How to Make A Milkshake Without A Blender

Isn't milkshake such a comfort drink? It's sweet, thick, and frosty. It has everything we need to shoo away the stress. The main ingredients in a milkshake are milk and ice cream. We recommend adding some flavorings to make it more delectable, like chocolate syrup, butterscotch, or even fruit slices! Store them in the fridge and you can always fizz up a glass of milkshake at home. Making a milkshake is as simple as putting the ingredients into a blender altogether. Don’t have any blender at home? Fret not! We know how to make a milkshake without a blender.

Before we reveal the answer, it's fun to learn some trivia about your favorite thing. So let's go brief on the history of milkshake! The term 'milkshake' was first coined in 1885. It referred to an alcoholic beverage which was a blend of eggs, whiskey, and cream. The customers who enjoyed the drinks would shake the bartender's hands, hence the term 'milkshake'. They got rid of the whiskey in the 1900s and replaced it with vanilla, chocolate, or strawberry syrup. Only after the invention of the blender in 1922, the milkshake with actual milk powder was born. Later, it developed into the frosty and frothy milkshake that we know of.

Based on its history alone, a blender was such an important factor in milkshake making. But can we still make a homemade milkshake if we don’t have a blender? Fortunately, yes. There is a more traditional, less electricity-consuming way to satisfy your milkshake cravings. Of course, a milkshake made without a blender will not have the exact same texture as the one made with a blender. Nonetheless, it does taste good. It's a milkshake after all! And there are some tricks to bring us closer to what we call a perfect milkshake, even without a blender.

First, the ingredients you need!

Ice cream and milk choice

Ice cream is such a deciding factor in milkshake making. It's up to your taste but full-fat ice cream makes a thicker, creamier milkshake. Lighter ice cream makes a fluffier, more airy milkshake. It's also important to let it melt before use, especially when we are not using any blender. You can leave the ice cream at room temperature and let it melt naturally. Or you can defrost it in the microwave until it's soft enough to scoop. Milk is also interchangeable. Some people replace milk with heavy cream for a thicker consistency.

So, how to make a milkshake without a blender? Basically, there are two alternatives. One, substitute the blender with other appliances. Two, skip the blender and use all manpower -- no electricity at all.

Milk to ice cream ratio

The know-how says that you should start with a ratio of one part milk to three parts ice cream. While mixing them, you can add more milk midway if you feel like it's too thick to your liking.

Add toppings!

Besides adding more flavor, toppings can also give textures to a milkshake. For non-blender users, we recommend you to add toppings that don't need to be blended. Some of the best picks are Oreo crumbs, chocolate sauce, and chopped nuts. Other appliances vs. Manpower

So, how to make a milkshake without a blender? Basically, there are two alternatives. One, substitute the blender with other appliances. Two, skip the blender and use all manpower -- no electricity at all.

Using blender substitutes

In case you choose not to but even the best blenders under $100, there some kitchen appliances you can use in substitute to a blender. There are a mixer, stick blender, and food processor. They really help in mixing the ingredients. You don’t have to use all your strength to shake your milkshake. They can also save you more time. But more often than not, those appliances are just a blender in other forms. So we are giving you another simpler option, read on!

Using no electricity at all

We understand that sometimes it's not about the tools. It's about washing the dishes. It might be the last thing you want to do after having your best time with dessert, don’t you think? And a blender is a bit of a hassle to wash. You can still mix the milkshake ingredients in either a bowl or a closed container. Below are the steps you can follow.

1. Prepare the tools and ingredients
Prepare enough ice cream, milk, and optional add-ons. Get a bowl or a container where you will mix your ingredients in. You will want to get a container with a lid for a safe shake later. Other tools that you may need are a spoon and a whisk.

2. Let the ice cream soften

Let the ice cream sit at room temperature for about 15-20 minutes, depend on its initial temperature. The ice cream quantity also affects its thawing time. The more ice cream you use, the more time it needs to melt. If you really can't wait to gulp down some milkshake, put the ice cream in the microwave for 15-20 seconds. Just don't let it turn into a puddle!

3. Scoop the ice cream and pour the milk We are sticking to the know-how, so put 3 scoops of ice cream into the bowl of the container. You can also do it until it fills 3/4 of the container. Pour one part of milk or according to your taste. If you want to put any mix-ins to your milkshake, now is the time! For container users, close the lid and make sure that there’s no room for a leak.

4. Mix and shake!

Mix the ingredients in the bowl using a whisk, or shake the container vigorously for 1-2 minutes. You shouldn’t stop midway while you are shaking it because it will affect the consistency. Consider it as a free workout!

5. Mix the unmixed There might be lumps of ice cream that just won’t mix. Stir the shake using a spoon. Mash the ice cream lumps against the bowl or the container.

6. Serve it Now you are ready to serve the homemade milkshake in a glass. This is optional, but toppings do add a pretty touch on shake. So don’t hesitate to top your shake!

Conclusion

And that’s it! That’s how to make a milkshake without a blender. Easy enough! It takes around 20 minutes to prep and make. Then, you can drink up your shake immediately. Or you can put it in the fridge for 10-15 minutes for a colder and fresher milkshake. Some blender makers offer their own recipe for a milkshake. We recommend Vitamix’s World’s Best Malted Milkshake. We hope our article helps you in making homemade milkshake despite having no blender!