Vegan Strawberry Matcha Latte

This Vegan Strawberry Matcha Latte recipe is both refreshing and easy to make. The perfect morning pick me up naturally sweetened with strawberries and maple syrup.

I can be honest with you. Matcha is my coffee (and love language). A matcha latte in particular, is something I enjoy quite regularly. A big part of it honestly is the ritual associated with it. I love preparing matcha first thing in the morning. It centers me and brings me a great deal of peace. I need that peace of mind first thing in the morning because my day very quickly turns to chaos. This brief moment to myself, holding a warm cup of matcha that I’ve prepared is just everything.

Now that the weather is starting to warm up, I often will switch to an iced matcha latte preparation. Just as enjoyable and fun to make. In wanting to change things up a little this year, I tried making a vegan version of this strawberry matcha latte recipe and I am obsessed!

What is matcha?

Matcha is a powder that is created by finely grinding down green tea leaves. This allows you the ability to consume the leaves whole as opposed to steeping them in water. While you will still obtain health benefits from both steeping green tea or opting for matcha powder, consuming the whole leaves allows you to obtain a greater concentration of antioxidants.

Since matcha is more concentrated, the taste and caffeine content are more potent. About 1 tsp of matcha used to make 1, 8 fl oz cup contains roughly 64 mg of caffeine while 8 oz of coffee contains between 80-100 mg of caffeine. So why might you choose matcha over coffee? Matcha contains the amino acid L-Theanine, which helps to provide a more stable release of energy instead of the sharp crashes people might feel with regular coffee.

Matcha Tradition

In Japanese culture, Sado (The Way of the Tea) is the ceremonial presentation of matcha. The practice and ceremony are influenced by Zen Buddhism and in practice can aid in reflection and relaxation. It’s truly become a ritual habit for me to make matcha daily. The ritual itself is very soothing and I can’t imagine my mornings without it.

Key Ingredients

• Frozen Strawberries: Make sure to thaw them out so that they are easy to mash
• Maple Syrup: Our natural sweetener of choice
• Ceremonial Grade Matcha: Not all matcha is the same, make sure to use high quality for best taste
• Hot Water: Heat your water in a tea kettle or over the stove top to just about boiling
• Ice: Regular ice cubes are perfect, but you can feel free to use fancy shapes to make this special
• Unsweetened Plant Based Milk: I used soy milk here for the creaminess, but milks like oat or almond work great too

How to make strawberry matcha latte

While this drink definitely looks fancy, I’ve simplified as many steps as possible so you can enjoy this on the regular. Start by thawing out some frozen strawberries. Add some maple syrup on top and use a fork to mash it well together.

• 

• 

Now, prepare your matcha. Sift your matcha into a matcha bowl and pour in your hot water. With a bamboo whisk, you are going to whisk the matcha and water together using a flicking motion with your wrist, back and forth. This motion should also aerate your matcha and you will start to see if slightly froth in the process.

• 

• 

To a glass, add in your mashed strawberries then add in your ice. Pour in your milk for the next layer and then follow up with your matcha. You should be left with three solid layers. Add in a straw and give a gentle stir and enjoy.

Tips for making the perfect iced latte

• Use hot water, not boiling water. Try to warm your water to just about boiling. This will help prevent your matcha from becoming too bitter.
• Sift your matcha powder! Sifting your matcha through a strainer will help to make sure that your matcha does not clump, which will make your beverage much smoother in taste and texture.
• Prepare and use your matcha immediately. If you whisk your matcha and then let it sit for too long, your matcha mixture will separate and start collecting in a thicker suspension at the bottom. Try to use it immediately as desired.
• Use frozen strawberries instead of fresh. Using frozen strawberries is a little bit easier for this recipe. You can thaw out your strawberries and they will be much easier to mash. If you use fresh, you will need to cook your strawberries down to make them easier to mash.
• Layer your latte based on weight. Start by layering your mashed strawberries and then your ice. Follow by slowly pouring in your milk and then slowly pouring in your matcha. This will help to create the lovely layers of separation.

Good Quality Matcha

Use good quality matcha for best results. There are different grades for matcha available. And depending on the way the tea leaves are grown and prepared can impact your matcha experience. Low grade matchas will often taste bitter or will be dull green in color. For higher quality matchas, look for ceremonial grade when possible. Ceremonial grade matchas tend to retain their brilliant and intense green color while also having a more bold and smooth taste.

What does strawberry matcha latte taste like?

Matcha on it’s own has a few different flavor notes to it that can be characterized as earthy, mild nuttiness and some bitter undertones. Traditionally, with proper preparation, matcha is typically whisked with hot water into a frothy beverage that is enjoyed as is. You can also mix it with steamed milk or prepare a nice ice cold matcha similar to this one to enjoy.

Mixing your matcha with milk and natural sweeteners can also help to create fun and tasty matcha experiences. Having the matcha mixed with mashed sweet strawberries and maple syrup definitely gives me adult strawberry milk vibes. The sweetness is very mild, but more enjoyable in my opinion. I think in this stage of my life, intense sweet is just too much for me.

More Matcha Recipes

• Matcha Latte Oatmeal
• Matcha Latte Overnight Oats

Print

Did You Try This Recipe?
Then let me know what you thought in the comments below! Share your creations by tagging me on Instagram with the hashtag #plantbasedrdeats

★ Catherine