Sweet strawberries and tart Key lime are such a good combination, and this easy Strawberry Key Lime Milkshake gives you both in one cold, creamy treat.

Even better, you only need four ingredients and about five minutes to make it.

This milkshake is definitely strawberry forward, with just enough Key lime juice to cut through the sweetness of the berries and vanilla ice cream. It’s sweet, tart, creamy and incredibly refreshing, especially when it’s ridiculously hot outside and turning on the oven sounds like an absolutely terrible idea.

Grab the blender and you’re basically done.

Why You’ll Love This Strawberry Key Lime Milkshake

Only four ingredients: Vanilla ice cream, milk, strawberries and Key lime juice. That’s it.
Ready in five minutes: Everything goes into the blender at the same time.
Sweet and tart: Strawberries bring the sweetness while Key lime juice adds a bright tart flavor.
Fresh or frozen strawberries work: Use whichever you have on hand.
Easy to customize: Change the thickness, adjust the lime or add your favorite toppings.

Ingredients You’ll Need

You’ll find the exact amounts in the printable recipe card below.

Vanilla Ice Cream

Vanilla ice cream gives us a creamy base without competing with the strawberry and lime flavors.

Use your favorite brand. We’ve also made these with our Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream.

Milk

You only need a small amount of milk to help everything blend together.

Whole milk will give you a richer milkshake, but skim or reduced fat milk works too. You can also use coconut milk or almond milk, although either one may change the flavor slightly.

Strawberries

Fresh or frozen strawberries both work beautifully in this recipe.

Fresh strawberries give you that wonderful fresh berry flavor, while frozen strawberries can make the milkshake even thicker and colder.

If you’re using fresh strawberries, remove the stems and slice them before adding them to your blender.

Key Lime Juice

Key lime juice adds the tartness that makes this more interesting than an ordinary strawberry milkshake.

Freshly squeezed Key lime juice is my preference, but Key limes aren’t always the easiest thing to find. Regular fresh lime juice works too.

How to Make a Strawberry Key Lime Milkshake

I could make this sound complicated, but it really isn’t.

Add the vanilla ice cream, milk, strawberries and Key lime juice to your blender.

Blend on high until everything is smooth and creamy.

That’s it.

Pour your milkshake into a tall glass, add a strawberry or lime slice for garnish if you want to make it pretty and serve immediately.

Five minutes. One blender. Very little cleanup.

My kind of dessert.

Fresh or Frozen Strawberries?

You can use either one, but they will give you slightly different results.

Fresh strawberries tend to blend easily and give the milkshake a softer, creamier consistency.

Frozen strawberries make the shake colder and usually a little thicker.

If your frozen berries make the milkshake thicker than you’d like, add another splash of milk and blend again.

If you’re using fresh berries and want a thicker milkshake, use a little less milk or add another small scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Can I Use Regular Limes Instead of Key Limes?

Absolutely.

Key limes and regular Persian limes don’t taste exactly the same, but I’m not going to tell you that you can’t make this milkshake because your grocery store doesn’t have Key limes.

Use regular lime juice.

Start with the amount called for in the recipe, blend everything together and taste it. If you want a stronger lime flavor, add a little more.

And if you do find fresh Key limes, definitely grab them and make it that way too.

How to Make a Thicker Milkshake

Milkshake consistency is a very personal thing.

If you want yours extra thick, start with a little less milk. Frozen strawberries will also naturally give you a thicker shake.

You can always add more milk after blending, but it’s considerably harder to take it back out.

If your milkshake is too thin, add another scoop of vanilla ice cream or a few frozen strawberries and blend again.

Strawberry Key Lime Milkshake Variations

This recipe is incredibly easy to play around with.

Add More Lime

If you love tart flavors, add a little extra Key lime juice or some fresh lime zest.

Don’t go crazy with the juice all at once. Add a little, blend and taste.

Make It Extra Strawberry

Add a few more strawberries for an even stronger berry flavor.

Add Whipped Cream

Top the finished milkshake with whipped cream and a fresh strawberry or lime slice.

Add Graham Cracker Crumbs

A little sprinkle of graham cracker crumbs on top adds some Key lime pie personality without turning this into a completely different milkshake.

And yes, a full Key Lime Pie Milkshake is absolutely a different recipe. Stay tuned.

Try a Different Milk

Whole, reduced fat and skim milk all work.

Coconut milk can be especially fun with strawberry and lime, although it will add noticeable coconut flavor.

Tips for the Best Strawberry Key Lime Milkshake

Start with less milk if you like thick milkshakes. You can always add another splash if your blender needs help.

Taste before adding more lime. Key lime is supposed to give the strawberries some tartness, not completely take over the milkshake.

Serve immediately. Milkshakes don’t improve while sitting on the counter.

Use frozen strawberries for an extra cold shake. They’re also a great option when strawberries aren’t in season.

Adjust it to your taste. Want more strawberry? Add it. Want more lime? Add it. Milkshakes aren’t particularly interested in rules.

Strawberry Key Lime Milkshake FAQs

What does a Strawberry Key Lime Milkshake taste like?

Strawberry is the primary flavor in this milkshake, with vanilla ice cream making it sweet and creamy and Key lime juice adding a tart citrus finish.

It’s basically a strawberry milkshake with a bright little lime kick.

Can I make this with frozen strawberries?

Yes. Fresh and frozen strawberries both work.

Frozen strawberries will usually make the finished milkshake colder and thicker.

Can I make it without Key limes?

Yes. Substitute regular fresh lime juice if you can’t find Key limes.

Can I use strawberry ice cream?

You can.

Strawberry ice cream will make the strawberry flavor much stronger and change the balance of the original recipe, but there’s certainly nothing wrong with that.

I’d start with the same amount and adjust the lime juice after tasting.

Can I make this dairy free?

You can experiment with dairy free vanilla ice cream and your favorite nondairy milk.

Keep in mind that both substitutions can change the flavor and texture, particularly if you use something with a noticeable flavor like coconut milk.

Can I make milkshakes ahead of time?

Milkshakes are best made immediately before serving.

Thankfully, this one takes about five minutes, so there’s really no need to prepare it ahead.

More Easy Milkshake Recipes

Apparently we really like milkshakes around here.

If you do too, try our Pineapple Coconut Milkshakes, Simple Coffee Milkshakes or Watermelon Kool Aid Malted Milkshakes next.

And if it’s the tart citrus flavor you’re here for, we’ve got more lime milkshakes coming your way.

For now, when you’re craving something cold, creamy, fruity and just a little tart, this four ingredient Strawberry Key Lime Milkshake couldn’t be much easier.

Throw everything in the blender and go.

Strawberry Key Lime Milkshake

Nicole Cook

This easy Strawberry Key Lime Milkshake combines sweet strawberries, creamy vanilla ice cream and tart Key lime juice for a refreshing four ingredient treat that's ready in five minutes.