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strawberry cold foam is basically my little summer shortcut when I want something cafe cute but I do not want to leave the house, put on real clothes, and pay seven bucks for it. I first started making it at home after a hot grocery run when everything felt sticky and I just wanted an iced drink that tasted like a treat. Now I keep a bag of frozen strawberries around almost all the time, because this is the kind of recipe that saves a random afternoon. If you like refreshing drinks, you will probably end up making this on repeat like I do. I also get a ton of drink inspo from dailypan.com, especially when I am bored of plain iced coffee.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This one hits the sweet spot between fun and practical. You get that creamy, fluffy top layer that feels like a coffee shop drink, but you can control the sweetness and make it as light or as dessert like as you want. Also, matcha has that gentle earthy vibe that balances strawberries really well, so it does not taste like candy.
Here is why it works so well in real life:
- Fast: once you have the ingredients, it is a five to ten minute drink.
- No fancy tools required: a jar with a lid can do the job if you do not have a frother.
- Customizable: dairy free, less sweet, extra foamy, you name it.
- Feels special: the layers look pretty and make regular days feel like summer days.
And if you are on a strawberry kick in general, you will probably love scrolling through this list of ideas too: 7 easy strawberry dessert recipes that will brighten your day. It is dangerous in the best way.
Ingredients You’ll Need for this Strawberry Matcha Latte
Let us keep it simple and realistic. This is the kind of recipe where the ingredient quality actually matters, but you do not need the most expensive everything. Use what you have, then upgrade later if you get obsessed.
Quick shopping list
- Strawberries: fresh or frozen. Frozen makes it easy and consistent.
- Milk: any kind. I like oat milk for the slight sweetness, but dairy milk froths great too.
- Heavy cream or half and half (optional): for a richer, thicker foam.
- Sweetener: simple syrup, honey, maple syrup, or sugar.
- Matcha powder: culinary grade is fine, but a nicer matcha will taste smoother.
- Hot water: just a splash to whisk the matcha.
- Ice: lots of it. This is a summer drink, do not be shy.
- Vanilla extract (optional): a tiny splash makes it taste like a strawberry milk vibe.
My personal note: if your strawberries are not very sweet, do not blame the recipe. Just add a little more sweetener and a pinch of salt. Yes, salt. It makes strawberry flavor pop without tasting salty.
I tried this exact combo last weekend and it tasted like a cafe drink but fresher. The strawberry cold foam on top was my favorite part and it stayed fluffy longer than I expected.
How to Make a Strawberry Matcha Latte
Okay, let us make it. I usually do this in three tiny steps: prep the matcha, prep the strawberry cold foam, then layer everything. The layers are not just pretty, they actually help the flavors hit you in the right order.
Step by step directions
1) Make the matcha. Add 1 to 2 teaspoons matcha powder to a cup. Pour in about 2 to 3 tablespoons hot water. Whisk until smooth. If you do not have a matcha whisk, use a small regular whisk or even a fork and just keep going until it looks mostly lump free.
2) Build the iced latte base. Fill your serving glass with ice. Add milk of choice, usually about 3/4 cup. Then pour in your whisked matcha. Stir. Taste it. If it needs sweetness, add a little syrup now so it blends easily.
3) Blend the strawberry cold foam. In a small blender cup or jar, add 3 to 4 strawberries (or about 1/2 cup frozen slices), 2 tablespoons milk, and 2 tablespoons cream or half and half if using. Add 1 to 2 teaspoons sweetener. Blend or froth until it looks airy and pink. If you want it thicker, add a little more cream. If you want it lighter, stick to milk only.
4) Spoon and sip. Slowly spoon the foam over your iced matcha latte. Take a second to admire it, then stir if you want everything mixed, or sip through the foam layer for the full experience.
Sometimes I do a tiny strawberry swirl on the inside of the glass too, like a quick smear of strawberry puree. It is extra, but it is fun.
Also, if you want a sweet bite on the side, I have definitely paired this drink with strawberry desserts and no regrets. This one is a whole vibe: chocolate covered strawberry cake.
Recipe Tip
Here are the little things that make the biggest difference, especially if you try it once and think, hmm, not quite like I wanted. Most issues are easy fixes.
Make it taste like your favorite cafe version
Use very cold ingredients. Cold milk and cold cream foam better and hold longer. If your kitchen is warm, even chilling your jar for a few minutes helps.
Do not over blend the strawberries into soup. You want the foam thick and fluffy, not watery. If your strawberries are super juicy, add a tablespoon more cream or a couple ice cubes while blending.
Sweeten in layers. Sweeten the matcha base lightly and sweeten the foam lightly. If you dump all the sweetness into one part, the drink tastes uneven.
Matcha clumps happen. If your matcha is clumpy, sift it or whisk it longer with hot water before adding milk. No one wants to chew their latte.
Want it stronger? Add a little extra matcha, but go slow. Too much can turn it bitter fast.
More Drink Recipes
If you end up loving this, you can keep the same idea and swap flavors. Think cold foam plus a simple iced base. It is honestly a fun little hobby once you start.
A few easy spins I make at home:
Iced vanilla latte with strawberry cold foam: coffee base instead of matcha, and add vanilla to the milk.
Strawberry cold foam on black tea: brewed tea, cooled, lightly sweetened, then foam on top.
Coconut matcha: use coconut milk and a tiny squeeze of lime, it tastes super summery.
Chocolate strawberry vibe: add a teaspoon of cocoa to the foam for a chocolate dipped strawberry feel.
And if you are the type who likes cozy ideas for the rest of the year too, bookmark this for later: 15 easy comfort food recipes for cold weather you will love. I know it is summer right now, but future you will be grateful.
Common Questions
Can I make strawberry cold foam without cream?
Yes. Use milk only. It will be a bit lighter and less thick, but still tasty. Oat milk and whole milk usually foam better than very thin milks.
What is the best matcha to use for this latte?
If you are new to matcha, start with a decent culinary grade matcha. If you already love matcha, a smoother, higher quality one will taste less bitter and more mellow.
Can I use strawberry jam instead of strawberries?
You can, in a pinch. Use 1 to 2 tablespoons jam and reduce the sweetener. The flavor will be more candy like, but still good.
How do I keep the foam from sinking right away?
Make sure the foam is thick enough and your drink is cold. Also spoon it on gently. If it is too thin, add a splash more cream or blend a little longer.
Can I prep this ahead of time?
You can whisk the matcha and store it in the fridge for a day. The foam is best made fresh, but you can blend it and keep it chilled for a few hours, then re froth quickly.
A Sweet Little Summer Habit
This is one of those drinks that makes summer feel like summer, even if you are just drinking it in your kitchen with the fan on. The strawberry cold foam gives you that creamy treat feeling, and the matcha keeps it refreshing instead of heavy. Once you make it a couple times, you will figure out your perfect sweetness and foam thickness. If you try it, tell me if you go more strawberry or more matcha, because everyone has a preference.
Strawberry Matcha Latte
Ingredients
For the Strawberry Cold Foam
- 3 to 4 strawberries strawberries (fresh or frozen) If using frozen, about 1/2 cup slices.
- 2 tablespoons milk Any kind, oat milk is recommended for slight sweetness.
- 2 tablespoons heavy cream or half and half Optional for richer foam.
- 1 to 2 teaspoons sweetener Simple syrup, honey, maple syrup, or sugar.
For the Iced Matcha Latte Base
- 1 to 2 teaspoons matcha powder Culinary grade is fine, smoother quality is better.
- 2 to 3 tablespoons hot water Just enough to whisk the matcha.
- 3/4 cup milk Your choice of milk.
- ice Fill glass generously.
- a splash vanilla extract Optional, enhances flavor.
Instructions
Preparation
- Make the matcha by adding 1 to 2 teaspoons of matcha powder to a cup and pouring in about 2 to 3 tablespoons of hot water. Whisk until smooth.
- Fill your serving glass with ice. Add about 3/4 cup of your milk of choice, then pour in the whisked matcha. Stir and taste, adjusting sweetness as needed.
Making the Foam
- In a small blender cup or jar, combine 3 to 4 strawberries, 2 tablespoons of milk, 2 tablespoons of cream (if using), and 1 to 2 teaspoons of sweetener. Blend until airy and pink.
- Spoon the strawberry cold foam over the iced matcha latte, and enjoy!
