Warm Strawberry Matcha Latte

There's something about the shift from afternoon to evening that makes me crave something warm but still a little bit special. One rainy November, I was experimenting with leftover matcha at home when I decided to swirl in some strawberry syrup I'd made the day before, and the moment that pink and green spiraled together in my mug, I realized I'd stumbled onto something that felt both comforting and unexpectedly elegant. It's become my ritual now, the drink I make when I want to slow down and actually taste what I'm drinking.

I made this for my sister one evening when she was visiting, and she sat at my kitchen counter with her hands wrapped around the mug like it was the only warm thing in the world. We didn't talk much, just watched the colors settle and shift as she stirred it, and somehow that quiet moment felt more meaningful than any fancy dinner I could have planned. She's asked me to make it every time she comes over since.

Ingredients

• Fresh or frozen strawberries (1 cup, hulled and sliced): Fresh berries bring brightness, but honestly, frozen ones work just as well and you'll save yourself the hulling mess.
• Granulated sugar (2 tbsp): This transforms the strawberries into a silky purée rather than just softened fruit, and it's worth using real sugar here for the texture.
• Water (1 tbsp): Just enough to keep the strawberries from sticking to the pan while they soften.
• Matcha green tea powder (2 tsp): This is where quality matters—ceremonial grade matcha tastes smooth and grassy, while culinary grade can taste a bit bitter, so don't skip that detail.
• Hot water for matcha (2 tbsp at 80°C/175°F): Water that's too hot burns the matcha and turns it harsh, so use a thermometer if you have one, or just let boiled water cool for a minute.
• Milk (2 cups, dairy or plant-based): Oat milk froths beautifully and adds a subtle sweetness, while almond milk stays cleaner and lighter—pick whichever matches your mood.
• Honey or maple syrup (1–2 tbsp, optional): Add this only if you want extra sweetness; the strawberry purée might be enough on its own.

Instructions

Easily open jars, bottles, and cans while cooking, making meal prep smoother and less frustrating.

Check price on Amazon

Make the strawberry magic:

Combine the strawberries, sugar, and water in a small saucepan over medium heat, stirring every so often until the berries start to break down and the whole thing looks glossy and syrupy, about 3 to 4 minutes. If you like a completely smooth purée, blend it; if you want a little texture, just mash it gently with a fork.

Whisk the matcha:

Pour the hot (but not boiling) water into a small bowl with the matcha powder, then whisk it with a bamboo whisk or regular whisk until it's completely smooth and a little frothy—this takes maybe a minute of actual whisking. If you skip this step and just stir, you'll have clumpy matcha at the bottom, which isn't the vibe.

Heat and froth the milk:

Warm your milk in a saucepan or microwave until it's steaming, then froth it however you can—a milk frother is easiest, but a handheld whisk or even shaking it vigorously in a closed jar works in a pinch. The froth adds air and makes the whole drink feel luxurious.

Layer it up:

Divide the strawberry purée between two mugs, then slowly pour the hot frothed milk over it, holding back the froth with a spoon if you want to keep it at the top. Finally, gently pour the whisked matcha over the milk in a thin stream to create those pretty distinct layers.

Finish and sip:

Add honey or maple syrup if you want extra sweetness, give it a gentle stir right before you drink, and take a moment to actually notice the flavors instead of rushing through it.

Pin

There was one morning when I made this for myself before anyone else woke up, and I sat in that quiet space between night and day with my hands warming around the mug, watching the steam curl up. In that moment, it stopped being just a drink and became permission to pause, to have something that was mine for a few minutes before the day took over. That's when I understood why people get so attached to their morning or evening rituals.

Choosing Your Milk Wisely

The milk you pick changes the whole personality of this drink more than you'd expect. Oat milk brings a natural sweetness and froths like a dream, almond milk keeps things light and clean, and if you go with regular dairy milk, you get that classic richness that matcha has always paired with. I've tried coconut milk too, and while it froths beautifully, it can overpower the delicate strawberry flavor, so pick something that lets both the matcha and strawberry have their moment.

The Strawberry Purée Shortcut

You don't actually need to cook down the strawberries if you're in a rush—frozen strawberries thawed in the microwave and blended with a little sugar work just fine, and honestly taste fresher. I learned this one winter when I was running late and didn't have time to fuss over the stove, and now sometimes I skip the cooking step entirely because there's something nice about tasting the actual strawberry instead of the cooked-down version. Just know that cooked purée gives you a deeper, more syrupy consistency, while the blended version stays brighter.

Making It Your Own

This drink is honestly a canvas, and once you nail the basic technique, you can start playing with it. I've added a tiny splash of vanilla extract, stirred in a pinch of cardamom, or even topped it with whipped coconut cream on days when I wanted to be a little fancy. The base is solid enough that it can handle your experiments without falling apart.

• Freeze-dried strawberry powder works beautifully if fresh strawberries aren't in season, giving you that bright pink color and concentrate flavor.
• A sprinkle of matcha powder on top as a garnish looks stunning and gives you an extra dose of earthiness in the first sip.
• If you want it less sweet, use less sugar in the purée or skip the honey altogether—the strawberries and matcha have plenty of flavor on their own.

Rinse vegetables, wash cookware, and fill pots easily while cooking with flexible spray control.

Check price on Amazon

Pin

This has become my favorite way to transition from busy to calm, the drink that signals to my brain that it's time to breathe. Make it for yourself on a night when you need to remember that good things don't have to be complicated.

Recipe Questions

→ How do I make the strawberry purée smooth?

Cook strawberries with sugar and water until soft, then mash with a fork or blend until smooth to create a silky purée.

→ What is the best way to whisk matcha powder?

Use a bamboo whisk or a small regular whisk with hot water to froth the matcha until smooth and slightly frothy.

→ Can I substitute dairy milk with plant-based options?

Yes, oat or almond milk work well, maintaining creaminess while keeping it dairy-free.

→ How can I adjust the sweetness of the latte?

Add honey or maple syrup to taste for a subtle natural sweetness without overpowering the flavors.

→ What is the ideal temperature for the hot water when whisking matcha?

Use hot water around 80°C (175°F) to preserve the delicate matcha flavor without bitterness.

→ Can I prepare this beverage ahead of time?

While fresh preparation is best, you can prepare the strawberry purée in advance and reheat gently before assembling the drink.