Everything You Need to Know About Milkshakes

Milkshakes are an excellent option for a cold, sweet treat. They are yummy, satisfying, and filling, all at the same time. They’re perfect for a date, road trip, or after-school treat. A milkshake can be as simple or flavorful as you want it to be: classic vanilla or a custom-made candy milkshake. 

Everyone loves a good milkshake–but where do milkshakes come from? When did we start sipping (or, rather, slurping) them from our straws? How are they made? And is there a limit to our flavor options? This is serious business, people! 

So, we’re talking all about milkshakes today and how they came to be. Plus, we’ll look at today’s most popular milkshake flavors.

How the Milkshake Came to Be

So, how exactly did the milkshake come to be? 

The first milkshake was identified as a drink containing milk, whiskey, eggs, sugar, and ice. That was back in the late 1800s before the concoction was officially recognized as a milkshake.

But what about a milkshake with ice cream in it?

Today's milkshake was first made in the early 1900s when a Walgreens employee named Ivar “Pop” Coulson added two scoops of vanilla ice cream to a malt. The malt was already a popular drink, made of malted barley, wheat flour, and evaporated whole milk powder. 

When Coulson added the ice cream, he created the malted milkshake, which became a household staple when Walgreens started advertising it in all stores.

Malted vs. Traditional Milkshakes

Malted milkshakes were the first kind of milkshake, but they’re no longer the only kind. 

Now, there are malted milkshakes and traditional milkshakes. Both are easy to create but use different ingredients. Add in ice cream, milk, and flavored syrups to a classic malt, and you’ll upgrade your malt to a malted milkshake.

But to get a traditional milkshake, you’ll leave out the malted milk. The difference? It’s all in the flavor. The malted milk powder adds a unique flavor that’s a little bit toasty, buttery, and savory, all in one. 

Can’t decide whether you want a malted milkshake or a traditional milkshake? Try both, and see which one you like better! There’s a flavor for everyone’s preferences!

The Evolution of the Milkshake

Even though the milkshake was created by Coulson and popularized by Walgreens, it didn’t become a diner staple until later on. Diners were known to provide prompt service, including having meals out quickly to tables and the bar. Adding scoops of ice cream by hand wasn’t fast or efficient.

It wasn’t until Earl Prince created a mixer that milkshakes became diner staples because they could now be made quickly and easily. Indeed, the process of making a milkshake became an automated process that was adopted nationwide. In the years to come, milkshake popularity would spread to the United Kingdom and Australia.

With the invention of large, industrial machines used in fast-food restaurants, many chains began using pre-made mixes stored in the machines instead of making them from individual ingredients. These pre-made mixes were made from milk, flavoring, and a thickening agent. 

Today, the classic milkshake has upped its game to compete with most other desserts. There are dessert shops that specialize in making milkshakes. They offer other sweet treats, too, but they draw in customers with their milkshake advertisements. Milkshakes have become a dessert staple.

Making Milkshakes at Home

As popular as milkshakes are at diners and drive-thrus, they’re easily made at home. And in small quantities, you don’t need an automated machine to make your milkshakes. You can easily make one in a small blender meant for at-home use.

Making malted milkshakes are as easy as making traditional milkshakes. The malted milk powder is available in most grocery stores. You just need milk, ice cream, and flavored syrups to make a milkshake at home. A tall glass and straw complete the experience.

Popular Milkshake Flavors

The original milkshake flavors were vanilla, strawberry, and chocolate. And while they’re still popular today, there are many more available options. You can come up with some crazy yet tasty flavor combinations for a personalized milkshake experience. 

Nut Lovers

Do you enjoy nuts but want to shake up the traditional chocolate peanut butter option? Try almonds, almond joy, or even almond fudge for an extra sweet taste. Don’t like almonds? That’s what cashew, pecan, praline, macadamia, and pistachios are for. 

Fruity Flavors

Maybe you’re a fruit lover. Besides strawberry, you can try flavors like blueberry, boysenberry, grape, lemon, lime, orange, peach, pineapple, red raspberry, and triple berry.

Candy and Sweets

Let’s not forget about candy milkshakes. You can even combine flavors if you can’t decide on your favorite candy. Options include Almond Joy, Butterfinger, Butterscotch, Heath, M&M, Snickers, and Licorice. 

Other sweet options include cake batter, cheesecake, chocolate chip, coconut, cookies and cream, cotton candy, New York cheesecake, and Rocky Road. 

However, you can mix and match the flavors you’d like to create the perfect milkshake. And the great thing is, you can get a milkshake whenever you’d like, so you can try out different flavors every time you decide it’s time for a treat. 

Try a Milkshake at Iceberg Drive Inn

Want premium, top-of-the-line milkshakes full of rich, creamy ice cream and a frothy texture? Visit Iceberg Drive Inn. We’ve been around for over 60 years and specialize in everything homemade. 

Unlike restaurants with automated machines, we make everything fresh from scratch, so you can trust us to make you the very best. Every flavor we’ve mentioned in this blog is available at Iceberg Drive Inn. 

We have locations across Utah, including Salt Lake City, Fillmore, Sandy, St. George, Syracuse, Riverton, Pleasant Grove, and Santaquin. Our diners have a retro hometown feel that you’re sure to love. 

We also offer convenient online ordering, so your food will be ready when you arrive. Visit our website to see our full menu and dream up the perfect milkshake for your next visit!