Forget store-bought strawberry syrup and make this from scratch, homemade Strawberry Milk with juicy fresh strawberries and no artificial colors, flavors, or dyes!
If you love strawberries, be sure to also check out our Strawberry Rice Krispies Treats, Homemade Strawberry Ice Cream, and Award-Winning Strawberry Cream Cheese Pie!
You will love this Strawberry Milk Recipe
When I was a kid, I was sort of obsessed with strawberry milk. I remember going to ski school at Solitude ski resort in Utah and getting goodie-bags to take home that were always filled with the best stuff, including packets of Nesquik strawberry milk powder.
Those packets were my FAVORITE and the only time of the year when I got to have pink milk (that honestly had 0% real strawberry in it, lol).
Well, then, and whenever we had strawberries and cream for dessert.
If you've never had strawberries and cream like this, just cut up fresh strawberries, sprinkle with a little sugar, then drizzle cream over them (or sometimes just fill the bowl with milk and eat the sweetened strawberries and milk like you might eat a bowl of cereal.)
This seemed super normal to me growing up but now I'm wondering if anybody else ever does/did this? By the end, the bowl of milk was stained pink and flavored from the macerated strawberry juices and sugar and I would slurp it down straight from the bowl. YUM.
So when I was researching foods that Delaware is known for as part of my American Eats series, I kept coming across strawberries and milk being strongly associated with Delaware and knew I needed to do something with them.
After all, strawberries are Delaware's state fruit and milk is Delaware's state beverage (since 1983!). Strawberry milk was an obvious choice for a taste of Delaware!
This is the pinkest, funnest way to start your day. Or it makes a delicious and easy after-school (or work) snack for the kiddos or yourself (if you are a kid at heart, like me).
I'm thinking strawberry milk needs to be on deck for Valentine's Day, Easter, baby girl baby showers, birthday parties, and basically any other spring or summer occasion in between. It's so yummy and fun!
And super easy to make ahead and have on hand for whenever you get those strawberry milk cravings. It's also a great way to get your kids to drink their milk!
Strawberry Milk Drink Ingredients
- Strawberries - You will want the strawberries washed, hulled, and sliced.
- Granulated sugar - just plain white sugar to sweeten the strawberry syrup.
- Water - to cook and soften the strawberries in.
- Milk - Add the strawberry syrup to milk for a delicious drink. Use whole milk for an even creamier experience.
How to make Strawberry Milk
You can this homemade strawberry milk recipe from either fresh or frozen strawberries. And if you are dairy-free, you could absolutely use the strawberry syrup in almond milk or coconut milk. First, clean and hull your strawberries (if using fresh) and slice or chop them up a bit. I just did all of this with a paring knife and quartered my berries.
Add the chopped strawberries, sugar, and just a little water into a medium saucepan and bring to a boil, then reduce heat and let simmer until the strawberries are soft and have released all of the juices - about 10-15 minutes.
Pour everything through a fine mesh strainer. Press the solids against the strainer using the back of a spatula or spoon to get as much syrup from the strawberries as possible, then discard the solids.
Transfer the strawberry syrup to a jar or container and chill the syrup in the fridge until cold.
How to use Strawberry Syrup for Milk
When you are ready to make a glass of fresh strawberry milk, just add 3-4 tablespoons of the strawberry syrup to 1 cup of milk and stir! I think it's best with whole milk - it's much creamier and richer tasting - but use whatever you like.
Tips for this Strawberry Milk Drink
- You could even use the syrup to flavor club soda or seltzer water.
- The color of the syrup in the pictures is 100% natural but when you swirl it into milk, it results in a pale pink milk. If you really wanted a strong pink color, you would need to add a little food coloring (affiliate link).
How to store Homemade Strawberry Milk
The strawberry syrup will last in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. Unless you use it all first, which is the more likely scenario. Just store it in an airtight container. I got my cute little jar from the Target dollar section around Christmas or Valentine's Day couple years ago (can't remember for sure when but they have cute little red lids with holes for plastic straws and I gave them to my kids but use them all the time myself, lol).
More Delicious, Homemade Beverages to Try
- Fresh Squeezed Homemade Lemonade
- Horchata Mexican Drink Recipe
- Virgin Piña Coladas
- Homemade Hawaiian Punch Recipe
- Orange Julius Recipe
- Brazilian Lemonade (Limeade)
Did you make this recipe?
Let me know what you thought with a comment and rating below. You can also take a picture and tag me on Instagram @houseofnasheats or share it on the Pinterest pin so I can see.
How to make Strawberry Milk
Ingredients
- 3 cups strawberries washed, hulled, and sliced
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup water
- milk
Instructions
- Bring strawberries, sugar, and water to a boil in a saucepan.
- Reduce heat and simmer 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until berries are soft and have released their juices.
- Pour the berries and juice through fine mesh strainer over a bowl, pressing out as much juice as possible and discarding solids. Transfer the resulting syrup to a container and chill thoroughly in the fridge until cold.
- Add 3-4 tablespoons of strawberry syrup to 1 cup of milk for each serving. Stir well, then enjoy!
Nutrition
More States I Have Visited in my American Eats Series
Alabama • Alaska • Arizona • Arkansas • California • Colorado • Connecticut • Delaware • Florida • Georgia • Hawaii • Idaho • Illinois • Indiana • Iowa • Kansas • Kentucky • Louisiana • Maine • Maryland • Massachusetts • Michigan • Minnesota • Mississippi • Missouri • Montana • Nebraska • New Jersey • New York • Oregon • Puerto Rico • South Carolina • South Dakota • Texas • Utah • Wisconsin
I would like to make milkshakes with the strawberry syrup...any suggestions?
Can I use frozen Strawberries?
Yes!