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Home » Drinks

Japanese Strawberry Milk (Ichigo Milk)

Published: May 2, 2023 · Modified: May 13, 2023 by Yuto Omura

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If you're looking for a creamy yet refreshing drink to quench your thirst during the warmer months, look no further than this delicious Japanese strawberry milk. Made with real strawberries mixed with milk, cream and sweetener, it's easy to make amazing Japanese strawberry milk at home!

Japanese strawberry milk in a glass with a strawberry on the rim

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Jump to:
  • What is Japanese Strawberry Milk?
  • Japanese Strawberry Milk Ingredients
  • How to make Japanese Strawberry Milk at Home
  • FAQ
  • Community feedback

What is Japanese Strawberry Milk?

Ichigo milk (いちごミルク) also known as ichigo au lait or ichigo latte, is a popular beverage made with real strawberries. The strawberries are stewed for a short time to soften them and release their sweetness, then they're crushed and served in a glass with milk and sweetener. It's also common to add double cream and condensed milk to make it thicker and more decadent, it's like a dessert in a glass.

Close up of strawberry purée in Japanese strawberry milk

Is strawberry milk popular in Japan?

Ichigo milk is one of the most popular items on the menu at "Bikkuri Donki", a Japanese family restaurant that specialises in Hamburg Steaks. You can also find some brands of premade Japanese strawberry milk in supermarkets and convenience stores across Japan all year around, but mostly it's considered a seasonal drink.

There is often a boom of strawberry flavoured products around late winter and early spring, when strawberries are in season in Japan. Cafes and convenience stores with their ever-changing product lineup often hold "ichigo fairs", where strawberry desserts and drinks are on sale for a limited time.

One example would be the popular Japanese coffee shop chain "Doutor", who held an ichigo fair which featured a limited edition menu including ichigo au lait (served hot or cold), pistachio and strawberry cake, and even sachets of powdered "ichigo latte" you can make at home.

3 brands of strawberry milk available in Japan
Here are three examples of strawberry milk found at my local convenience stores.

Premade bottles and cartons of Japanese strawberry milk from convenience stores and supermarkets always contains real strawberry juice, but the percentage depends on the brand. Some contain real chunks of strawberry too, while others only contain strawberry juices.

It's safe to say that ichigo milk is a well loved drink in Japan and there are many different ones to enjoy!

What does Japanese strawberry milk taste like?

By using fresh strawberries instead of powders or premade purees, you can enjoy the natural flavour of the strawberries complimented by the creaminess of the milk (or your favourite milk alternative). Japanese strawberry milk is usually sweetened, but the beauty of making it at home is being able to adjust the sweetness to suit your tastes. It also looks beautiful, so it's great to serve at parties or gatherings in the summer!

Japanese strawberry milk in a glass with a strawberry on the rim top down

Japanese Strawberry Milk Ingredients

To make the ultimate Japanese strawberry milk, you will need these 6 ingredients:

  • Strawberries - the star of the show! Be sure to use fresh and ripe strawberries for the best results.
  • Sugar - to highlight the sweetness of the strawberries. Alternatively, you could sweeten them using honey or maple syrup instead.
  • Lemon juice - helps bring out the flavour of the strawberries.
  • Milk - in Japan, whole cows milk is most commonly used, but feel free to use semi-skimmed, skimmed or a plant based alternative if you prefer!
  • Double cream - this optional ingredient will make the drink thicker and richer. For a healthier option you could thicken it with plain yoghurt, or cream of coconut could be used as a plant based alternative.
  • Condensed milk - sweetens the milk and compliments the strawberries. You could swap this out for plant based condensed milk or your choice of sweetener.
Japanese strawberry milk in a glass with a strawberry on the rim

How to make Japanese Strawberry Milk at Home

Making Japanese strawberry milk is easy and well worth the effort! Here are my step by step instructions. For the full recipe and ingredients, see the printable recipe card at the bottom of the page.

STEP
Prepare the strawberries

Start by washing and drying your strawberries, then cut off the stems.

Washed and dried strawberries with stems cut off on a black chopping board

Finely dice the strawberries, this will help them cook faster.

Finely dicing strawberries on a black chopping board
STEP
Heat the strawberries in a pan

Place the diced strawberries in a pan with lemon juice and sugar, and mix.

Diced strawberries in a pan with lemon juice and sugar

Transfer the pan to the stove and heat on medium. As the strawberries start to soften, crush them using a fork.

Heating the diced strawberries in a pan and crushing with a fork
STEP
Make a strawberry purée

Continue to cook the strawberries over a medium heat, stirring occasionally and lightly crushing them with the fork.

Crushed strawberries cooking in a pan

The strawberries don't need to be completely crushed, one of the beauties of this drink is enjoying the large chunks of strawberry!

Homemade chunky strawberry puree in a pan

Once it reaches a jam-like consistency, remove the pan from the heat. Leave to cool for a few minutes.

STEP
Cool

Once cooled slightly, transfer the strawberries to a heat proof bowl, and place the bowl in an ice bath to speed up the chilling process.

Cooling homemade strawberry puree in an ice bath

If you're preparing in advance, simply store the cooled strawberry pureé in the fridge until serving time.

STEP
Prepare the milk

Measure out the milk in a jug and add the double cream and condensed milk.

Mixing milk, cream and condensed milk in a glass jug

Whisk thoroughly until combined. You can add extra condensed milk if you like it sweeter.

Milk, condensed milk and cream combined in a glass measuring jug
STEP
Assemble

Spoon the strawberry purée into your serving glass. (If you want to add ice, add half of the strawberry purée before the ice, then the rest after.)

Strawberry puree in a glass

Slowly and carefully pour the milk over the top to keep the layers separate for serving.

Japanese strawberry milk in a glass with a strawberry on the rim

Mix well before drinking and enjoy!

I hope you enjoy making your own Japanese strawberry milk at home! If you try the recipe, I would really appreciate if you could take a moment to leave a review and star rating in the comments below. It's also helpful to share any adaptations you made to the recipe. Thank you!

Japanese strawberry milk in a glass with a strawberry on the rim
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Japanese strawberry milk in a glass with a strawberry on the rim

Japanese Strawberry Milk (Ichigo Milk)


  • Author: Yuto Omura
  • Total Time: 15 minutes
  • Yield: Serves 1
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Description

How to make delicious and creamy Japanese strawberry milk with fresh strawberries, milk, cream and sweetener. (Serves 1)


Ingredients

  • 100g fresh strawberries (about 5 medium/8-10 small)
  • 1 tbsp granulated sugar
  • 1 tsp lemon juice
  • 200ml milk
  • 1 tbsp double cream (optional)
  • ½ tbsp condensed milk
  • Ice (optional)

Instructions

  1. Wash and dry the strawberries, then cut off the stems and roughly dice.
  2. Place the diced strawberries in a small sauce pan with the sugar and lemon juice. Mix and place the pan on the stove over a medium heat.
  3. As the strawberries soften, crush them with a fork. (Don't be too thorough, leave some larger chunks in there too!)
  4. Once the strawberries reach a jam-like consistency, remove the pan from the heat and allow to cool for a few minutes.
  5. Transfer the strawberries purée to a small heatproof bowl and place the bowl in an ice bath to speed the cooling process. (Alternatively, chill in the fridge.)
  6. Mix the milk, double cream and condensed milk in a jug until well combined.
  7. Spoon the chilled strawberry purée into your serving cup(s). If adding ice, add half of the strawberry before the ice and the other half after.
  8. Carefully pour the milk mixture over the top to keep the layers separate.
  9. Mix well before drinking.
  10. Enjoy!

Notes

To make it plant based, use your favourite plant based milk, coconut cream or soy yogurt instead of double cream (to thicken) and your choice of sweetener.

  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Chilling Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 5 minutes
  • Category: Drinks
  • Method: Mixing
  • Cuisine: Japanese

Keywords: Japanese strawberry milk, how to make Japanese strawberry milk, what is Japanese strawberry milk, Japanese strawberry milk recipe, ichigo milk, ichigo ore, ichigo au lait, ichigo latte, how to make ichigo milk, ichigo milk, ichigo milk recipe, what does Japanese strawberry milk taste like,

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FAQ

What is in Japanese strawberry milk?

Japanese strawberry milk is made with real fresh strawberries, cows milk, cream and sweetener.

How do you say strawberry milk in Japanese?

In Japanese, strawberry milk is called ichigo miruku (いちごミルク), ichigo latte (いちごラッテ) or ichigo au lait (いちごオレ).

What does strawberry milk taste like?

It tastes like delicious fresh strawberries and cream in a drink form!

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Thanks for visiting Sudachi Recipes. My name is Yuto and I'm a Japanese guy with a passion for food. Here I share tasty and accessible recipes so that you can bring a taste of Japan to your own kitchen.

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