Learn how to make homemade Yogurt Drinks to save money, customize them just for your kids, and have a nutritious breakfast or snack to share with the kids in under 5 minutes.
Yogurt Drinks
We are big fans of drinkable yogurt in our house and use it constantly as a kids drink to pair with breakfast or snack. I love it since it’s a great way to serve up protein and calcium (especially when the littles aren’t so into milk)—and making them at home when I can is one of my favorite ways to reduce my grocery bill. Those little bottles of store-bought yogurt drinks can be so expensive!
This method is really simple, as you start with just yogurt and fruit, but I have a handful of flavor variations you can use to alter the color, nutrition, and taste according to what your kids like.
And if the kids don’t usually like smoothies? I would see if they’ll help you make this drink by choosing which color or flavor they want and adding the ingredients to the blender. Having ownership and involvement may help!
(Also: Not every kid likes every food.)
Ingredients You Need
Here’s a look at what you’ll need to make this recipe, including the optional ingredients to make each flavor.
- Yogurt: For the creamiest yogurt drinks, you’ll want to use Greek yogurt. I prefer to start with plain so I can add flavors and sweetness, but vanilla will work if that’s what you have. You can also use regular yogurt, just know it will be a little thinner in the end.
- Fruit: There are six flavor options, so you can use a range of fruits here including strawberries, banana, mango, blueberries, and pear. You can use fresh or frozen fruit as they work similarly.
- Sweetener: If I’m starting with plain yogurt, I usually taste the mixture, then add a little honey (for kids over age 1) or maple syrup if needed. The need for this will vary based on the sweetness in your fruit and the preferences of your kiddo.
Yogurt Drink Flavor Ideas
We love making these kids smoothies in all sorts of flavors, but these are our favorites.
- Strawberry Yogurt Drink: You’ll add fresh or frozen strawberries to flavor.
- Strawberry-Banana Yogurt Drink: This one has strawberries and ripe banana added.
- Mango-Carrot Yogurt Drink: Diced mango gets blended with Carrot Puree (homemade or store-bought) for this flavor.
- Banana-Spinach Yogurt Drink: Add ripe banana and a handful of baby spinach (it’s less “green” tasting if you freeze the fresh leaves).
- Blueberry-Pear Yogurt Drink: Fresh or frozen blueberries and fresh pear make this super flavorful and nutritious.
- Sweet Potato-Mango Yogurt Drink: With Sweet Potato Puree and mango in the mix, this orange-colored yogurt drink is a favorite.
TIP: The fruit can be fresh or frozen, depending on what you have on hand. You could also use baby food purees in a pinch, too.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Here’s a look at how to make this kids drink. (I should add that I love it for myself, too!) Scroll down to the end of this post for the full information.
- Choose your flavor and gather your ingredients.
- Add all ingredients to a blender.
- Blend well, starting on low speed and working up to high. If your blender came with a stick, use that to help move the mixture around as needed. If the mixture is having a hard time blending, add 2 tablespoons milk.
- Serve or store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yogurt drinks typically include protein, calcium, and probiotics, and may contain additional nutrients, too, depending on the specific recipe or product. The levels of added sugars can vary considerably, so that is something to look at if you are wanting a less sweet flavor.
It’s simply a yogurt that is thin enough to drink, which happens in this recipe by blending yogurt with fruit. The hydration in the fruit thins out the yogurt so it winds up a thin smoothie-like texture.
Some of the ones that we love most include the Siggis Drinkable Yogurts, the Forager Cashew Yogurt Drink, and the Stoneyfield Kids Yogurt Drinks.
Nutrition Boosters for Smoothies
You can add 1 tablespoon hemp seeds to any of these flavors for additional healthy fats and protein. You could also add a little nut or seed butter (like peanut butter or almond butter), avocado, or a little raw cauliflower as other nutrition adds.
product we love
Wee Sprout Storage Jars
These durable glass jars are perfect for storing yogurt drinks.
How to Store
Store mixture for up to 3 days in an airtight container in the fridge. Shake before serving.
NOTE: I do not recommend storing the Blueberry Yogurt Drink as that flavor thickens up in a less desirable way. The others stay a similar drinkable consistency.
Best Tips for Success
- Use whole milk Greek yogurt for the creamiest texture. Regular yogurt will work, though it will be a little less creamy.
- Blend the ingredients, taste, then sweeten with honey (for kids over age 1) or maple syrup to taste. Sweetness can vary considerably in fruit.
- Use fresh or frozen fruit. If you use frozen fruit and the mixture is a little difficult to blend, add 2 tablespoons milk. Use baby food purees in a pinch, if needed or desired.
- Add 1 tablespoon hemp seeds for additional healthy fats and protein, if desired.
- Serve in a reusable pouch, a Smoothie Cup, or a small open cup as you like.
Related Recipes
I’d love to hear your feedback on this post, so please comment and rate the recipe below!
Favorite Yogurt Drinks
Ingredients
- 1 cup whole-milk plain Greek yogurt
- 1 cup fruit (such as fresh or frozen strawberries, banana, diced mango, blueberries, or pear)
- 1/4 cup vegetable (optional, such as fresh spinach, Carrot Puree, Sweet Potato Puree)
- 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup (optional)
Instructions
- Add the ingredients to the blender.
- Blend, starting on low and working up to high to blend very smooth.
- (If your blender came with a stick, use it to help get the mixture moving if needed. If the mixture is ever challenging to blend, add 2 tablespoons milk.)
- Sweeten to taste as desired using the honey or maple syrup.
- Serve or store for a future meal.
Notes
- Store Yogurt Drinks for up to 3 days in an airtight container in the fridge. Shake before serving. NOTE: I do not recommend storing the Blueberry Yogurt Drink as that flavor thickens up in a not-enjoyable way. The others stay a similar drinkable consistency.
- Strawberry Yogurt Drink: Use 1 cup fresh or frozen strawberries as the fruit.
- Strawberry-Banana Yogurt Drink: Use ½ cup fresh or frozen strawberries and ½ cup sliced ripe banana.
- Mango-Carrot Yogurt Drink: Use 1 cup diced fresh or frozen mango as the fruit and ¼ cup Carrot Puree (homemade or store-bought).
- Banana-Spinach Yogurt Drink: Use 1 cup sliced ripe banana and ¼ cup loosely packed baby spinach (it’s less “green” tasting if you freeze the fresh leaves).
- Blueberry-Pear Yogurt Drink: Use ½ cup fresh or frozen blueberries and ½ cup sliced pear.
- Sweet Potato-Mango Yogurt Drink: Use 1 cup diced fresh or frozen mango and ¼ cup Sweet Potato Puree.
- Banana-Cauliflower: Use 1 cup sliced very ripe banana and ¼ cup raw fresh or frozen cauliflower.
- Use whole milk Greek yogurt for the creamiest texture. Regular yogurt will work, though it will be a little less creamy.
- Blend the ingredients, taste, then sweeten with honey (for kids over age 1) or maple syrup to taste. Sweetness can vary considerably in fruit.
- Use fresh or frozen fruit. If you use frozen fruit and the mixture is a little difficult to blend, add 2 tablespoons milk.
- Add 1 tablespoon hemp seeds for additional healthy fats and protein, if desired.
- Dairy-free: Use nondairy yogurt or kefir. This also works with lactose-free options.
- Serve in a reusable pouch, a Smoothie Cup, or a small open cup as you like.
Hello, we don’t have any of the fruits mentioned fresh but preserved (strawberries, blueberries). We have tropical fruits, though, such as pineapple, mango, apples, papaya, dragon fruit, guava, pears, etc. Which of these fruits are suitable as yogurt drinks?
I would start with mango, since it will blend easily, then perhaps pineapple if you have a powerful blender.
This is my go-to list for school lunches! Thank you! So easy because all the ingredients are things I have on hand. We got Squeasy pouches based on your recommendation and we’ve been using them every weekday ever since. We usually send a fruit smoothie with a hidden veg.
I was so thankful that I remembered you had this recipe when my 4 year old wanted to buy yogurt drinks at the store. We whipped these up when we got home with frozen mango and frozen pumpkin purée and they are SO delicious! Thanks!!
What do you think would cause the yogurt to curdle? I used frozen fruit blend of blueberries, cherries, and strawberries. Some pumpkin purée and honey.
If not served right away, it could be the blueberries. They are fine in this if served immediately, but they don’t store well as is mentioned.
This is everything. Thank you! Perfect for a smoothie, but mine was too liquidy for a pouch.
Do you think these would freeze well?
Yes, I would freeze any but the blueberry in reusable pouches for best results.
I made a big batch of these recently to bring on vacation! It was the perfect thing to give my son with breakfast in the morning to get some good nutrition to start the day since we were eating out a ton. He loved it!