Korean strawberry milk, or strawberry latte, is a refreshing drink made with homemade strawberry syrup. With just 4 ingredients and no cooking required, this easy recipe delivers a sweet, creamy, and natural beverage you’ll love!

Korean strawberry milk in a glass cup garnished with a piece of strawberry.

If you haven’t experienced Korean strawberry milk yet, this easy homemade recipe with fresh strawberries and natural ingredients is a must-try! In Korea, it’s often referred to as strawberry latte.

The secret to its irresistible flavor lies in the homemade strawberry syrup, made with just 4 simple ingredients and no cooking required. Once you try this, you’ll never want the store-bought version again!

Korean strawberry milk presented in a glass cup garnished with fresh strawberries.

What is Korean strawberry milk?

Known as “ddalgi uyu (딸기 우유)” in Korean, this sweet and creamy drink has gained worldwide popularity. Often labeled as strawberry latte in Korean cafes, it’s especially loved during spring and summer.

Social media has further boosted its fame, alongside favorites like banana milk and jolly pong shake, inspiring many to share their own recipes. Made with fresh strawberries and milk, its refreshing taste is perfect for strawberry lovers and anyone seeking a delightful new drink.

No surprise it’s become a global favorite to recreate at home!

Fresh homemade strawberry syrup is used to make Korean strawberry milk.

Why you will love this recipe

Many Korean strawberry milk recipes cook strawberries with sugar for a thick, jam-like syrup. While visually impressive, it may lack fresh strawberry flavor.

Authentic Korean strawberry milk uses “Strawberry Cheong (Ddalgi cheong, 딸기청),” a syrup of crushed strawberries, sugar, and lemon juice. Check out my Korean lemon syrup for the similar idea.

While this syrup can be used right away after the sugar is dissolved, the color may not be as vivid as desired. For the iconic red hue of Korean strawberry milk, refrigerate the syrup for a few days to intensify the color. This also allows the flavors to meld and deepens.

The best part? The homemade strawberry syrup can be stored for up to 2 months, ready to be used whenever you want to enjoy a refreshing glass of strawberry milk with a vibrant red hue of syrup.

Milk and fresh strawberry syrup marbled together in a glass cup.

Recipe Ingredients

  • Fresh Strawberries: Choose fresh, ripe strawberries for the best flavor and texture.
  • Sugar: To balance the tartness of the strawberries and give the drink a sweet taste. Customize sweetness by adjusting sugar amount. Consider the natural sweetness of strawberries and desired sweetness level for your drink.
  • Fresh Lemon Juice: To enhance the flavor of the strawberries and add a hint of acidity to balance the sweetness. Lemon juice’s acidity preserves strawberry color, preventing browning and maintaining the vibrant hue of the fruit.
  • Milk: Create a creamy texture by using your preferred milk: whole, skim, almond, or soy. The milk balances the sweetness and tartness, ensuring a well-rounded drink.

How to make Korean strawberry milk

Rinse the strawberries and wipe them with a paper towel to remove any water on the surface. Take a mixing bowl and add the fresh strawberries. Use a masher or your hands to crush them to your desired size.

You may leave a few small pieces for added texture or puree the strawberries if you prefer smoother texture.

Add sugar and lemon juice and mix well. Let the mixture sit at room temperature until the sugar dissolves, stirring occasionally. This may take up to 30 minutes.

Once you have made the syrup, you can either use it right away or store it in an airtight container and refrigerate for a couple of days. This will help to blend the flavors and intensify the color.

Homemade strawberry syrup marbled with milk in a glass cup garnished with fresh strawberry pieces.

How to Create a Marbled Strawberry Latte

To serve, add 3-4 tablespoons of strawberry syrup to the bottom of a glass, then pour milk on top. Feel free to use your favorite milk alternative—oat, almond, or coconut milk work wonderfully too.

Admire the beautiful color contrast before gently stirring to create a stunning red-and-white marbled effect. For an extra touch, garnish with chopped fresh strawberries. Sip and enjoy the fresh, creamy goodness!

Serving tip: Wide straws are best for serving, allowing small strawberry pieces to pass. If using regular straws, crush or puree strawberries finely in the syrup to avoid clogging.

A jar of fresh homemade strawberry syrup.

Versatile Uses for Homemade Strawberry Syrup

This syrup is versatile. Enhance anything with fresh strawberry flavor—strawberry milk or any other dish of your choice. Here are some ideas:

  • Use as a sweet topping for ice cream.
  • Add a fresh garnish to baked goods like cakes and cheesecakes
  • Mix with freshly squeezed lemon juice and chilled carbonated water for a refreshing strawberry lemonade.
  • Add to smoothies and milkshakes for a deliciously sweet twist.
  • Blend with oil and vinegar to create a flavorful strawberry salad dressing.

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Korean strawberry milk has fresh strawberry syrup is in a glass cup garnished with a piece of strawberry.

Fresh Korean Strawberry Milk (Strawberry Latte)

Korean strawberry milk, also called strawberry latte, is a delicious and refreshing drink made with homemade strawberry syrup. This easy recipe uses just 4 simple ingredients and requires no cooking, creating a sweet, creamy treat that’s perfect for any occasion!
5 from 6 ratings

Ingredients

Fresh strawberry syrup

  • 1 lb (450 g) fresh strawberries
  • 1 cup (200 g) sugar
  • 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice

To make Korean strawberry milk

  • 4 tbsp fresh strawberry syrup, per serving
  • 1 cup (240 ml) milk, per serving

Instructions 

To make strawberry syrup

  • Rinse the strawberries and wipe them with a paper towel to remove any water on the surface.
  • Take a mixing bowl and add the fresh strawberries. Use a masher or your hands to crush them to your desired size. You may leave a few small pieces for added texture or puree the strawberries if you prefer smoother texture.
  • Add sugar and lemon juice and mix well. Let the mixture sit at room temperature until the sugar dissolves, stirring occasionally. This may take up to 30 minutes.
    Note: Once you have made the syrup, you can either use it right away or store it in an airtight container and refrigerate for a couple of days. This will help to blend the flavors and intensify the color.

To make strawberry milk

  • Pour 4 tablespoons of the strawberry syrup into a glass and pour 1 cup of milk on top. Garnish with chopped fresh strawberries if desired. The fresh strawberry syrup can last in the fridge for up to 2 months.

Notes

  1. Wide straws are the ideal choice for serving this milk, as their larger diameter allows small pieces of strawberry to pass through. If you prefer to use regular straws, be sure to crush the strawberries finely or puree them when making the syrup to prevent clogging.
  2. Other types of milk work great too, such as oat milk, almond milk, and coconut milk, etc.
Calories: 223kcal, Carbohydrates: 31g, Protein: 8g, Fat: 8g, Saturated Fat: 5g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.3g, Monounsaturated Fat: 2g, Cholesterol: 29mg, Sodium: 93mg, Potassium: 425mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 30g, Vitamin A: 400IU, Vitamin C: 23mg, Calcium: 306mg, Iron: 0.2mg
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