The Rise of Boozy Milkshakes: A Sweet and Spirited Treat
Whether it’s a sweltering summer day or a chilly winter afternoon, there’s never a wrong season to scream for ice cream. Cravings for cool and creamy sweet treats are a constant, and for adults looking to combine drinks and dessert, this means ice cream with a little something extra. Boozy milkshakes fill the bill as both a creamy cocktail and a drinkable dessert that taps into Americana nostalgia with a playful twist on the classic drink. Across the country, inventive flavors and garnishes are redefining the traditional milkshake experience.
The Allure of Boozy Milkshakes
Boozy ice cream is its own category of comfort food, and new versions are popping up across the country. While standard alcohol-free milkshakes are a superb snack, spiking these creamy concoctions with whiskey, tequila, rum, and flavored liqueurs elevates them from drive-thru nostalgia to decadent, dessert-y cocktails. Boozy milkshakes come in a variety of flavors, forms, and colors, from tipsy versions of classic childhood flavors to exciting contemporary creations that infuse unexpected ingredients like Fruity Pebbles and whiskey-glazed donuts. When you’re looking to cool off with your next pick-me-up, give these epic milkshakes a slurp.
Bushwacker at The Sandshaker – Pensacola, Florida
A truly Floridian version of a boozy milkshake, the Bushwacker has become a summertime staple, especially around Pensacola. Rich, creamy, and chocolatey, it’s a rite of passage for panhandle visitors, with numerous bars and restaurants offering their own twists on the classic. First created in St. Thomas, the Bushwacker was refined and popularized at the Sandshaker Bar, where it remains a tried-and-true hot weather tradition.
Made with cream of coconut, Kahlua, Bacardi black rum, crème de cacao, half and half, and vanilla ice cream, this milkshake-like drink is sweet, decadent, and deceptively boozy—way too easy to drink.
Irish Coffee Shake at Gospel Coffee and Boozy Treats – New Orleans
Irish coffee is a staple sip in booze-loving New Orleans, as evidenced by the popularity of spots like Erin Rose, where frozen Irish coffee is a summertime balm. For a novel take on this tradition, check out Gospel Coffee and Boozy Treats, a chic cafe located inside the Kimpton Hotel Fontenot. Here, all drinks on the menu can be spiked, including the shakes—a concept that feels very true to New Orleans culture.
Their Irish coffee shake, made with Jameson, espresso, Kahlua, and vanilla ice cream, is deliciously simple and packed with flavor. Served in a vintage-looking milkshake glass topped with fresh whipped cream, it’s a delightful treat that captures the essence of the city.
Lime Margarita Shake at Bar Milagro – New York City
For a boozy milkshake with serious panache, head to Williamsburg’s Bar Milagro. Nestled underneath the Mexican restaurant Xolo, this intimate bar features an eclectic drink list focused on mezcal and tequila. Among the agave-centric cocktails, the menu also includes spiked milkshakes served in cocktail-worthy style.
The Lime Margarita shake takes the classic margarita formula—tequila, Cointreau, lime juice—and blends it with fresh vanilla ice cream, creating a drink that is tart, tangy, sweet, and silky. Garnished with whipped cream, a sliver of fresh lime, and a flaky wafer cookie, it’s not only tasty but also one of the most Instagram-worthy shakes you’ll find.
Pink Squirrel at The Pink Squirrel – Chicago
It doesn’t get more retro-cool than The Pink Squirrel, a pink-hued bar in Chicago’s Logan Square neighborhood that takes cocktail kitsch seriously. With decor inspired by mid-century supper clubs, the whimsical watering hole features a small duckpin bowling alley, cozy vinyl booths, and, of course, spiked shakes.
The star attraction is the Pink Squirrel, made with vanilla ice cream, white crème de cacao, and crème de noyaux, an almond-flavored liqueur. Poured into a chic cocktail glass and finished with whipped cream and a cherry on top, it’s a delightful nod to the past.
Frisky Whiskey at Donut Distillery – Nashville
As if milkshakes weren’t decadent enough, how about blending them with donuts and spiking them with booze? Nashville’s Donut Distillery, which started as a food truck, now offers a permanent restaurant where they combine their popular donuts with alcohol in milkshakes.
The Frisky Whiskey is a standout, featuring Tennessee whiskey, two whiskey-glazed donuts, and vanilla ice cream. Topped with whipped cream and an extra donut, it’s a decadent homage to the Volunteer State that’s sure to satisfy any sweet tooth.
Boozy Caramel Shake at Lizzy’s Burger Bar & Grill – Savannah
To beat the infamous Georgia heat, milkshakes are a must at Lizzy’s Burger Bar & Grill. This Americana-themed restaurant features a menu of smashburgers and fried snacks, but their indulgent milkshakes are the real stars.
The Boozy Caramel shake, made with locally-sourced Ghost Coast bourbon, vanilla ice cream, and a drizzle of warm, salty caramel, delivers a wow factor. Topped with whipped cream and crunchy caramel brittle, it’s a sweet escape from the summer heat.
Campfire S’mores at Holsteins – Las Vegas
Combining two iconic summertime snacks, the Campfire S’mores shake at Holsteins in The Cosmopolitan is a prime example of the delicious excess Las Vegas is known for. Made with marshmallow vodka, graham crackers, chocolate sauce, and chocolate-covered graham crackers, this shake is piled high with garnishes.
Topped with vanilla frosting, graham cracker crumbles, and a toasted marshmallow, it’s an over-the-top treat that transports your taste buds to a crackling campfire, making it an intoxicating sip of summer.
Conclusion
Boozy milkshakes are more than just a trend; they represent a delightful fusion of nostalgia and innovation. With flavors ranging from classic to contemporary, these spirited treats offer a unique way to indulge in dessert while enjoying a cocktail. Whether you’re in Pensacola, New Orleans, New York City, Chicago, Nashville, Savannah, or Las Vegas, there’s a boozy milkshake waiting to be savored. So, the next time you crave something sweet and spirited, consider giving one of these epic concoctions a try.