Coffee AND ice cream? It can’t get much better. These amazing coffee milkshakes are thick, creamy, and super easy to make! Made with either two or three ingredients, we have a coffee milkshake option for both the vanilla and the chocolate lover.
We love making our own milkshakes at home (have you tried our homemade shamrock shake?!). It’s an easy way to have a special treat, even on a weeknight, without having to leave the house. I make myself a small shake in a personal sized blender more often than I’d like to admit… and have gotten blender milkshake making down to an art.
These coffee milkshakes combine my love for coffee recipes along with my lifelong love of ice cream. And our coffee milkshakes are made with strongly brewed coffee, not instant coffee (like a lot of the recipes you’ll find), because good coffee makes a good coffee milkshake!
You’ll Love this Coffee Milkshake Recipe!
So easy! Measure, blend, and enjoy!
Strong coffee flavor. Depending on which ice cream base you choose, you’ll have a blend of coffee with either vanilla or chocolate as your main flavors, and it’s a delight.
A quick treat! It takes less than 5 minutes to blend these up, especially if you already have cool coffee to use.
Ingredients Needed
Vanilla Version
- Vanilla Ice Cream
- Strongly Brewed Coffee, Chilled
Chocolate Version
- Chocolate Ice Cream
- Strongly Brewed Coffee, Chilled
- Chocolate Malt Powder (may be labeled as Chocolate Malted Milk Powder)
- NOTE: Ok, technically, this is a coffee and chocolate malt. We’ve tried leaving out the malt powder, and honestly, the chocolate and coffee combination alone can be a little bitter. The chocolate malt powder takes this coffee shake to a whole new level of awesome! I highly recommend using this ingredient.
Optional Garnishes
- Whipped Cream
- Chocolate Sauce / Chocolate Syrup
- Pirouette Cookies
- Maraschino Cherries
- Wafer Cookies
- Waffle Cone Pieces
- Chocolate Shavings
See the recipe card at the bottom of the page for ingredient measurements and full instructions.
What is the Best Ice Cream for a Milkshake?
A good milkshake needs good ice cream! This isn’t the time to worry about calories. Go for the good stuff. I personally love using vanilla bean ice cream or a classic chocolate ice cream. However, if you have a favorite style of vanilla or chocolate, give it a try!
What Kind of Coffee Is Best for Coffee Milkshakes?
Much like the ice cream, good coffee will make a good coffee milkshake! Brew up a pot of your favorite coffee and set some aside to cool down (at least to room temp) to use in this milkshake recipe. Alternatively, using cold brew coffee is also a great option as it’s already chilled and is a more mellow brew.
How to Make a Coffee Milkshake
Place ingredients into a blender, and blend until smooth.
Check the consistency.
- If you’d like your milkshake to be a little thicker, add another scoop of ice cream.
- If you’d like your milkshake a little thinner, add another splash of cold coffee.
If making a change, blend again to combine.
Pour into a serving glass. Add optional garnishes if desired.
Serve with a spoon and a straw, and enjoy!
Variations for Coffee Milkshakes
Make a boozy milkshake: if you’d like to make this into an adult milkshake, add some liqueur to your coffee shake! Start by replacing 2 tablespoons of the coffee with the liqueur of your choice. Kahlua or Irish Cream would both be great options. If boozy milkshakes are you jam, be sure to try our frozen mudslide cocktail!
Change up the ice cream: try coffee flavored ice cream for an extra intense coffee flavor. You could also use a chocolate chip ice cream!
Coffee Milkshake Recipe FAQs
Can I make my coffee milkshake ahead of time? Homemade milkshakes are best enjoyed straight from the blender. Plan to make your coffee milkshakes when you want to enjoy them.
How to make a thick milkshake? If you prefer an extra thick milkshake, add an extra scoop of ice cream! You can always alter the consistency of your coffee malt after blending, creating your perfect homemade milkshake.
What’s the Difference Between a Malt vs. Shake
You may be wondering what is the difference between a malt and a shake? A malt uses malted milk powder in addition to the other milkshake ingredients.
What is malt powder?
Malt powder is used to give beverages, like malts, their distinctive flavor. Malted milk powder can also be used in baking for various reasons.
Malt powder, aka malted milk powder, is made of malted barley, wheat flour, and powdered milk. Chocolate malt powder has the addition of cocoa powder as well. Depending on the brand, there may also be some sugar added.
Helpful Equipment
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Coffee Milkshake – 2 Ways!
Ingredients
Option 1 – Vanilla Base
- 1 + ½ C vanilla ice cream
- ½ C strongly brewed coffee, chilled*
Option 2 – Chocolate Base
- 1 + ½ C chocolate ice cream
- ½ C strongly brewed coffee, chilled*
- 3 tablespoon chocolate malted milk powder
Instructions
- Add all ingredients to a blender and blend until smooth.
- Check the consistency. If a thicker shake is desired, add more ice cream. If a thinner shake is desired, add more cold coffee. If making a change, blend again to combine.
- Pour into a serving glass. Add optional garnishes if desired.
- Serve with a spoon and a straw, and enjoy!
David says
I mean, come on. What’s not to like about this?!
ourlovelanguageisfood says
I mean, I totally agree! Which one did you like best?