What is the history of malt milkshakes?
The malted milkshake combines ice cream, milk and malted-milk powder. Malted milk was developed by the Horlick brothers in the 19th century as a nutritional supplement, and in 1922 a soda jerk at a Chicago Walgreens named Ivar "Pop" Coulson is credited with adding it to a shake. Dates vary by source.
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In this article
Where did malted milk come from?
William and James Horlick created malted milk, which debuted in 1873 as a nutritional supplement for babies and sick adults, according to Tasting Table. It was a powder of malted barley, wheat flour and dried milk. Because it was shelf-stable and portable, explorers, athletes and soldiers used it. Other histories give different dates for the Horlick products and patents, so the exact year is uncertain.
Who made the first malted milkshake?
The term “milkshake” first appeared in 1855, describing an alcoholic, eggnog-style drink made with whiskey. The modern malted shake is usually credited to Ivar “Pop” Coulson, a soda jerk at a Chicago Walgreens, who in 1922 blended two scoops of vanilla ice cream with milk, chocolate syrup and malted-milk powder. Walgreens did not invent the milkshake itself, but it is credited with the “malted” version. Coulson did not invent the powder; he used the existing Horlick’s brand.
Timeline
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1855 | “Milkshake” first appears as an alcoholic, eggnog-style drink |
| 1873 | Horlick malted milk debuts as a nutritional supplement (date varies by source) |
| 1922 | Chicago Walgreens soda jerk blends ice cream with malt powder |
| Later | Drugstore soda fountains become known as malt shops |
What is a malt today?
A malt is a milkshake with malted-milk powder added, giving a toasty, slightly sweet, nutty taste. A plain shake has no malt. You can order or make either at a diner, and the powder is sold in grocery stores.
Notes on the sources
The 1922 Walgreens story is widely repeated in popular food writing; spellings of Coulson’s first name vary, and details differ between accounts. This page follows the Tasting Table account we read and flags where sources disagree.
People also ask
Who invented the malted milkshake?
Ivar "Pop" Coulson, a soda jerk at a Chicago Walgreens, is credited with creating it in 1922.
What is malted milk powder made of?
Malted barley, wheat flour and dried milk, according to the account we read.
What is the difference between a shake and a malt?
A malt adds malted-milk powder to a shake, giving a toasted, nutty flavor.
Sources
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