Pistachio butter and pistachio cream are different

Pure pistachio butter is made from ground nuts, sometimes with a little salt. Products called pistachio cream may contain sugar, oils, milk powder and other ingredients. They are not interchangeable in this dairy-free recipe without changing both the flavour and the allergen information.

Use a smooth butter for the most even texture. If the jar has separated, stir the oil back through before measuring. A spoonful of dry nut solids can make the drink gritty, while mostly oil can leave it thin and slick. The base should taste clearly of pistachio before the frozen dessert is added.

Expect a restrained natural colour

Pistachios do not automatically produce a bright green drink. Roasting, the colour of the nut skins and the amount of oat drink all affect the result. A soft beige-green shake is normal and does not need colouring to prove what is in it.

Vanilla ice cream gives sweetness and coldness without adding a second strong flavour. Blend it in briefly, then stop. Overblending melts the dessert and reduces the thickness you were trying to create. This is a rich nut-based shake, so two modest portions are a useful serving size. A thick topping of chopped nuts is optional but unnecessary, and would make drinking through a narrow straw difficult.

What you'll need

35 g pure smooth pistachio butter
200 ml unsweetened oat drink
120 g dairy-free vanilla ice cream
1 tsp maple syrup, optional
A small pinch of fine salt

Let's make it

Check that the pistachio butter contains pistachios rather than a sweetened milk-based filling. Stir it thoroughly before measuring.
Blend pistachio butter and oat drink until no concentrated streaks remain.
Add dairy-free ice cream, salt and optional maple syrup. Blend briefly until smooth, then taste before increasing sweetness.
Divide into two small glasses and serve immediately. The natural colour may be beige-green rather than vivid green.

Make it your own

Unsweetened almond drink can replace oat drink, but adds another tree-nut ingredient.

Cashew butter gives a milder alternative, not the same pistachio flavour; update the allergen information if making that substitution.

Keeping it fresh

Serve as soon as blended. Store pistachio butter according to its label and keep oat drink refrigerated after opening. Measure ingredients ahead rather than storing the completed shake.