How to Make a Milkshake Without Ice Cream

A milkshake made without ice cream is still enjoyable and delicious. If you're out of ice cream, there are various great ways to still produce a sweet milkshake!

Prep time (blender): 5 minutes
Cook time (blending): 30-60 seconds
Total time: 5-10 minutes

Ingredients

Blender milkshake:

12 ice cubes
2 cups (475 ml) milk
1 tsp (5 g) vanilla extract
3/4 c (100 g) sugar
Chocolate syrup or other flavors (optional and to taste)

Milkshake in a bag:

2 cups (475 ml) milk or half-and-half
1 tsp (5 g) sugar
12 ice cubes
Dash of vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon (pinch) salt
Chocolate syrup or other flavors (optional and to taste)

Crushed ice milkshake:

Milk (enough for a glass)
Syrup or fruit of choice (to taste)
Crushed ice

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Making a Blender Milkshake

1
Measure out 2 cups (475 ml) milk, 1 tsp (5 g) vanilla extract, and chocolate syrup (if desired). Put them into a blender and mix for 15-20 seconds. This circulates the air.
- The thicker the milk you use (2%, for example) the thicker your milkshake will be.
2
Put 3/4 cup (100 g) sugar into the blender. Blend for 5 - 10 seconds more.

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3
Add the ice. This will work best with pre-crushed ice. Watch it as it blends -- if it blends too much, it will get quite runny.
4
Serve and enjoy. Consume immediately -- it's best when cold and the ice still gives it texture.^{[1]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Making a Milkshake in a Bag

1
Take a small plastic bag and fill it with milk. It needs to be resealable above all else.
2
Put a teaspoon of sugar in the milk. Lightly stir to combine.^{[2]
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3
Add a few drops of vanilla extract/essence into the bag. Stir the vanilla in thoroughly.
4
Fill the big bag up halfway with ice. It needs to be able to contain a smaller bag and be sealed. A gallon-sized resealable bag is ideal.
5
Put the bag with the mixture in the bigger bag. The ice is simply to get the chemical reactions going -- you won't be consuming it. It will remain separate from the milk mixture.
6
Add 1/4 teaspoon of salt into the bigger bag. This has to do with exothermic reactions and is an imperative step to your mixture thickening!
7
Shake for about 5-7 minutes, or until mushy like a milkshake. It requires vigorous shaking for the mixture to thicken. If 7 minutes have passed and it's not thick enough, shake it for a few more.
8
Open up the small bag and pour it into a cup. Enjoy your shake!

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Making a Crushed Ice Milkshake

1
Add the ingredients to the blender. If using fruit, chop into small enough pieces.^{[3]
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2
Blend until all the ingredients are well mixed.
3
Add crushed ice. Blend again to mix thoroughly.
4
Pour into the glass. The crushed ice will make the milkshake both cold and texturally thick.

Community Q&A

Question

What if I use cream instead of ice?

Community Answer

This makes what is called a thick shake. You won't be left with any small clumps of ice in the end.
Question

Is there a way to make a milkshake for someone who's lactose intolerant?

Community Answer

Sure. Substitute almond milk or coconut milk or some other milk substitute for the cow's milk, and just make sure the rest of your ingredients are lactose or dairy-free (according to the exact nature of your allergy).
Question

Can I mix milk and chocolate to make a milkshake?

Community Answer

If you use these two ingredients only, you will basically be making chocolate milk, which is similar to a milkshake, but not quite the same.

Warnings

Don't put in too much vanilla extract/essence or else it might get bitter.

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Helpful 3 Not Helpful 2
This milkshake is cold, and is not thick like other kinds of milkshakes.

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