Get ready for your new favorite dreamy, creamy, berry-filled treat: this Sweetheart Strawberry Frosty! This isn’t just any milkshake – it’s a completely dairy-free delight made luscious with coconut milk, packed with sweet frozen strawberries, and kissed with vanilla. I absolutely love blending up this Strawberry Frosty on warm days – like this beautiful late April Sunday! It’s incredibly easy, takes just 5 minutes, and tastes like pure, refreshing bliss. Add a splash of coconut rum, and you’re instantly transported to a tropical paradise!
Why You’ll Love This Strawberry Frosty
- Creamy & Dairy-Free: Uses coconut milk to create a rich, creamy texture without any dairy.
- Intense Strawberry Flavor: Packed with frozen strawberries for maximum fruity taste.
- Super Quick & Easy: Blends together in just 5 minutes!
- Refreshing Treat: Perfect for cooling down on warm spring or summer days.
- Versatile: Delicious as a non-alcoholic frosty or easily turned into a tropical cocktail.
Ingredients for Sweetheart Strawberry Frosty
Here’s what you’ll need to blend up this creamy, dreamy treat. The full list with measurements is in the recipe card below.
Main Ingredients
- Lite coconut milk (canned) (Dairy Alternative)
- Frozen strawberries (Fruit)
- Vanilla extract (Flavoring)
- Sugar (adjust to preference) (Sweetener)
- Cranberry juice (or other pink juice like raspberry) (Juice)
- Ice (Ice)
Optional Addition
- Coconut rum (like Malibu) (Liquor) (Specific brand mentioned)
(Note: the full ingredients list, including measurements, is provided in the recipe card below.)
Variations
I love the simple strawberry-coconut flavor of this Strawberry Frosty, but feel free to customize:
- Different Frozen Fruit: Use frozen mangoes, raspberries, pineapple, or a mixed berry blend instead of just strawberries.
- Add Banana: Blend in half a frozen banana for extra creaminess and natural sweetness (you might need less added sugar).
- Make it Richer: Use full-fat canned coconut milk instead of lite for an even richer, more decadent frosty.
- Lime Twist: Add the juice of half a lime for a tangy counterpoint to the sweetness.
- Protein Boost: Add a scoop of vanilla protein powder (plant-based if desired).
How to Make a Sweetheart Strawberry Frosty
Making this refreshing Strawberry Frosty is unbelievably easy:
Combine and Blend
- I add all the ingredients – the canned lite coconut milk, frozen strawberries, vanilla extract, sugar (starting with less, adding more if needed), cranberry or other pink juice, a handful of ice, and the optional coconut rum – directly into my blender.
- I blend everything on high speed until the mixture is completely smooth and has reached a thick, frosty, milkshake-like consistency.
- I give it a quick taste and add more sugar if needed for my preferred sweetness level, blending again briefly to combine.
Serve
- Pour into glasses
- Enjoy!
Tips and Tricks for the BEST Frosty
Here are my secrets for making the perfect Strawberry Frosty:
- Use Frozen Strawberries: Essential for achieving that thick, frosty texture without needing excessive ice which dilutes flavor.
- Canned Coconut Milk: Use canned coconut milk (lite or full-fat) for creaminess. The kind in cartons is usually too thin. Shake the can well before using.
- Adjust Sweetness: Start with less sugar and add more to taste, as the sweetness of the strawberries and juice can vary.
- Powerful Blender: A reasonably strong blender will handle the frozen fruit and ice best for the smoothest result.
- Serve Immediately: Like all blended frozen drinks, this frosty is best enjoyed right away before it starts to melt.
How to Serve
This Sweetheart Strawberry Frosty is perfect served immediately, poured into tall glasses! Enjoy it:
- As a Refreshing Drink: Perfect for sipping on a warm spring or summer day.
- As a Light Dessert: A satisfyingly sweet and creamy dairy-free dessert option.
- For Parties: Easy to blend up a batch (or two!) for casual gatherings or BBQs.
- As a Cocktail: With the addition of coconut rum, it’s a fun tropical cocktail.
Garnish with a fresh strawberry or a mint sprig if desired.
Make Ahead and Storage
This blended frosty drink is best made fresh and enjoyed immediately. Storing leftovers isn’t ideal as it will melt and separate.
Pro Tip: If you do have leftovers, pour them into popsicle molds and freeze! As the original recipe suggests, they make fantastic healthier frozen treats for later.
FAQs about Sweetheart Strawberry Frosty
- Can I use fresh strawberries instead of frozen?
- You can, but you will need to add significantly more ice to achieve the frosty consistency, which will dilute the strawberry flavor. Using frozen strawberries is highly recommended for the best taste and texture.
- Is this recipe vegan?
- Yes! As written (using sugar and potentially agave/maple syrup variations, and omitting dairy whipped cream garnish), this Strawberry Frosty is naturally vegan and dairy-free. Ensure your sugar is vegan if that’s a concern (some US white sugar uses bone char).
- What other juices can I use instead of cranberry?
- Any pink or red juice works for color and a bit of flavor! Raspberry juice, pomegranate juice, or even just a splash more coconut milk or water would be fine.
Enjoy this creamy, dreamy, berry-filled Sweetheart Strawberry Frosty! It’s a perfect refreshing treat.
Print
Sweetheart Strawberry Frosty (Dairy-Free)
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 4-6 1x
- Category: Drinks, Smoothie, Milkshake, Cocktail (optional), Dairy-Free
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Sweetheart Strawberry Frosty is a creamy, berry-filled, dreamy dairy-free milkshake-like drink. Add in some optional coconut rum and be totally transported to a tropical paradise!
Ingredients
- 2 cans (approx. 13.5 oz each) lite coconut milk, chilled
- 3 cups frozen strawberries
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 3–4 teaspoons granulated sugar (or preferred sweetener, adjust to taste)
- 1/2 cup cranberry juice (or other pink juice like raspberry juice)
- 3 cups ice cubes
- 3 ounces coconut rum (like Malibu) (optional)
Instructions
- Combine Ingredients: Add the chilled lite coconut milk, frozen strawberries, vanilla extract, sugar, cranberry juice, ice cubes, and coconut rum (if using) to a blender.
- Blend: Secure the lid and blend on high speed until the mixture is completely smooth and creamy.
- Taste and Adjust: Taste the frosty and add more sugar (or other sweetener) if desired for extra sweetness. Blend again briefly to combine.
- Serve: Pour the frosty into glasses and enjoy immediately.
Notes
- Coconut Milk: Lite coconut milk keeps it lighter, but full-fat canned coconut milk will result in an even creamier frosty. Ensure it’s well-chilled.
- Frozen Strawberries: Using frozen strawberries is key to the thick, frosty texture.
- Sweetness: Adjust the amount of sugar (or use honey, agave, or a sugar substitute) based on the sweetness of your fruit and juice, and your personal preference.
- Rum (Optional): Coconut rum adds a tropical, boozy kick. Omit it entirely for a non-alcoholic version.
- Consistency: If the frosty is too thick, add a splash more juice or coconut milk. If too thin, add more frozen strawberries or ice.
- Leftovers: Freeze any extra frosty mixture in popsicle molds for a healthy frozen treat.