Dairy-Free Strawberry Matcha Latte

Last summer, I was craving something cold and energizing but kept hitting a wall with my usual iced coffee routine—too heavy, too bitter. One afternoon, watching strawberries go soft on the counter, I started playing around with layering flavors instead of mixing them all together. The moment that matcha green started swirling into the coconut milk, something clicked. It wasn't just refreshing; it felt like drinking something beautiful.

I made this for my friend who'd just switched to a plant-based diet and kept apologizing for being "difficult" at coffee shops. Watching her face light up when she realized she could have something this pretty and delicious without any compromise—that's when I knew this needed to become a regular thing in my kitchen.

Ingredients

• Fresh strawberries: The sweetness comes entirely from these, so pick ones that smell fragrant and feel slightly soft—they blend into the silkiest purée and create that gorgeous pink base.
• Maple syrup: Just a touch rounds out the strawberry flavor without making it cloying; agave works too if that's what you have on hand.
• Fresh lemon juice: This small squeeze prevents the strawberry from tasting flat and adds a brightness that makes you come back for another sip.
• Matcha green tea powder: Buy the culinary grade stuff, not the ceremonial kind you'd use for traditional tea—it's smoother and more forgiving if your water isn't perfectly hot.
• Hot water: Keep it below boiling (around 80°C or 175°F) or the matcha turns bitter and loses that vibrant green color.
• Unsweetened coconut milk: The carton version works best here because it pours cleanly and creates that creamy middle layer without being too thick.
• Ice cubes: These need to be regular sized and dense so they don't melt too quickly and dilute your carefully layered drink.

Instructions

Blend the strawberry layer:

Toss your hulled strawberries into the blender with the maple syrup and lemon juice, then blend until completely smooth with no visible seeds or chunks. You want it almost silky so it pours easily into your glass.

Divide and layer the purée:

Pour half the strawberry mixture into each glass, creating that beautiful pink foundation. This is where the visual magic starts.

Whisk the matcha:

In a separate small bowl, add your matcha powder and slowly pour in the hot water while whisking constantly with a bamboo whisk or milk frother—this prevents lumps and creates that signature frothy layer. Keep going until you see small bubbles forming on top.

Add ice strategically:

Drop your ice cubes right on top of the strawberry purée, filling the glass about halfway. This keeps the layers distinct and keeps everything cold.

Pour the coconut milk:

Slowly pour 1/2 cup of the unsweetened coconut milk over the ice, watching as it creates a creamy white layer above the strawberry. This is the trickiest step for keeping things separated.

Float the matcha on top:

Now comes the final touch—pour your whisked matcha very slowly over the back of a spoon so it gently floats on top of the coconut milk, creating those gorgeous layered stripes. Patience here pays off.

Decide on mixing:

Some people swirl it gently before drinking to blend the flavors slightly, while others prefer to sip through each layer individually. There's no wrong choice here.

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There was this one rainy afternoon when I made this for myself after a frustrating day, and the act of carefully pouring each layer—the focus it required—felt almost meditative. By the time I finished, I'd already reset somehow, just from the ritual of creating something intentional.

Strawberry Selection and Prep

The quality of your strawberries really matters here because they're basically the entire flavor foundation. I used to buy them based on appearance alone until I realized that the sweetest ones are often slightly soft and smell intensely fragrant at the base. If your strawberries are mealy or bland, no amount of maple syrup will save you—they'll taste like pink-tinted water instead.

Matcha Temperature and Technique

Getting your matcha powder to dissolve properly is half the battle, and most people underwater it—you need real whisking motion, not just stirring. I learned this after several batches where my matcha stayed grainy and separated from the liquid, and honestly, investing in a cheap bamboo whisk was worth it just for those satisfying circular motions that incorporate air and dissolve the powder completely.

Customization and Variations

Once you understand the basic structure of this drink, it becomes a playground for whatever you have on hand. The coconut milk can absolutely be swapped for oat or almond milk, though the mouthfeel changes slightly—coconut gives it a richness that feels almost decadent for something so light. You can adjust sweetness levels by stirring extra maple syrup into the coconut milk layer if you like it sweeter, and fresh mint or a few sliced strawberries on top turn it into something you'd actually want to photograph.

• For a less sweet version, skip the maple syrup in the strawberry layer and let the fruit's natural flavor shine through.
• Try swapping the strawberry base for other berries like raspberries or blueberries, adjusting the lemon juice as needed to balance sweetness.
• If you want it even creamier, whip a splash of coconut milk with a tiny bit of maple syrup before pouring it as the top layer.

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There's something genuinely satisfying about serving someone a drink that tastes adventurous but requires barely any effort—it feels like a small act of care. This one never fails to make people pause and actually taste what they're drinking instead of just gulping it down.

Recipe Questions & Answers

→ How do I make the strawberry layer smooth?

Blend fresh hulled strawberries with maple syrup and lemon juice until completely smooth to create a vibrant strawberry purée.

→ What’s the best way to whisk matcha for this drink?

Use a bamboo whisk or milk frother to mix matcha powder with hot water, creating a smooth and frothy layer.

→ Can I use other plant milks instead of coconut milk?

Yes, oat or almond milk can be substituted to suit your preference, providing a slightly different flavor and texture.

→ How should the layers be assembled?

Start with the strawberry purée, add ice cubes, pour coconut milk over the ice, then slowly layer the whisked matcha on top for a beautiful presentation.

→ Is this drink suitable for those with nut allergies?

This contains coconut, which is classified as a tree nut allergen for some individuals; consider this before serving.

→ How long does this drink stay fresh?

Best consumed immediately to enjoy optimal taste and layered appearance, though it can be refrigerated briefly if needed.