There’s nothing like a fruity dessert, and this fresh Cherry Milkshake has it all, including a little booze which is totally optional, plus a puddle of soft chocolate ganache on the bottom!
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Why You’ll Love this Recipe
Once upon a time, I made milkshakes after school at the local hangout. Back then, we made them the “real” way, with fresh strawberry puree, or heavy-handed squirts of thick chocolate sauce and whole milk, whizzed together on giant mixers.
These old-fashioned milkshakes took some time, but they were thick, cold and especially wonderful with a side of hot french fries. I’m salivating just thinking about it.
When the weather’s warm, a fresh Cherry Milkshake really hits the spot. Here’s some good reasons to make them!
- Fresh cherries are a luxury, and they are so good in a milkshake
- Add some brandy if you’d like! It’s totally optional, but adds an amazing depth of flavor and a big shot of fun.
- If this weren’t enough, there’s a little puddle of soft chocolate ganache hiding patiently at the bottom, so grab a spoon.
- This shake has a delightful cherry flavor and is super decadent…..yes yes yes!
Ingredients for this Recipe

For the full recipe, please scroll to the recipe card below.
- Bittersweet Chocolate: Just two ounces are needed, which we’ll use to make the ganache (soft chocolate) for the bottom of each glass.
- Heavy Cream: Also for the ganache, which is just a soft, chocolate filling or topping.
- Vanilla Ice Cream: Can’t make a milkshake without this!
- Cherries: Pitted fresh which is easy to do. Just wash the cherries, remove the stem, make a small knife cut on the side of the cherry and pop the pit out with your fingers. Save a few whole cherries for garnish.
- Brandy: Just a shot, which is totally optional but really fun as a dessert for the adults.
- Milk: Another key ingredient! Use non-dairy milk and cream if you like.
- Honey: For a little extra sweetness.
- Almond extract: Just a touch, and if you don’t have it and don’t want to buy it, just use pure vanilla extract.
- Whipped Topping: To top off each glass for extra deliciousness.
Step-by-Step Instructions

- Make the ganache by simply heating the cream in a saucepan and pouring it over the chocolate squares in a small bowl. Done and done (except for some stirring after it sits.)
- Place the pitted cherries in a bowl and pour the brandy on top. Let this wonderfulness sit and marinate for about 30 minutes.
- Make the milkshakes by putting the ice cream, cherries, milk, honey and almond extract in a blender and process on high until smooth. Add more honey if you like it sweeter. Add more milk, a little at a time if it’s too thick.
- Divide the chocolate ganache into the bottom of each serving glass.
- Pour the cherry milkshake on top and garnish with whipped cream and fresh cherries and enjoy!
Tips and Serving Ideas

- I used Ghirardelli bittersweet chocolate baking bar (squares) for this recipe.
- Frozen pitted cherries work great instead of fresh, just defrost for about 30 minutes first.
- You can leave the alcohol out of this shake completely. It’s delish both ways!
- Make this recipe into two larger servings instead of four, or double the recipe for eight servings.
- Use best-quality vanilla ice cream in this recipe, you won’t regret it.
- Shakes too thick? Just add a little more milk.
- Pure vanilla extract is fine instead of almond extract.
- You can swap regular ice cream, milk, heavy cream and whipped topping for non-dairy versions of each in this recipe.
- Serve the shakes in disposable glasses on a big tray for BBQ’s and cookouts. Make a non-alcoholic version for the kids. Serve with plenty of spoons for the chocolate on the bottom.
Frequently Asked Questions

Yes! Its a great recipe with or without it!
Frozen cherries to the rescue! They will work great in this recipe.
Sure can. You can also make these smaller and serve to a crowd for a fun dessert.
More recipes to try:
- Roasted Nectarines with Caramel Sauce: Gorgeous and so delicious!
- Ice Cream Cake with Peanut Butter Ganache: Easy and pretty, this one is impressive.
- Summer Fruit Crisp: The best seasonal fruit made into a crispy dessert.
- Frozen Pineapple Nectarine Slushee: Refreshing and delicious.
- My Favorite Hot Chocolate: Non-dairy and absolutely the best.
- Dark Cherry Smoothies: Bursting with fresh cherry flavor.
If you’ve tried Boozy Fresh Cherry Blackbottom Milkshakes, or any other recipe on Studio Delicious, I’d love to hear from you in the comments below.
Looking for more tips and fresh, homemade recipes? Join my email list, tag and follow me on Instagram using #studiodeliciouseats, follow my boards on Pinterest, and see what I’m up to on Facebook and Twitter!

Ingredients
- 2 ounces Bittersweet Chocolate (60% cocao)
- 3 tablespoons Heavy Cream
- 3 cups Vanilla Ice Cream
- 1 ½ cups Cherries, fresh or frozen, pitted plus extra for garnish
- 1 ½ ounces Brandy optional
- 1 cup Milk
- 2 teaspoons Honey
- ¼ teaspoon Almond Extract
- ⅔ cup Whipped Topping, for garnish
Instructions
- MAKE THE CHOCOLATE GANACHEHeat the cream in a small saucepan until it bubbles and simmers and is heated all the way through but not boiling. Place the chocolate squares in a small heat-proof bowl. Pour the warm cream over the top. Let this sit for five minutes, then whisk it together with a fork or whisk until smooth.
- IF USING BRANDY IN THIS RECIPE: Place the pitted cherries in a medium-sized bowl and pour the brandy on top, stir it together and let the mixture sit for 30 minutes to marinate. Otherwise, just proceed with the recipe and skip this step of brandy soaking.
- BLEND THE MILKSHAKES Place the ice cream, cherries, milk, honey and almond extract in a blender, process on high speed until smooth. Add a bit more honey for sweetness or more milk if too thick at this point.
- TO SERVE: Divide the chocolate ganache in spoon fulls on the bottom on of your serving glasses. Pour the cherry milkshake over the top. Add a third cup (⅓) of whipped topping and another cherry to garnish.
Notes
- I used Ghirardelli bittersweet chocolate baking bar (squares) for this recipe
- You can leave the alcohol out of this shake completely…delicious both ways!
- You can make this recipe into 2 larger servings instead of 4, or double the recipe for 8 servings
- Use best-quality vanilla ice cream here, you won’t regret it 🙂
- Shakes too thick? Add a little more milk!
- You can swap regular ice cream, milk, heavy cream and whipped topping for non-dairy versions of each in this recipe
Nutrition
- Super important to read the whole recipe before you begin
- Pay attention to the ingredient list and photos for the recipe
- If possible, prep your ingredients a little before you start
- Always use a sharp knife for safety
- Use the size of pan called for in the recipe
- For savory recipes, taste and season as you go
- Buy fresh, organic ingredients, locally sourced whenever possible
The text of this post was updated June, 2024.
Paige, thank you for your blog post.Really thank you! Awesome.
Isn’t this a fun and delicious adult summer treat. I bet you could sub in other alcohols…and it would be delicious too. With the hot weather….this is perfect for the BBQ parties.
Yes, you sure could play around with the alcohol, or leave it out entirely. Have fun!
I love stories about things that went wrong in restaurants! I hope you secretly giggled, even though it was a mess! I love booze. I love milkshakes and I LOVE ganache, so your delightful recipe is a must do in my house!!!
Oh yes, I laughed so hard it was awful and hilarious at the same time….thanks 🙂
Cherries and chocolate are always a winning combo but then you add the ice cream and brandy and you have a winning treat for the Summer.
Yes you do! Thanks..:)
Definately! Thank you 🙂
Talk about elegance in a dessert, with a little kick of booze too! I love this milkshake. It is classy, decadent and delightful!
Wow, this looks like the perfect summer treat!! I am going to try it without the alcohol!
I bet your hair had a lot of body after the milkshake rinse. Boy!! I bet that was something else to clean up. The milkshake sounds wonderful — booze or no booze. My gosh — I’m glad I didn’t work there. Too much temptation in sampling the new flavors. This is a great recipe for summer enjoyment.
Yummy!! Looks and sounds amazing! I’ll take the booze at the bottom! Yum! But I’ll have to make a non-alcohol batch for the kiddos at some point!
What a perfect adult treat for our backyard pool party coming up! Such amazing flavors- I bet this will be a complete hit at the party!
Paige, wow this looks amazing. I’m getting ideas to make it non-alcohol, you did a get job!
What a beautiful drink and I love that there’s a little booze to make it a party beverage perfect for my girlfriend’s lunches!
So true!
What a treat, I definitely won’t be sharing – so fun for summertime! 😋
🙂
Oh my goodness, fresh cherries, brandy and a milkshake! The trifecta of summer drinks!! And that puddle of ganache at the bottom! Yes, please!
Haha! Thanks
As if I couldn’t love cherries more, this milkshake is all things decadent!
🙂 Thanks
I think this is one of the prettiest drinks we’ve ever made and it was like a treat sipping on it. One of our favorites! Thank you for such an amazing recipe!
Great! So glad you liked it!
I absolutely love these grown up milkshakes!! And I love how customisable they are!
Thank you and enjoy!
This is such a gorgeous milkshake! Everyone loved it!
Oh good! 🙂
Just what this momma needs! These are super good
Haha! Great!
made these on the 4th and they were a HUGE HIT! Thanks for the great recipe!
Oh good! Great to hear, thanks