Save to Pinterest There's something magical about layering drinks on a summer afternoon when you're too tired to think about cooking but still want something that feels special. I discovered this combination by accident, actually—I had leftover matcha from a meditation class I'd signed up for (and attended exactly once) and a pint of strawberries that were getting soft on the counter. The result was so pretty I almost felt guilty drinking it, but the first sip changed my mind completely.
I made this for my roommate on a Thursday evening when she came home complaining about work, and watching her face light up when she saw the layers was worth every second. She demanded the recipe immediately, then proceeded to make three more for her book club meeting the following week. Now apparently I'm known as the matcha latte person, which is somehow both embarrassing and deeply satisfying.
Ingredients
- Fresh strawberries (1 cup, hulled): The backbone of this drink—choose berries that are fragrant and bright red, not mealy, because you'll taste every bit of their quality when they're blended into puree.
- Maple syrup (2 tbsp): It dissolves instantly into the strawberry base and adds a subtle depth that regular sugar can't match, plus it's naturally vegan.
- Lemon juice (1 tsp): Just enough to brighten the strawberries without making the drink taste citrusy, and it prevents the puree from tasting flat.
- Matcha green tea powder (2 tsp): Culinary grade works fine here since you're mixing it into milk, but ceremonial grade makes the drink taste noticeably earthier and more refined if you want to splurge.
- Hot water (1/4 cup, about 80°C): Too hot and you'll lose the matcha's delicate flavor; too cool and it won't dissolve properly, so a kettle with temperature control is honestly worth the investment.
- Chilled oat milk (1 1/2 cups): Barista-style oat milk froths and pours beautifully, but regular oat milk works too—just give it a shake first.
- Ice cubes (1 cup): Use good quality ice or freeze filtered water; cloudy ice can muddy the visual impact of your layers.
Instructions
- Blend the strawberries into silk:
- Combine your hulled strawberries, maple syrup, and lemon juice in the blender and pulse until completely smooth—this should take about 30 seconds. Pour the puree into the bottom of two tall glasses, and watch it settle into that gorgeous deep pink.
- Layer in the ice:
- Fill each glass about halfway with ice cubes, which gives the drink structure and prevents everything from getting watery. The ice sits right on top of the strawberry layer, creating that first color boundary.
- Pour the oat milk carefully:
- Tilt each glass slightly and pour the chilled oat milk slowly over the ice—this is where the layering magic happens. The cold milk will sit on top of the ice and strawberry puree, creating a distinct cream-colored layer.
- Whisk the matcha into submission:
- In a small bowl, add your matcha powder and hot water, then whisk vigorously with a bamboo whisk or even a regular whisk until you see absolutely no lumps and the mixture is frothy on top. This takes about one minute of actual effort, and it's worth it because lumpy matcha tastes gritty.
- Pour and serve with intention:
- Slowly pour the matcha mixture over the oat milk layer in each glass—pour it gently so it floats on top and creates that Instagram-worthy striped effect. Hand someone a straw and watch their face when they see all three colors in one drink.
Save to Pinterest There was a moment when my friend Sarah took her first sip and just closed her eyes, and I realized that drinks can be moments of genuine joy, not just caffeine delivery systems. That's when this stopped being a recipe and became something I make whenever I want to remind someone—or myself—that small beautiful things are worth the ten minutes they take.
The Layering Secret
The real trick to perfect layers is temperature contrast—everything must be either ice-cold or properly hot with nothing lukewarm in between. I learned this the hard way when I used room temperature oat milk once and watched the entire drink turn into a muddy brown mess. Now I chill everything that touches milk, keep the matcha water actually hot, and pour with patience rather than enthusiasm.
Making It Your Own
The beauty of this drink is how flexible it actually is once you understand the basic structure. I've made versions with fresh raspberry puree, with a touch of vanilla in the matcha whisk water, and even with a splash of maple syrup whisked directly into the matcha for a sweeter finish. You can adjust the maple syrup in the strawberry layer from 1 to 3 tablespoons depending on how sweet you like things, and it won't break the drink.
Storage and Timing
The strawberry puree is the only component that improves with advance prep, and it keeps beautifully in the fridge for two days before the flavor starts to fade. Everything else must be assembled fresh—matcha oxidizes and loses its brightness within minutes, and the ice will dilute the drink if it sits around. Make this when you're ready to drink it, not as a grab-and-go situation, because the whole point is that moment when it's perfect.
- Prep the puree in the morning and store it in a small jar so assembly takes literally three minutes when you get home.
- If you're making these for guests, you can have all the components ready and just assemble them one at a time as people arrive.
- In winter, this drink is still beautiful—it's just a warming moment rather than a cooling one.
Save to Pinterest This drink exists in that perfect space where it's fancy enough to celebrate a random Tuesday and simple enough that you'll actually make it instead of just thinking about it. That's the recipe worth keeping.
Common Recipe Questions
- → How do I make the strawberry puree smooth?
Blend fresh hulled strawberries with maple syrup and lemon juice until smooth. For an extra refined texture, strain through a fine mesh sieve.
- → What matcha type works best for this drink?
Use culinary or ceremonial grade matcha powder whisked with hot water to achieve a smooth, frothy layer that complements the sweetness of the strawberry.
- → Can I use other milk alternatives?
Oat milk is recommended for its creamy texture and subtle sweetness, but other plant-based milks can be used according to preference.
- → How do I achieve the layered effect in the latte?
Pour chilled oat milk gently over ice and strawberry puree, then slowly add the whisked matcha on top to create distinct layers.
- → Is there a way to adjust the drink's sweetness?
Yes, adjust the amount of maple or agave syrup in the strawberry puree to suit your taste, balancing natural fruit sweetness with syrup.