How to make a thin milkshake at home?

How do you make a thin milkshake?

A thin milkshake just means more milk and less ice cream. One home recipe uses about 1 cup of ice cream to 1/3 cup of milk for a standard, fairly thick shake and notes that adding extra liquid makes it thinner. To make a thin one, start with that base and increase the milk until you like the pour.

Simple recipe for 1 thin shake

• 1 cup vanilla ice cream (about 2 scoops)
• 1/2 cup cold milk, whole milk or a dairy-free milk, plus more if needed
• Optional: 1 to 2 tablespoons chocolate syrup, a few drops of vanilla or some fruit

1. Add milk to the blender first, then the ice cream.
2. Blend on low to medium speed until just smooth.
3. Check the thickness. Add 1 to 2 tablespoons of milk at a time, blend a few seconds, and check again.

Fixing the texture

• Too thick: add more milk a splash at a time.
• Too thin: add a half scoop of ice cream and blend briefly. Over-blending also thins a shake, so stop as soon as it is smooth.
• Soft ice cream: ice cream that has partly melted will give a thinner shake than you expect. Use it straight from the freezer if you want control.

Why does ice cream type matter?

The recipe source recommends full-fat ice cream because it is thicker and holds up better in the blender; a lighter or softer ice cream will give a thinner shake. Ice cubes dilute flavor, so skip them unless you want a lighter, icy drink.

Tips

• Chill your glasses in the freezer first so the shake stays cold longer.
• Get toppings and straws ready before blending, because the shake melts fast.
• No blender? A food processor or an immersion blender in a deep bowl also works.

Milkshakes are a sweet treat; enjoy in moderation. Anyone with allergies should check ice cream labels.