Strawberry Matcha Latte

Strawberry Matcha Latte

NY Times 

This colorful, easy-to-make drink — popularized by various bubble-tea chains and trending on TikTok in the spring of 2023 — combines matcha, a powdered green tea traditionally consumed in parts of East Asia, with strawberries, a beloved summer fruit. Served over ice, with distinct layering, the delightful balance of macerated fresh strawberries on the bottom, your choice of milk in the center and earthy matcha on the top creates a vibrant and harmonious flavor combination.

For those not used to making matcha lattes: (i) use a high quality matcha drinking powder not a "cooking" powder; (i) buy a chasen to thoroughly mix matcha with water, works better than whisks; (iii) matcha quantity should be 1 1/2 TSP PER SERVING (total of 6 TSP); (iv) water should be hot when mixing matcha, otherwise it will not blend well; and (v) to cool it, make milk ice cubes and drop them into the hot matcha, stirring, otherwise you will water down the matcha too much. Fabulous recipe!

*I think the recipe works better in equal thirds. Not enough matcha as written, in my opinion. The matcha makes the drink. Otherwise, it’s just a lot of milk and strawberries.

4 servings

8ounces fresh strawberries, hulled and finely chopped

4 to 4½teaspoons granulated sugar (depending on the sweetness of your strawberries)

1teaspoon powdered matcha

4 to 6cups milk (dairy or non-dairy)

Ice, for serving

Add strawberries and sugar to a medium bowl. Using a muddler, potato masher or fork, mash and thoroughly combine them. (If you want a smoother latte, pulse strawberries and sugar in a blender.) Set aside.

Prepare the matcha per package instructions, using ½ cup of room temperature water and mixing until combined. There should be no visible lumps of matcha powder.

Divide strawberry mixture among 4 tall glasses, then fill halfway with ice. Carefully pour 1 to 1½ cups of milk into each glass over the ice and strawberries. Then top each serving with about 2 tablespoons of the matcha mixture. You should see 3 distinct colors.

Stir to combine before drinking. The drink is best consumed through a wide straw.