What is a milkshake?
A milkshake is a sweet, cold, thick drink made by blending milk, ice cream and a flavoring such as chocolate, vanilla or fruit. Names vary by region: some places call the ice cream version a thick shake, a frappe or a cabinet. A malted milkshake adds malted milk powder.
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In this article
What is a milkshake?
A milkshake is a cold drink made from milk, ice cream and flavorings, blended until smooth and thick enough to sip through a wide straw. Flavorings include chocolate or fruit syrup, caramel, butterscotch, fresh fruit, cookies and candy. Non-dairy versions use plant milk and plant-based ice cream.
What is in a milkshake?
- Ice cream: gives body and sweetness.
- Milk: thins it to a drinkable texture.
- Flavoring: syrup, fruit, cocoa, extracts or mix-ins.
- Optional extras: whipped cream, a cherry, or malted milk powder.
What are the different names for a milkshake?
| Name | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Milkshake | Milk, ice cream and flavoring in most of the United States |
| Thick shake | Used to separate ice cream shakes from plain flavored milk |
| Frappe | Used in parts of New England and eastern Canada, where milkshake may mean a drink without ice cream |
| Cabinet | Rhode Island name for a shake with ice cream |
| Malt (malted milkshake) | A shake made with malted milk powder |
| Concrete | A very thick shake, a term used by some chains |
Where did the milkshake come from?
The word first appeared in print in 1885, describing an alcoholic, eggnog-like drink. By 1900 it referred to drinks made with chocolate, strawberry or vanilla syrups, and people began asking for ice cream in them in the early 1900s. A bottom-motor blender invented in 1922 is sometimes used for milkshakes. Malted milk powder, invented in 1897, led to the malted shake.
How do you make a basic milkshake?
- Put 3 scoops of ice cream in a blender.
- Add about a quarter to a half cup of cold milk.
- Add your flavoring.
- Blend briefly until smooth, then pour into a chilled glass.
For a thinner shake, add more milk a splash at a time. For a thicker one, add more ice cream.
Is a milkshake healthy?
It is a dessert. Shakes are made with sugar-sweetened ice cream and syrups, so calories and sugar vary a lot by size and recipe. Check the menu or label if you want exact numbers.
People also ask
What is in a milkshake?
Milk, ice cream and flavoring such as chocolate, vanilla or fruit, blended until smooth.
What is the difference between a milkshake and a malt?
A malt is a milkshake with malted milk powder added, which gives a toasty, slightly sweet flavor.
Is a milkshake the same as a smoothie?
No. A milkshake is made with ice cream and milk, while a smoothie is usually blended fruit with yogurt, juice or milk.
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