Starbucks' New Iced Strawberry Matcha Latte Has Me Fully Converted

A new season is upon us which means only one thing, a new Starbucks menu is about to drop. Much like the Ghost Pumpkin Frappuccino last October, which offered pumpkin spice latte fans something a little different, this time the high-street coffee shop chain is adding an alternative version of to its much-loved Iced Matcha Green Tea Latte. Perfect for those who prefer their matcha on the sweeter side, the Iced Strawberry Matcha Tea Latte might just be your new regular order.

To be completely honest, I've only ever dabbled in the world of matcha by mistake. I've occasionally picked up a matcha latte when I've walked into a coffee shop looking for a cappuccino, before realising I'm in east London and it's impossible to get a bog-standard coffee.

Available from February 29, the new Starbucks drink is a twist on the classic iced matcha. It's created using the Starbucks matcha green tea, a thick layer of strawberry cream cold foam, and one and a half pumps of vanilla syrup.

Will this Instagrammable pink and green concoction be enough to convert me to the matcha life? Keep reading to find out.

Starbucks Iced Strawberry Matcha Tea Latte Review

Like Marmite, matcha has quite the cult following and very much evokes a 'love it or hate it' mentality (please let the record show, I am pro-Marmite) and before trying this drink, I was definitely leaning towards dislike.

I was pleasantly surprised by the springtime aesthetic of the drink. When I think of matcha, I usually think of a deep, mossy green but this drink is definitely more of a bright, grassy vibe. The vibrant green filled up three quarters of the glass with the pastel pink strawberry cold foam topping it up to the brim. It definitely ticks the 'Instagram-approved' quality most Starbucks drinks have.

But, there's nothing worse than buying a drink which looks great but doesn't taste the same. When I took my first sip I was silently praying that it wasn't going to be too earthy like my other matcha experiences. And I'm pleased to report it was the perfect balance between bitter and sweet.

It's smooth and creamy, and the iced element really complements the refreshing quality. It isn't overly sweet either, so perhaps if you're a fan of a creamy frappuccino it might not be for you. If you're looking for something warmer, you could technically order it hot but I'd probably recommend sticking to the usual options there, like the Oleato latte instead.

This drink is definitely an entry-level matcha. "The strawberry element makes it more familiar and accessible, encouraging customers who have never tried matcha to do so," says Roshnee Dattani, Senior Beverage Developer at Starbucks UK — and I can definitely vouch for that.

If you usually take your coffee order with an alternative milk option, you can substitute the whole milk in the matcha tea element for another choice, however, the strawberry cold foam is made with dairy which can't be substituted for a dairy-free version.

I'd definitely add this to my usual Starbucks roster, especially for when I need a mid-afternoon pick-me-up. Matcha is a good source of slow-releasing caffeine but without the jitters coffee sometimes induces. It would also complement my usual breakfast as the strawberry cold foam is quite similar in taste to my usual go-to fruity yoghurt.

Overall, I'm happy to share that I'm a matcha girlie now and this drink will definitely earn a space on my Instagram feed.

When Is the Starbucks Iced Strawberry Matcha Tea Latte Available?

The Iced Strawberry Matcha Tea Latte is available across the UK from February 29 for Starbucks Rewards members and everyone else from March 7. Prices start from £4.30 for a tall size.

Chloe Dunn (she/her) is a senior social content producer at POPSUGAR UK. With more than six years of experience in social media marketing, she is always on the lookout for the latest viral buzz. Working across Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and Pinterest, Chloe specialises in bringing people together virtually and building global online communities. She has previously worked in the music industry, including at a major record label and for the UK's biggest group of music venues.