Learn the easiest methods for making homemade flavored milks including Vanilla Milk, Chocolate Milk, Strawberry Milk, and Banana Milk—all with amazing flavor and less sugars!

Flavored Milks

Whether you’re looking to mix up the type of milk you offer as a way to add more nutrients and flavors, or as a way to help a little one learn to like milk, these homemade flavored milks can be great options. They’re so easy to make, require super simple ingredients, and have delicious—and less sweet—flavor.

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, kids need 2-3 servings of dairy a day to help meet their calcium and vitamin D needs, and that may or may not include milk. Some kids like it and some don’t, and while you don’t need to force a kiddo to drink milk if they don’t like it, it can be nice to have the drink as an option in the mix.

(These are some of our favorite kid-friendly recipes!)

These flavored milk recipes are also just delicious on their own as a snack or a meal component. My middle kiddo is a super fan of all of them—and thinks the Vanilla Milk tastes like melted ice cream!

Ingredients You Need

You can add some flavor and natural sweetness to your kiddo’s milk with maple syrup, vanilla extract, fruit, or cocoa powder! These are all great additions when it comes to flavoring milk, whether you’re flavoring it as banana, chocolate, strawberry, or vanilla. To make these recipes, you’ll need:

• Milk: You can use dairy or nondairy milk here, as you like. The flavored milks will be creamiest if the milk you start with has some fat in it.
• Fruit: Ripe bananas, fresh strawberries, or freeze-dried strawberries work well for the fruit flavors.
• Cocoa powder: I use SACO or Hershey’s Special Dark cocoa powder to add chocolate flavor to homemade chocolate milk.
• Vanilla extract: Pure vanilla extract adds nice flavor. Choose an alcohol-free one if desired.
• Maple syrup or honey: Either of these can be used to sweeten the flavored milks to taste.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Depending on the flavor, you’ll have two options. For Vanilla and Chocolate Milk, you can make them in a jar or glass measuring cup by either whisking the ingredients together or shaking the jar (with a lid on).

To make Banana or Strawberry Milk, a blender makes the creamiest, smoothest results. Simply add the ingredients to the blender and blend well.

Easy Banana Milk

To make easy banana milk, all you need to do is combine milk, ripe banana, maple syrup, and vanilla extract in a blender. Start by blending on low, moving to high until all blended together. That’s it.

Best Vanilla Milk

To make the best vanilla milk, combine milk, vanilla extract, and maple syrup in a pint-size Mason jar (making sure that the lid is closed tight.) Shake well, and serve! Yum.

Easy Strawberry Milk

To make easy strawberry milk, simply add milk, maple syrup, vanilla extract, and berries to a blender. Starting on low and moving to high, blend until well-combined. Then, pour and be happy!

Easy Chocolate Milk

Easy chocolate milk is simple to make. All you’ll need is to combine milk, maple syrup, vanilla extract, and cocoa powder into a pint-sized Mason jar. Make sure the lid is tight, and shake until well-combined! Easy peasy.

TIP: Find the full details on Chocolate Milk here.

How can I spice up my milk?

You can add a dash of cinnamon to the chocolate, banana, or vanilla milk for a different flavor profile. I’d use about ⅛ teaspoon, then taste it, and add more as you like. This will help to prevent adding too much at once.

How to Store

Store milks in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. If you make the milks ahead and store, shake them before you serve—especially the chocolate milk.

Best Tips for Success

• Use cow’s milk or nondairy unsweetened plain milk as you like.
• I prefer whole milk for kids, and because it tastes creamiest in these recipes, but you can use any you prefer.
• For the recipes with fruit, make sure the strawberries taste good and the banana is super ripe for best flavor.
• Know that the strawberry milk thickens if you make it with freeze-dried berries and store it overnight. (It tastes great, but is just noticeably thicker. You can add a little more milk if desired.)
• Add a dash of cinnamon to the chocolate, banana, or vanilla milk for a different flavor profile.
• Add ½ cup ripe banana or strawberries to the Chocolate Milk to make a mixed flavor!
• You may also like Drinks for Kids, Hydration Tips, and info on when babies can drink water.

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I’d love to hear what your kids think if you try this recipe, so please comment below to share. I appreciate all of your feedback!

This post was first published August 2020.