Cherry Milkshake (Best Homemade Recipe!)

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Some days, I just want something cold, sweet, and pretty easy to make. That’s how I ended up loving this cherry milkshake. It’s creamy and bursting with cherry flavor without being too fussy.

The best part? I almost always have frozen cherries ready in my freezer. Grab your blender and let’s make a cherry milkshake you’ll want again and again!

Why You’ll Love Cherry Milkshake

Cherry flavor is bright, a little tart, and totally refreshing anytime.
It takes minutes to make, even during busy weekday mornings.
Creamy texture makes every sip feel like a dessert treat.
Much tastier and fresher than anything from the ice cream shop!

Ingredients You’ll Need

Frozen cherries: Already pitted, icy cold, and give shakes a bold cherry flavor and smooth, creamy texture.
Whole milk: Makes everything super creamy, and pairs really well with tangy cherries for rich flavor.
Vanilla ice cream: Turns this shake velvety smooth, with a classic milkshake taste and sweet, rich finish.
Vanilla extract: A splash amps up all the other flavors and brings a lovely, subtle aroma to your shake.
Sugar or honey: Helps balance the tartness of frozen cherries and boosts sweetness if you’ve got a sweet tooth.
Whipped cream(optional): Fluffy and sweet, the perfect topper for that ice-cream-shop vibe and extra creamy goodness.

Equipment You’ll Need

Blender: Does the magic—crushes everything into a silky, frothy milkshake in just a few seconds.
Ice cream scoop: Makes it easy (and fun!) to get big, round ice cream scoops into your blender.
Measuring cups: So you don’t go overboard with milk or skimp on those juicy cherries.
Tall glass: Looks great for serving, holds your creamy milkshake with plenty of room for whipped cream.

How To Make Cherry Milkshake?

This cherry milkshake comes together in just a few simple steps. The blender does the heavy lifting, so you don’t have to!

Step 1: Grab frozen cherries. Measure out your frozen cherries. They make the shake ice cold and packed with flavor.

Step 2: Add ingredients to the blender. Put cherries, milk, vanilla ice cream, sweetener, and vanilla extract straight into your blender.

Step 3: Blend it all together. Blend until smooth—let it go until you don’t see any cherry pieces left.

Step 4: Pour and serve. Pour your cherry milkshake into a glass. Don’t forget the whipped cream and a maraschino cherry on top!

Note: If you wanna use fresh cherries instead of frozen, make sure you remove the pits. Toss in a handful of ice cubes to get the same chill and thickness you’d get with frozen cherries!

Tips for the Best Cherry Milkshake

Use frozen cherries for the coldest, thickest shake without needing any ice cubes at all.
Blend until smooth to keep the shake creamy—stopping too soon leaves chunky bits that aren’t as tasty.
Taste before serving; cherries can be tart, so add a little more sugar or honey if you want it sweeter.
Scoop ice cream last so it doesn’t melt fast while you prep everything else; keeps your shake extra creamy.
Serve right away for best thickness—waiting too long can make the shake thin out.

Variations and Substitutions

Swap in plant milk: Use oat milk or almond milk for a dairy-free version; it keeps the shake creamy and smooth.
Try frozen yogurt: Sub it for ice cream for a brighter, slightly tangy taste without losing that frozen creaminess.
Make it chocolatey: Add a spoonful of cocoa powder for a chocolate cherry milkshake—tastes rich and a little fancy.
Add more fruit: Toss in bananas or strawberries with your cherries for a fruitier flavor and a pinker shake.
Go lower sugar: Skip the sugar or honey if your cherries are sweet enough; it keeps things lighter and more natural.

Make-Ahead and Storage Tips

Make ahead and chill: Blend your shake, pour into a bottle, and chill up to a day ahead—shake well before drinking.
Add whipped cream last: Wait until right before serving to top with cream so it stays fluffy and cool.
Shake before drinking: If making ahead, give the bottle a quick shake to mix things back together.
Freeze as pops: Got leftovers? Pour them into popsicle molds and freeze for a frosty after-school treat.
Don’t refreeze melted shake: Once thawed, the texture changes, so enjoy it fresh for the best creamy sip.

Common Questions

Yes, you can! Just pit them first, and add a few ice cubes to chill your shake the same way frozen cherries do.

Low-fat milk works great, though the shake won’t be as thick. Taste will still be cherry-packed and delicious!

Absolutely! Use frozen yogurt or even Greek yogurt for a tangy twist and a lighter, slightly less creamy shake.

Use more frozen cherries and a little less milk. Blend longer for super-thick and creamy cherry shake magic.

Cherry milkshake can be a tasty treat, but it’s not exactly a healthy food. It has sugar and ice cream, so enjoy it in moderation!