There’s something nostalgic about a thick homemade milkshake. Whether it reminds you of an old-fashioned soda fountain, summer afternoons, or grabbing a shake after a baseball game, it’s one of those classic treats that never goes out of style.

I tested several batches while creating this recipe because I wanted a milkshake that was thick, creamy, and easy to drink through a straw—not watery, icy, or so thick that your blender struggled. After experimenting with different amounts of milk and ice cream, I found the perfect balance using 8 large scoops (about 4 cups) of ice cream with just 1 cup of whole milk. The result is a rich, creamy milkshake with the perfect old-fashioned texture.

If you’ve ever wondered how to make a milkshake at home, this easy milkshake recipe is the perfect place to start. Once you’ve mastered this basic milkshake recipe, it’s easy to turn it into chocolate, strawberry, cookies-and-cream, or dozens of other flavors.

Why You’ll Love This Milkshake Recipe

• Thick, creamy, old-fashioned milkshake texture
• Ready in just 5 minutes
• Only 3 simple ingredients
• Easy to customize with your favorite flavors
• Better than most restaurant milkshakes
• Make a diner style milkshake to enjoy right at home
• Perfect for birthdays, summer treats, or family movie nights where an old-fashioned soda fountain takes the stage
• Makes two large 15-ounce milkshakes

Ingredients for a Homemade Milkshake

• Ice Cream – Use a good-quality real dairy ice cream for the creamiest results. Since ice cream is the main ingredient, the better the quality, the better your milkshake will taste. Of course, you could always substitute your favorite homemade vanilla ice cream recipe.
• Whole Milk – Whole milk gives this milkshake the perfect consistency without thinning it too much.
• Vanilla – One teaspoon of vanilla extract adds extra depth of flavor. For an even richer vanilla taste, substitute vanilla bean paste.

How to Make a Milkshake

Step 1

• Pour the whole milk into your blender.

Tip: Adding the liquid first helps everything blend more smoothly.

Step 2

• Scoop in 8 large scoops (about 4 cups) of vanilla ice cream.

Step 3

• Add the vanilla extract or substitute vanilla bean paste for an even richer vanilla flavor.

Step 4

• Blend just until smooth. Avoid overblending, which can melt the ice cream and thin the milkshake.

Step 5

• Pour into two chilled 15-ounce soda fountain glasses.

Step 6

• Top with my homemade whipped cream, rainbow sprinkles, and a maraschino cherry before serving immediately.

My Best Tips for the Perfect Thick Milkshake

• Keep your ice cream in the freezer until you’re ready to blend. Softer ice cream melts quickly and creates a thinner shake.
• Use whole milk for the richest, creamiest texture.
• Blend only until smooth. Overblending warms the milkshake and makes it thinner.
• Skip the ice. Ice waters down the flavor instead of making the milkshake thicker.
• Chill your serving glasses in the freezer for 10–15 minutes to keep your milkshake colder longer.
• For extra vanilla flavor, replace the vanilla extract with vanilla bean paste or add it in addition to the extract for a deeper vanilla flavor.

Love frozen treats? Try my Watermelon Ice Cream or Snow Ice Cream next.

How Many Scoops of Ice Cream Equal One Cup?

If you’re using a standard large ice cream scoop, 2 large scoops equal about 1 cup of ice cream.

For this recipe you’ll need:

• 8 large scoops
• about 4 cups ice cream
• 1 cup whole milk

Knowing this shortcut makes it much easier to scoop directly into your blender without measuring every cup.

The Best Milkshake Ratio

After testing several versions, this ratio produced the thickest milkshake that was still easy to drink through a straw.

• 4 cups vanilla ice cream
• 1 cup whole milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional but recommended)

If you’d like a thinner milkshake, add extra milk a tablespoon at a time.

Remember: It’s much easier to thin a milkshake with a splash of milk than it is to fix a milkshake that’s too thin. Start thick—you can always add more milk.

Vanilla Milkshake Variation

Did you know? Vanilla is still America’s most popular ice cream flavor, making it the perfect base for almost any homemade milkshake.

For an even richer vanilla milkshake:

• Use French vanilla ice cream.
• Substitute vanilla bean paste for vanilla extract.
• Add whipped cream, rainbow sprinkles, and a cherry for an old-fashioned soda shop presentation.

---

Chocolate Milkshake Variation

Swap the vanilla ice cream for chocolate ice cream or add:

• ¼ cup chocolate syrup
• chocolate milk instead of regular milk
• mini chocolate chips
• chocolate whipped cream

Chocolate syrup gives a sweeter milkshake, while chocolate ice cream creates a richer chocolate flavor.

---

Strawberry Milkshake Variation

Blend in:

• fresh strawberries
• frozen strawberries
• strawberry syrup
• strawberry ice cream

Fresh strawberries give brighter flavor.

Frozen strawberries create a thicker milkshake.

Top with whipped cream and a fresh strawberry.

---

Fun Milkshake Toppings

• Whipped cream
• Maraschino cherries
• Rainbow sprinkles
• Chocolate syrup
• Caramel sauce
• Cookie crumbles
• Crushed candy bars
• Mini marshmallows
• Chopped peanuts
• Chocolate curls

---

How to Store Leftover Milkshakes

Milkshakes are always best served immediately.

If you have leftovers, freeze them in an airtight container. When you’re ready to enjoy them again, allow the milkshake to soften slightly before blending again until smooth.

Frozen Treats You’ll Love

• Root Beer Float Popsicles
• Creamsicle Popsicles
• Fudgsicles
• Banana Split Dessert
• Sea Salt and Caramel Ice Cream Cake
• S’mores Ice Cream

More Milkshake Recipes You’ll Love