Fun and Funky Milkshakes to Sip All Summer Long

by Staff

Now that long sunny day are here again, it’s finally milkshake season: where we all crave nothing but a creamy drink to enjoy while relaxing on the porch or splashing in the backyard pool with the kids.

While many folks visit ice cream bars and shake shops to get their fix of interesting milkshakes, it can be even more fun to come up with your own unique recipes; it’s especially great if you have children whose off-the-wall ideas can be truly ingenious. However, if you’re struggling to generate any possibilities beyond chocolate and vanilla, here are some offbeat combinations to get your taste buds tingling. If you’re going to be serving up your delicacies on a regular basis, you might consider investing in a cream charger so that you’re always ready with fresh whipped cream to pile on top.

Brioche Waffle Shake

If you’ve never had brioche waffles, also known as Liège waffles, you are truly missing out: this Belgian street food, which can be served hot or cold, has a uniquely crunchy texture thanks to a coating of pearl sugar. Thankfully, you don’t need to head to the airport – or even turn on your oven – in order to enjoy them, as they’re now sold in the bakery section of many large stores, including Walmart.

Recipe:

  • Three scoops of vanilla ice cream
  • Two packaged brioche waffles, crushed
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • Maple syrup to taste
  • Whipped cream for topping

Blend ice cream, milk, maple syrup, and one of the brioche waffles together to make a smooth consistency. Break up the other brioche waffle and add half slowly, pulsing to create a crunchy texture. Top with whipped cream, the other half of the waffle, and a drizzle of maple syrup.

Nutella Pretzel Shake

Pretzels and Nutella are fast and easy snacks that many enjoy as an extra special lunch addition or as a pick-me-up after a long day. But what if you added these together to ice cream for a magical dessert? It’s got a bit of crunch and a lot of sweetness, perfect for a fun day on the beach.

Recipe:

  • Three scoops of chocolate ice cream
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • Two tablespoons of Nutella warmed in a microwave
  • ¼ cup crushed pretzels
  • Whipped cream for topping

Blend ice cream and milk together, then add the warmed Nutella, pulsing until fully integrated. Pour in pretzels and blend until integrated. Top with whipped cream and drizzle with warm Nutella.

Gingerbread House Shake

Who says Santa has full dominion over gingerbread? Even when enjoying the sun instead of snow, you can still elicit fond memories of decorating gingerbread houses by incorporating them into a shake.

Recipe:

  • Three scoops of vanilla ice cream
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 1/4 cup crushed gingerbread cookies
  • Two teaspoons of Torani gingerbread-flavored syrup
  • Whipped cream for topping
  • Gumdrops, for garnish
  • Peppermint sticks (optional)

Blend vanilla ice cream, milk, and gingerbread syrup together until smooth. Add in crushed cookies and pulse until fully integrated. Top with whipped cream, gumdrops, and peppermint sticks if desired.

Cherry Pie Shake

Summer is cherry season, when these delicious fruits are bursting with flavor and available at every grocery store. However, warm cherry pie might not sound appetizing when struggling through the heat, and you might want something a little more fun than just chomping away on raw cherries. That’s why there’s nothing better than a perfectly blended cherry pie shake to get the best of both worlds: sugar sweetness and a cool treat.

Recipe:

  • Three scoops of vanilla ice cream
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 1 cup cherry pie filling
  • Two tablespoons crushed graham crackers
  • 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Whipped cream for topping
  • Cherry pie filling for garnish
  • Maraschino cherry or fresh cherry for garnish

Blend ice cream, milk, cherry pie filling, and vanilla extract. Add crushed graham crackers and pulse until fully integrated. Top with whipped cream, cherry pie filling, and maraschino cherry or fresh cherry if desired.

Mint Julep Shake

While we usually think of mint juleps as an alcoholic, non-dairy drink, there’s no rule that says you can’t enjoy this classic summer flavor as a milkshake – and hold the liquor too!

Recipe:

  • Three scoops of vanilla ice cream, or mint, if desired
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 1/4 cup fresh mint, chopped
  • One tablespoon of Torani bourbon caramel syrup
  • 1/4 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • Whipped cream for topping
  • Fresh mint, for garnish

Blend all ingredients together until smooth. Top with whipped cream and fresh mint. This can also be made alcoholic with two tablespoons of bourbon.

Add your own special flair for even better results

Each of these recipes is simply a jumping-off point for some truly masterful milkshakes that will wow your family and friends. You can even add flavor drops to your whipped cream dispenser for even more customizations options, or get creative with your ice cream choices. The summery blue sky is truly the limit for this classic American treat.

About the Author/s

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The New Jersey Digest is a new jersey magazine that has chronicled daily life in the Garden State for over 10 years.

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