BHA & BHT Free Vegan Strawberry Matcha Latte
Few drinks manage to look this stunning while also being genuinely easy to make at home. Fresh strawberries are simmered down with maple syrup into a jewel-bright syrup, layered over ice with cold oat milk, and finished with a carefully poured ribbon of whisked matcha — the result is that gorgeous two-toned gradient you usually only see at a specialty café. Every ingredient here is whole and recognizable, which matters when you're avoiding synthetic preservatives like BHA and BHT that sneak into everything from flavored syrups to commercial plant-based milks. By making the strawberry syrup yourself and whisking the matcha from powder, you stay completely in control of what goes into the glass. The trick of pouring the matcha over the back of a spoon keeps the layers distinct, so your first sip is all fruity sweetness before the earthy, grassy matcha comes through. It's refreshing, naturally sweetened with maple syrup, and genuinely beautiful enough to photograph before you drink it.
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Learn more →Ingredients
2 servings
For the strawberry syrup
- 1 cup fresh or frozen strawberries, hulled and halved
- 2 tbsp maple syrup
- 2 tbsp water
For the matcha
- 2 tsp ceremonial or culinary-grade matcha powder
- 3 tbsp hot water (not boiling, about 175°f / 80°c)
- 1 tsp maple syrup (optional)
For the latte
- 1 ½ cups oat milk or other plant-based milk, cold
- 1 ½ cups ice
Instructions
- 1
Combine the strawberries, 2 tbsp maple syrup, and 2 tbsp water in a small saucepan over medium heat. Cook, stirring occasionally and pressing the berries with the back of a spoon, until the strawberries have broken down and the mixture is syrupy, about 4–5 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool for 10 minutes, then press through a fine-mesh strainer into a small bowl, discarding the solids. You should have about 3–4 tbsp of strawberry syrup.
- 2
Sift the matcha powder into a small bowl or measuring cup to break up any clumps. Add the hot water (about 175°F / 80°C — not boiling, which can make matcha bitter) and whisk vigorously in a zigzag motion until the matcha is fully dissolved and no dry powder remains, about 30 seconds. Stir in the optional 1 tsp maple syrup, if using.
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