A small sieve makes a difference

Raspberries bring a clear tartness that cuts through vanilla ice cream. Their seeds also remain noticeable in a drink, particularly when the frozen base starts to melt. Straining the fruit before adding ice cream is easier than forcing a thick finished shake through a sieve.

Press the purée with the back of a spoon, but do not spend several minutes grinding the seeds. You want the fruit pulp and juice in the bowl, not crushed seed fragments. A little loss in the sieve is expected.

Taste the fruit first

Very tart berries may need a teaspoon of sugar, while ripe sweet fruit may need none. The ice cream contributes substantial sweetness, so make the final decision after blending rather than sweetening the purée heavily.

Fresh fruit is straightforward for this method. If you use frozen raspberries, follow the packet's preparation instructions, including any requirement to cook them. Cool completely before using and account for that extra preparation time; frozen fruit is not automatically labelled ready to eat.

Keep the flavour focused

A raspberry shake does not need lemon juice by default. The berries often have enough acidity already, and adding more can make the flavour sharp rather than bright. Vanilla is a gentle background that allows the raspberry to remain the main ingredient.

For serving, a few whole raspberries are attractive but reintroduce the seeds you removed. If smoothness was the reason for straining, leave the surface plain and offer fruit on the side.

What you'll need

  • 180 g fresh raspberries
  • 260 g vanilla ice cream
  • 120 ml cold milk
  • 1–2 tsp caster sugar, optional

Let's make it

  1. Gently wash the raspberries and drain thoroughly. Blend with the milk until the fruit breaks down.
  2. Pour through a fine sieve over a bowl, pressing with a spoon. Discard the seeds and rinse any remaining seeds from the blender jug.
  3. Return the strained raspberry milk to the jug. Add scoopable ice cream and blend briefly until even.
  4. Taste, adding a little optional sugar if needed. Divide between two glasses and serve immediately.

Make it your own

A little raspberry ice cream can replace part of the vanilla for a stronger fruit flavour.

For a seedier rustic shake, omit straining but use a wide straw or spoon.

Keeping it fresh

Serve immediately. Refrigerate an untouched remainder promptly, covered, and use within 24 hours. Stir any separated liquid before drinking.

Allergen notes

Contains milk. Check the ice cream label for egg and other allergens.