How to make a milkshake in a blender

Milkshake has been a favourite drink not just in the US, but in many parts of the world. This thick, frosty, and sweet drink is such a comfortable drink. It’s more than helpful to make stress go away. 

Before we learn how to make a milkshake with a blender, we need to agree on the ingredients first. 

As you probably know, to make a milkshake, you need milk and ice cream. But of course, there’s no harm in adding more things to make it more flavorful! 

Our favourite additional ingredient is slices of fruit. You can just store them in the fridge and use them when you want to make a milkshake. You don’t even need to thaw it!

Did you know that milkshake was first invented in 1885? Well, the term at least. But back then, “milkshake” was a type of beverage made of cream, eggs, and a bit of whiskey, shaken by a bartender. It was similar to eggnog. 

Then in the 1900s, they omitted the whiskey and replaced it with additional flavouring. 

Thanks to the invention of the blender decades later, the milkshake that we know today was created. First, they used powdered milk, until a few years later they started to incorporate ice to make it more frosty and thick.

Whatever you want to put into your milkshake, choosing the right blender is the key to making a good shake. We suggest you look for the best blender on Blenders Pro. There you’ll find abundant trusted reviews on top products available on the market.

What do I need to make a milkshake with a blender?

Before we get to the step by step instruction, let’s guide you through each ingredient you will need:

Milk

It’s not a milkshake without milk in it, don’t you think? So, the first thing you need is fresh milk. We prefer full cream milk (not powdered and nonflavored) to give the best texture and flavour to your milkshake. In fact, if you want more flavour, you can replace milk with cream or even heavy cream.

Ice cream

Ice cream is also important in milkshake making. Of course, you can always opt for low-fat or skimmed ice cream, but the more fat you have in the ice cream, the creamier and thicker your milkshake would be.

Keep in mind that if you opt for lighter ice cream, your milkshake will be fluffier as it contains more air.

Toppings

Toppings do add more flavour to the mix. Not only that, but it also provides more texture. Depending on your taste, you can add many things from sliced fruits to a crushed chocolate bar or Oreo crumbs. 

Be creative with your milkshake and you won’t be disappointed! Why not try adding tapioca pearls and making a creative boba tea flavor?

Ice cubes

Not only do ice cubes make a milkshake more refreshing, they actually make it thicker. That’s right! The cold temperature of ice cubes triggers the ice cream (and everything else) to stay frozen a little longer. 

As a result, you have a thicker milkshake that will stay thick for long.

How to make a milkshake with a blender?

Now that you have the ingredients, here’s what you need to do. The easiest and quickest way to make a milkshake is by blending the ingredients. Toss them in a blender and let them mix. 

However, to make sure you do it right every time here’s the step by step process:

1. Make sure you have the right ice to milk ratio

We recommend starting with a ratio of one part milk to three parts ice cream. While blending them, add more milk midway if you feel like it's too thick to your liking. And if it’s the other way around, add more ice cubes.

2. Prepare your frozen fruits

Let’s say that you want to make a strawberry milkshake. If you have time, put the strawberries in the freezer until frozen. Take them out right before blending and cut them into smaller pieces so they blend faster. 

Keep in mind that not all fruits should be frozen, such as bananas, avocados, and apples. So, please do a little research before putting anything in the fridge.

3. Toss all the ingredients in and push the button!

Start the blender at low speed. Then, you can slowly ramp up to full speed. This step is necessary to make sure all the ingredients are mixed well. 

Besides, it ensures that the blades don’t get stuck. Sure, most blenders are made with durable blades. But since these careful steps help prolong your blade’s life, why not?

4. Serve

Once you get the consistency you like, switch the blender off. Pour it down onto a glass and add more toppings if you like.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Do you put ice in the blender when making a milkshake?

The best recipe for milkshake does call for blended ice cubes. This means you have to put ice in the blender when making a milkshake. But do keep in mind that not all blenders are made to crush ice. So, please make sure that yours is before putting ice in it.

Does ice thicken a milkshake?

Yes. Ice (especially in cubes) does help thicken a milkshake. It’s best to crush the ice into small cubes and toss it with the rest of the ingredients. 

This also answers “Does ice make smoothies thicker or thinner?”

How do you thicken a milkshake?

There are many ways to thicken a milkshake. The easiest and best way is to add ice cubes and let them crushed and blended together with the rest of the ingredients. However, since not all blenders can crush ice, you can add more ice cream instead. 

If you don’t like the idea of making your milkshake creamier, you may opt for sliced fruits. Banana, mango, and avocado are some of the best fruits that not just thicken your milkshake but also add a yummy flavour to it. Besides, they’re super healthy!

How long should you blend a milkshake?

It is not necessary how long, but how well your blender can chop, crush, and mix everything well. A good blender should only need less than 2 minutes to blend everything well. Chopping everything before tossing them into the blender can also help reduce blending time.

What makes a shake a shake?

Cream! Without this ingredient, your beverage would be a smoothie or a juice. Adding cream (which is usually in a form of ice cream now) is what makes a milkshake so thick and creamy.

What are the best milkshakes?

The most popular ones are blueberry milkshake, Oreo milkshake, and our personal favourite; salted caramel milkshake. The latter is a bit hard to find. But if you have time to whip your own salted caramel, it’s worth trying!

Conclusion

And that’s how to make a milkshake with a blender. Isn’t it simple and easy? This article answers how you make a milkshake in 5 steps or even less. All it takes is less than 15 minutes to prep and make. 

You can add anything you want and have any taste you like. Since some ingredients may overpower the other, we recommend taking a look at some of the most popular recipes before you experiment on your own.

Though we must say it’s hard to mess up a recipe that calls for ice cream and milk blended together with crushed ice! Don’t you agree? 

Right after blending, serve and drink up your milkshake while it’s still fresh. If you’re making more than one batch, do store it in the fridge to enjoy it later. Don’t put it in the freezer. 

Do you put ice in the blender when making a milkshake?

What is the ratio of milk to ice cream in a milkshake?

Does adding milk to a smoothie make it a milkshake?

Can you make a milkshake with water instead of milk?