in Japanese tea ceremonies. Matcha tea leaves are specially shade-grown to produce high levels of chlorophyll, which gives them a vibrant green color. The shading also increases the levels of antioxidants and calming amino-acids, helping give matcha its wide range of health benefits.

I share some of my best tips for working with matcha in the blog post below, but to start, I have one BIG tip: choose a high-quality matcha powder. Good-quality matcha is grown in Japan and has a bright green color and rich—but not overly bitter—taste. For trustworthy, farm-direct matcha I recommend Matcha.com with their selection of ceremonial and organic matcha from Japan. They specialize in rare blends of the best Japanese matcha cultivars.

I also like Matcha.com’s matcha because it undergoes a rigorous six-stage testing process to ensure that it’s safe from impurities and guaranteed for maximum potency. In addition, their quality standards give me peace of mind that I’m getting all the health benefits that premium matcha is known for! I especially like their Ceremonial Organic Matcha for this recipe. Its well-balanced, full flavor is fantastic here!

Here’s what else you’ll need to make this recipe:

Fresh strawberries – You’ll mix them with a little sugar to draw out their flavorful juices.
Cold water – For making the matcha tea.
Milk – Use any kind you like! I love almond milk here.
Ice – It makes this latte cool and refreshing.
And honey or maple syrup – To sweeten your latte to taste.

Find the complete recipe with measurements below.

How to Make a Strawberry Matcha Latte

You can find the complete iced strawberry matcha latte recipe at the bottom of this post, but for now, here’s an overview of how it goes:

Start by macerating the strawberries. Use a fork to mix them with the sugar, lightly mashing them as you mix. Set them aside while you prepare the matcha.

Next, prepare the matcha tea in two easy steps:
Sift the matcha into a small bowl. High quality matcha likes to clump! The clumps are nothing to worry about—they’re totally normal especially with ceremonial grades. To break them up, it’s important to sift the matcha before mixing it with liquid. If you need, Matcha.com has a range of matcha tools – sifters, bamboo whisks, and more!
Whisk the matcha with 1/4 cup water. Add the water to the bowl with the matcha and whisk vigorously from side to side—not in a circle. The lateral motion helps evenly disperse the tea in the water and create a foamy layer on top. A chasen, or bamboo matcha whisk, is traditionally used for this.

Recipe Tip

I call for 1/2 to 1 teaspoon matcha powder in this recipe. If you’re new to matcha, you may want to start with the lesser amount to gradually familiarize yourself with matcha’s taste. If you’ve been drinking matcha for a while, feel free to use more for a stronger matcha flavor.

To assemble the strawberry matcha latte, place the strawberries at the bottom of a large glass. Fill the glass halfway with ice, and then pour in enough milk to fill the glass two-thirds of the way full. Finally, pour the matcha tea on top.

Stir with a straw and taste. If you’d like the strawberry matcha latte to be sweeter, add honey or maple syrup as desired.

Enjoy!