Korean Strawberry Milk

Homemade Korean strawberry milk is a sweet and fruity treat that is sure to satisfy your taste buds. The blend of fresh strawberries and creamy milk creates a perfectly balanced flavor that is both indulgent and refreshing. Sipping on a glass of this cute and tasty beverage brings the café culture of Seoul straight to your kitchen!

With the temperatures rising slowly but surely, it’s time to break out all of the refreshing drink recipes! Some of my favorites are Brazilian lemonade, a mango lassi, or a mint julep! Check out my full list of beverages here for more ideas.

2 glasses of strawberry milk served on a wooden board.

Homemade Korean Strawberry Milk

My younger sister went to university in Korea, and one of the things she would always talk about was how amazing the cafes there were. She would send us pictures of all of the cute drinks, cakes, and pastries. The presentation was always beautiful! In Korea, cafe culture is huge. There’s even a name for it! “Hu-sik” is a term used for dessert, snacks, (or in this case drinks) that you have after dinner. It usually means going out for coffee and socializing with friends. Coffee and tea are both popular choices, but flavored milk is a unique offering in Korean cafes. It’s so delicious, you’re going to love it!

Some of the popular flavors of milk drinks you’ll see are banana, melon, and strawberry. Don’t knock it ‘til you try it! To start off your new obsession, today’s recipe is for delicious strawberry milk. It’s super creamy, refreshing, and filled with chunks of juicy strawberry. The fresh strawberry flavor is out of this world! Plus, it’s beyond easy to make. You’ll have to try it out with all of your favorite fruits.

Ingredients Needed

This is everything I used to make this Korean strawberry milk! I wanted my drink to be creamy but still refreshing and filled with fruity flavor. Feel free to adjust yours to taste! If you’re looking for exact measurements, they can all be found in the recipe card below.

Strawberries: The star of the show! You will want these to be hulled and chopped. Some of them will be made into a puree while others will be left in chunks to give the drink delicious texture.
Granulated Sugar: To make the drink nice and sweet. You could also use simple syrup, maple syrup, honey, or agave. If you’re looking to cut down your sugar intake, you can also use Stevia or monkfruit sweetener.
Lemon Juice: Just a splash to brighten up the overall flavor of the Korean strawberry milk.
Vanilla Extract: Adds a warm, sweet flavor to the drink. I recommend using pure vanilla extract or making your own blend for best results.
Milk: I used 2% milk, but this recipe is super easy to make dairy-free. Feel free to use your favorite nut milk here! Check out my tips section below for more ideas.
Additional Chopped Strawberries: (Optional) for garnish if desired. After all, the presentation is a huge component in making Korean-inspired drinks!

How to Make Korean Strawberry Milk

It’s so easy! Basically, what we’re going to do is make a strawberry puree, and then combine that with the rest of our ingredients to create the most creamy and delicious drink ever!

Add Ingredients to Pot: Combine strawberries, sugar, lemon juice, and vanilla in a medium-sized pot.
Cook and Stir: Cook strawberry mixture over medium-low heat for about 15-20 minutes. Stir frequently until the berries release their juices and the sauce starts to thicken.
Cool: Remove from heat and allow the strawberry jam to cool on the counter or in the refrigerator. The sauce will continue to thicken as it cools.
Add to Glass: To assemble the strawberry milk, add ¼ cup of strawberry sauce to a tall glass. I like to smear the sauce around the inside of the glass to make it pretty! Add additional diced strawberries at this time if you would like.
Pour in Milk: Pour milk into the glass stirring to incorporate the sauce throughout the milk and enjoy!

Collage of strawberries being made into puree.

Tips and Variations

Korean strawberry milk is so easy to customize. You can easily make it vegan and also switch up the flavors to personal preference! No matter how you prepare it, I know you will love this refreshing Korean drink as much as I do!

Dairy-Free Milk Alternatives: Korean strawberry milk is so easy to make vegan! My favorite milk is light coconut milk because it adds refreshing coconut flavor. (Pink drink, anyone?) Full-fat coconut milk doesn’t blend as well but it’s very creamy! Just know that most non-dairy milk alternatives are more watery so the result of your drink will be different. You’ll have to test out different milks to see what your favorite is! Try: almond milk (unsweetened or vanilla), soy milk (great for creaminess!) cashew milk or almond milk, oat milk, or rice milk!
Adding Other Flavors: Hybrid drinks are super popular in Korea. One popular combo is strawberry milk that has been layered with matcha green tea. Not only is it beautiful with the green and pink colors, but it tastes amazing! It’s earthy, creamy, and sweet!
The Best Straws to Use: In Korea, these types of drinks are served with big straws similar to what you’d get with bubble tea. This way, you get delicious chunks of strawberry in each sip!
Toppings: Try adding in tapioca pearls to make strawberry boba, or popping pearls for an extra burst of juicy flavor! You can typically find these online or at your local Asian market. A scoop of vanilla ice cream or whipped cream is great too if you want something sweeter!

Adding chopped strawberries to a glass cup.

Storing Leftovers

Korean strawberry milk is best served fresh, but you can also keep it in an airtight bottle or jar in the fridge for a few days after it’s made.

In the Refrigerator: Store in an airtight bottle or jar for up to 3 days. The ingredients may settle, so give it a stir before serving it.