Different types of milkshakes
USDA FoodData Central does not rank milkshake flavors. It lists shakes by how they are made (fast food, home recipe, bottled, malted, thick) and by chocolate versus other flavors. A fast-food chocolate shake is listed at 150 kcal per 100 g, and a thick vanilla shake container (11 oz, 313 g) at about 351 kcal (our calculation from USDA data).
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What types of milkshakes are there?
We found no official list of milkshake flavors. The official food database, USDA FoodData Central, sorts shakes into a few types instead: fast food, home recipe, bottled, malted and thick shakes. Within those, it separates chocolate from all other flavors. Flavor names such as strawberry or mint are not listed as separate entries.
How do the types compare?
| Type (USDA entry) | Calories per 100 g | Sugars per 100 g |
|---|---|---|
| Fast food, chocolate | 150 kcal | 13.4 g |
| Fast food, other flavors | 148 kcal | 13.6 g |
| Bottled, chocolate | 150 kcal | 13.4 g |
| Home recipe, chocolate | 120 kcal | 12.6 g |
| Home recipe, other flavors | 113 kcal | 10.7 g |
| With malt | 125 kcal | 12.0 g |
| Thick, chocolate | 119 kcal | 20.85 g |
| Thick, vanilla | 112 kcal | 17.75 g |
USDA data is for generic products, not a particular chain or recipe.
How big is a thick shake?
USDA lists a thick chocolate shake container as 10.6 oz (300 g) and a thick vanilla container as 11 oz (313 g). Our calculation: that is about 357 kcal and 63 g sugars for chocolate, and about 351 kcal and 56 g sugars for vanilla.
What if I want something colder with less sugar?
A fruit smoothie is a different drink. USDA lists a bottled fruit smoothie at 50 kcal and 10 g sugars per 100 g. See our smoothie versus milkshake guide for the comparison.
People also ask
What are the different types of milkshakes?
USDA FoodData Central groups shakes by how they are made (fast food, home recipe, bottled, malted, thick) and by chocolate versus other flavors. It has no official flavor list.
Which milkshake has the most calories?
Per 100 g, USDA lists fast-food and bottled chocolate shakes highest at 150 kcal. A whole thick shake container is about 350 kcal (our calculation).
Is a thick shake the same as a milkshake?
USDA lists thick chocolate and thick vanilla shakes as their own entries. They are higher in sugars per 100 g (17.75 to 20.85 g) than fast-food shakes (about 13.4 g).
Sources
- USDA FoodData Central: Milk shakes, thick chocolate (SR Legacy 170883), read 5 Nov 2026
- USDA FoodData Central: Milk shakes, thick vanilla (SR Legacy 170884), read 5 Nov 2026
- USDA FoodData Central: Milk shake, fast food, chocolate (FNDDS 2705508), read 5 Nov 2026
- USDA FoodData Central: Milk shake, home recipe, chocolate (FNDDS 2705503), read 5 Nov 2026
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