Enjoy this fantastic, diner-style blackberry milkshake all year round by using frozen Oregon blackberries, my pick for the best taste, color, and value.
By Candice Walker on November 21, 2023 (Last updated November 21, 2023) This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy.
Enjoy this fantastic, diner-style blackberry milkshake all year round by using frozen Oregon blackberries, my pick for the best taste, color, and value.
I’m also sharing why I use Oregon blackberries in my recipes, why frozen works so much better than fresh, and how to adapt this recipe if you can only find fresh blackberries. Read on for all the details.
This recipe is part of an ongoing partnership with the Oregon Raspberry & Blackberry Commission, my go-to resource for education and expertise on local berries. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
🌟Why you’ll love this recipe
The soil, air, water, and climate in Oregon were made for growing blackberries. So be sure to look for blackberries from Oregon.
Strong blackberry flavor – Flash frozen within 24 hours of being picked at the peak of ripeness, Oregon blackberries offer an optimal flavor punch. You just can’t match this with fresh.
Diner-quality texture – The blackberries and ice cream blend together with just enough milk to create the perfect, diner-quality thickness we all love. Simply add more milk and/or blend longer for a runnier milkshake. You might also love this strawberry milkshake.
Easy-to-find ingredients – Frozen blackberries, ice cream, and dairy or non-dairy milk are all available year round so you don’t have to wait to make this recipe.
Quality ingredients – Buying frozen blackberries offers you more value than fresh, they have a longer shelf life, and their freshness is locked in within 24 hours of picking. Buying quality berries and ice cream makes a huge difference in the taste of your milkshake.
Oregon blackberries are grown in the USA on multi-generational family farms. Local families are stewards of the land supporting environmentally sustainable practices.
Frozen blackberries – Frozen blackberries offer consistent quality, availability, price, and even have higher nutritional value. You can substitute fresh blackberries and leave out the dairy or non-dairy milk. However, you can get a better blackberry flavor from frozen berries.
Milk – You can use any dairy or non-dairy milk you like. If you’re looking for your classic diner milkshake, use whole milk.
Vanilla Ice cream – Any vanilla ice cream that’s your favorite or that you have on hand will work perfectly. Make sure you use one that you like the flavor of because it is a dominant flavor in this recipe.
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
❄️ Fresh vs. Frozen Pro Tip
I prefer to use Oregon blackberries in this recipe because picked at the peak of ripeness and flash-frozen within 24 hours of being picked to lock in great taste and even color. There’s the added bonus of being available all year round and having a longer shelf life, so you can make these anytime!
👩🍳How to Make This Recipe
This recipe works best using an immersion blender if making just one. Use a high-speed blender if making more than one.
Add the frozen Oregon blackberries and milk to a blender and pulse until they form a puree. If using fresh blackberries, you won’t need the milk.
Add the vanilla ice cream and blend until you reach a milkshake consistency.
Do not over-blend or it will get runny. If the ice cream is super soft, you can get away with mixing the blackberry puree into the ice cream with a spoon instead of having to blend it.
🍨 Scoopability Pro Tip
If the ice cream is not scoopable straight out of the freezer, let it soften slightly before attempting to blend it in. If the ice cream is super soft, you can get away with mixing the blackberry puree into the ice cream with a spoon instead of having to blend it.
Pour into a fun milkshake glass and add your favorite milkshake straw.
🫐Related Recipes
If you’re in the mood for milkshakes and ice cream, you’ll want to try one of these.
Enjoy this fantastic, diner-style blackberry milkshake all year round by using frozen Oregon blackberries, my pick for the best taste, color, and value.
1cupFrozen Oregon Blackberriessee notes if using fresh*
1/2cupmilkdairy or non-dairy, plus more if necessary
Instructions
Add the frozen Oregon blackberries and milk to a blender and pulse until they form a puree.If using fresh blackberries, you won't need the milk.
Add the vanilla ice cream and blend until you reach a milkshake consistency.Do not over-blend or it will get runny. If the ice cream is super soft, you can get away with mixing the blackberry puree into the ice cream with a spoon instead of having to blend it.
Notes
* If using fresh blackberries, skip the milk and blend! If you’re looking for a wonderful blackberry flavor, you are more likely to get them using frozen Oregon blackberries. They freeze them right after picking, preserving more flavor than you’d get with fresh, even in season.
All store-bought vanilla ice cream will work in this recipe. Just make sure you have one that you like the flavor of because it is a dominant flavor in this recipe.If the ice cream is not scoopable straight out of the freezer, you’ll need to let it soften slightly before attempting to blend it. If the ice cream is super soft, you can get away with mixing the blackberry puree into the ice cream instead of having to blend it.
Did you try this recipe?I’d love to hear what you think! Leave a Review to let us know how it came out, if you have a successful substitution or variation, or anything else.
4 Comments
I made this in my food processor as I don’t have an immersion blender, and it worked perfectly! I love berry milkshakes and smoothies so this hit the spot.
Wow wow wow. Could eat/drink one of these every single day. I happen to have some frozen blackberries in the freezer from my Dad who lives in Oregon and some vanilla ice cream left from my kids birthday. No better way to combine them.
I made this in my food processor as I don’t have an immersion blender, and it worked perfectly! I love berry milkshakes and smoothies so this hit the spot.
Wow wow wow. Could eat/drink one of these every single day. I happen to have some frozen blackberries in the freezer from my Dad who lives in Oregon and some vanilla ice cream left from my kids birthday. No better way to combine them.
So glad you enjoyed them, Stacy… thank you for taking the time to share, and enjoy!