The classic vanilla milkshake gets a grownup makeover with this Coffee Milkshake recipe! It's so easy to make, with just 3 ingredients and 2 of them being our favorite foods ever created- coffee and ice cream!
Whether it's a dessert or a snack, this creamy flavorful milkshake will satisfy your urge for something sweet, yet nutty. You can turn this basic recipe into one with notes of chocolate or vanilla or leave it as is. My trick to getting it as flavorful as possible is by using my favorite coffee and ice cream!
With only about 30 seconds of blending time, coffee milkshakes take less than 2 minutes to make.
I make all of my milkshakes and smoothies using my Instant Ace Nova cooking blender and love how delicious they turn out. This blender has a special frozen dessert setting that keeps the ingredients cold. Milkshakes come out thick and creamy in about 30 seconds on this setting. But any blender can work to make a milkshake, so don't worry if your doesn't have this or a similar setting.
This Is The Best Coffee Milkshake Because It's:
- Loaded with coffee flavor, especially if you use coffee ice cream!
- Only 3 simple ingredients- just milk, ice cream, and coffee!
- Quick and easy- throw all the ingredients into the blender and hit start!
- Thick and creamy! This recipe has the perfect milk to ice cream ratio for making restaurant worthy milkshakes.
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Ingredients and Notes
This coffee milkshake is made with only 3 simple ingredients.
- Ice cream: use vanilla or coffee ice cream. Coffee ice cream is going to give you the most coffee flavor and to me this is the kind you should use to make the best milkshake! I know that coffee ice cream can be hard to find sometimes, so vanilla ice cream will still taste great.
- Brewed coffee: always use cold coffee, never hot! You can use leftover cold brew coffee, cold espresso, or regular cold coffee. Even decaf coffee works! Save a little bit of your brewed coffee from the day, keep it in the fridge overnight and use it to make your milkshake the next day.
- Milk: you need only a little bit of milk in this recipe to make a thick and creamy milkshake. If you use too much, you'll end up with a thinned out milkshake. Any type of milk works, either dairy or a plant-based.
Optional garnishings include:
- Chocolate sauce
- Chocolate shavings
- Whipped cream
- Maraschino cherries
Instructions
STEP 1: Add all ingredients to the blender in the order your blender suggests. If using the Instant Ace Blender, add the milk and cold coffee first, then ice cream.
STEP 2: Blend on high speed for 30 seconds. For the Instant Ace Blender, choose the "frozen dessert" option, but only blend for 30 seconds. Check milkshake's consistency and continue blending in 10 second increments if desired. If needed, use a spatula to push the ingredients down the side of the blender toward the blade.
STEP 3: Pour into a glass and serve immediately. Drizzle with chocolate sauce or top with whipped cream and a cherry if desired.
Coffee Milkshake Variations
- Chocolate coffee milkshake: add a tablespoon of chocolate syrup or baking cocoa powder to the blender. You can also try this recipe with chocolate ice cream.
- Vanilla coffee milkshake: use vanilla ice cream and/or vanilla coffee.
- Dairy-free: use non-dairy milk and ice cream.
Recipe Tips and Tricks
- Don't overblend it. If you blend the milkshake for too long the ice cream will become more melted and lead to a runny milkshake instead of a thick one.
- Don't use too much milk. Start with just one tablespoon. Once blended, add another tablespoon only if the milkshake is too thick for your liking.
- Serve milkshakes immediately. If it sits out for just 10 minutes before being consumed, it will become watery.
- For a super flavor packed coffee milkshake, use coffee ice cream! For a more subdued coffee flavor, use vanilla ice cream.
- Use frozen coffee. If you're having trouble getting the thick and creamy consistency that makes milkshakes so wonderful, try freezing the coffee overnight.
- Measure your ice cream correctly. Pack the ice cream into the measuring cup to ensure you're using enough. Don't skimp!
FAQs About This Recipe
Yes, coffee milkshakes contain caffeine unless you use decaffeinated coffee. There will be as much caffeine in this recipe as is in the coffee that you use.
If you don't have a traditional blender or cooking blender, a hand held immersion blender or food processor can be used.
One 12 ounce coffee milkshake has about 500 calories, give or take. The exact calories and nutritional information depends on the type of milk and ice cream you use.
Yes, both cold brew coffee and espresso work in this recipe and will flavor the milkshake slightly different. The key is to use your favorite coffee for a flavor that you'll love the most.
If you enjoyed this recipe, make sure to give it a star rating and let me know what you thought in the comments! And follow me on Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram for more delicious recipes!
Recipe
Coffee Milkshake
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoon cold coffee traditional, cold brew, or espresso
- 1 tablespoon milk dairy or non-dairy
- 2 cups ice cream vanilla or coffee (see notes)
Instructions
- Add all ingredients to the blender in the order your blender suggests. If using the Instant Ace Blender, add the milk first, then cold coffee, then ice cream.
- Blend on high speed for 30 seconds. For the Instant Ace Blender, choose the "frozen dessert" option, but only blend for 30 seconds. Check milkshake's consistency and continue blending in 10 second increments if desired. If needed, use a spatula to push the ingredients down the side of the blender toward the blade.
- Pour into a glass and serve immediately. Drizzle with chocolate sauce or top with whipped cream and a cherry if desired.
Melinda
What a treat!! And I like that I can freeze leftover morning coffee and use it to make this milkshake extra icy and delicious. Great recipe.
Brianna May
I made this milkshake last weekend! I absolutely loved the combo.
Jessica
Asking for a friend - is it ok to drink a coffee milkshake for breakfast?!? Seriously though, this milkshake is sooo tasty. I love the flavor the coffee adds as well as the boost from the caffeine.
Kristina
Milkshakes for breakfast are always a good idea!
Mary O’Brien
You had me at coffee, then you really had me at vanilla ice cream. Now hubby is going to want one.
Bernice
This looks and tastes just like the coffee milkshake at my favourite burger joint. I can't wait to make it again on the next hot summer day.
Amy Liu Dong
Such an easy and delicious drink to have today. I will def make this for everyone! Thank you!