When life hands you strawberries, make strawberry milk!
This four-ingredient, rose-tinted, sweet strawberry drink takes you back to childhood. But don’t get it twisted. This berry-packed drink is for kids and adults alike!
The secret to good strawberry milk is good strawberry syrup. And I am not talking about Nesquik! Oh, no.
Instead, you will make a simple, fresh strawberry syrup from scratch. You can use fresh or frozen berries. So, you can enjoy it year-round.
Best part? It’s ready in about 15 minutes. So, I guarantee you’ll be making strawberry milk on repeat!
Strawberry Milk
Who can resist strawberry milk?
This pastel-pink drink is a nostalgic nod to childhood and a delicious delight in a glass.
You may be thinking of those canned powders and scrunching your nose. Forget them!
This strawberry milk is the real deal.
It’s perfect for breakfast as a peppy pick-me-up or a cozy evening treat. Every sip wraps your mouth in a delicious berry blanket.
Also, you don’t need any fancy equipment. A saucepan, a sieve, and your hands are all you need to dive into this berry adventure.
For the syrup, you only need strawberries, sugar, and water. Then, let the stove do its magic. Add it to chilled milk, top it with whipped cream, and voila!
Whether you’re feeling nostalgic or fancy trying it for the first time, this strawberry milk is a must!
Ingredients
Here are the ingredients you need to make this delicious strawberry milk:
- Whole Milk- A creamy, perfect base for this recipe. You can use a dairy-free alternative too.
- Fresh Strawberries- Nature’s sweet little rubies! These juicy gems are the heart and soul of this milk.
- Granulated Sugar- To add much-needed sweetness.
- Water- Just a splash balances the sweetness and brightens the berry flavors.
- Whipped Cream- The cherry (or strawberry) on top!
How to Make Strawberry Milk
Ready to whip up some strawberry milk?
Just follow these simple steps:
1. Chill the milk. Pour milk into two glasses and place them in the freezer. You want the milk nice and cold.
2. Cook the berries. Mix the strawberries, sugar, and water in your trusty saucepan. Turn the heat to medium and bring the mixture to a gentle boil.
3. Let the berries simmer. Dial it back to a simmer, letting it go for 15-20 minutes.
It’s ready when everything is syrupy. And the strawberries should be soft.
4. Strain and separate the berries. Once off the heat, strain your mixture through a fine sieve into the container of your choice.
Press on those strawberries to extract all their flavor.
5. Mix the milk. Retrieve the chilled milk from the freezer.
Pour your freshly made strawberry syrup into each glass (about 2-3 spoonfuls), then stir to combine.
6. Garnish! Add a dollop of whipped cream on top, and you’re in business. Enjoy!
Tips for the Best Strawberry Milk
Strawberry milk is pretty easy. But there are a few things you can do to make it better.
Here’s how you make the best strawberry milk possible:
- Make it extra creamy. Mix your strawberry syrup with half and half, or stir in some heavy cream. Absolute indulgence awaits!
- No fine mesh strainer? No worries. Reach for a clean cheesecloth or your go-to strainer. Some seeds or fruit bits may sneak through. But they will settle at the bottom.
- Try it with different berries! You can use this method with blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, or even cherries.
- Get the perfect pink color. Your strawberry milk will have a delicate pink hue. But, if you’re serving eager kids or kids-at-heart, a drop or two of red food coloring can up the vibrancy. Just a touch!
- You can use fresh or frozen berries. Whatever you choose, ensure your strawberries are top-notch. Ripe fresh strawberries work wonders, but frozen ones do the trick when out of season.
Add-Ins and Variations
Want to switch things up?
Try these fun variations:
- Vanilla: A splash of vanilla extract can elevate the berry flavor, making it sing!
- Rosewater: A hint of rosewater not only perfumes the milk but also pairs wonderfully with strawberries.
- Boba: Transform this into a fun strawberry “milk tea” experience (sans tea) by introducing some playful boba.
- Chia: Add chia seeds to create a strawberry-chia-jam texture. It’s not only delightful but also amps up the protein and nutrients.
- Whipped cream: Consider topping your milk with whipped cream. Coconut whipped cream is a dreamy alternative for non-dairy folks.
- Ice cream: Add a scoop of vanilla or strawberry ice cream atop your drink. Divine!
- Keto: You can easily swap in a keto-friendly sweetener and opt for coconut or almond milk.
- Vegan: Swap in your favorite dairy-free milk to make it vegan.
Make Ahead and Storage Tips
Want to enjoy your strawberry milk later? No problem!
Storage
Keep your strawberry milk in an airtight container and pop it into the fridge. It will stay delicious for a solid 3-4 days.
Prepping ahead
Want strawberry milk on demand? Whip up the strawberry syrup beforehand and let it chill.
Then, when you crave that berry-infused sip, blend it with milk. There you have it! Fresh strawberry milk, fast.
Homemade Strawberry Milk (Easy Recipe)
2
servings5
minutes10
minutes248
kcalStrawberry milk is a delicious, fruity drink, full of flavor and nostalgia. And it is so easy to make! You only need 4 simple ingredients and 10 minutes.
Ingredients
2 cups 2 whole milk
2 cups 2 fresh strawberries, hulled and halved
1/2 cup 1/2 granulated sugar
1/2 cup 1/2 water
Whipped cream for topping
Instructions
- Pour milk into 2 glasses and freeze.
- In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine strawberries, sugar, and water. Bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally. The strawberries should be soft, and the liquid should be syrupy.
- Remove from heat. Strain the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve into a bowl, pressing down on the strawberries to extract as much liquid as possible. Discard the solids.
- Take the cold milk out of the freezer. Add 2-3 tablespoons of the strawberry syrup per glass and stir until well blended. Top with whipped cream and serve immediately.
- Enjoy!
Notes
- The strawberry syrup can be made 1-2 days in advance and stored in the fridge until ready.
- Adjust the sugar depending on the sweetness of your strawberries and personal preference. Start with less and add more if needed.
- The longer you simmer the syrup, the thicker it will become. You can thin it with water if it is too thick upon cooling.
- While whole milk is best for maximum creaminess, you can substitute it with almond milk, oat milk, or other milk alternatives.
- For a thicker, milkshake-style drink, use less milk and blend the milk and strawberry syrup in a blender. Add whipped cream on top.
- Customize the amount of strawberry syrup to your taste preference. Start with 2 tablespoons and add more as desired.
