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How to Make the Best Old-Fashioned Milkshake

Make a thick and creamy milkshake at home that will rival the ones sold at your local ice cream shop!
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I've worked numerous odd jobs throughout my life, but my favorite by far was working for my town's local Dairy Queen. I worked alongside some of my best friends in high school and got to serve the town delicious treats on those humid summer nights. Throughout those many years, I learned a thing or two on how to make delectable ice cream treats, including the good old-fashioned milkshake.

The trick to a good, thick milkshake is your ice cream-to-milk ratio. You actually want to have more ice cream than milk in order for the milkshake to be thick and creamy. It's kind of an art, but once you get used to it, making it at home is a breeze—and rather addicting if I'm being honest here! And the only equipment you'll need is a blender.

Here's my step-by-step guide on how to make a milkshake at home.

Old-Fashioned Milkshake Recipe

three types of milkshakes with red straws
Kiersten Hickman/Eat This, Not That!

Makes 1 serving


Ingredients

For the milkshake

2 scoops french vanilla ice cream
1/2 cup milk

For the flavor, pick one

1 Tbsp chocolate syrup
4 frozen strawberries
1 Tbsp peanut butter

How to Make It

Scoop in the ice cream

adding ice cream to a blender
Kiersten Hickman/Eat This, Not That!

Scoop in two scoops of French Vanilla ice cream into a blender.

Pour in the milk

pouring milk into a blender with ice cream
Kiersten Hickman/Eat This, Not That!

Pour in half a cup of milk. If you want a thicker consistency, use more ice cream and less milk.

Add your flavor

adding chocolate sauce to a blender with milkshake mixture
Kiersten Hickman/Eat This, Not That!

Add in whichever flavor you desire. For a chocolate milkshake, I add in about 1 tablespoon of chocolate syrup. The same goes for peanut butter. For a strawberry milkshake, blend up 4 frozen strawberries.

Blend for 10 seconds

blending a chocolate milkshake
Kiersten Hickman/Eat This, Not That!

Blend for 10 seconds, or until smooth, on low if possible. If the milkshake is too thick, add more milk. Too thin? Add in more ice cream.

Add toppings, if desired

adding whipped cream to a milkshake
Kiersten Hickman/Eat This, Not That!

Top your milkshakes with whatever toppings you desire. Traditionally, milkshakes are served with whipped cream and a cherry. But honestly, you can top them with sprinkles, chocolate—anything, really. The choice is yours!

Full Milkshake Recipe

  1. Add the scoops of ice cream to the blender. Pour in the milk.
  2. For a flavored milkshake, add in the chocolate syrup (or whichever flavoring you desire).
  3. Blend until smooth. If the consistency is too thick, add in a small amount of milk at a time until the shake thickness is to your liking. If too thin, add more ice cream.
  4. Serve with whipped cream and toppings.

The easy way to make healthier comfort foods.

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Kiersten Hickman
Kiersten Hickman is a freelance health and nutrition journalist. Read more about Kiersten
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