Here is my favorite cherry milkshake recipe, with sweet cherries, creamy yogurt, almond milk, and a hint of vanilla that all blend together into the perfect refreshing treat.

This cherry milkshake is what I make on hot summer afternoons when we need something cool and delicious. My kids love helping me pit the cherries, and we always make extra so everyone can have seconds. Nothing beats a homemade milkshake, right?

Why You’ll Love This Cherry Milkshake

Ready in minutes – This cherry milkshake comes together in just 5-10 minutes, making it perfect for a quick breakfast or snack when you’re short on time.
High-protein treat – With Greek yogurt as a key ingredient, you’re getting a protein boost that keeps you satisfied longer than a regular milkshake.
Lower in calories – Using almond milk and Greek yogurt instead of ice cream means you can enjoy a creamy, indulgent-tasting shake without all the extra calories and fat.
Simple ingredients – Just four basic ingredients that you can easily keep stocked in your freezer and pantry for whenever a craving hits.

What Kind of Cherries Should I Use?

Frozen dark cherries are the star of this milkshake, and the good news is they’re usually available year-round in the freezer section. Dark sweet cherries like Bing cherries work great because they’re naturally sweet and have that rich, deep flavor that makes the milkshake taste indulgent. If you can’t find dark cherries, regular sweet cherries will work just fine – you might just need to adjust the sweetener to your taste. Just make sure whatever cherries you buy are already pitted, because nobody wants to deal with cherry pits when they’re craving a quick milkshake!

Options for Substitutions

This simple milkshake is easy to customize based on what you have in your kitchen:

Frozen dark cherries: Fresh cherries work great too – just pit them and freeze for at least 2 hours before blending. You can also try frozen sweet cherries for a less tart flavor, or swap in frozen strawberries or mixed berries.
Greek yogurt: Regular yogurt, vanilla yogurt, or even frozen vanilla yogurt can replace Greek yogurt. If using regular yogurt, your shake will be a bit thinner. For a dairy-free option, try coconut yogurt or cashew yogurt.
Almond milk: Any milk works here – regular dairy milk, oat milk, soy milk, or coconut milk are all good choices. Use whatever you prefer or have on hand.
Truvia: Feel free to use honey, maple syrup, agave, regular sugar, or any sweetener you like. Start with less than the recipe calls for and taste as you go, since different sweeteners have different levels of sweetness.

Watch Out for These Mistakes While Making

The biggest mistake when making cherry milkshakes is adding all the liquid at once, which can make your shake too thin and watery – start with half the almond milk and add more gradually until you reach your desired thickness.

Another common error is using cherries straight from the freezer without letting them soften for 5-10 minutes, as rock-hard frozen fruit can strain your blender motor and create an icy, uneven texture instead of a smooth, creamy shake.

If your milkshake tastes too tart, don’t just dump in more sweetener – try adding an extra half cup of yogurt first, which balances the cherry flavor while keeping the shake thick and creamy.

For the smoothest results, blend on low speed first to break up the frozen cherries, then increase to high speed for 30-60 seconds until everything is completely smooth.

What to Serve With Cherry Milkshake?

A cherry milkshake makes a great afternoon snack or dessert, and I love pairing it with something a little crunchy to balance out the creamy texture. Simple vanilla wafers or graham crackers are perfect for dunking, or you could go with some homemade chocolate chip cookies if you’re feeling fancy. If you’re serving this as a breakfast treat, it goes really well alongside a warm blueberry muffin or some whole grain toast with almond butter. For a fun summer dessert spread, set out the milkshakes with a plate of brownies or lemon bars so everyone can sip and snack.

Storage Instructions

Refrigerate: If you have leftover milkshake, pour it into a mason jar or airtight container and keep it in the fridge for up to 24 hours. It will thicken up quite a bit as it sits, so you might need to give it a good stir or quick blend before drinking.

Freeze: You can actually freeze leftover milkshake in ice cube trays or popsicle molds for a fun frozen treat later. They’ll keep in the freezer for up to a month and make great snacks on hot days!

Best Fresh: Honestly, this cherry milkshake tastes best when you drink it right away. The texture is perfect when it’s freshly blended, so I usually just make what I plan to enjoy immediately rather than storing it.

Preparation Time	5-10 minutes
Cooking Time	0-0 minutes
Total Time	5-10 minutes
Level of Difficulty	Easy
Servings	2.5 glasses

Estimated Nutrition

Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):

Calories: 230-270
Protein: 20-24 g
Fat: 3-5 g
Carbohydrates: 38-48 g

Ingredients

3 1/2 cups cherries (pits and stems removed)
1 cup yogurt (Fage 2% recommended)
3/4 cup almond milk (unsweetened)
2 tbsp sweetener
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1 pinch salt

Step 1: Prepare the Cherries

3 1/2 cups cherries

Rinse the cherries thoroughly under cold water and pat them dry with paper towels.

Remove the pits and stems—I find using a cherry pitter makes this quick work, but a small knife works too.

Set the prepped cherries aside.

Dry cherries blend more smoothly and won’t dilute your shake with excess water.

Step 2: Blend the Milkshake

3 1/2 cups cherries from Step 1
1 cup yogurt
3/4 cup almond milk
2 tbsp sweetener
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1 pinch salt

Add the prepared cherries, yogurt, almond milk, sweetener, vanilla extract, and salt to your blender.

Blend on high speed for 60-90 seconds until completely smooth and creamy.

I like to start on medium speed for a few seconds to break down the cherries, then increase to high for a silkier texture—this prevents the blender from working too hard upfront.

Step 3: Serve and Garnish

Cherry milkshake from Step 2
Fresh cherries for garnish
Chocolate chips for garnish

Pour the milkshake into chilled glasses and top with fresh cherries and chocolate chips as desired.

Serve immediately while the shake is cold and thick.