Start with fruit, not colour

A strawberry milkshake made with real fruit is often a quiet blush rather than bright pink. Its colour depends on the berries and the quantity of ice cream, so colour is not a reliable test of flavour. Ripe, fragrant fruit matters more than a darker shade.

The fruit brings water as well as flavour. This recipe starts with only 100 ml milk because strawberry purée supplies more liquid around the blades. Adding a full glass of milk before the fruit usually produces a looser drink.

A fresh-fruit finish

Blending the berries before adding ice cream makes stubborn pieces easier to remove without overworking the frozen base. Small seeds remain. For a completely smooth drink, pass the purée through a fine sieve, then return it to the cleaned blender before adding ice cream.

Frozen strawberries can be used if your blender is designed for them. Let them soften enough to cut, and use the same weight rather than the same number of berries. They make a colder, thicker shake, so adjust milk after the first blend.

Sweeten gently

Sugar cannot create the aroma of ripe strawberries. If the fruit tastes watery, more sugar produces a sweeter but still faint result. Choose another batch of fruit or accept a subtler shake rather than adding lots of syrup.

What you'll need

  • 200 g ripe strawberries, hulled
  • 260 g vanilla ice cream
  • 100 ml cold whole milk
  • 1–2 tsp caster sugar, only if needed
  • 2 small strawberries for serving, optional

Let's make it

  1. Wash the strawberries, remove the tops and pat dry. Quarter larger berries so they break down easily. Taste one before deciding whether to use sugar.
  2. Put the milk and prepared berries into the blender. Blend until the berries become a thick pink purée. Taste a spoonful and add optional sugar if the fruit is tart.
  3. Add the scoopable ice cream and pulse until even and creamy. If it is too thick to pour, add a tablespoon of milk and pulse again.
  4. Pour into two glasses. If using the extra strawberries, halve them and place them on top. Serve straight away.

Make it your own

Strawberry ice cream can replace vanilla; taste before adding sugar.

A spoonful of plain yoghurt replacing a little ice cream adds tang.

Keeping it fresh

Drink immediately. Refrigerate any untouched remainder promptly, covered, and use within 24 hours. Stir any separated mixture before drinking.

Allergen notes

Contains milk. Check ice cream for egg and other declared allergens.