chocolate milkshake made with ice cream

Chocolate Milkshake Recipe

By Swasthi on July 13, 2023, Comments, Jump to Recipe

This creamy & thick Chocolate Milkshake is the ultimate summer dessert drink! It was a hot summer day in 1922, and Ivar “Pop” Coulson was working behind the bar of a Walgreens soda fountain. At that time, one of their most popular drinks was a simple concoction of milk, malt powder, and chocolate syrup mixed together and poured into a glass. Ever an innovator, Coulson decided to make the drink more heat-friendly. He added a few scoops of cold ice cream to the drink. The Chocolate Milkshake was born!

Chocolate milkshake made with ice cream

About Chocolate Milkshake

Obviously the Milkshake has evolved since the 1920s; nowadays the most basic Milkshake contains milk and Ice cream, though there can also be flavorings like syrups, malt powder, and mix-ins.

Even with all the variations between milk, ice cream, and syrup flavors, sometimes the classic is still the best. It’s hard to beat a Chocolate Milkshake topped with fluffy whipped cream and a drizzle of chocolate syrup on a warm summer’s day. Better yet, why not share it with a loved one?

Thankfully, you and your loved ones no longer need soda shops and diners with specialty drink mixers to make chocolate milkshakes. You can now make them in the comfort of your own home with a simple blender and a few simple ingredients.

For an easy night in and the perfect sweet treat for two (or more, or just yourself, no judgment either way), try making a homemade chocolate milkshake with all the classic fixings. Don’t forget the cute colorful straw to complete the aesthetic!

While people’s ideas of milkshakes have expanded, there are now plenty of milkshake recipes that leave out or change the titular milk and the important ice cream. But the classic milkshake is arguably the easiest to make.

If you can’t eat dairy, don’t worry! Replace the milk and ice cream with any plant-based alternatives. You should still have a similar effect.

Don’t be afraid to get creative! You can also add malt powder, chocolate chunks, flavor extracts, spices or other mix-ins to give your chocolate milkshake a unique spin.

Don’t have an Ice cream?

But what if you don’t have an ice cream? Or you don’t want to drink an ice cream every day, simply use my alternative chocolate shake recipe (recipe 2 in the card below) made with just milk, cocoa and milk ice.

Now if you wonder what milk ice is, it is just frozen milk. It gives a thicker and frothy texture to your milkshake even without using ice cream. But the flavors won’t be the same. If you are a beginner read my pro tips section below for more tips & tricks.

So what are you waiting for? Grab a glass, a loved one, and a blender. It’s been a long, hot day. Time to enjoy one of life’s simple pleasures.

Similar Recipes
Apple Milkshake
Strawberry Milkshake
Mango Smoothie
Oreo Milkshake
Cold Coffee
Pomegranate Molasses

How to make a Chocolate Milkshake (Stepwise photos)

To make a chocolate milkshake, you first need to add your milk to a blender. The type of milk can vary, obviously, but full-fat dairy milk will give you the richest results.

Next, add your ice cream. There are two options here for chocolate milkshakes. You can use vanilla ice cream as a base, and add chocolate syrup for the chocolate flavoring. Or you can use chocolate ice cream for a richer chocolate taste, making the syrup optional or cut down the quantity of chocolate syrup.

Finally, decide whether or not you want to add chocolate syrup depending on the ice cream you chose and the chocolate intensity you prefer. If you don’t have chocolate syrup, make your own with cocoa following my pro tips section below.

Pour the chocolate sauce.

Blend everything together until just combined. Over blending can make your milkshake runny. Avoid it if you prefer thick Chocolate shake. A few lumps of ice cream in your shake is just alright.

If you want you may decorate your serving glass with a tbsp of chocolate syrup. Simply pour it on the sides of your glass. Pour your milkshake into glass.

Consider adding toppings like whipped cream, cherries, sprinkles, chocolate shavings or just a drizzle of the chocolate syrup.

Serve Chocolate milkshake immediately.

Chocolate milkshake recipe

Pro Tips

Proportion of ice cream & milk: For a thick and creamy chocolate milkshake, the proportion is the key. Using more milk and less ice cream is only going to make your shake less rich & creamy. For best results weigh your ice cream.

Milk: Avoid using raw milk. Use pasteurized or boiled & cooled milk. Chill the milk well before using.

Cocoa powder: For a richer flavor, avoid using cocoa directly in your shake. If you don’t have chocolate syrup make your own as mentioned below. It just takes 5 mins.

Chocolate syrup/ sauce: Stir in 4 tbsps of cocoa, half cup sugar with 4 tbsps water & half tsp vanilla extract in a small sauce pot. Whisk it well so there are no lumps & sugar dissolves, bring this to a boil on a medium flame and cook for a few minutes until you smell the sauce good. It will thicken up cooling. Cool completely and use it.

Chocolate chips: You may substitute chocolate syrup with 2 to 3 tbsps of chocolate chips. Pour little hot milk over the chocolate chips and mix well with a spoon until melted. Use this for the chocolate milkshake. You can add them directly if you want unmelted chocolate chips in your milkshake.

Recipe 2: You can make recipe 2 by making the chocolate sauce or melting chocolate chips.

Related Recipes

Recipe Card

chocolate milkshake recipe

Chocolate Milkshake Recipe

Make thick & creamy chocolate milkshake at home. I share 2 recipes in this post, with & without ice cream. If ice cream doesn't fit your diet, use the second recipe. It still tastes good & delicious.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Jump to Comments

For best results follow the step-by-step photos above the recipe card

Prep Time5 minutes
Total Time5 minutes
Servings1
AuthorSwasthi

Ingredients (US cup = 240ml )

Recipe 1- with Ice cream

  • ¼ cup chilled milk
  • 1 cup vanilla ice cream or chocolate ice cream (7 to 8 oz/ 225 grams)
  • tablespoons chocolate sauce/ syrup (or cocoa powder, refer notes)
  • whipped cream for garnish (optional)

Recipe 2 – without Ice cream

  • 1 cup chilled full fat milk
  • 5 to 6 milk ice cubes or milk ice cubes
  • 1½ to 2 tablespoons sugar (or any other sweetener)
  • 1 tablespoon cocoa powder or 2 to 3 tablespoons chocolate syrup
  • 1 tablespoon chocolate shavings or whipped cream or chocolate syrup for garnish
  • ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon (not cassia) (optional)


Instructions

  • To make chocolate milkshake, pour milk to a blender jar. Add ice cream and pour chocolate sauce. (If you don't have chocolate syrup make your own with cocoa, read notes below)
  • Blend or pulse only for 30 to 60 seconds until frothy & well combined, depending on your blender. Blending too long will make your chocolate milkshake runny. A few lumps of ice cream in your shake is still okay and actually keeps your milkshake thick.
  • Optionally you may decorate your serving glass. Pour a tablespoon of chocolate syrup to the inner sides of your glass. Pour your chocolate milkshake.
  • Garnish with whipped cream and a drizzle of chocolate sauce.

How to make Chocolate Milkshake without Ice Cream

  • Pour milk to your ice tray and set it.
  • Add sugar and cocoa powder or chocolate syrup to a blender jar along with milk. Blend until combined.
  • Add milk ice cubes, cinnamon (optional) and blend well again until frothy. Pour to serving glass and sprinkle some grated chocolate.


Notes

Make your own chocolate sauce by combining 4 tbsps cocoa powder, 1/4 cup water, half cup sugar, 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract in a small pot. Mix well to a smooth mixture. Bring this to a boil and simmer for few minutes until the flavor of cocoa comes out. Turn off. It turns slightly thick after it cools down. Store this in the refrigerator upto 2 weeks. Use only as mentioned in the recipe.

Alternative quantities provided in the recipe card are for 1x only, original recipe.

For best results follow my detailed step-by-step photo instructions and tips above the recipe card.

NUTRITION INFO (estimation only)

Nutrition Facts
Chocolate Milkshake Recipe
Amount Per Serving
Calories 366 Calories from Fat 81
% Daily Value*
Fat 9g14%
Saturated Fat 5g31%
Cholesterol 25mg8%
Sodium 136mg6%
Potassium 499mg14%
Carbohydrates 64g21%
Fiber 2g8%
Sugar 56g62%
Protein 9g18%
Vitamin A 405IU8%
Calcium 283mg28%
Iron 1.6mg9%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Tried this recipe?Mention @SwasthisRecipes or tag #swasthisrecipes!

© Swasthi’s Recipes

chocolate shake recipe

Chocolate Milkshake Post is from the Archives. Recipe first published in April 2017, updated and republished in May 2022.

Chocolate Milkshake Recipe

About Swasthi

I’m Swasthi Shreekanth, the recipe developer, food photographer & food writer behind Swasthi’s Recipes. My aim is to help you cook great Indian food with my time-tested recipes. After 2 decades of experience in practical Indian cooking I started this blog to help people cook better & more often at home. Whether you are a novice or an experienced cook I am sure Swasthi’s Recipes will assist you to enhance your cooking skills. More about me

Follow Swasthi’s Recipes

Comments

Recipe Rating




15 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments

How long can this stay refrigerated for once I make it using the ice cream ?

5 stars
Can I not use milk cubes and cinnamon

5 stars
excellent amazing and i am not having words to say.

5 stars
Hi Swasthi,

For how long will the milk ice cubes stay good? Can they be stored for a couple of days or do we have to use immediately?

5 stars
Hi mam how are you,i dont have cococapowder how can i replace this

Hello swasthi!!
I tried the banana shake and blended it but there are still chunks of bananas in the shake. To go on the positive side, I added some chocolate chips to cover up for my guests….. Can you find an alternative??

Hi swasthi,

I landed up on ur link by chance while finding something. But frankly speaking aft having a look I think I hv become ur big fan. M surely going to try kid’s section as my lo is a fussy eater.
Will let u knw if any dish attracts my lo (as it hv attracted me 😉 )

Hi Swasthi… very nice recipe… i tried doing it.. buy think my blender is too old to work that long…
which blender did u use..
i am planning to buy another mixer grinder..
please suggest .. which one .. can be used for daily grinding.. as well as for these tough jobs/..
thanks