How to Make a Coffee Milkshake with Ice Cream
To make this great coffee milkshake with ice cream, we will need a couple of major ingredients. Now, let me show you the key components that will make your coffee milkshake both refreshing and indulgent.Coffee
Our hero in this tasty coffee milkshake is, of course, the coffee. You do have a couple of options when it comes to your choice-especially according to preference and what you may have on hand. I use and prefer instant coffee or espresso powder for an easy fix.Ice Cream
Milk
To give it the right milkshake consistency, we will need some milk. Well, that's important, because the type of milk basically sets the flavor and texture of your coffee milkshake. You get a rich, creamy shake with whole milk, but if you like it that way, just about any type will suffice.Optional Add-ins
But to really bring this simple coffee milkshake to the next level, here are some optional add-ins that are perfect for the trick: You can make it mocha with a tablespoon of cocoa powder. If you like sweet, add on a drizzle of chocolate syrup or a sprinkle of sugar. For the adventurous, add in a banana and enjoy this variation on the coffee banana milkshake. These add-ins allow you to customize your coffee milkshake in any way you may like.One-these light ingredients get you going at a full go towards making an appetizing coffee milkshake, just rivaling those sold in coffee shops. The next section outlines how one can choose the right coffee for that perfect coffee flavor one desires in their milkshake.
Choosing the Right Coffee
Speaking of a delicious coffee milkshake preparation, one should select an appropriate kind of coffee. Now I'd like to share my experience with you because I tried many types of coffees.
Instant vs. Brewed
For instantly preparing a coffee milkshake, instant coffee is most convenient. This instantly dissolves either with milk or at room temperature water, hence appropriate for blending. I recommend using a high-quality brand of the above-mentioned type to make it have a rich flavor. You may use more or less according to taste, if you like a stronger taste.
Brewed coffee, on the other hand, can be more depth-enhancing to your Coffee milkshake. Nevertheless, you must not use hot brewed coffee in your milkshake no matter how many times. I recommend brewing the coffee ahead of time and letting it cool down to either room or completely cold temperature before adding it in your recipe. This process would work out great whether you are using ordinary or decaf coffee.
Cold Brew Option
Instant coffee will be a quick and ready way to make a milkshake using it as an ingredient. It will dissolve easily either in milk or at room temperature and thus be more blended. Let me suggest a good brand of instant coffee for a better taste. You should adjust the strength of taste-if you will feel too weak, then add some more according to your preference.Decaf Alternatives
It is a good alternative for those who enjoy the taste of coffee without the caffeine. The idea that decaf coffee cannot be as good or useful in recipes is really just a myth.When making a coffee milkshake with decaf, you can follow guidelines just like you would with regular coffee.
Decaf is not your only alternative if you're looking for another option. For example, Pero is a mixture of barley, malted barley, chicory, and rye that yields a flavor similar to coffee without the caffeine. Alternatively, you might try Crio Bru, which is made from 100% ground cacao and is 99.9% caffeine-free but contains theobromine, a natural stimulant that allows energy levels to naturally increase more [2].
Whatever your choice of coffee may be, remember that the essence of a great coffee milkshake is balance. By all means, sample a number of varieties of coffee until the blend fits your taste buds perfectly. The following section covers how to choose the best ice cream that completes the selected coffee.
Selecting the Perfect Ice Cream
Now, once you have everything ready to go for this coffee milkshake, you look to the most important ingredient: the type of ice cream you use. This will vastly affect the difference in taste and texture at the end. I have tried a few types, and now I will show you my results.Vanilla vs. Coffee Flavored
The choice between vanilla and coffee-flavored ice cream makes the difference in your coffee milkshake experience. Vanilla gives a creamy texture and a smooth base to your milkshake. Rich and with just a bit of sweetness, it allows enhancement of the taste of coffee to the subtlety. In this way, it lets the coffee taste through while giving equal weight to the rest of the flavors. In contrast, adding a scoop of coffee ice cream is another easy way to give a milkshake that extra kick of coffee. If you are really into coffee, like me, you may want to do this so the flavor of the coffee really comes out. Some quality ice cream has real coffee beans or espresso, amplifying the real taste of the coffee. Using coffee ice cream is a good way to simplify the recipe, I've found. You'll be able to substitute both the ice cream and instant coffee with coffee ice cream, thereby reducing the number of ingredients you need. But if you want an even stronger flavor from coffee, go ahead and add in a pinch of instant coffee. I just like making attempts at different coffee ice cream brands. Maybe I haven't found that ultimate coffee ice cream, but I continue trying a bunch to get that sweetness and the strong, intense coffee flavor. Some of them have chunks or bits of it in their coffee ice cream. That's actually interesting for a milkshake. I'd rather go for the simple one, though, just to keep the overall blend smooth.
Dairy-Free Options
For vegans or others on a diet free of dairy products, there are some fantastic alternatives available. Most non-dairy ice cream variations can make a coffee milkshake that rivals the traditional variety.
To make a vegan coffee milkshake, what I would say is that you will need a high-quality non-dairy vanilla or coffee ice cream. Brands like Oatly and So Delicious give smooth, creamy textures that work well in milkshakes. If using vanilla nondairy ice cream, then you may add 1-2 tsp instant espresso powder or a shot of espresso to attain that flavor of coffee.
These unsweetened plant-based milk options to go along with your dairy-free ice cream can be soy, almond, or oat milk. These options help achieve the best dairy-free milkshake consistency. Full-fat coconut milk would be worth considering for creamier shakes.
A twist can be treated to the non-dairy Kona coffee ice cream. Made with Kona coffee on the Big Island, it's a real coffee taste that is both certified vegan and non-GMO ingredients.
Remember, the sweetness of your ice cream will determine how sweet your coffee milkshake is. In instances where your non-dairy ice cream isn't sweet enough for you even after blending, you may add a little white or brown sugar to adjust the taste to your preference.
By being very choosy with your ice cream, you are setting the foundation for a very delicious coffee milkshake. We move on to the processes entailed in preparing this wonderful coffee and ice cream drink.
Step-by-Step Preparation
Having shown the ingredients needed and also useful tips on the right type of coffee and ice cream for the task, let us delve into the step-by-step process in making your delicious coffee milkshake.Brewing/Chilling Coffee
Before you make a great coffee milkshake, your first order of business will be to prepare the coffee. Cold brew coffee works, in my mind, the most fantastically. Not only is it convenient, but the flavor is very smooth and low acidic, blending amazingly well with ice cream. If cold brew is not at your disposal, you can most definitely use freshly brewed coffee, but make sure it cools down. Place it in the freezer for about 10 to 20 minutes to cool down your coffee a bit faster, around.Blending Process
Now that your coffee is ready, let's blend. First, add all ingredients to the blender. At this point, I usually make it a practice to add the dry ingredients first, then the milk and ice cream. This prevents the dry ingredient from sticking to the side of the blender.
To make a regular coffee milkshake, add about 1/4 cup of coffee or milk. This amount is typically ideal for a great consistency: thick and creamy, but still easy to drink through a straw.
Now, blend until smooth. How much froth is atop of your milkshake depends on the nature of your blender and on how long you blend it . If you have an older or less powerful blender, just let the ingredients sit for about 10 minutes before blending to allow the ice cream to soften a bit first.
Consistency Tips
Mocha Madness
Chocolate lovers will truly have their wish come true with this variation: Mocha Madness. This indulgent treat requires adding only a tablespoon of cocoa powder to your basic coffee milkshake recipe.Caramel Swirl
Sweet and creamy, you ask? Well, this is your drink-the Caramel Swirl coffee milkshake. Rich, full-bodied coffee meets a smooth, buttery flavor of caramel. This variation requires only one change: adding a drizzle of caramel syrup into the blender when adding the other ingredients.Mint Chocolate Chip
For a fresh new take on the classic coffee milkshake, Mint Chocolate Chip combines nicely, refreshing, and invigorating in one cool glass of coffee, chocolate, and mint-a real treat. So, for this refreshing treat, add to your basic coffee milkshake recipe just a few drops of peppermint extract. Blend in some dark chocolate chunks or even cacao nibs for the chocolate chip element. It is now a cold, minty drink, refreshing to be taken during hot summer days [3].Serving and Garnishing Ideas
Now that we have perfected the art of making a mouth-watering coffee milkshake, let us move on to presentation. The right garnishes can make what would otherwise be a plain coffee and ice cream drink into something worth posting on Instagram. Here are some creative ways to serve and garnish our coffee milkshake.
Whipped Cream Toppings
Whipped cream really finishes off any coffee milkshake, and I make my own just for that extra bit of indulgence. However, feel free to use store-bought whipped cream at will. For added ease, use Rich's On Top Soft Whip Topping. This sweet-cream-flavored cold foam has just a hint of vanilla in its flavor profile. It's ready-to-use and pourable for layering over your coffee milkshake.Chocolate Drizzle
An easy and effective addition to add flavor and look good in your coffee milkshake is a chocolate drizzle. For this, you would drizzle about 1-2 tablespoons of chocolate syrup on the inside of your glass before pouring in the milkshake. You want to start at the top at the rim and let the chocolate syrup drizzle down the sides to the bottom.
You may also top it with chocolate sauce drizzled over the whipped cream topping, if you desire an extra indulgent touch. This will give the dessert drink a further boost of chocolate flavor and an appealing pattern at the top of your drink. If you want to get really creative, you could even try dark, milk, or white chocolates just for different flavor combinations and visual effects.
Cherry on Top
To complete your coffee milkshake masterpiece, consider adding a cherry on top. This classic garnish adds color and a touch of fruity sweetness against the richness in the coffee flavor. Royal Harvest Bordeaux Maraschino Cherries would be good for this.
But why settle for one cherry? Go crazy with the fruit toppings. Want more caffeine and added texture? Toss in a few chocolate-dipped coffee beans. For an added bonus, and a somewhat more filling garnish, consider placing a small biscotti on the side of your glass or even a couple of chocolate-covered espresso beans [5].
Remember, the key to a great presentation is balance. You want your garnishes to enhance the coffee milkshake, not overpower it. Feel free to mix and match these ideas to create your own signature coffee milkshake style. Whether you're serving it for a special occasion or just treating yourself on a hot summer day, these garnishing ideas will help you create a coffee milkshake that's as visually appealing as it is delicious.
Conclusion
A great coffee milkshake is all about balance-simplicity and indulgence intertwined. You can easily make a coffee milkshake that beats any coffee shop drink by taking care in the selection process with your coffee, ice cream, and add-ins. Success just comes down to finding your perfect flavor profile through some trial and error of different flavor combinations, from classic vanilla-forward to bold and rich with a strong coffee flavor.To sum it all up, versatility in the creation of coffee milkshakes means unlimited possibilities both in taste and presentation. Whether one is into mint chocolate chip or mocha madness, there is one for every taste bud. Not to forget those acting thoughtful with whipped cream, chocolate drizzles, or that cherry on top to make your home-made coffee milkshake look a stunning treat. Take out your blenders and get set to create your own masterpiece, the coffee milkshake, today.