How to make a milkshake thicker?

How do you make a milkshake thicker?

The main lever is the ratio of ice cream to milk. A gelato maker quoted by a food site recommends two parts ice cream to one part milk. He says too much milk makes the shake watery and too little makes it too thick to drink. Start there and adjust.

Step by step

1. Scoop the ice cream into the blender first. Let it soften for a few minutes if rock hard, so you need less milk.
2. Add the milk gradually, starting with less than you think you need.
3. Blend briefly until smooth.
4. Taste, then correct: too thick, add a splash of milk; too thin, add more ice cream.

Which milk and ice cream?

The expert suggests whole milk, because its higher fat makes a creamier shake than lower-fat options. Dense, full-fat ice cream thickens better than light, airy ice cream. Chill the glass in the freezer for a colder start.

Do you need thickeners?

The expert says stabilizers and other mix-ins are not needed if your ingredients are good quality; if a shake needs them, change the ice cream instead. Other common home fixes, from general kitchen practice, are frozen banana, frozen berries or a spoon of malted milk powder, though these also change the taste.

Skip the ice

Ice waters down the flavor. A vegan shake guide suggests freezing plant milk in ice cube trays and blending those instead, which keeps the shake thick and strong in flavor.

How do you fix a runny milkshake?

• Add another scoop of ice cream and blend a few seconds.
• Add frozen fruit.
• Pop the blended shake in the freezer for about 5 minutes (the vegan guide suggests this) before serving.

Thick or thin: how to decide

A thick shake needs a wide straw or spoon. If you prefer sipping through a regular straw, use less ice cream or more milk.