Look, these are still unprecedented times… rules can be bent. 

It doesn’t matter what month it is, whether there’s snow on the ground, or if the winter tires are still on – if we feel like making a homemade milkshake, we’re going to do exactly that – end of story. 

You’re here for a plant-based milkshake recipe, so let’s get right to it. 

What You’ll Need

This milkshake recipe is almost too easy. Seriously, all you need are two ingredients and five minutes. If your milkshake intake dramatically increases after this discovering this recipe, #sorrynotsorry. 

The two ingredients for the base mixture are (plant-based) milk and (plant-based) ice cream. Shocker, right? There’s beauty in simplicity, and a milkshake like this one is beautiful indeed. You’re probably going to want to snap a quick picture for the ‘Gram before taking your first sip, trust us. 

It’s also time to whip out your blender. You know, the one you swore you’d use for fruit smoothies, but it mysteriously hasn’t seen the outside of your cupboard in a while? Yea, that one. A small one will do just fine but if you enjoy your shakes on the thicker side, be mindful of whether your blender will be able to pulverize ice cubes too. 

No blender? Not a problem. This is an easy recipe, remember? Grab a large bowl (preferably glass) and a rubber spatula.

It’s time to start brainstorming some of your favorite mix-ins. Mix-ins are debatably the best part – crushed Oreos, chocolate chips, syrups, nut butter, fruit, you name it. For the frappuccino lover’s out there, a shot or two of espresso is more than welcome and can turn this milkshake into the ultimate mid-afternoon treat. 

If it’s one of those days, you may even want to reach for some coconut rum or vanilla vodka (given all final milkshake consumers are of legal drinking age, of course). 

Which Type of Milk to Use?

A plant-based one, duh. 

Given that only two ingredients are going into this milkshake, each one counts. The type of milk you use will affect your final product’s texture, taste, and creaminess. Despite there being a new type of dairy-free milk popping up seemingly every other day, it’s not as simple as just picking any old one. 

Luckily for you, we’re already done the research, trials, and taste tests to find the optimal plant-based milk for making frozen desserts. The key in choosing the right milk is paying attention to the fat content. Milks with a higher fat content are creamier and thus will give us a creamier milkshake.

Soy, coconut, and certain types of oat milk tend to have the highest fat content, so they are a good place to start. From here, it’s up to you to choose your favorite kind! Read labels as you browse and keep an eye out for the fat content.

Which Type of Ice Cream to Use?

Eclipse ice cream. 

Like choosing the best milk option, we want to choose an ice cream that is thick, creamy, and utterly delicious. Forget everything you think you know about plant-based ice cream – most of them are watery, bland, and boring. It breaks our heart to hear people say they don’t like dairy-free ice cream – they just haven’t tried the right ones! 

Here at Eclipse, we take ice cream seriously. When we set out to make the best plant-based ice cream there is, we started from square one and created our very “milk” (our secret sauce). It’s made from only six simple ingredients, all from Mother Nature herself: oats, corn, potato, cassava, organic cane sugar, and non-GMO canola oil. We don’t simply throw these ingredients together, either. We make our ice cream (with love) in a kitchen, not a laboratory. We’d love to tell you how, but we can’t give away all of our secrets. 

As to which kind of Eclipse ice cream? Any flavor from the Eclipse classics collection is perfect for milkshakes: chocolate, vanilla, and cookie butter ice cream. 

Chocolate and vanilla speak for themselves; do we need to say anything more? Let us bring your attention to the cookie butter flavor – it’s a fan favorite for a reason. Imagine a velvety river of vanilla sweetness filled with golden chunks of oh-so scrumptious cookie pieces. For all the “all things cookie dough” lovers out there, this one is for you. With cookie butter ice cream as part of the base, you can turn your milkshake into a birthday cake style, a cookie dough delight, a peanut butter-cookie dough party, and so much more. 

The Best and Easiest Plant-Based Milkshake

Without further ado, let’s get (milk)shakin’. 

What you’ll need:

• 1½  cup ice cream.
• ¼ cup milk.
• As much and as many mix-ins are your heart desires.
• Optional garnish: whipped topping, sprinkles, maraschino cherry (the classic finishing touch for that ‘Gram worthy pic).

How it’s done:

If You Have a Blender:

• Pour the milk in first (to help get the blender mixing quickly and easily).
• Add in the ice cream.
  • Depending on how cold your freezer is, you may want to let the ice cream soften for a few minutes before scooping it in. If the ice cream is too frozen, you may have to add in more milk to get it blending, resulting in a more runny shake.
• Blend away! Keep your eyes on the beautiful mess as it mixes and stop when it reaches a consistency of your liking.
• Optional: add some ice cubes.
  • Ice cubes can be a great addition to add volume and some crunch factor.

If You Don’t Have a Blender:

• Add your milk and ice cream to a large bowl.
• Use a rubber spatula to stir and smoosh the mixture together.
• Serve right away, or put the mixture back in the freezer for a few minutes to refreeze it to your liking. 

Pro tip: Don’t simply mix in the mix-ins. Everything is going to get crushed together in the blender, and certain ingredients may lose their shape. For things like chocolate chips, cookie pieces, fruit, or sprinkles, you may want to save them for mixing in after the base is prepared. For syrups, nut butter, or alcohol, go ahead and throw them into the blender or bowl. 

Serving:

• Pour into a chilled milkshake glass, and enjoy! Using a chilled glass is optimal but definitely not necessary. A glass most similar to diner-inspired vibes will enhance the milkshake experience, but any old glass will do just fine.

We’re suckers for the classic whipped cream with sprinkles and a maraschino cherry on top, but choosing the “decor” is your time to shine. Milkshakes are supposed to be fun, so have fun with it! 

Enjoy!

Not only is your shake going to taste out of this world, but it’s also going to be saving our world. 

By choosing plant-based, you’re making an incredible difference. Plant-based milk and ice cream use less water, less land, and emit less greenhouse gas emissions than conventional dairy products. At Eclipse, we’re working towards creating a more sustainable, responsible, and humane food system. We make delicious dairy-free products; you sit back, enjoy, and help save the world. 

Does your shake taste even better knowing it’s saving freshwater, preserving precious farmland, and not polluting our atmosphere? It probably does. You’re welcome.

From us to you, enjoy your milkshake! 

Sources 

10 Best Lactose-Free Milk Options to Try | Taste of Home

Comparing Milks: Almond, Dairy, Soy, Rice, and Coconut | Healthline 

The plant-based ice cream that celebrated its first summer during a pandemic | Fortune