Remove the seeds before the ice cream

Blackberries have firm seeds that remain noticeable even in a powerful blender. Straining the fruit while it is mixed with milk is much easier than forcing a frozen shake through a sieve. The short extra step produces a smoother texture without needing more dairy.

Use a spoon to press the pulp gently through the mesh. Stop when mostly dry seeds remain. Grinding aggressively does not extract a useful amount of extra flavour and can push small seed fragments through.

Tartness changes between batches

Cultivated blackberries may taste milder than small sharply flavoured berries. Taste the fruit, but make the final sweetening decision after adding ice cream. The frozen base softens the tartness and supplies sugar of its own.

If using foraged fruit, only use berries you can identify confidently and that are suitable for food preparation. This recipe is not a plant-identification guide. Purchased berries offer a more straightforward starting point.

Keep the berry flavour visible

Vanilla provides a soft background without making the drink taste like a mixture of several fruits. Banana would thicken it, but also hide some blackberry character. If a thinner drink is preferred, add milk in small amounts rather than changing the fruit.

The purple shade may vary substantially. Do not add more fruit purely to chase a darker colour: that also increases acidity and changes the amount of liquid in the recipe. Taste and texture are more useful targets.

What you'll need

  • 180 g blackberries
  • 270 g vanilla ice cream
  • 130 ml cold milk
  • 1 tsp honey or caster sugar, optional

Let's make it

  1. Wash blackberries and drain. Blend with the milk until the fruit breaks down.
  2. Press the mixture through a fine sieve into a bowl. Rinse seeds from the jug, then return the strained liquid.
  3. Add scoopable ice cream and blend briefly. Taste and add optional sweetener only if necessary.
  4. Divide between two glasses and serve while cold. Keep any decorative whole berries on the side if a seed-free drink is important.

Make it your own

Maple syrup can replace honey in the optional sweetener, though the base remains dairy.

Frozen berries may be used according to their packet preparation directions; cool any cooked fruit before blending.

Keeping it fresh

Drink freshly blended. Refrigerate an untouched extra portion promptly, covered, and use within 24 hours; stir after any separation.

Allergen notes

Contains milk. Check ice cream and any substitute ingredients for additional allergens.