How to Make the Absolute Best Milkshakes

For nearly fifteen years, each summer I’ve left the cool weather of San Francisco behind and spent a few weeks on Cape Cod visiting my husband’s family. Over time, I’ve come to look forward to many local food traditions, from fresh lobster dinners to crispy fried clams. Still, the highlight of every trip is always a visit to Sundae School, a classic old-style ice cream shop where the desserts are so popular that lines often stretch out the door.

While others in my family usually choose hot fudge sundaes, I never change my order: a raspberry Oreo frappe, which is what New Englanders call a milkshake. It’s incredibly thick, packed with raspberry ice cream, and always so rich that I start eating it with a spoon before switching to a straw once it loosens up.

Inspired by that experience, I set out to recreate the same kind of milkshake at home, focusing on achieving the perfect balance: thick enough for a spoon to stand upright, yet still drinkable. I also wanted the mix-ins to remain in small pieces, while preserving a strong ice cream flavor without watering it down too much.

What Makes a Great Milkshake

At its core, a milkshake only requires ice cream and milk, but small adjustments make a big difference in quality. Once you understand the basics, you can easily customize it with different flavors and toppings.

After many rounds of testing (enthusiastically sampled by my young daughter), I’ve developed a method that consistently produces a rich, creamy, and well-balanced shake that rivals what you’d get at an ice cream shop.

Essential Ingredients for a Milkshake

Ice cream is the foundation of any good milkshake. It’s best to start with plain varieties that don’t already contain chunks or mix-ins. Classic options like vanilla, chocolate, or strawberry work very well. Any additional ingredients like cookies or fruit should be added separately so they stay slightly textured without turning the whole drink grainy.

Milk helps blend everything together. Around two-thirds of a cup is usually enough to loosen the mixture while still keeping the flavor strong. Whole milk gives the creamiest result, but other types can be used depending on what you have available.

Steps to Prepare a Milkshake

Begin by letting the ice cream sit at room temperature for a short time so it becomes slightly softer and easier to blend.

If possible, place your serving glasses in the freezer to chill them. Any mix-ins should be chopped ahead of time so they are ready to use.

Add ingredients to the blender in a specific order: first the milk, then any flavor enhancers, followed by softened ice cream.

Start blending at a low speed, gradually increasing until the mixture becomes smooth and easy to pour.

If you are using add-ins, fold them in afterward and pulse gently just a few times. Avoid over-blending so the texture stays pleasant and the pieces don’t disappear completely.

Pour the finished shake into prepared glasses. You can decorate the inside of the glass with chocolate or caramel sauce before adding the milkshake. Top with whipped cream or other garnishes if desired, and serve immediately with straws and spoons.

Ways to Customize Your Milkshake

A small spoonful of flavor enhancers can elevate the taste. Options include malted milk powder, powdered milk, chocolate syrup, strawberry jam, or vanilla syrup. If using extracts such as vanilla, only a small amount is needed.

For texture, about half a cup of mix-ins works well. These can include crushed cookies, nuts, or candy pieces.

Toppings can make the drink feel more like a classic dessert. Whipped cream and a cherry create a traditional finish, while drizzling syrup along the inside of the glass adds extra visual appeal.

Favorite Flavor Combinations

Mocha almond fudge combines coffee ice cream, chocolate sauce, and chopped almonds for a rich, nutty drink.

Strawberry pie blends strawberry ice cream with jam and shortbread cookies for a dessert-like shake.

Vanilla Oreo uses vanilla ice cream, a touch of vanilla extract, and crushed Oreo cookies for a cookies-and-cream style treat.

Malted chocolate crunch mixes chocolate ice cream with malted milk powder and malted milk candies for a deep, nostalgic flavor.

Helpful Advice for Best Results

A standard blender is more than enough for making milkshakes at home. While specialized milkshake machines can blend more gently, a regular blender works well if used correctly.

To protect texture, avoid using ice creams that already contain chunks. The blender blades tend to break mix-ins into very small pieces, so it’s better to add them at the very end and only pulse briefly.

Following these small techniques helps create a thick, creamy milkshake that feels just like one from a classic ice cream parlor.