Strawberry Milkshake

By
Katie Workman
Katie Workman
Award-winning food writer, blogger, and author of two cookbooks. She frequently appears on broadcast media sharing her expertise.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Updated on 01/6/23
Tested by
Danilo Alfaro
Danlio Alfaro
Tested by Danilo Alfaro
Danilo Alfaro has published more than 800 recipes and tutorials focused on making complicated culinary techniques approachable to home cooks.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Prep: 25 mins
Cook: 0 mins
Total: 25 mins
Servings: 2 servings

There's nothing quite like a milkshake when that's what you're craving, and they feel so nostalgic and old-fashioned. Creamy, frothy, sweet, and icy cold, milkshakes can cool you off on a hot and humid day or satisfy an ice-cream urge in a unique way. This recipe is extra sweet, as it calls for fresh strawberries, but you can use frozen ones if that's all you have.

While it’s not necessary to soak the strawberries in sugar before blending, it's an extra step that makes a difference. That little bit of sugar (just a tablespoon) pulls out the natural juices and intensifies the sweetness in a way that gives your milkshake amazing flavor. Letting the strawberries sit in the sugar before blending macerates and softens them, and it really does the trick. Sometimes the sweetness of fresh berries can vary, and using a little bit of sugar amplifies the natural sweetness. If you really, truly love strawberries, use strawberry ice cream instead of vanilla.

Strawberry milkshake in a glass jar with striped straws

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"I was concerned that adding sugar to the strawberries might make the milkshake too sweet, but it was great. Thick and frosty, easy to make, and a refreshing summertime treat. The vanilla extract really helped the flavors pop, not just the vanilla but the strawberries too. A winner!" —Danilo Alfaro

Strawberry Milkshake in a glass with a bendy straw
A Note From Our Recipe Tester

Ingredients

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Ingredients gathered for a strawberry milkshake

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  2. Cut the tops off the strawberries and slice them into a few pieces.

    Strawberries with the tops cut off (hulled) on a marble surface

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  3. In a medium bowl, combine the sliced strawberries, sugar, and vanilla extract and stir to combine well.

    Sliced strawberries and sugar in a white bowl on a marble surface

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  4. Set aside and allow to sit for at least 20 minutes and for up to 1 hour.

    Strawberries and sugar macerating in a bowl

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  5. Place the strawberries with any juices, ice cream, and milk in a blender.

    Strawberries, milk, and ice cream in a blender

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  6. Blend until smooth.

    Blended strawberry milkshake

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  7. Pour into large glasses and, if desired, put a strawberry on the rim of each glass.

    Strawberry milkshake in glass jars blended with a strawberry garnish and straws

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Tip

  • You can use frozen strawberries that you buy in the freezer aisle, or you can freeze fresh strawberries and use those if you want a very thick shake. You may need to add a bit more milk if the shake is too thick.

Recipe Variations

  • If you are looking to add more flavor to your strawberry milkshake, try adding a banana for a strawberry banana milkshake. (It's a good use for frozen bananas.)
  • Include other berries in addition to the strawberries for a mixed berry shake. Try blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries.
  • Add a scoop of malt powder for a malted strawberry shake.
  • Drizzle it with chocolate syrup for a strawberry chocolate milkshake.
  • Dollop some whipped cream on top, and maybe some chocolate shavings or sprinkles.
  • You could also substitute all of the dairy items with non-dairy milk and ice cream.

What Kind of Milk Is Best for Milkshakes?

Feel free to use any kind of milk you'd like, from skim to whole, or even plant-based ones, although whole milk makes for a richer milkshake.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
373 Calories
16g Fat
50g Carbs
7g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 2
Amount per serving
Calories 373
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 16g 21%
Saturated Fat 10g 49%
Cholesterol 63mg 21%
Sodium 136mg 6%
Total Carbohydrate 50g 18%
Dietary Fiber 3g 12%
Total Sugars 44g
Protein 7g
Vitamin C 72mg 359%
Calcium 262mg 20%
Iron 1mg 4%
Potassium 536mg 11%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)