You and the whole family are going to love this Cherry milkshake recipe. This homemade milkshake recipe is refreshing and fruity. Perfect to enjoy on a hot day! It’s creamy, cold, and takes only a few minutes to make.

Cherry Milkshake Recipe

If you are looking for the perfect hot weather sweet treat, then you are going to love this cherry milkshake recipe. Made with simple ingredients, and only a little bit of time is needed to make it.

During the summer months my kids love it when we make milkshakes for dessert. They are easy to make and oh so tasty.

Milkshake Recipes

A pink milkshake in a tall glass topped with whipped cream and a cherry, with fresh cherries scattered around on a white surface.

Tips for Making Homemade Milkshakes

Let the Ice Cream Soften Slightly. Let it sit for 5–10 minutes at room temperature before blending—it’ll mix more easily and create a smoother shake.

Whipped cream. When you are making these easy homemade milkshakes, they taste amazing with whipped cream. You can use homemade whipped cream and a whipped cream dispenser or store bought whipped cream, whichever you prefer.

Use whole milk. If you want the creamiest milkshake consistency, using whole milk is best. You can use skim milk or 2% if that is what you have on hand, but it will be thinner than if you are using whole milk.

Chill Your Glasses. Pop your glasses in the freezer for 10 minutes beforehand—helps the shake stay cold and thick longer.

Make It Extra Thick. Use less milk and more ice cream—or freeze your milk into cubes and blend those in.

Top It Off. Don’t skip the fun toppings: whipped cream, sprinkles, and cherries.

Two tall glasses of pink milkshake topped with whipped cream and a cherry, each with a striped straw. Fresh cherries are scattered around the glasses.

Variations of this recipe

You can easily change things up and change up the flavors of this milkshake and have fun with it and customize it however you want to.

Change up the ice cream. I use vanilla ice cream for this recipe, but you can change up the ice cream to change up the flavors, any type of vanilla ice cream including vanilla bean and french vanilla will work for this recipe. Use chocolate ice cream to make a chocolate cherry milkshake.

Add chocolate. Add chocolate chips, or some chocolate syrup the the sides of the cup.

Make it a cherry almond vanilla milkshake. Add a 1/4 teaspoon of almond extract.

Make it a cherry banana milkshake. Add 1 ripe banana to the milkshake ingredients.

A pink milkshake topped with whipped cream and a maraschino cherry, served in a glass with a striped straw.

How do I make this milkshake thicker?

If you want a thicker milkshake you can do a few different things.

Use less milk. You can use less milk to make the milkshake thicker.
Use heavy cream. Instead of using milk you can use heavy cream.
Use more ice cream. Add more ice cream to make it thicker.

Two tall glasses of cherry milkshakes topped with whipped cream and a cherry, with fresh cherries scattered around on a white surface.

Can I use fresh cherries instead of frozen?

For the best flavor and texture, it is best to use frozen. If you’re unable to find frozen cherries, you can freeze your fresh cherries and then use those. By using fresh cherries without freezing them first, you may find that your milkshake is runnier. The cherries will also retain a slightly chunkier texture if not frozen first.

Can I add other ingredients to the milkshake?

Yes, if you’d like to add extras to your milkshake, feel free to do so. Additions like chocolate chips, diced cherries, or nuts like almonds can enhance texture and add flavor.

Could I use chocolate ice cream instead of vanilla for a chocolate-covered cherry type effect?

If you want to have the chocolate cherry effect, then yes, definitely go for the chocolate ice cream in the place of vanilla.

A tall glass of pink milkshake topped with whipped cream and a cherry, surrounded by fresh cherries on a white surface.

How will I know when the milkshake is ready?

When it gets to your desired consistency, it is done. If you like it a bit thicker, start with 1 cup of milk. If you like your milkshakes thinner, then add more milk and blend until smooth.

How can I thin my milkshake if It is too thick?

If your milkshake is thicker than you would like, you can always add more milk to thin it out. But if you accidentally get it too thin, you can add more ice cream.

Do I need to use maraschino cherries on top?

You don’t have to use maraschino cherries. You can also add a different topping if you would like. Something like a chocolate drizzle would be a great alternative. Have it with just the whipped cream or no topping at all. The choice is all yours.