The Sweet Milk That Belongs In Your Smoothies

Making your own strawberry milk

Not all strawberry milk is created equal, so it's wise to explore your options before adding it to your smoothies. Many commercial strawberry milks contain added sugar, which may not be ideal if you're aiming for the naturally sweet and vibrant flavor of a fresh fruit smoothie. If you prefer smoothies without added sugar but can't find sugar-free strawberry milk, consider making your own.

Creating strawberry milk sweetened solely with the fruit is simpler than it seems. Start by selecting a pack of ripe strawberries and chopping them into smaller pieces. Blend the strawberries with milk until the fruit is fully incorporated. Then, strain the mixture through a fine mesh sieve into a glass or container to eliminate any leftover strawberry bits—voilà! You have sugar-free strawberry milk. A helpful tip: straining is optional if you plan to use the milk exclusively for smoothies.

If you enjoy sweetened strawberry milk or find that a sugar-free version lacks flavor, you can reduce the fruit with water and sugar over heat until it turns into a syrup. Blend this syrup with milk and strain it for a customized sweetness level. Remember, table sugar isn't your only option for sweetening the reduction; alternatives like maple syrup, agave nectar, or honey work well too. Additionally, you can use plant-based milk to create your homemade strawberry milk. Whether you purchase it or make it yourself, a strawberries and cream-inspired smoothie begins with strawberry milk.