This vegan strawberry milk gives you two easy options. The quick version blends fresh strawberries with plant milk for a light, everyday drink. Or, for a sweeter, more nostalgic flavor, make a simple homemade strawberry syrup and stir it into your favorite milk (I love oat milk here)! Both are easy, flexible, and so much better than store-bought.
With strawberry season just around the corner, I figured now is the perfect time to share my favorite way to whip up strawberry milk at home. Bonus: this is also a recipe for strawberry syrup, which has SO many delicious uses.
Strawberry syrup (or any kind of fruit syrup, really), is surprisingly easy to make and versatile. Here we're stirring it into non-dairy milk, but you can also drizzle it over pancakes or ice cream, add it to mocktails and cocktails, or simply add a splash to plain seltzer for a quick, refreshing drink (more ideas below).
And if you want to stretch strawberry season a bit longer, the syrup can be made ahead and frozen, so you're never far from a glass of strawberry milk.
If you're as into strawberries as I am, be sure to check out my vegan take on strawberry pretzel dessert and the strawberry variation of my vegan milkshake recipe!
Jump to:
What You'll Need
- Non-dairy milk: An extra creamy oat milk tastes great with the strawberries, but really, you can use any kind of milk you like. Homemade cashew milk and hemp milk are also good options (both are so easy since they don't need to be strained).
- Strawberries: To make strawberry syrup you can use fresh or frozen berries. Obviously, sweeter, in-season strawberries are most flavorful! For the simple blended version of strawberry milk, I find fresh berries work best. You can use frozen, but it creates more of a smoothie vibe.
- Sweetener: I used regular cane sugar to let the strawberry flavor shine. Agave nectar, maple syrup, and fresh dates or date syrup may also be used.
- Vanilla: Just a tiny amount really bumps up the flavor. Almond extract is another option that pairs really well with strawberries.
I haven't had a chance to try it yet, but I also plan to test a shelf-stable mix using powdered oat milk, freeze-dried strawberry powder (like this one from Anthony's), and sugar.
How to Make Strawberry Syrup
For the most classic-tasting strawberry milk, you'll start by making a quick syrup.
Bring to a simmer.
Combine fresh or frozen strawberries, sugar, and water in a saucepan. Bring to a simmer.
Want to save this recipe? 📩
I'll email the link so you can come back to it later!
Keep an eye out for more delicious recipes. Unsubscribe anytime.
Cook 10 to 12 minutes.
Stirring occasionally, let the mixture simmer for 10 to 12 minutes or until the strawberries are very soft and have lost a lot of color.
Strain.
Pour the strawberry mixture through a fine mesh strainer, capturing the syrup in a bowl. Refrigerate the syrup until cold.
Once you have your chilled syrup, to make a glass of strawberry milk simply combine 4 or 5 tablespoons strawberry syrup with 8 ounces of cold milk. Enjoy!
Tip: Don't Toss Out the Strawberries
Those strawberries left behind after straining the syrup only look sad and pale. They're actually sweet and delicious!
I like to mash them with a fork and use it like jam or compote. You can spread it on toast and vegan biscuits, stir into soy yogurt and dairy-free cottage cheese, or spoon it over your favorite vegan ice cream.
More Ways to Use Strawberry Syrup
- drizzled over a stack of fluffy vegan pancakes, pistachio pancakes, waffles, or crepes
- swirled into oat milk ice cream and coconut milk ice cream
- added to homemade vegan milkshakes
- blended into a homemade Frappuccino!
- make a quick strawberry shrub mocktail with club soda, a splash of white balsamic vinegar, fresh basil or thyme, and strawberry syrup to taste 🍓
Easy Blended Strawberry Milk
Don't want to make strawberry syrup? I get it! I actually love this simple blended version. The consistency is a little frothy, somewhere between milk and a light smoothie.
This works especially well when you have fresh strawberries at their peak flavor and sweetness. The result is strawberry milk that contains all of the natural fiber and nutrition of the whole berries and doesn't need as much added sweetener.
To make it, just add the strawberries, milk, and sugar (or your choice of sweetener), to a blender, and blend until smooth. That's it!
Subs & Flavor Variations
- Almond extract: Instead of vanilla, add a tiny splash of almond extract (about ⅛ teaspoon) for a unique bakery-style flavor.
- Refined sugar-free: Sweeten with maple syrup, date syrup, or blended dates instead of sugar. Adjust to taste depending on the sweetness of your berries.
- Blueberry or mixed berry milk: Swap some or all of the strawberries for blueberries, or use a mix of berries for a fun twist!
Helpful Tips
- Use ripe, in-season strawberries. This makes the biggest difference in flavor and natural sweetness. Or use one of the tricks mentioned next to amp up the flavor...
- Layer the strawberry flavor. Combine different forms for a bigger impact! Try syrup + a few fresh berries, or even a spoonful of powdered freeze-dried strawberries for an extra boost.
- Taste and adjust. Depending on your berries, you may want a little more or less sweetener.
- Strain for a smoother texture (optional). If you prefer pulp-free milk, pour the blended version through a fine mesh strainer.
- Try different milks. Oat milk is especially creamy and complements the strawberries, but cashew and soy are also nice. Like cashew milk, homemade hemp milk is easy since it doesn't need to be strained.
- Shake or stir before serving. Separation is natural, especially with the blended version.
More Vegan Strawberry Recipes
Recipe
Vegan Strawberry Milk
Ingredients
For Strawberry Milk:
- 1 cup non-dairy milk - oat, cashew, and soy are favorites
- 4-5 tablespoons homemade strawberry syrup (recipe below) - or see Step 1 for blended version without syrup
- ⅛ teaspoon vanilla extract, optional - or almond extract
For the Strawberry Syrup:
- 8 ounces strawberries, halved - fresh or frozen
- ¼ cup sugar
- ¼ cup water
Instructions
For a simple blended strawberry milk (no syrup):
- Combine 1 cup milk, 6 oz. fresh, hulled strawberries, 2 teaspoons sugar (or maple syrup), and ⅛ teaspoon vanilla in a blender. Blend until smooth, then taste and adjust sweetness as desired. Enjoy as-is, or pour through a fine mesh strainer.
To Make Strawberry Syrup & Milk:
- In a small pot, combine 8 ounces strawberries, ¼ cup sugar, and ¼ cup water. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook for 10 to 12 minutes, stirring occasionally. The strawberries should lose most of their color and look very soft.
- Place a fine mesh strainer over a bowl and pour in the strawberry mixture. Let all of the syrup strain through. Transfer the strawberries to a separate container to enjoy later (they're sweet and tasty! I like to mash them with a fork and use it like jam or compote).
- Refrigerate syrup until cold. This makes ⅔ cup syrup, enough for two servings of strawberry milk.
- To make strawberry milk: Pour a glass of cold non-dairy milk. Stir in 4-5 tablespoons syrup and ⅛ teaspoon extract of choice. Enjoy cold.
- Store leftover strawberry syrup in an air-tight container in the fridge for up to 10 days, or freeze in an ice cube tray. Once frozen, transfer cubes to a freezer bag or other container, and store in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Notes
Estimated Nutrition (per serving)
Nutrition information is an estimate and will vary depending on the exact amounts and specific products and ingredients used.
Comments
No Comments