There's something special about the combination of earthy matcha and sweet strawberry — the vibrant colors, the layered flavors, the way it feels like a small moment of calm in your day. And with smooth strawberry jam and quality matcha powder, you can bring this experience home in about 5 minutes.
We've put together two versions for you to try: a quick everyday recipe using store-bought strawberry jam, and a from-scratch recipe with homemade jam for when you want to make it your own. Both are simple to prepare, and both are a beautiful way to enjoy your matcha.
What Makes This Strawberry Matcha Latte Different?
Many strawberry matcha recipes call for strawberry purée or syrup. Those can work, but here's why we love using smooth strawberry jam instead:
- Consistency you can count on. Jam has a thick, even texture that creates clean, defined layers in your glass — no separation or watery bottom.
- Sweetness is built in. You don't need to add simple syrup or sugar. The jam brings sweetness and fruit flavor in one ingredient.
- It's always in season. Fresh strawberries aren't always available (or affordable). A jar of quality strawberry jam means you can make this latte year-round.
Important: Use smooth strawberry jam — not strawberry spread or preserves with chunks. You want a silky base that blends seamlessly into the milk for those beautiful layered swirls.
What You'll Need
Ingredients
- Matcha powder — 3g for oat milk (about 3 scoops) or 4g for whole milk (about 4 scoops). We recommend Senbird Tea's Matcha Towa for lattes — it's an everyday-grade matcha designed for smooth, rich drinks.
- Hot water — 55–65g, heated to 176°F (80°C). Temperature matters here; boiling water will scorch the matcha and make it bitter.
- Milk — Oat milk or whole milk, enough to fill your glass. Oat milk creates a creamier, slightly sweet profile. Whole milk gives a richer, more traditional latte body.
- Smooth strawberry jam — 1 tablespoon with oat milk or 2 tablespoons with whole milk (adjust more jam for whole milk since it has a stronger flavor that needs balancing).
- Ice — 6 cubes for regular, 4 cubes for less ice.
Equipment
- Matcha bowl (chawan) or small mixing bowl
- Bamboo whisk (chasen) or small regular whisk
- Fine mesh sifter
- Kitchen scale (for precision)
- Tall glass, lid, and straw
If you're new to matcha preparation, If you're new to matcha preparation, browse Senbird Tea's teaware collection for the bowl, whisk, sifter, and scoop you'll need to get started.
How to Make a Strawberry Matcha Latte (5-Minute Recipe)
Prep time: 2 minutes | Total time: 5 minutes | Serves: 1
Step 1: Boil your water. Heat water to 176°F (80°C). If you don't have a thermometer, bring water to a boil and let it cool for about 2 minutes.
Step 2: Sift and measure your matcha. Place your matcha bowl on a scale with the sifter on top. Scoop matcha through the sifter — 3g for oat milk or 4g for whole milk. Sifting removes clumps and makes whisking easier.
Step 3: Whisk the matcha. Pour 55–65g of hot water over the sifted matcha. Whisk briskly in a W or M motion until the matcha is fully dissolved and slightly frothy, about 15–20 seconds.
Step 4: Layer the strawberry jam. Add 1 tablespoon (oat milk) or 2 tablespoons (whole milk) of smooth strawberry jam to the bottom of your glass.
Step 5: Add ice and milk. Drop in your ice cubes, then pour milk to the top line of your glass.
Step 6: Pour the matcha. Slowly pour the whisked matcha over the milk in a circular motion. This creates the signature layered effect — pink on the bottom, white in the middle, green on top.
Step 7: Stir and enjoy. Give it a gentle stir when you're ready to drink, or sip through a straw to get all three layers in every taste.
Tips for the Best Strawberry Matcha Latte
- Soak your bamboo whisk. Fill a container with hot water and let the whisk sit while you prep. This softens the tines and prevents breakage.
- Quality matcha matters. If your matcha tastes bitter or chalky, it's likely a lower grade or was exposed to boiling water. Senbird's Matcha Towa is specifically blended for lattes — smooth, slightly sweet, and vibrant green.
- Adjust sweetness with jam quantity. Start with less and add more. Oat milk is naturally sweeter, so it needs less jam than whole milk.
- Want an extra matcha kick? Add an additional 1g of matcha powder for a bolder green tea flavor.
- Try it hot. Skip the ice, warm your milk, and stir the jam into the warm milk before adding matcha on top. Perfect for cooler weather.
Bonus: How to Make Homemade Strawberry Jam for Your Matcha Latte
Store-bought jam works wonderfully for a quick latte. But if you'd like to control the sweetness or simply enjoy the process of making something from scratch, this homemade strawberry jam takes about 20 minutes and makes enough for several lattes.
Homemade Strawberry Jam Ingredients
- 2 cups fresh strawberries, hulled and roughly chopped
- ½ cup granulated sugar (adjust to taste — less for a tart jam, more for sweet)
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1 pinch of salt
Instructions
Step 1: Cook the strawberries. Combine strawberries, sugar, lemon juice, and salt in a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir until the sugar dissolves.
Step 2: Simmer and mash. Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to medium-low. Use a fork or potato masher to break down the strawberries. Simmer for 15–20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the mixture thickens.
Step 3: Blend until smooth. For a smooth jam (which is what you want for lattes), use an immersion blender or transfer to a regular blender and blend until silky. No chunks.
Step 4: Cool and store. Let the jam cool completely before using. Transfer to a clean jar and store in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
Batch tip: Double or triple this recipe and keep jars in the fridge. You'll have latte-ready jam on hand all week — it also works great on toast, in yogurt bowls, or swirled into oatmeal.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a strawberry matcha latte taste like?
It's a balance of earthy, grassy matcha and sweet, fruity strawberry. The milk rounds everything out into a creamy, layered drink. If you've ever had a berry smoothie and a matcha latte separately, imagine them meeting in the middle — that's the flavor profile.
Can I use strawberry syrup instead of jam?
You can, but the layers won't hold as well. Syrup is thinner and mixes into the milk immediately. Jam has the density to sit at the bottom of the glass and create that signature pink-white-green gradient.
What's the best matcha for lattes?
For lattes, you want a matcha that's smooth and not too bitter — look for "latte grade" or "everyday" matcha. Senbird Tea's Matcha Towa is made specifically for this. Ceremonial grade (like Senbird's Matcha Otome) is best enjoyed on its own with just water.
Is a strawberry matcha latte healthy?
Matcha is naturally rich in antioxidants (specifically EGCG), L-theanine for calm focus, and provides about 70mg of caffeine per serving — roughly half a cup of coffee. The healthiness depends on your milk choice and how much sugar is in your jam. Using oat milk and a low-sugar jam keeps it lighter.
Can I make this latte dairy-free or vegan?
Absolutely. Use oat milk, almond milk, or coconut milk. Oat milk is our top recommendation for lattes because it froths well and has a naturally creamy, slightly sweet flavor that complements both matcha and strawberry.
Why is my matcha clumpy?
Two common reasons: the water was too cool, or the matcha wasn't sifted. Always sift your matcha through a fine mesh sifter before adding water, and make sure the water is 176°F (80°C). A bamboo whisk also helps — its fine tines break up clumps better than a fork or spoon.
Why Your Matcha Powder Matters
Not all matcha is created equal. The difference between a $5 bag from the grocery store and a properly sourced Japanese matcha is enormous — in color, flavor, and how your body responds to it.
Senbird Tea sources matcha directly from family farms across Japan, including Uji, Kyoto — the birthplace of Japanese matcha. Their Matcha Towa is an everyday-grade powder that's vibrant green, smooth, and designed for drinks like lattes and smoothies. For a more traditional experience, their Matcha Otome is a ceremonial-grade matcha best enjoyed whisked with water alone.
When you use high-quality matcha, you don't need to mask the flavor with extra sweetener. It naturally tastes smooth and slightly sweet, which pairs beautifully with the strawberry jam.
Make Your Next Matcha Moment Count
Whether you're just beginning your matcha journey or it's already part of your daily ritual, the strawberry matcha latte is a beautiful way to enjoy your tea. It's simple to prepare, lovely to look at, and a refreshing treat any time of year.
Ready to try it? Explore our matcha collection to find the right match for your latte:
- Matcha Towa — Best for lattes and everyday drinks
- Matcha Otome — Ceremonial grade for traditional preparation
- Modern Matcha Set — Everything you need to start making matcha at home
- Ceremonial Matcha Set — Traditional tools for the full experience
- Browse our teaware — Individual bowls, whisks, and accessories
Explore more about Japanese tea
抹茶永久
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A high-grade matcha with a smooth, balanced body, mellow umami, and a soft, refreshing finish, perfect for lattes, smoothies, or daily rituals.
