Rhode Island residents sometimes refer to milkshakes as 'cabinets'. In parts of New England and eastern Canada, the name frappe ( / f r æ p/ FRAP) is used. An ice cream-based milkshake may be called a thick shake to distinguish it. Terminology around the distinction between a milkshake that uses ice cream and other forms of flavored milk varies regionally. These are similar to soft-serve ice cream machines, but keep the shake at a drinkable consistency. Many fast food outlets do not make shakes from the individual ingredients rather, they use automatic milkshake machines which freeze and serve a pre-made milkshake mixture consisting of milk, a sweetened flavoring agent, and a thickening agent. Milkshakes may be made from any flavor of ice cream additional flavorings, such as chocolate syrup, malt syrup, or malted milk powder, are often added prior to mixing. At home, a blender is more commonly used. They became a common part of youth popular culture, as ice cream shops were a culturally acceptable meeting place for youth, and milkshakes became symbolic of the innocence of youth.įull-service restaurants, ice cream shops, soda fountains, and diners usually prepare the shake in a milkshake machine.

Milkshakes originated in the United States around the turn of the 20th century, and grew in popularity following the introduction of electric blenders in the subsequent two decades. Dry ingredients such as whole fruit, nuts, seeds, candy, or cookies may be incorporated.

It may also be made using a base made from non-dairy products, including plant milks such as almond milk, coconut milk, or soy milk. A milkshake (sometimes simply called a shake) is a sweet beverage made by blending milk, ice cream, and flavorings or sweeteners such as butterscotch, caramel sauce, chocolate syrup, or fruit syrup into a thick, sweet, cold mixture.

Nostalgia chocolate ice cream mix