More and more people are opting for non-dairy milkshakes these days. There are many reasons for this – food allergies or intolerances, vegan or vegetarian diets, wanting to reduce calories or fat, etc. Non-dairy milks like soy, almond, coconut, oat, and more are readily available, making it easy to whip up dairy-free milkshakes at home. But what if you want to buy one when you’re out and about? Which restaurants, cafes, ice cream shops, and fast food places offer non-dairy milkshake options? Let’s take a look.
Quick Answers
Some quick answers to common questions about non-dairy milkshakes:
What are some examples of non-dairy milks used in milkshakes?
Soy milk, almond milk, coconut milk, oat milk, rice milk, hemp milk, flax milk, and cashew milk are all popular non-dairy milk options used in milkshakes.
Why would someone order a non-dairy milkshake?
Reasons include: lactose intolerance or dairy allergy, vegan or vegetarian diet, want to reduce fat/calories, dislike taste of dairy milk.
Do non-dairy milkshakes taste the same as regular milkshakes?
Depending on the milk substitute used, non-dairy milkshakes can taste very similar to regular dairy milkshakes. However, some non-dairy milks have distinct flavors that change the taste.
Are non-dairy milkshakes available at most restaurants/cafes?
Unfortunately, non-dairy milkshake options are not yet widely available. Many major chains now offer them, but smaller establishments may not. Always check or call ahead if you require a non-dairy milkshake.
What should you look out for in non-dairy milkshakes?
Watch out for added sugars, artificial flavors/colors, and thickeners like guar gum or carrageenan, which may cause GI issues. Look for unsweetened milks and natural sweeteners.
Fast Food Restaurants
Many major fast food chains now offer non-dairy milkshake options, making it easier to get your fix on the go.
McDonald’s – Ask for a milkshake made with vanilla soft serve and your choice of dairy-free milk. Options include soy, almond, and coconut milk.
Burger King – Their classic hand-spun shakes can be customized with non-dairy milks including almond, coconut, and oat milk.
Wendy’s – Frosty-ccinos can be made with chocolate or vanilla Frosty mix and your preferred non-dairy milk. Soy and almond milk are typically available.
Arby’s – You can request Neapolitan or Jamocha shakes be made with your dairy-free milk of choice.
Sonic Drive-In – Most Sonic locations offer Real Ice Cream shakes made with almond or coconut milk.
Dairy Queen – Ask for an Oreo Cookie Blizzard made with soy, almond, coconut, or oat milk.
Steak ‘N Shake – Their famous hand-dipped milkshakes can be customized with soy, almond, or coconut milk.
Coffeehouse Chains
Many popular coffee shops allow you to incorporate non-dairy milks into blended, creamy milkshake-style beverages:
Starbucks – Any Frappuccino can be customized with soy, almond, coconut, or oat milk. The Mocha Cookie Crumble and Double Chocolaty Chip are especially milkshake-like.
Caribou Coffee – Their Campfire Mochas can be made with dairy-free milks. Try soy, almond or oat milk for a chocolate milkshake taste.
Peet’s Coffee – Add dairy-free milk and syrups like chocolate or vanilla to aVanilla Java Freddo for a milkshake vibe. Soy and almond milks are options.
The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf – The Ice Blendeds can be customized with soy, almond, coconut, rice, and hemp milks. Try the Cookie Butter Ice Blended.
Dutch Bros – Their smoothie-like Rebel drinks can be made dairy-free with soy, almond, coconut, or oat milk. Try the Chocolate Rebel.
Ice Cream Shops
Dedicated ice cream shops are ahead of the curve with non-dairy frozen dessert options. Many will blend these into custom milkshakes:
Baskin Robbins – They offer dairy-free flavors made with almond milk, coconut milk, and rice milk. These can be scooped into milkshakes.
Cold Stone Creamery – Any Signature Creation can be made with dairy-free ice cream and your choice of non-dairy milk.
Ben & Jerry’s – Select locations offer almond milk based non-dairy frozen desserts, which can be blended into shakes.
Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams – Some shops carry dairy-free flavors made with coconut milk, perfect for swirling into milkshakes.
Shake Shack – Their classic shakes can be customized with vegan certified vanilla or chocolate custard and your dairy-free milk.
Marble Slab Creamery – Ask for any flavor of non-dairy ice cream blended with coconut or almond milk.
Regional Chains
Check out these regional chains for non-dairy milkshake possibilities:
In-N-Out (West Coast) – Ask for a shake made with their vanilla soft serve and soy, almond, or coconut milk.
Cook Out (Southeastern US) – Their old fashioned milkshakes can be customized with dairy-free milk.
Freddy’s Frozen Custard (Midwestern US) – Non-dairy vanilla or chocolate frozen custard can be blended into milkshakes.
Steel City Pops (TX, OK, LA, AL) – They offer sorbet and coconut milk based pops that can be blended into dairy-free milkshakes.
Urban Bricks (Mid-Atlantic US) – Custom shakes can be made with almond, coconut, oat, or soy milk and dairy-free ice cream.
GustOrganics (Northern California) – Organic soy, coconut, almond, and oat milks can be used in their old-fashioned milkshakes.
Paleteria La Michoacana (Western US) – Try their milkshakes with vegan paletas blended with soy or almond milk.
Vegan Restaurants
Popular vegan restaurant chains provide dairy-free milkshakes made from innovative plant-based ingredients:
Plant Power Fast Food – Their chocolate shakes are made with chocolate oat milk. Other flavors can be created with soy, coconut, or almond milk.
Veggie Grill – Enjoy chocolate shakes with rich cocoa powder and coconut milk or vanilla shakes with almond milk.
by CHLOE. – This vegan chain offers classic shake flavors made from a sweetened almond milk base.
Next Level Burger – Their shakes use a creamy coconut milk base mixed with vanilla or chocolate syrup.
Monty’s Good Burger – Choose from chocolate or strawberry shakes made with a soy milk base.
VeganBurg – Ask for one of their dairy-free shakes made from soy, almond, or coconut milk.
Other Notable Options
Beyond major chains, many smaller cafes and restaurants are catering to non-dairy diners with housemade milkshakes:
Loving Hut (International chain) – Vegan shakes made from soy, coconut, rice, or nut milks. Flavors vary by location.
Sweetpea Baking Company (Multiple US cities) – Locations offer dairy-free shakes with almond milk and vegan ice cream.
Vincent’s Italian Ice (Tampa, FL area) – Non-dairy options include shakes made with coconut milk.
Erbert and Gerbert’s (Midwest US) – Shakes can be customized with dairy-free ice cream and soy or almond milk.
Sugar Shack (Las Vegas, NV) – This dessert shop offers dairy-free shakes with flavors like almond joy and cookies ‘n cream.
The Chicago Diner (Multiple US cities) – Vegan classic shakes feature coconut ice cream and your choice of dairy-free milk.
Making Your Own Non-Dairy Milkshakes
If you can’t find a non-dairy milkshake when you’re out, it’s easy enough to make your own at home. Here are some tips:
– Choose a high-quality non-dairy milk like unsweetened soy, almond, oat, coconut, or cashew milk. Avoid thin nut milks.
– Use dairy-free ice cream or thicker frozen desserts like coconut milk ice cream, sorbet, or dairy-free custard. This gives a creamy texture.
– Add extracts, cocoa powder, syrups or sweeteners to flavor. Try vanilla, almond, hazelnut, chocolate, caramel, peanut butter, oreos, etc.
– Use a blender for thick, spoonable shakes. Add less milk for a thicker consistency.
– Top with whipped coconut cream for added richness and a frothy top.
– Garnish with sprinkles, chocolate shavings, crushed cookies or candy pieces.
– Serve in a tall milkshake glass with a reusable straw and spoon.
Conclusion
The non-dairy milkshake movement is clearly gathering speed. While availability was once very limited, now major food chains, innovative ice cream shops, vegan restaurants, and small cafes are all stepping up to meet the demand for dairy-free options. With proper preparation and research, those avoiding dairy can indulge in a creamy milkshake just about anywhere. The key is knowing what customizations are possible at different establishments. With more people choosing plant-based diets and ditching dairy, expect non-dairy shakes to become even more mainstream in the future. But for now, there are plenty of spots where you can get your hands on one if you know where to look.
