They might be a cool type of drink, but milkshakes are one of the best beverages to enjoy year-round. We love drinking them to cool off in summer, but we also adore drinking indulgent ones in the middle of winter.
Milkshakes are creamy, velvety, and full of flavor.
They are so versatile, as you can blend them with fruit to keep them light and sweet or add decadent ingredients like cookies and brownies, creating a truly indulgent beverage.
There are also endless toppings to choose from. You can stick with the traditional swirl of whipped cream, or go for something interesting, like caramel sauce, pretzels, or even cereal!
We’ve rounded up some of the tastiest milkshake recipes online for you to try at home.
Whether you prefer something light and refreshing, or creamy and indulgent, there’s bound to be a milkshake recipe you love in our article.
Keep reading to find your perfect milkshake recipe below!
1. The Perfect Milkshake
This recipe is one of the easiest milkshake recipes (see also ‘13 Best Fast Food Milkshakes In America‘) you’ll ever make. It involves using equal amounts of ice cream and milk, but you can personalize the rest of it to your liking.
A tasty option is transforming the shake into a malt one by adding some malt powder to the mix. The result is a creamy, sweet drink with pleasant rich undertones – in other words, the perfect milkshake!
2. Do-Si-Do Milkshake
If you love Girl Scout Cookies, you need to try this shake recipe. Do-Si-Dos are one of the most popular flavors of Girl Scout cookies, but you don’t need to buy a box for this recipe!
This version uses peanut butter and vanilla ice cream to deliver that classic Do-Si-Do flavor. Top yours with some whipped cream and enjoy dipping peanut butter cookies into the shake while you relax.
3. Strawberry Milkshake
We couldn’t put this list together without including the classic strawberry milkshake.
Fruiter than vanilla and lighter than chocolate, strawberry milkshakes are one of the most popular shake flavors in the United States.
Use frozen strawberries in this recipe to keep your shake indulgently thick.
You can also add cocoa powder to the mix to add some rich chocolate notes, but the strawberries taste just as good on their own too.
4. Mocha Milkshakes
Here’s a recipe for the coffee lovers out there (see also ‘18 Amazing Keto Coffee Drinks You Need To Try‘)!
This milkshake plays on the ingredients of a classic mocha.
It mixes coffee-flavored ice cream with cocoa, espresso, and dark chocolate. These all give the shake potent rich flavors with decadently sweet undertones.
Mocha’s look great with a whipped cream topping, and so does this milkshake. This shake is thick, so we’d recommend using a spoon to eat it.
5. Oreo Milkshake
Everyone loves dunking Oreos into a glass of milk, but this milkshake is the best of both worlds!
The Oreo milkshake is a blend of two desserts that both children and adults are sure to love.
The cookies keep the shake sweet but also add a slight crunch to the shake. Milk will tone down some of the sweet notes, but helps to make the shake velvety and thick.
The dark flecks from the Oreos also look amazing in contrast with the white creamy shake, making it look just as good as it tastes!
6. Salted Caramel Pretzel Milkshake
This milkshake uses pretzels alongside salted caramel flavors that will bring out the best of each other. You can make it without salt, but we wouldn’t recommend it.
The salt will enhance the sweetness coming from the caramel sauce, making the drink extremely delicious. Top yours with some cream and broken pretzels for some extra flair!
7. Mint Chocolate Chip Milkshake
Mint chocolate divides people, as some love it, while others hate it. If you’re part of the former crowd, you have to give this mint chocolate shake a go.
This recipe blends ice cream and whole milk for a thick, decadent and invigorating result. Try keeping your milkshake glasses in the freezer beforehand to keep the shakes cold as you drink them!
8. Pumpkin Spice Latte Milkshake
The pumpkin spice latte is full of flavors that epitomize fall. This milkshake contains all of these strong notes, just in a cooler beverage!
This shake blends ice cream, coffee, spices, and pumpkin puree to create a rich and creamy drink. Finish your milkshake off with a swirl of whipped cream and pumpkin pie spice for a pleasing garnish!
9. Creamsicle Milkshakes
Creamsicles aren’t as popular today, but they are some of the tastiest ice-cream treats you could ever have!
This shake blends orange sherbet and vanilla ice cream to give that classic creamsicle flavor.
If you’re serving this milkshake to other people, try garnishing each glass with maraschino cherries and orange slices. You’re sure to get a positive result!
10. Skinny Chocolate Milkshake
The milkshakes on this list might be tasty, but most of them are full of fat, sugar, and calories.
This recipe is perfect if you’re watching what you eat. It uses bananas to provide sweetness without sugar. You’ll also get a chocolatey flavor from the cocoa powder and a nice creaminess from the coconut milk.
If your diet allows it, try adding cinnamon and coconut whipped cream on top for a nice finish.
11. The Healthiest Peanut Butter Milkshake
Here’s another option if you’d prefer a healthier milkshake recipe. This shake only needs four ingredients which are all better choices for your health.
Bananas, peanut butter, and coconut milk blend to deliver a thick, sweet, and creamy shake.
You can also add a little maple syrup if you’d like a sweeter drink. Just make sure that the bananas are frozen to keep the shake as creamy as possible.
12. Lemonade Milkshake
Lemonade and milk don’t sound like the most pleasant combination but trust us, they bring the best out of each other in this recipe!
The secret here is vanilla yogurt, as its vanilla notes pair nicely with fresh lemon juice. Maple syrup is also added to make the shake sweeter.
Make sure that you use light coconut milk, as the regular version will add coconut notes that won’t taste good alongside the lemon ones.
13. Boozy S’mores Milkshake
This is one for the grown-ups!
S’mores and alcohol are sure to be popular with everyone over 21.
This boozy shake is full of decadent ingredients, including marshmallow fluff, Baileys, and chocolate ice cream. Vanilla vodka adds a nice edge to the drink while adding tasty vanilla undertones.
This drink is meant to be indulgent, so feel free to top with tasty ingredients, like chocolate squares, cream, and mini marshmallows.
14. Copycat McDonald’s Shamrock Shake
McDonald’s Shamrock Shake (see also ‘19 Of The Most Delicious Coffee Drinks On The McDonald’s Menu‘) is a mint and vanilla flavored milkshake which is only available to purchase in March each year.
It might be a limited drink, but you can make your version right at home.
The secret is green food coloring and peppermint extract, but be careful not to use too much! You only need a few of these ingredients to avoid overpowering the drink.
If you’re of drinking age, whiskey and vodka both go well in this drink, but you can try Baileys for an even more indulgent finish.
15. Bacon Milkshake
Yes, you heard that right! If you love bacon, you need to try this milkshake. The salty notes from the bacon go well alongside the milk. The chocolate drizzle adds a sweet layer which brings the bacon’s flavors out well.
Thick-cut bacon works best in this milkshake, but don’t use precooked bacon as you’ll need the cooking fat in one of the recipe’s steps.
16. Red, White & Boozy Shakes
This alcoholic milkshake is the perfect recipe to make on July 4th, or whenever you’re feeling patriotic! Each colored portion is thick enough to sit on top of the other, looking striking as each layer shines through each glass.
You can use plain vodka for the white layer, but if you don’t want to use food coloring, raspberry sorbet and blue Curaçao work well for the red and blue layers.
17. Healthy Chocolate Milkshake & Healthy Skoop
This milkshake uses Skoop, a super green powder that helps people get their daily dose of greens. These powders can taste very earthy by themselves, but that’s where this milkshake comes in.
It blends chocolate frozen yogurt and almond milk with the super green powder. You’ll get the benefits from the supplement without the grassy taste!
This shake is also gluten and dairy free, just make sure that your frozen yogurt is the dairy-free variety.
18. Lemon Pie Milkshakes
This milkshake is perfect for hot summer days. It uses fresh lemon juice and lemon curd for a refreshing taste.
Vanilla ice cream and whole milk tone down the lemon’s sour notes, keeping the drink light, zesty, and smooth. Use crushed graham crackers around the rim of your glass for an extra crunch.
19. Pina Colada Milkshakes
This recipe takes the same creamy and fruity flavors from a pina colada and uses them in a milkshake!
Like the original cocktail, the shake blends pineapple, coconut cream, and rum, but also uses ice cream to create a thick and velvety shake.
If you don’t drink, simply leave out the liqueur and add more coconut cream to compensate for the loss of flavor. That’s it!
20. Dates Milkshake Recipe
If you’d prefer a healthier milkshake option, try this date milkshake.
As dates have such a strong, sweet flavor, you won’t need many more ingredients for this recipe. All you need are dates, milk, and cinnamon to taste!
If you prefer creamier milkshakes, you can add ice cubes or ice cream to the blender. Ice cream will make the drink even sweeter, so don’t use too much!
21. Pie Butter Pecan Milkshake
Pumpkin pie is traditional around Thanksgiving, but you can enjoy this shake throughout the year!
This recipe is unlike any other pumpkin drink, as you’ll be blending a large slice of pumpkin pie to make the shake!
This is definitely a decadent drink, so don’t be afraid to top it with indulgent toppings. Pecan ice cream, whipped cream, and pumpkin pie spice are all tasty options.
22. Whiskey Praline Milkshake
We love making boozy milkshakes, and this whiskey option always hits the spot! You’ll only need three ingredients for this one, milk, whiskey, and praline ice cream.
Praline and whiskey have rich toasted notes that taste amazing when softened with milk and ice cream.
If you can’t find praline, maple walnut and butter pecan ice cream also taste nice with the whiskey. Keep tasting the drink as you make it, as you might need to add more whiskey along the way.
23. Key Lime Milkshake
These milkshakes taste exactly like key lime pie, just in the form of a tasty milkshake! These sweet and sour shakes are the perfect thing to cool you down in hot weather.
If you’d like a boozier version, try adding a little tequila to the blender. Coconut rum is also another option if you prefer the taste of coconut.
24. Spiked Grasshopper Milkshake
This milkshake is a boozy version of a mint chocolate ice cream shake.
You’ll blend mint chocolate ice cream and chocolate mint cookies. This creates a sweet base with crunchy cookie pieces running through the drink. Creme de Menthe and Creme de Cacao are also added to give the drink an extra edge.
Top your milkshake with crushed chocolate cookies to finish!
25. Peanut Butter And Jelly Milkshake
Peanut butter and jelly are a classic combination, and you can now taste them within a milkshake!
All you need are four ingredients, peanut butter, your choice of jelly, milk, and vanilla ice cream. The ice cream will keep the shake creamy and will harmonize well with the richness of the peanut butter.
Garnish with whipped cream, peanut butter, or even extra jelly!
26. Vegan Peanut Butter Fudge Brownie Milkshake
Here’s a completely vegan-friendly milkshake recipe. This uses brownies and peanut butter for rich chocolatey flavors. Vegan ice cream and plant-based milk are then added to soften these strong notes.
You can use any non-dairy milk that you wish, but we’d recommend using oat milk. Oat milk is slightly creamy and has pleasant sweet undertones that pair well with the rest of the ingredients.
27. Adult Mexican Chocolate Milkshake Recipe
This milkshake recipe is certainly grown up!
It uses coffee liqueur and chipotle chili powder to make a rich and spicy beverage. Vanilla and cocoa powder create a sweet and creamy base, while cinnamon and chili powder add a peppery savory element.
Finish your milkshake off with whipped cream and a dusting of cinnamon, or even some more chili powder if you like it spicy!
28. Red Wine Milkshakes
Red wine and milk sound like a disaster waiting to happen, but try it out before you criticize it!
Red wine has many rich and flavorful notes that are softened when mixed with milk. You can add as much or as little wine as you like in this recipe, but remember that you’re adding vodka too, so be careful!
Add a few maraschino cherries as a garnish to bring out the pink colors in the shake.
29. Bourbon Milk Punch
Bourbon and honey are a match made in heaven. This shake is full of caramel notes from the bourbon, which tastes amazing when paired with gooey sweet honey.
Cinnamon, vanilla ice cream and caramel drizzle also add extra sweet layers to the shake, but the alcohol in the bourbon will prevent the drink from being too cloying.
Keep some extra cinnamon on hand to garnish the shake later.
30. Tiramisu Milkshake
Just like the traditional dessert, this Tiramisu milkshake is full of creamy coffee flavors that taste amazing!
Vanilla ice cream is blended with mocha coffee and mascarpone cheese for a velvety texture. Ladyfinger cookies are also added to give the shake an extra dimension.
This shake looks perfect when garnished with cream and chocolate syrup, resembling an actual tiramisu in the process!
31. Tahini Milkshake
Tahini is like a complex form of peanut butter, and just like peanut butter, it tastes amazing in a milkshake. These ingredients used are all-natural, meaning that the milkshake is also completely vegan!
As tahini and bananas blend, the nutty notes of the tahini stand out against the banana’s fruity sweet flavors. Cinnamon is also used, which harmonizes well with the tahini’s rich notes.
Try blending the shake with frozen almond milk blocks, as this will keep the milkshake thicker for longer.
32. The Best Ever Banana Milkshake
It can be hard to find a tasty banana milkshake recipe. Some taste artificial, while others start resembling smoothies, but this is one of the best banana shake recipes you’ll ever find!
It uses vanilla ice cream and ripe bananas, creating a sweet shake that softens the fruity notes coming from the bananas.
Whole milk is also used to make the shake creamier, while cinnamon balances out the saccharine flavors from the fruit.
A good tip is to use frozen banana pieces, as this will make the shake thick and creamy.
You can also add other ingredients, like peanut butter or cocoa for a richer taste, but this shake tastes just as good without them.
33. Cap’n Crunch Milkshakes
Lastly, we have a unique flavored shake. Fans of Cap’n Crunch cereal need to try this milkshake recipe!
It blends vanilla ice cream with cereal, milk, and peanut butter. The result is a nutty shake that’s deliciously creamy!
You’ll need to make a bowl of Cap’n Crunch beforehand, as this will infuse the milk with the sweet notes from the cereal.
Try coating your serving glasses with crushed Cap’n Crunch pieces. Melted peanut butter and whipped cream also look great on top, as well as extra cereal pieces.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do You Put Ice In A Milkshake?
The decision to use or not to use ice in a milkshake varies. Some think that ice will water down the shake’s consistency, while others think that it will keep the drink thick and cool.
Ice will initially make your milkshake thick, but as the ice melts, you’ll notice that the shake turns runnier and its flavors aren’t as strong.
What Is The Most Popular Shake Flavor?
The most popular milkshake flavor varies across the US, but overall, America’s most popular shake flavor is strawberry.
This may be surprising seeing as options like chocolate and vanilla are thought of as classic shake flavors. However, Northern states Indiana, Maine, and Michigan did choose chocolate as their favorite shake flavor.
What Kind Of Milk Is Best For Milkshakes?
Milkshakes can be made with any kind of milk, but the type you use will affect the consistency of the recipe. Full-fat milk will give you a thicker shake, but skimmed milk will make the mixture runny.
Non-dairy milk also gives a different result depending on the type that you use. Almond milk tends to give the runniest results, but oat and soy milk can deliver a slightly creamier finish.
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