How to Make a Milkshake at Home (Classic Vanilla)
The 3-to-1 ratio for a thick, spoonable shake, plus how to make it thicker, thinner or without a blender.
- Prep
- 5 min
- Total
- 5 min
- Makes
- 2 milkshakes (about 12 ounces each)
A diner-style milkshake needs only two ingredients. The secret is the ratio: roughly three parts ice cream to one part milk by volume, blended briefly so it stays cold and thick.
Thicker or thinner
- Thicker: use less milk, a frozen banana or a scoop more ice cream. Do not add ice; it waters the shake down.
- Thinner: add milk a tablespoon at a time.
- No blender: let the ice cream soften for 10 minutes, then whisk hard with the milk in a bowl, or shake in a large jar with a tight lid.
How to Make a Milkshake at Home (Classic Vanilla)
- Prep
- 5 min
- Total
- 5 min
- Makes
- 2 milkshakes (about 12 ounces each)
Ingredients
Method
Chill two glasses in the freezer while the ice cream softens.
Add the milk to the blender first, then the ice cream and vanilla.
Blend on low for 15 to 30 seconds, just until smooth. Over-blending warms and thins the shake.
Pour into the cold glasses and top with whipped cream and sprinkles.
A new recipe from our editors: times are estimates and have not yet been confirmed in our own test kitchen. Use the doneness cues and temperatures above.
Questions, answered
What is the ratio of ice cream to milk for a milkshake?
About 3 parts ice cream to 1 part milk by volume for a thick shake, such as 3 cups ice cream to 1/2 to 3/4 cup milk.
How do you make a milkshake without a blender?
Soften the ice cream for 10 minutes, then whisk it vigorously with the milk in a bowl, or shake them together in a large jar with a tight-fitting lid.
