It’s official: Summer has arrived. There are few things more wonderful than warm breezes, sandy beaches and late nights outdoors under the stars (or glowing city lights, depending on where you are). The arrival of summer also means that, for many of us, ice cream claims its rightful place as a primary food group, and chilled drinks (frosé, anyone?) wear the metaphorical summer cocktail crown.
But recently, the question dawned on me: When and why did grown-ups stop drinking milkshakes? It’s time to change that — and while we’re at it — add in some booze. Thus, these boozy milkshakes were born, delivering deliciousness and tipsiness to drinkers worldwide.
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The recipes are fairly easy, but presentation is just as important as taste. These frozen treats are best served in tall, frosty, old-fashioned ice-cream-shop glasses or mason jars. If you don’t have any at home, it’s a great excuse to go vintage-hunting. More often than not, you can find some lovely glassware treasures on the shelves of your local antique store or thrift shop. If you get vintage glassware, make sure to hand-wash rather than putting them through the dishwasher.
Once you pour the milkshake into your glass of choice, top them off with decadent treats like donuts, cotton candy, sprinkles — seriously, go nuts. (Literally. Nuts are great on milkshakes.)
There are endless ways to combine flavor, texture and your favorite spirits for a great milkshake. While the recipe I’ve provided below is for a simple, sweet-tangy strawberry shake with cream of coconut, here are a few other combinations worth experimenting with:
- Añejo (aged) rum and pistachio — garnish with a graham cracker
- Mezcal and chocolate or dark chocolate — garnish with a fresh cherry
- Irish whiskey and mint chocolate chip — garnish with a Peppermint Patty candy
Lactose-intolerant or vegan? No problem! Coconut-based ice creams used with the same measurements work just as well, and the texture of the shake will come out smooth and creamy.
Try the my beginners boozy milkshake and then mix, match and taste-test with any ingredients and alcohol.
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Summer Lovin’ Strawberry Milkshakes
Yield 2 shakes
Ingredients
- A blender
- One 750-millilitre bottle of vodka (unflavored, room temperature)
- 6 ounces frozen strawberries
- 4 ounces unsweetened cream of coconut
- 1 pint strawberry ice cream, softened
- Colored dusting sugar and rainbow sprinkles for garnish
- Frosted tall glasses
Instructions
- First, place the glasses in the freezer to chill them.
- In the blender, add frozen strawberries, cream of coconut and ice cream.
- Top with 8 ounces vodka.
- Blend until smooth.
- Remove glasses from freezer and pour milkshake to fill.
- Top with dusting sugar and sprinkles, and enjoy!