Korean strawberry milk (ttalgi uyu / 딸기 우유 ) is an incredibly popular cafe drink made of creamy milk and a sweet, real strawberry sauce topped with fresh strawberry pieces. What sets this drink apart is that the strawberry flavour is completely natural with no artificial flavours or colours. With this recipe you can make an amazing homemade version of this cafe specialty drink.
This drink is so beautiful and tasty that it is commonly served in South Korean cafes in the summertime. In fact, summer is the best time to enjoy it as strawberries are at their ripest and sweetest. But you can enjoy it whenever you can get your hands on some nice berries with this simple and easy to follow recipe. The flavour is the best; you won't want the store bought kind ever again.
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Ttalgi uyu simply translated to 'strawberry' (ttalgi or ddalgi / 딸기) 'milk' (uyu / 우유 ). The red swirls of sauce and chunks of real strawberry in Korean strawberry milk are so pretty; and the drink is quite refreshing. Though traditionally dairy based, you can make this dairy-free. Or make it extra decadent with a topping of whipped cream or a scoop of ice cream. Adults and children alike love this drink.
Korea's Kpop now reaching a massive international audience through social media has really facilitated in the spread of awareness of Korea's favourite foods and drinks around the globe. Especially for Korean companies like Binggrae, that sell a bottled version of strawberry milk. You may know Binggrae for its famous banana milk product. Make sure to check out my Korean banana milk post for a delicious homemade version.
Ingredients
- Fresh strawberries - Sweet, ripe, red berries are the best to use in this recipe where they are the star ingredient. Less ripe berries will be less sweet.
- Granulated sugar - This sugar helps to extract the natural juices and sweetness of the strawberries, as well as adding some extra sweetness.
- Milk - Use the milk of your choice. For dairy-free options, see 'substitutions' below.
- Optional toppings - Add whipped cream or a scoop of ice cream (vanilla or strawberry) to turn your Korean strawberry milk into a fancy dessert drink.
See the recipe card below for quantities.
Substitutions
- Sugar - You could substitute with brown sugar or raw sugar, which is less processed and slightly healthier.
- Strawberries - For the strawberry sauce, you can use fresh or frozen berries. But you will still need to add fresh berries later. And keep in mind that using fresh berries will give you a fresher fruit flavour. (If you are using frozen strawberries, add two tablespoons of hot water to the blender to purée with them.)
Variations
- Dairy-free and Vegan - Replace the milk in this recipe with oat milk or coconut milk. Other milk substitutes seem to have too thin of a consistency to work well for Korean strawberry milk and nut milks change the flavour.
- Condensed milk - Some people like to stir condensed milk into their strawberry milk to make it even sweeter.
- Additional toppings - Although not super traditional, you could add other toppings such as caramel or chocolate syrup to this drink.
Instructions
Use a blender to purée the 1 ¼ cups (180 g) strawberries that we need to make the strawberry sauce.
Add the purée, sugar, and half the diced strawberries into a small saucepan and bring it to a boil. Continue to cook for 2 more minutes on medium-low, stirring occasionally.
Cool the strawberry sauce completely in the refrigerator. (If you don't completely cool the strawberry syrup before combining it with milk, you may cause the milk to curdle.)
Split the cooled sauce between 2 glasses (this recipe makes 2 servings). Use a spoon to swirl the sauce around in the glass to get some on the inner sides.
Pour in the milk gently so that you don't disturb the strawberry sauce. Top with whipped cream, if desired. Then split the remaining diced strawberry pieces between the glasses.
Equipment
To make this recipe you will need the following:
- Blender or food processor
- Cutting board and knife
- Small sauce pan
- Rubber spatula
- Glasses to serve
- Spoon
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Storage
You can make the homemade strawberry sauce ahead of time and keep it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a few days. But don't add the milk and fresh berry pieces until shortly before enjoying.
Tips for Success
- Enjoy this drink immediately after making it. See 'storage' section above on how to make the strawberry sauce ahead of time.
- You can make extra strawberry sauce and use it as a delicious topping for things such as ice cream or pancakes.
- Use up leftover strawberries with more tasty strawberry recipes: fresh strawberry cookies, strawberry custard tart, Japanese candied strawberries, strawberry banana bread, whipped strawberry butter
F.A.Q.
It tastes like creamy milk with sweet, fresh strawberry. It's very refreshing. If you add whipped cream, this drink will be extra sweet.
You can make the homemade strawberry sauce ahead of time and keep it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a few days. But don't add the milk and fresh berry pieces until shortly before enjoying.
Homemade strawberry milk is healthier than the store bought version. There are nutrients from the strawberries and milk and no artificial flavours, colours, or preservatives. There is a little bit of sugar, but to make it healthier you can substitute with brown or raw sugar, or omit the sugar all together.
You may see this drink go by both of these names in Korean cafes. The latte version is typically the same as the milk, but with a froth / whipped cream topping and perhaps some ice cream.
📖 Recipe
Korean Strawberry Milk (Ttalgi Uyu)
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 3 minutes
- Total Time: 8 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings 1x
- Category: Drinks
- Cuisine: Korean
Description
Korean strawberry milk is made of creamy milk and a sweet, real strawberry sauce topped with fresh strawberry pieces. No artificial flavours!
Ingredients
1 ¼ cups strawberries, whole and de-stemmed (fresh or frozen*)
3 tablespoons granulated sugar
½ cup diced strawberries (fresh)
2 cups milk
whipped cream or ice cream, optional
Instructions
Use a blender to purée the 1 ¼ cups of strawberries that we need to make the strawberry syrup.
Add the purée, sugar, and half the diced strawberries into a small saucepan and bring it to a boil. Continue to cook for 2 more minutes on medium-low, stirring occasionally.
Cool the strawberry syrup completely in the refrigerator. (If you don't completely cool the strawberry syrup before combining it with milk, you may cause the milk to curdle.)
Split the cooled syrup between 2 glasses (this recipe makes 2 servings). Use a spoon to swirl the syrup around in the glass to get some on the inner sides.
Pour in the milk. Top with whipped cream, if desired. Then split the remaining diced strawberry pieces between the glasses.
Notes
* For the strawberry purée, you can use fresh or frozen berries. But you will still need to add fresh berries later. And keep in mind that using fresh berries will give you a fresher fruit flavour. (If you are using frozen strawberries, add two tablespoons of hot water to the blender to purée with them.)
Nutrition
- Serving Size:
- Calories: 199
- Sugar: 37.8 g
- Sodium: 104.4 mg
- Fat: 0.6 g
- Carbohydrates: 41.3 g
- Protein: 9.1 g
- Cholesterol: 4.9 mg
Jenny V says
OMG This drink made my day. I wanted to treat myself after a horrible day. (A story for another day.) So so good!
Asha says
Thanks so much! Glad you enjoyed it 🙂
Bernice says
I've had Korean strawberries so I know how amazing this drink must taste. It doesn't get much better than strawberries and cream.
Asha says
Yes a bit difficult to compare the fruit we can get over here, but this drink is delicious either way 🙂
Vanessa says
I can't wait to make this! I love strawberries and really appreciate that this is made with real ingredients.
Asha says
Thanks! If you love strawberries then I am sure you will love this. The homemade syrup really packs some wonderful flavour.
Marie-Pierre Breton says
Oh wow! My kids are going to flip hard when I make them this! Looks fabulous and so fresh! Thanks for sharing!
Asha says
Thank you, my nieces and nephews reacted the exact same way 😀
nancy says
super tasty drink ! I had this in Korea and I kept thinking about it. Now i can make this at home Thanks
Asha says
Thank you 🙂 I tried it in Korea for the first time, too! So tasty.