There is something wonderfully nostalgic about a cold, creamy shake. Whether it is a classic chocolate milkshake served alongside a burger and fries, a strawberry shake topped with whipped cream, or a modern creation loaded with cookies, candy, and other treats, shakes have earned a special place in American food culture.
Shake Month is a delicious opportunity to celebrate this beloved beverage, experiment with new flavors, and revisit some old-fashioned favorites. From simple three-ingredient shakes to elaborate dessert creations, there are nearly endless ways to enjoy a shake.
The Timeless Appeal of the Milkshake
Milkshakes have been enjoyed in the United States for generations, although early versions were quite different from what we drink today.
The term “milkshake” appeared in the late 19th century, but as refrigeration, electric blenders, ice cream shops, soda fountains, and diners became increasingly popular, the familiar combination of milk, ice cream, and flavored syrup developed into an American favorite.
By the middle of the 20th century, milkshakes had become closely associated with diners, drive-ins, soda fountains, and hamburger restaurants.
Picture the classic scene: a tall glass filled with a thick chocolate shake, whipped cream piled on top, and a cherry providing the finishing touch.
It is an image that continues to represent classic American comfort food.
Why Shakes Remain So Popular
Part of the shake’s lasting appeal is its simplicity.
At its most basic, a milkshake requires only ice cream and milk. Add chocolate syrup, strawberries, vanilla, peanut butter, cookies, or another favorite ingredient, and you can completely change the experience.
Shakes can also bring back memories.
Maybe you remember ordering one during a family trip, sharing a shake on a first date, visiting the neighborhood ice cream shop as a child, or stopping at a diner after a long day.
Food has an incredible ability to connect us with particular people, places, and moments. Sometimes a familiar flavor is all it takes to bring an old memory rushing back.
Classic Shake Flavors
You do not need an enormous list of ingredients to make an incredible shake. Some of the most popular flavors are also the simplest.
Chocolate Shake
Chocolate is difficult to beat. Blend vanilla or chocolate ice cream with milk and chocolate syrup for an old-fashioned favorite.
Vanilla Shake
Simple doesn’t mean boring. Quality vanilla ice cream produces a rich, creamy shake that can be enjoyed alone or used as the foundation for additional flavors.
Strawberry Shake
Fresh or frozen strawberries blended with vanilla or strawberry ice cream create a refreshing combination of sweetness and fruit.
Cookies and Cream Shake
Crushed chocolate sandwich cookies add texture and plenty of flavor to a traditional vanilla shake.
Peanut Butter Shake
Peanut butter adds richness and a slightly salty contrast to the sweetness of the ice cream.
Get Creative With Your Shake
Shake Month is also the perfect excuse to move beyond the classics.
Try combinations such as:
- Salted caramel pretzel
- Chocolate peanut butter
- Banana cream
- Strawberry cheesecake
- Chocolate-covered cherry
- Cookies and cream
- S’mores
- Caramel apple
- Mint chocolate chip
- Birthday cake
- Banana peanut butter
- Chocolate brownie
- Cinnamon roll
- Coffee mocha
- Blueberry cheesecake
You can even create a “shake of the week” challenge during Shake Month and try a different combination each week.
Build the Ultimate Homemade Shake
One of the best things about milkshakes is how easy they are to make at home.
Start with approximately two or three scoops of your favorite ice cream and add a small amount of milk. Blend until smooth, adding additional milk gradually until you reach your preferred consistency.
Then comes the fun part: customization.
Add fruit, cookies, candy pieces, chocolate syrup, caramel, peanut butter, coffee, brownies, or other ingredients.
Finish your creation with whipped cream and toppings.
Depending on the flavor, you might add crushed cookies, chocolate chips, sprinkles, chopped nuts, caramel drizzle, chocolate sauce, fresh berries, or the traditional cherry on top.
Thick or Thin?
Everyone seems to have an opinion about the perfect shake consistency.
Some people want a shake so thick that the straw can practically stand upright. Others prefer something thinner and easier to drink.
For a thicker shake, use more ice cream and less milk.
For a thinner shake, gradually add additional milk until it reaches the consistency you like.
There really isn’t a wrong answer. The perfect shake is the one you enjoy drinking.
Turn Your Favorite Dessert Into a Shake
One fun Shake Month challenge is transforming a favorite dessert into a milkshake.
Love apple pie? Try vanilla ice cream, apple pie filling, cinnamon, and crushed graham crackers.
Love brownies? Blend chocolate ice cream with brownie pieces and chocolate sauce.
Cheesecake fan? Combine vanilla ice cream, cream cheese, graham cracker crumbs, and strawberries or blueberries.
Love s’mores? Try chocolate ice cream with marshmallow creme and graham crackers.
Almost any dessert can provide inspiration for a shake.
Don’t Forget Fruit Shakes and Smoothie-Style Creations
Not every shake has to be an over-the-top dessert.
Fruit-based shakes can provide another refreshing way to celebrate Shake Month. Bananas, strawberries, blueberries, peaches, mangoes, raspberries, and pineapple can all become the foundation for delicious drinks.
Blend fruit with milk, yogurt, ice, or another preferred base to create something lighter than a traditional ice cream shake.
Experimenting with ingredients is part of the fun.
Make a Shake Bar
Hosting friends or family? Create a build-your-own shake bar.
Provide several ice cream flavors along with different toppings and mix-ins. Guests can choose their favorite combinations and invent their own signature shakes.
Possible additions include chocolate chips, crushed cookies, brownies, strawberries, bananas, sprinkles, caramel, chocolate syrup, peanut butter, marshmallows, pretzels, and whipped cream.
You could even have everyone name their creation and vote for the most inventive shake.
Visit a Local Ice Cream Shop or Diner
Shake Month is also a great opportunity to support local businesses.
Visit a neighborhood ice cream shop, diner, burger restaurant, or dessert shop and order a shake you have never tried before.
Local restaurants sometimes have signature creations you cannot easily duplicate at home. You may discover a new favorite while supporting a business in your community.
A Treat Worth Sharing
A shake is more than milk and ice cream blended together. For many people, it represents childhood summers, family outings, diners, road trips, dates, celebrations, and simple moments of happiness.
That is what makes Shake Month worth celebrating.
Make an old-fashioned chocolate shake. Experiment with strawberry cheesecake. Build an outrageous cookie-and-brownie creation. Invite friends over for a shake-making night. Or head to your favorite local ice cream shop and order the flavor that immediately brings back memories.
Sometimes the simplest celebrations are the sweetest.
How Will You Celebrate Shake Month?
Whether you prefer chocolate, vanilla, strawberry, cookies and cream, peanut butter, or something completely original, Shake Month gives you an excellent reason to grab the blender and enjoy a frosty favorite.
What’s your all-time favorite milkshake flavor—and what toppings have to be on it?
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