Diner-Style Strawberry Milkshakes

The best strawberry milkshake starts with really good strawberry ice cream. Sure you could make it with vanilla ice cream—but why, when the strawberry is right there for the taking? And yes, while you could simply blend a few scoops with a little milk and call it a day, we say more is more. We pumped this diner-style shake with supersized strawberry flavor and vibrant color courtesy of homemade strawberry syrup and freeze-dried strawberries. It’s officially the strawberri-est drink you’ll ever sip.

Gently cooking fresh berries into a syrup deepens their flavor—a technique that’s even more handy outside of peak strawberry season. You’ll have a little syrup left over for drizzling on pancakes or waffles or mixing with seltzer for a refreshing homemade soda. Meanwhile, adding in ground up freeze-dried berries, which are never heat treated, injects the mix with vibrant color and fresh strawberry flavor without needing to add more liquid. 

For the ultimate creamy texture, you’ll use a half-pint of ice cream per serving. We also opt for whole milk here, but it is entirely possible to go dairy-free, if you’d like: Just use coconut or almond milk in place of the dairy milk and cashew-milk-based ice cream for the base. Garnish with a swirl of nostalgic canned whipped cream, and a few fresh slices—or a dusting of crushed freeze-dried berries.

If you’re looking for a less decadent option, consider this strawberry smoothie thickened with yogurt and bananas. Or check out more of our favorite strawberry recipes.