Goji Berry Sesame Milkshake
A silky, nutrient-dense milkshake combining tart-sweet goji berries with rich sesame seed butter, oat milk, and a touch of agave sweetness. This superfood blend delivers antioxidants, healthy fats, and a subtle nuttiness with traditional Chinese flavors. Perfect as a breakfast drink or quick snack.
- Prep
- 5 min
- Cook
- —
- Total
- 5 min
- Makes
- 2 milkshakes (about 12 fl oz each)
Steps
Before you start
- Chill oat milk in the refrigerator at least 1 hour ahead (cold milk makes a thicker shake)
- If using dried goji berries, soak them in warm water for 2 minutes to plump, then drain
- Gather all ingredients and pour liquids into the blender first to help them blend smoothly
Combine liquids and sesame butter
- Pour the cold oat milk into a high-powered blender.
- Add the room-temperature sesame seed butter and agave nectar.
- Blend on low speed for 10–15 seconds to combine smoothly, breaking up any clumps of sesame butter.
- The mixture should be creamy and homogeneous before adding solids.
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Ready when: Sesame butter is fully incorporated and no lumps remain
Tip: Blending liquids first prevents the sesame butter from clumping around the blades.
Add goji berries and vanilla
- Add the drained goji berries and vanilla extract (if using) to the blender.
- Blend on medium speed for 10–15 seconds, just enough to break down the berries slightly and distribute them throughout.
- The shake should still have some texture from berry pieces.
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Ready when: Goji berries are broken down but not completely smooth; shake is light pink-red
Tip: Over-blending goji berries can make the shake too thick and grainy. Short pulses are better than continuous blending.
Blend with ice to chill
- Add the ice cubes to the blender and blend on high speed for 15–20 seconds until the mixture is thick, creamy, and well-chilled.
- The shake should be smooth and pourable but not watery.
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Ready when: Shake is creamy, chilled, and holds its texture when poured; no visible ice chunks remain
Tip: Listen for the blender sound to change—when ice stops rattling and the sound becomes a smooth whir, the shake is ready. Over-blending creates a dense, icy texture.
Pour and garnish
- Pour the milkshake evenly into two chilled 12 oz glasses.
- If desired, top each glass with a light sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds for texture and visual appeal.
- Serve immediately with a wide straw or spoon.
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Ready when: Shake is divided between glasses and topped with sesame seeds
Tip: Serve at once to avoid separation. If the shake sits more than a few minutes, give it a quick stir before sipping.
Good to know
Tips
- Soak goji berries briefly in warm water (2 minutes) if they're very dry or hard—this plumps them and makes them blend more smoothly.
- For a thicker, frozen-yogurt-style shake, use more ice (up to 1 cup) and reduce oat milk by ¼ cup.
- Sesame seed butter can settle at the bottom of its jar; stir before measuring to ensure even distribution.
- If you don't have a high-powered blender, let the goji berries soak longer (5 minutes) to soften them, and blend in two batches if needed.
Make ahead
You can soak the goji berries 30 minutes to 2 hours ahead and store them in the refrigerator; blend just before serving for the best texture and temperature.
Storage & reheating
Best consumed fresh. If you must store it, refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 4 hours, but the shake will separate and thicken slightly. Stir well or re-blend for 5 seconds before drinking. Do not freeze.
Substitutions
- unsweetened oat milk, cold → unsweetened almond milk, coconut milk, or cashew milk. Each gives a slightly different flavor; almond is more neutral, coconut adds tropical notes, and cashew creates extra richness.
- sesame seed butter (tahini) → almond butter or peanut butter. You'll lose the distinctive sesame nuttiness, but the shake remains creamy. Use the same amount.
- agave nectar → honey, maple syrup, or date paste. Honey and maple add their own flavors; date paste is a whole-food option that blends easily.
- dried goji berries → dried cranberries, blueberries, or strawberries. Dried cranberries and blueberries are tart-sweet like goji; strawberries will make the shake sweeter and more pink.
