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Ingredients
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Berry Base
Dairy-Free Liquid & Sweetener
Thickener & Texture (optional)
Optional Finishers
Method
Prep the Berries
Thaw and sweeten
Place the 3 cups frozen mixed berries in a medium saucepan or microwave-safe bowl. If using frozen, gently heat over low-medium heat for 3–5 minutes (or microwave in 1-minute bursts) just until they release juices but are not fully broken down. Stir in 2 tablespoons granulated sugar, 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice and 1 teaspoon lemon zest. Cook on low 4–6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until berries are saucy and some pieces have softened. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
If you prefer a completely smooth base, transfer the warm berry mixture to a blender or use an immersion blender and pulse until smooth. For a chunkier texture, leave as is.
Make the Dairy-Free Base
Combine liquids
In a large bowl or jug, whisk together 3 cups unsweetened almond milk, 2 tablespoons maple syrup and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract until well combined.
Taste and adjust sweetness with more maple syrup if desired. The almond milk base should be slightly sweet to balance the tartness of the berries.
Assemble with Thickener (optional)
Add chia and oats (optional)
If using chia seeds and rolled oats for thickness and texture, stir 2 tablespoons chia seeds and 1 tablespoon rolled oats into the bowl with the almond milk mixture. Let sit for 10–15 minutes, stirring once or twice, until the chia seeds swell and the mixture thickens slightly. If you don’t want added texture, skip this step.
Chill and Serve
Chill
Cover and refrigerate the combined mixture for at least 30 minutes to let flavors meld and the texture set. If you used cooked warm berries and want to serve immediately, allow to cool to room temperature before chilling to avoid warming the whole mixture.
If you used chia and prefer a pourable smoothie-style drink, add a little extra almond milk to thin before serving.