This creamy vegan strawberry milk is made with real roasted strawberries and homemade cashew chia milk—dairy-free, naturally sweetened, and full of nostalgic flavor. Perfect for a healthy twist on a childhood favorite!
When’s the last time you had a glass of strawberry milk? If you’re like most people, probably not since you were a kid.
Back then, strawberry milk usually meant pink powder stirred into regular milk—more sugar and artificial flavor than actual strawberries. But not this time. This homemade vegan strawberry milk is the grown-up version of that childhood favorite: creamy, lightly sweetened, and made with real strawberries and dairy-free cashew chia milk.
Creamy Vegan Strawberry Milk (Made with Real Strawberries!)
Feeling nostalgic, I set out to recreate the strawberry milk I loved as a kid—only better. With the first strawberries of the season just starting to ripen, it was the perfect excuse to bring this classic back in a healthier, more flavorful way.
Strawberries and milk are a timeless duo, and turning them into a glass of pretty pink, dairy-free milk just makes any day feel a little brighter.
Why You'll Love This Vegan Strawberry Milk
- 100% dairy-free
- Naturally sweetened with real fruit
- Creamy, rich, and perfectly pink
- Made with homemade cashew chia milk
- Kid-friendly and adult-approved
The Secret? Roasted Strawberries & Creamy Cashew Milk
Instead of using raw berries, I roast the strawberries to bring out a deep, jammy flavor. It may seem counterintuitive to cook fresh strawberries, but the roasting process concentrates their natural sugars and creates a luscious syrup perfect for swirling into milk (or drizzling over yogurt or ice cream).
As for the milk, I swap out traditional dairy for a homemade cashew chia milk that’s incredibly creamy and subtly nutty—just right for balancing the sweetness of the strawberries.
Ingredient Notes:
Here’s everything you’ll need to make this creamy, plant-based version of a childhood classic. Exact measurements are in the recipe card below.
For the Cashew Chia Milk:
- Raw cashews – Soaked for at least 4 hours or overnight for the creamiest texture.
- Chia seeds – Add body and a little natural thickness.
- Filtered water – For blending.
- Dates or Maple syrup (optional) – For a touch of natural sweetness.
For the Roasted Strawberry Syrup:
- Fresh strawberries – Washed, hulled, and halved.
- Maple syrup – To enhance the natural sweetness of the berries.
Optional Add-Ins:
- Frozen strawberries – For a thicker, milkshake-style drink.
- Ice cubes – To chill and thin the milk slightly if preferred.
- More maple syrup – If you like it sweeter.
How to Make Vegan Strawberry Milk
This dairy-free strawberry milk is super simple—just a few easy steps, and it’s ready to enjoy!
1. Soak the Cashews: Place your raw cashews in a bowl, cover with water, and let them soak for 4–6 hours or overnight. This softens them for blending and makes the milk extra creamy.
2. Make the Cashew Chia Milk: Drain and rinse the soaked cashews. Add them to a blender along with water, chia seeds and dates (if using). Blend on high until smooth. Strain through a nut milk bag or fine mesh sieve for the smoothest texture and chill until needed.
3. Roast the Strawberries: Preheat your oven. Place the strawberries in a baking dish, drizzle with maple syrup. Roast for 20–25 minutes, or until soft, bubbly, and jammy. Let cool. Strain the syrup through a fine mesh strainer, pressing firmly on the strawberries to extract as much liquid as possible. Transfer syrup to a glass jar and store in the refrigerator up to 1 week until needed. (Save the strawberry pulp for adding to yogurt).
4. Mix It All Together: Combine your homemade cashew chia milk and the roasted strawberry syrup. Stir or blend until fully incorporated. Taste and adjust sweetness if needed.
5. Make It a Milkshake (Optional): For a thicker, colder version, blend the strawberry milk with frozen strawberries or a few ice cubes until creamy and smooth.
6. Serve & Enjoy: Pour into a glass, top with extra strawberry syrup or a few strawberry slices if you’re feeling fancy, and enjoy cold.
Tips
- Both the cashew milk and roasted strawberry syrup can be made ahead of time, so when you’re ready for a glass of vegan strawberry milk, it comes together in minutes.
- If you like a thicker, milkshake-style drink, toss everything in the blender with a handful of frozen strawberries. The frozen berries add body and give the milk a rich, velvety texture that’s icy cold and oh-so-satisfying.
More Ways to Enjoy Vegan Strawberry Milk
- Pour over cereal or granola for a fun breakfast twist.
- Mix with chia seeds for to make chia pudding.
- Add to smoothies for natural sweetness.
Whether you’re craving a nostalgic treat or looking for a fun way to use seasonal strawberries, this vegan strawberry milk is a refreshing and wholesome option. Sweet, creamy, and made with real fruit—it’s everything strawberry milk should be.
Here’s to childhood favorites—reimagined!
More Strawberry Recipes:
- Vegan Strawberry Cheesecake Parfaits
- Dairy-Free Strawberry Italian Cream Soda
- Strawberry Rose Granita
Vegan Strawberry Milk
An easy, creamy, dairy-free strawberry milk that’s full of real strawberries.
Ingredients
For the strawberry syrup:
- 8oz/227g very ripe strawberries, hulled, sliced
- ¼ cup/60ml light maple syrup or honey for a non-vegan version
- 2 Tablespoons/30ml filtered water
For the cashew milk:
- ¾ cup/84g raw cashews, soaked for a few hours or overnight in filtered water
- 1 Tablespoon/12g white chia seeds, soaked with ¼ cup/60ml filtered water for 10 minutes or overnight (optional)
- 2 cups/480ml filtered water
- Pinch of sea salt
- 1-2 large soft dates (optional)
For the strawberry milk:
- 1 recipe for strawberry syrup
- 1 recipe for cashew milk (or substitute about 3 cups/24oz of homemade or store bought nut milk of choice)
- 4oz/120g frozen strawberries
Instructions
Make the strawberry syrup:
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. In a deep baking dish, toss strawberries with maple syrup and water.
- Bake until strawberries are soft and juicy (20 to 25 minutes). Strain through a fine mesh strainer, pressing firmly on the strawberries to extract as much liquid as possible. Transfer syrup to a glass jar and store in the refrigerator up to 1 week until needed.
Make the cashew milk:
- Drain the cashews and add the chia seed gel, filtered water, salt and dates if using to a high speed blender. Blend until creamy and smooth. Strain through a fine mesh strainer or nut bag. Transfer to a glass container and store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days until needed.
Make the strawberry milk:
- Place chilled syrup, chilled cashew chia milk and frozen strawberries (if using) in a high speed blender and blend until creamy and smooth. Serve immediately.
- Alternatively simply stir syrup into cashew milk as desired (about 3 Tablespoons per cup) and serve.
Notes
Variations:
- Substitute about 3 cups/24oz of homemade or store bought nut milk of choice.
- Use berries of choice in addition to or instead of the strawberries.
Make-Ahead:
Cashew milk and strawberry syrup can be made-ahead of time and combined right before serving.
Dietary Info:
Gluten-Free, Grain-Free, Vegetarian, Vegan, Dairy-Free, Egg-Free, Paleo
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Nutrition Information:
Yield:
4Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 169Total Fat: 6gSaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 2mgSodium: 57mgCarbohydrates: 27gFiber: 2gSugar: 19gProtein: 4g
Nutritional information for recipes contained on this website, such as calories, fat, carbs, etc. are only estimates and are not guaranteed to be accurate.
Sylvie Shirazi is the recipe developer and food photographer behind Gourmande in the Kitchen. For the last 10 years she's been making eating more healthfully easy and accessible with gluten-free, grain-free, paleo and vegan recipes that are free from processed ingredients.
Kelsey says
Oh my goodness! This sounds AMAZING! It's very similar to a chocolate pudding recipe I make, but just less chia seeds! Definitely giving this a try! My kiddos ALWAYS want strawberry milk from the store and I'll never buy it for them!
Emily @ Recipes to Nourish says
This is such a cool idea for homemade dairy-free milk! I never would have thought of adding chia ... I bet it's so delicious and creamy with the cashews. LOVE the strawberry addition too! So pretty and pink.
Raia Todd says
Sounds easy and delicious! And very kid-friendly... 😉