Milkshakes are a delicious and refreshing drink that can be enjoyed any time of year. But during the hot summer months, nothing quite hits the spot like an ice cold, rich and creamy chocolate milkshake! They are relatively easy to whip up at home, requiring just a handful of ingredients that most people have on hand.
In this comprehensive guide, we will walk through everything you need to know to make chocolate milkshakes from scratch. We will cover:
- The basic ingredients and equipment you need
- How to choose the right chocolate and milk
- Flavor additions like vanilla, peanut butter, or mint
- Mixing tips to achieve the perfect thick, creamy texture
- Serving suggestions like toppings and glassware
So read on for all the information, tips and tricks to create chocolate milkshake perfection!
Basic Ingredients
At its most basic, a chocolate milkshake contains just three key ingredients: chocolate, milk, and ice cream.
Chocolate – The chocolate provides the signature chocolate flavor. You can use chocolate syrup, cocoa powder, melted chocolate or a combination.
Milk – The milk provides creaminess and a milky background note. Whole milk works best, but 2% or 1% milk can also be used.
Ice Cream – Vanilla ice cream is most traditional, but you can experiment with chocolate or coffee ice creams as well. The ice cream gives body, thickness and frozen richness.
Beyond these core ingredients, there are several optional mix-ins that can add flavor and texture:
- Whipped cream
- Chocolate chips or chocolate shavings
- Chopped nuts like peanuts or almonds
- Crushed cookies like Oreos or chocolate wafers
- Sprinkles or other candy toppings
Let’s look more closely at the key ingredients so you know what to look for when purchasing:
Choosing the Chocolate
The chocolate you select will have a big impact on the flavor of your milkshake. Here are some of the most common types:
Chocolate syrup – Simple, sweet and easy to mix in. Hershey’s is the classic choice.
Cocoa powder – Adds rich chocolate flavor without sweetness. Look for natural or Dutch processed.
Melted chocolate – Provides intense chocolate taste and luxurious texture. Use dark, milk or white.
Chocolate-flavored sauce – Thicker than syrups, sauces cling to ice cream well. Fudge sauce is a delicious option.
We recommend using a combination of chocolate syrup and cocoa powder. The syrup provides sweetness and easy blending, while the cocoa powder contributes extra chocolate punch. Feel free to experiment with your favorite chocolates too!
Picking the Right Milk
When making a shake with ice cream, it’s best to use whole milk. Whole milk has higher fat content which leads to a rich, creamy texture. Skim or low fat milk may lead to a thinner, icier shake.
That said, 2% or 1% milk can still produce great tasting shakes if whole milk is unavailable. Just be aware the texture may turn out lighter.
For the creamiest result, we suggest whole milk or even heavy cream if you want an ultra thick and decadent milkshake.
Choosing the Ice Cream
Premium ice cream brands will make the creamiest, dreamiest milkshakes. Look for ice creams that are creamy and rich, rather than icy or crumbly. Traditional vanilla is a sure bet, but chocolate, coffee, cookies and cream or peanut butter flavors can be amazing too.
You can even mix in a few different ice cream flavors to create your own custom creation. Just be wary of going overboard on mix-ins or the texture can become too thick.
Now that you know the key ingredients, let’s talk equipment!
Equipment Needed
One of the great things about milkshakes is they require minimal equipment to prepare. You likely have everything you need in your kitchen already:
- Blender – This is key for blending ice cream, milk and chocolate smoothly.
- Glasses – Thick, chill-proof glasses or mugs to serve shakes in.
- Straws – Essential for slurping up that thick, cold shake!
- Spoon – Helpful for scooping ice cream and mixing ingredients.
- Measuring cup – For accurately measuring milk and any liquid ingredients.
Optional but useful equipment:
- Whipped cream canister – For making fresh whipped cream to top shakes.
- Ice cream scoop – Handy for cleanly portioning ice cream.
- Sprinkle shakers – For topping shakes with rainbow sprinkles!
A powerful blender is ideal since milkshakes are thick. But a regular household blender will get the job done too.
Now let’s get into the fun part…making the shakes!
Chocolate Milkshake Recipe
Once you have gathered your key ingredients and equipment, it’s time to start blending up chocolatey goodness!
Here is a basic recipe to follow:
Ingredients:
- 2 cups vanilla ice cream
- 3/4 cup whole milk
- 1/4 cup chocolate syrup
- 2 tbsp cocoa powder
- Whipped cream (for topping)
- Maraschino cherry (for garnish)
Instructions:
- Add the ice cream, milk, chocolate syrup and cocoa powder to a blender.
- Blend on high speed until smooth and creamy, about 30 seconds.
- Pour into a chilled tall glass.
- Top with whipped cream and a maraschino cherry.
- Add a straw and serve immediately.
This recipe makes one large 16 ounce milkshake. Feel free to adjust it to serve more or less people. The basic ratio is 2 parts ice cream to 1 part milk.
Now let’s go over some easy ways to customize your chocolate shakes…
Customizing Your Chocolate Milkshake
One of the great things about shakes is how versatile they are. Don’t be afraid to get creative with mix-ins and toppings to invent your own signature creation!
Here are some easy ways to put a unique spin on chocolate shakes:
Flavored syrups – Swap some of the chocolate syrup for strawberry, caramel, peanut butter or mint syrup.
Sprinkles – Rainbow or chocolate sprinkles on top add festive color and crunch.
Whipped cream – Pile high with mounds of fluffy whipped cream.
Chocolate chips – Mix in mini chocolate chips for pockets of chocolate in each sip.
Candy pieces – Add crushed candy bars, cookies (like Oreos) or chocolate wafer crumbs.
Nut butters – Stir in peanut butter or Nutella for a nutty flavor boost.
Extracts – A few drops of vanilla, mint or almond extract can enhance the base flavor.
Nuts – Toasted nuts like peanuts, almonds or hazelnuts contribute nutty crunch.
Fruit – Try blending in banana for extra creaminess and taste.
Cocoa nibs – For texture, sprinkle chocolatey cocoa nibs on top.
Whiskey – Add a shot of whiskey for an adult twist.
Have fun combining different mix-ins until you create your dream chocolate milkshake!
Serving Suggestions
Milkshakes aren’t just about the flavor. The serving experience is important too! Here are tips for taking your chocolate shakes to the next level:
Glasses – Serve milkshakes in tall, chilled glasses. Mason jars also make great shake cups.
Straws – Supply fat straws so they don’t collapse when sipping. Striped straws are fun.
Whipped cream – Top each glass with a heaping swirl of whipped cream.
Toppings – Offer a topping bar with chocolate shavings, sprinkles, peanuts, etc.
Sundaes – Turn your shake into a sundae by adding bananas, brownies or blondies.
Milkshake flight – Offer mini milkshake “flights” with 3-4 flavors for sampling.
However you choose to serve them, chocolate milkshakes are sure to satisfy any sweet tooth craving in cold, creamy style. Now that you’re armed with expert tips, get shaking!
Common Milkshake Mixing Questions
If you’re new to making milkshakes, you probably have some questions about blending up the perfect creamy texture. Here are answers to some frequent milkshake mixing FAQs:
Why is my milkshake too thin?
Too much milk or not enough ice cream can lead to a thin, runny milkshake. Use equal parts ice cream and milk for best thickness. Reduce milk to 2/3 cup if too thin.
Why is my milkshake foam separating?
Overblending can cause ice cream to lose its creaminess and become foamy. Blend just until combined, about 10-20 seconds.
How can I get my milkshake extra thick?
Reduce milk to 1/2 cup for thicker texture. Or add extra ingredients like pudding mix, yogurt or peanut butter to make it more dense.
Why are there chunks in my milkshake?
Small bits of chocolate, cookies or nuts can thicken texture. If larger chunks are unsightly, strain before serving.
Can I use low fat or non-dairy milk?
Yes, but expect a slightly thinner consistency. Whole dairy milk works best, or opt for vegan ice cream instead of milk.
I hope these tips help you troubleshoot any milkshake mixing issues. The key is finding the right ice cream to milk ratio for your perfect thickness. Keep experimenting until you achieve shake success!
Chocolate Milkshake Inspiration
Now that you’re a milkshake making expert, you may need some inspiration for new flavor combinations to try. Here are just a few delicious chocolate milkshake recipes to spark your creativity:
Cookies and Cream – Chocolate ice cream, Oreo cookies, chocolate syrup
Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup – Chocolate ice cream, peanut butter, Reese’s Pieces
Rocky Road – Chocolate ice cream, marshmallows, almonds, chocolate syrup
S’mores – Chocolate ice cream, graham crackers, marshmallow cream
Mississippi Mud – Chocolate ice cream, marshmallows, chocolate syrup, walnuts
Bananas Foster – Chocolate ice cream, banana, brown sugar, rum extract
Mocha Madness – Chocolate ice cream, coffee syrup, chocolate shavings
The possibilities are endless for chocolate milkshake creativity. Come up with your own signature flavor or try out one of these drool-worthy combinations. Happy shaking!
Chocolate Milkshake Tips
After reading this complete guide, you should be ready to blend up chocolate milkshakes like a pro. Here’s a quick recap of the key tips:
- Use a combination of chocolate syrup and cocoa powder for best flavor.
- Whole milk makes the creamiest, richest shakes.
- Pick quality ice cream that is creamy, not icy.
- Blend just until smooth, about 20-30 seconds.
- Customize your shake with fun mix-ins and toppings.
- Serve in chilled glasses with fat straws and whipped cream.
- Adjust recipe as needed to achieve your perfect thickness.
Chocolate milkshakes bring joy to kids and adults alike with their cold, creamy, chocolatey goodness. Now that you know all the secrets to making them at home, you can enjoy these treats anytime.
Bottoms up on the most delicious milkshakes around!
Conclusion
A frosty chocolate milkshake is truly one of life’s simple pleasures. This complete guide covered everything from key ingredients to shake making techniques and serving suggestions.
The beauty of milkshakes is how customizable they are to your personal tastes. Follow the basic ratios, then get creative with mix-ins until you invent a signature shake. Milkshakes are also a great way to use up overripe bananas or leftover candy and cookies.
Making epic chocolate milkshakes is easy with a blender, quality ingredients, and a little creativity. Impress your family and friends with your upgraded milkshake creations. Sit back, relax with a cold glass and straw, and let the chocolate milkshake bliss begin!
