Favorite Strawberry Milk (So Quick!) (2024)

Learn how to make the BEST homemade strawberry milk that’s low in added sugar and high in vitamin C, protein, and really fresh strawberry flavor.

Strawberry Milk

Adding fruity flavor to milk can transform it from basic to so super yummy—and help kids meet their calcium needs, mix up plain drinks, and add a dose of vitamin C into the day. Strawberry milk is clutch if your kids aren’t into plain milk or you just want to change things up.

This is also a much lower-sugar option than store-bought strawberry milk, which is a nice bonus.

You can make this flavored milk with any type of milk, though we prefer using whole-milk dairy since it’s super creamy and filling.

We love this with breakfast alongside something easy, like toast or muffins, or paired with snack or lunch. It’s really a nice option for any time of the day.

There are two ways you can make it: You can use fresh berries, frozen strawberries, or freeze-dried ones. I’ll outline the difference below. (You don’t need to make or use strawberry syrup or strawberry sauce, and this is a little less work than making classic Korean strawberry milk—but with all the flavor.)

You may also like Vanilla Milk, Banana Milk, and Homemade Chocolate Milk.

Ingredients You Need

To make this recipe for flavored milk, you’ll need the following ingredients. You can use either fresh or freeze-dried berries, so read through to see which one sounds best for your family.

• Milk: I use whole milk, but any milk you prefer will work. (Whole milk, soy milk, or a thicker style of nondairy milk will be creamier than something like regular almond milk.)
• Strawberries: You can use fresh or freeze-dried strawberries in this recipe.
• Maple syrup: You can use honey if that’s what you have on hand as the sweetener. (Though always avoid honey for kids under age 1.)
• Pure vanilla extract: This adds an undertone of flavor that tastes delicious.

Ingredient Substitutions

• You can sub in plain unsweetened nondairy milk (such as oat milk, cashew milk, coconut milk, or a plant milk) for the regular milk.
• Use honey for the maple syrup if desired.
• This recipe works with either freeze-dried strawberries or fresh ones. Freeze-dried ones have a more concentrated “strawberry flavor” and a brighter color than the fresh ones.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Here’s a look at the process involved in making this strawberry milk recipe. Scroll down to the bottom of the post for the full scoop, including the amounts and timing.

Step 1. Add the ingredients to a blender. (You don’t have to simmer anything in a saucepan, so this really is the easiest method for making strawberry milk!)

Step 2. Puree everything together. Blend until very smooth. If your blender doesn’t get liquids very smooth, pour through a fine-mesh strainer. Stop and taste. Adjust the sweetness if needed.

TIP: If you use freeze-dried strawberries, the mixture will thicken if you store to serve it later, so I recommend serving within 24 hours.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to Store

Store flavored milk in an airtight container for up to 24 hours in the fridge. Know that the mixture will thicken a bit if you make this with freeze-dried strawberries.

Best Tips for Success

• You can make this with fresh strawberries or freeze-dried ones, depending on what you have access to.
• The version with freeze-dried berries tastes more similar to store-bought strawberry milk; the one with fresh berries tastes more like fresh strawberries!
• You can play around with the amounts of the freeze-dried berries to make a more or less intense version.
• The version using freeze-dried berries does thicken as it sits, so expect that if you store it to serve later.
• You can thin it with a little more milk if needed.
• You can use honey instead of maple syrup if preferred. Use maple syrup and nondairy milk to make this vegan.
• Find the nutritional information at the end of the recipe below.

I’d love to hear your feedback on this recipe if you try it, so please comment below!

This post was first published August 2020.