Make a layered strawberry matcha latte with real strawberry puree, cold milk, whisked matcha, and boba. Includes ratios for stronger matcha or sweeter strawberry.
Instructions
- Cook the tapioca pearls, then drain and hold them in a spoonful of honey or syrup while you make the drink.
- Mash or blend strawberries into a loose puree. Spoon the puree into the bottom of a 16 oz glass.
- Whisk the sifted matcha with 1/4 cup warm water until smooth and slightly foamy. Let it cool for a minute so it does not melt the ice too quickly.
- Add the boba and ice to the glass over the strawberry layer.
- Pour the cold milk slowly over the back of a spoon so it sits above the strawberry instead of mixing all at once.
- Pour the matcha over the ice last. Serve right away and stir only when you are ready to drink.
Layer ratio tool
Tune the strawberry matcha layers
Pick the style you want before mixing. The tool adjusts the strawberry, milk, matcha, and ice amounts for one 16 oz glass.
Start with strawberry puree, add cold milk slowly, then pour matcha over ice so the top layer stays green.
- Strawberry
- 3 tbsp puree
- Milk
- 3/4 cup
- Matcha
- 1 tsp matcha + 1/4 cup water
- Sweetener
- 2 tsp honey
What is strawberry matcha?
Strawberry matcha is an iced layered drink made with strawberry puree, milk, and whisked matcha. It is usually served like a cafe latte rather than shaken milk tea, which is why the order of pouring matters.
Use the name strawberry matcha for this recipe. Some cafes say matcha strawberry, but the search intent is the same: strawberry on the bottom, milk in the middle, and green matcha on top.
Tips for clean layers
- Use enough ice. Ice slows the milk and matcha as they hit the glass.
- Pour the milk over a spoon if your strawberry puree is thin.
- Whisk matcha in warm water first. Dumping dry matcha into milk leaves clumps.
- Keep the strawberry layer sweet enough to taste after the drink is stirred.
- Use oat milk if you want a softer, slightly thicker middle layer.
Matcha strawberry vs strawberry matcha
There is no real difference in the finished drink. Strawberry matcha is the clearer name because it describes the visible stack: strawberry first, matcha last. Matcha strawberry usually means the same flavor pairing, but some recipes mix everything together instead of layering it.
Good toppings
Tapioca pearls make the drink feel closer to boba. Strawberry popping boba is sweeter and pushes it toward dessert. If you want the cleanest matcha flavor, skip toppings and use only the strawberry puree.
For a plain green tea version, use the matcha bubble tea recipe. For a fruitier version without matcha, use the strawberry bubble tea recipe. The strawberry matcha calorie page has the nutrition breakdown.
Can you make it ahead?
You can make the strawberry puree up to a day ahead and keep it cold. The finished drink is better fresh. Cooked boba hardens in the fridge, and matcha tastes flatter after it sits.
Why did my layers mix?
The layers usually mix when the glass has too little ice, the milk is poured too fast, or the strawberry puree is watery. Add more ice and pour slowly. If your puree is thin, simmer it for a few minutes or use a little strawberry jam.