Iced Strawberry Matcha Latte (Copycat Starbucks Recipe)

You know those drinks that make you feel like you've got a secret café tucked inside your own kitchen?

That's exactly how I feel every time I make this Strawberry Matcha Latte at home. It's pretty, it's pink and green, and honestly? It tastes better than the $7 version Bradley keeps begging me to grab on the way home from soccer practice.

Last Tuesday afternoon, Amy and I were flipping through my old cooking school notes (she loves looking at the food drawings) when she spotted strawberries in the fridge and asked if we could make "that pink drink the big girls get." I'd been wanting to test a homemade version for weeks, so we got to work. Three batches later, we landed on this one. Even John, who claims he doesn't "do" matcha, took one sip and asked for his own glass.

What I love about this drink is how simple it really is. You're making a quick strawberry compote on the stove, whisking up real matcha green tea powder, and layering everything over ice. No syrups full of stuff I can't pronounce, no fancy equipment beyond a small whisk. If you've ever made my perfect homemade pancake recipe, you already know I'm all about real ingredients that actually taste like something.

Trust me on this one — once you make a homemade strawberry matcha latte, you won't want to go back to the bottled syrup version.

Jump to:

• Iced Strawberry Matcha Latte

Why You'll Love This Strawberry Matcha Latte

• Ready in 20 minutes with mostly hands-off cook time
• Only 123 calories per serving — way lighter than coffee shop versions
• Made with fresh strawberries, not artificial syrup
• Naturally pretty (Amy calls it "two-color magic")
• Easy to make dairy-free with oat, almond, or coconut milk
• Antioxidant-rich thanks to real matcha green tea powder

The best part? You probably have most of these ingredients already.

Ingredients For This Iced Strawberry Matcha Latte

Here's everything you need to pull this together. I always grab fresh strawberries when they're in season, but frozen works beautifully too (more on that in the FAQs).

• 1-½ cups chopped fresh strawberries
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 1 pinch salt
• ½ cup water, divided
• ½ teaspoon matcha (green tea powder)
• ½ cup 2% milk
• Ice cubes
• Honey or desired sweetener, optional
• Sliced fresh strawberries, for garnish, optional

A Quick Note On Matcha

If you're new to matcha, look for ceremonial grade or culinary grade matcha powder. Ceremonial grade has a smoother, less bitter taste and works wonderfully here. The bag I keep in my pantry lasts me about two months, and a little goes a long way.

For the milk, 2% gives you that creamy mouthfeel without being too rich. But I've made this with oat milk for my friend Lisa (she's lactose intolerant), and it might honestly be my favorite version now.

How To Make A Homemade Strawberry Matcha Latte

I've broken this down into three quick stages so you can follow along easily. The whole thing comes together in the time it takes to scroll through your phone.

Step 1: Make The Strawberry Compote

1. In a small saucepan, combine the strawberries, sugar, salt, and ¼ cup water.
2. Bring to a simmer over medium heat.
3. Cook until the strawberries soften and release their juices, about 4-5 minutes.
4. Mash lightly with a fork (you want some texture, not a smooth puree).
5. Remove from the saucepan and let cool completely.

The smell when those berries hit the warm pan? Amy literally said, "Mom, our kitchen smells like jam." That's exactly what you want.

Step 2: Whisk The Matcha

1. In a glass measuring cup, combine the matcha and the remaining ¼ cup water.
2. Whisk vigorously in a zigzag motion until smooth and slightly frothy.

Here's the thing about matcha — if your water is too hot, it turns bitter. I use water that's just warm to the touch, never boiling. A small bamboo whisk (called a chasen) gives you the smoothest finish, but a milk frother or even a regular small whisk works fine.

Step 3: Build Your Latte

1. Divide the cooled strawberry mixture evenly between two tall glasses.
2. Fill each glass halfway with ice.
3. Slowly pour milk over the ice until the glass is three-quarters full.
4. Using a spoon, carefully layer the matcha mixture on top.
5. Sweeten with honey if you'd like.
6. Garnish with sliced fresh strawberries.
7. Serve immediately and stir before drinking.

That layered look is what makes this drink so pretty. Pour the milk slowly over the back of a spoon if you want extra-clean layers.

Storage And Make-Ahead Tips

Here's where this recipe really shines for busy mornings.

The strawberry compote keeps beautifully in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. I usually make a double batch on Sunday so I can whip up a latte all week without dragging out the saucepan again.

The matcha mixture is best made fresh, but it only takes 30 seconds to whisk together. The flavor gets dull if you let it sit, so don't bother prepping that ahead.

If you want to freeze the compote, spoon it into ice cube trays and pop out a cube whenever you want a quick latte. It thaws in about 10 minutes on the counter.

Once your latte is fully assembled, drink it within 20 minutes. The ice melts, the layers blur together, and the matcha can turn slightly bitter if it sits too long.

Variations To Try With Your Strawberry Matcha Latte

After making this drink probably 15 times now (don't judge), I've played around with a few twists:

• Swap the milk for oat, almond, coconut, or soy milk to make it dairy-free
• Try other berries like raspberries or blackberries instead of strawberries
• Add vanilla — a tiny splash in the compote takes it somewhere new
• Make it a smoothie by blending everything with frozen strawberries
• Use lemonade instead of milk for a refresher-style drink
• Top with whipped cream for an after-dinner treat (Bradley's preferred version)

Wondering if you can make it warm? Sure — skip the ice and use steamed milk. It loses that pretty pink-and-green look but tastes just as good on a cold Nashville morning.

FAQs About This Strawberry Matcha Latte

Can I make an iced strawberry matcha latte without dairy?

Yes! Swap the 2% milk for any plant-based alternative like oat, almond, coconut, or soy milk. Oat milk works especially well because its creamy texture mimics dairy and complements matcha's earthy flavor. I've tested all four, and oat milk is hands-down my top pick.

Is this strawberry matcha latte healthy?

At only 123 calories per serving with 3g of protein and 3g of fiber, it's a lighter pick than most coffee shop versions. Matcha is rich in antioxidants, and using fresh strawberries instead of syrup keeps added sugars low. Of course, "healthy" depends on what your day looks like overall, but this is a drink I feel good about handing my kids.

Can I use frozen strawberries instead of fresh?

Absolutely. Frozen strawberries work well in the compote since they're cooked down anyway. Use the same amount and skip thawing, but you may need to simmer them an extra 1-2 minutes to release their juices. I keep a bag of frozen berries in the freezer for off-season cravings.

Why is my matcha clumpy when I mix it with water?

Clumping happens when matcha isn't sifted or the water is too cold. Sift your matcha powder through a fine mesh strainer first, use warm (not hot) water, and whisk vigorously in a zigzag motion with a bamboo whisk or small frother. You'll get a smooth, frothy finish every time.

Recipes You May Like

If you loved this drink, here are three more recipes from my kitchen worth trying:

• Strawberry Cheesecake Danishes — another way to use up those gorgeous fresh strawberries, and they pair perfectly with this latte for a Saturday brunch
• Yuzu Lemon Crinkle Cookies — bright, citrusy cookies that go beautifully alongside any matcha drink
• Carrot Cake Muffins — warm, cozy muffins that balance out the cold sweetness of this latte

Final Thoughts

This Strawberry Matcha Latte has officially earned a spot in my regular rotation. Amy asks for it on weekend mornings, John sneaks the leftover compote onto his yogurt, and I get to feel a little fancy without actually leaving the house.

Give this a try this week and let me know what you think! I'd love to hear which milk you used and whether your family loved it as much as mine did.

Save this recipe on Pinterest so you can find it again the next time you're staring at strawberries in the fridge wondering what to do with them.

Happy sipping, friends!

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