Cherry Vanilla Cream Shake
By Marty Cole · March 12, 2026
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Tastes like the cherry vanilla ice cream my grandpa kept in the garage freezer, which is the whole reason I kept tweaking this Cherry Vanilla Cream Shake. The Ninja Slushi turns cherry juice, milk, and a splash of vanilla into something creamy and soft-serve smooth, not icy. My daughter named it the pink one and now requests it by that name only. Use a real cherry juice with some body to it, not the watery cocktail stuff, or the flavor gets lost under the milk. The vanilla does a lot of heavy lifting, so don't skip it.
Your machine size
Slushi 64 oz (Standard) · quantities scaled ×1
💡 Serve within 30 minutes
High-fat dairy can churn into butter under long agitation. Dispense and enjoy soon after it's ready.
Ingredients
- Cherry Juice28 oz
- Whole Milk16 oz
- Vanilla Extract1 tsp
- Simple Syrupoptional3 oz
- Maraschino Cherryoptional2 garnish
Makes ~50 oz
Directions
- 1Combine the cherry juice, milk, and vanilla in a pitcher.
- 2Taste and add simple syrup if it needs more sweetness to set.
- 3Pour the mixture into the Slushi vessel below the fill line.
- 4Lock the lid and start the MILKSHAKE preset.
- 5Let it run until smooth and thick, about 38 minutes.
- 6Dispense and top with maraschino cherries.
Tips
- Use cold milk straight from the fridge to help the machine chill faster, cutting your wait time down to the 20-minute range.
- Stir the mixture gently with a long spoon through the tap opening halfway through the cycle if you notice it's freezing unevenly around the edges.
- Pour your cherry juice and milk in at room temperature, not chilled, so the machine's cooling element works properly without struggling.
Variations
- Swap the cherry juice for pomegranate juice and add a half teaspoon of almond extract instead of vanilla for a tart twist.
- Use half whole milk and half half-and-half cream for a richer, creamier shake that takes about 10 extra minutes to reach full slush.
- Reduce the cherry juice by a quarter cup and add fresh lemon juice for a brighter, less sweet version.
FAQ
- Can I use cherry syrup or concentrate instead of cherry juice?
- Yes, but dilute it first with water to match the consistency of regular juice, since concentrate is too thick and will slow the churning. This keeps the machine working at the right speed to churn and scrape properly.
- Why is my shake still soupy after 45 minutes?
- The room temperature matters a lot, your liquid base might be too warm, or the machine bowl wasn't cold enough before you started. Try using chilled milk straight from the fridge and run it again for another 15 minutes.
- Can I make this with a dairy-free milk?
- Oat or cashew milk work fine and will churn similarly to regular milk, though they may take a few extra minutes to freeze solid. Avoid very thin nut milks as they freeze too quickly and can get icy rather than creamy.
- How long will the slush keep if I don't drink it right away?
- Once it's done churning, pour it into a regular glass and it'll last about 30 minutes before it melts back into liquid, so drink it fresh for the best texture.
Nutrition
Per serving · makes about 2 servings · estimated
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Meet Marty Cole
I'm a home cook who got a little obsessed with the Ninja Slushi and Creami. I test every recipe in my own kitchen on a real machine, dial in the texture, and only post the ones my family actually finishes.
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