Christmas Milkshake Recipe: 10 Festive Ways to Make the Ultimate Holiday Shake

What Is a Christmas Milkshake?

A Christmas milkshake is essentially a classic milkshake with a festive makeover. You start with a base of ice cream and milk, then layer in holiday flavors and decorations:

• Peppermint and crushed candy canes
• Gingerbread or spiced cookies
• Eggnog and warm spices
• Christmas cookies and sprinkles
• Red and green color themes

Why You’ll Love This Christmas Milkshake Recipe

This Christmas Milkshake Recipe is:

• Quick: Ready in about 10 minutes, even if you go heavy on the decorations
• Easy: Blender-based, beginner-friendly, and forgiving
• Festive: Built to match your Christmas tree vibes—red and green, snowy white, or Grinchy green
• Customizable: Swap ice cream flavors, toppings, or mix-ins to match your favorite Christmas treats

It works perfectly for:

• Christmas movie nights
• Christmas Eve dessert after a big meal
• Holiday sleepovers or kids’ parties
• A fun dessert bar at a Christmas gathering

Key Ingredients for the Perfect Christmas Milkshake

The secret to a great Christmas Milkshake Recipe is simple: good ingredients, in the right ratios.

Ice Cream (The Base)

Your ice cream choice is where you set the tone:

• Vanilla ice cream – Neutral, works with any flavor
• Chocolate ice cream – Ideal for peppermint-chocolate or mocha twists
• Peppermint ice cream – Doubles down on the minty flavor
• Cookies and cream / Christmas cookie ice cream – Great for cookie-style shakes

For a thick, indulgent holiday milkshake, use a high-quality, creamy ice cream and let it soften slightly before blending.

Milk & Liquid Options

Milk thins the ice cream just enough to blend:

• Whole milk for a rich, classic shake
• 2% milk for a slightly lighter texture
• Oat, almond, soy, or coconut milk for a dairy-free version

You can also add a splash of:

• Heavy cream for extra richness
• Eggnog for an eggnog milkshake twist
• Coffee or cold brew for a mocha-Christmas variation

Sweeteners & Flavor Boosters

Most of the sweetness comes from ice cream, but you can layer in extra flavor:

• Vanilla extract for warmth
• Peppermint extract (go slowly—it’s strong!)
• Chocolate syrup or caramel sauce
• Gingerbread or holiday-flavored syrups

Color & Festive Elements

Color can transform a simple milkshake into a Christmas showstopper:

• Red and green gel food coloring
• Matcha or pistachio paste for natural green tones
• Red berry syrups for hints of pink or red

Always add coloring gradually to avoid neon or muddy tones.

Toppings & Garnishes

• Whipped cream swirls
• Red, green, and white sprinkles
• Crushed candy canes or peppermints
• Mini cookies or brownies
• Chocolate shavings or curls
• Mini marshmallows
• Maraschino cherries

Rim Decoration Ingredients

For that “freak shake” look:

• Frosting, melted chocolate, or almond bark on the rim
• Press sprinkles or crushed candy into the sticky rim
• Drizzled chocolate or caramel down the inside of the glass

Equipment & Tools You’ll Need

You don’t need any fancy gadgets to nail this Christmas Milkshake Recipe. A few basics are enough:

• Blender (standard or high-speed)
• Tall milkshake glasses, mason jars, or soda glasses
• Ice cream scoop
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Rubber spatula (to scrape the blender)
• Paper or reusable straws
• Long spoons for thick shakes

Classic Christmas Milkshake Recipe (Step by Step)

This is your go-to Christmas Milkshake Recipe. Once you master this base version, you can adapt it to any flavor.

Ingredients (Base Recipe – for 2 tall shakes)

• 4 large scoops vanilla ice cream (about 2–2½ cups)
• ½ to ¾ cup cold milk (adjust to desired thickness)
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
• ¼ to ½ teaspoon peppermint extract (optional, for a classic Christmas twist)
• A few drops of red or green gel food coloring (optional)

For decorating & serving:

• Whipped cream
• Crushed candy canes or Christmas sprinkles
• Chocolate syrup or caramel sauce
• Frosting or melted chocolate for rimming the glass
• Whole or mini candy canes for garnish

Step 1: Prep Your Glasses

1. Spread frosting or melted chocolate around the outside rim of your glasses.
2. Roll the rim in sprinkles or crushed candy canes.
3. Place the glasses in the fridge or freezer to chill while you blend.

This gives your Christmas milkshake a professional, party-ready look.

Step 2: Soften the Ice Cream

Let the ice cream sit at room temperature for 5–10 minutes, just until it’s easier to scoop and blend. Softened ice cream:

• Blends faster
• Gives a smoother texture
• Lets you use less milk (for a thicker shake)

Step 3: Blend the Milkshake Base

1. Add the softened ice cream to the blender.
2. Pour in ½ cup milk to start.
3. Add vanilla extract and peppermint extract (if using).
4. Add a drop or two of food coloring, if you want a holiday hue.
5. Blend until smooth and thick.

Step 4: Adjust Flavor & Texture

Taste your milkshake:

• Want more peppermint? Add a tiny bit more extract and pulse.
• Want it thicker? Add a scoop of ice cream.
• Want more color? Add one more drop of food coloring and blend briefly.

Avoid blending too long after adding sprinkles or cookies, or the color may turn muddy.

Step 5: Pour & Decorate

1. Remove your chilled, decorated glasses from the fridge or freezer.
2. Drizzle chocolate or caramel down the inside walls of the glass, if you like.
3. Pour the milkshake in, leaving space on top for toppings.
4. Top with whipped cream.
5. Sprinkle on crushed candy canes, sprinkles, mini cookies, marshmallows, or chocolate shavings.
6. Add a candy cane hook or festive straw, and serve immediately.

Serving Suggestions & Presentation Tips

Here are some ways to serve your Christmas milkshake so it feels like an event, not just a drink.

• Christmas Movie Night: Serve shakes in front of the tree while watching holiday classics.
• Dessert After Dinner: Instead of pie or cake, offer small milkshakes as a fun, shareable dessert.
• Milkshake Bar: Set up a DIY Christmas milkshake bar with:
  • Ice cream tubs on ice
  • Bowls of sprinkles, crushed candy, mini cookies, marshmallows
  • Different syrups and extracts

Storage, Make-Ahead & Leftovers

Milkshakes are best served immediately, but you can still plan a bit.

Can You Make a Christmas Milkshake Ahead of Time?

You can:

• Pre-rim and decorate the glasses
• Pre-chop toppings (cookies, candy, chocolate)
• Measure out the ice cream and keep it in a sealed container in the freezer

If you’d like to blend the shakes slightly ahead, you can:

1. Blend them as usual.
2. Pour into freezer-safe glasses or jars.
3. Freeze for up to a few hours.
4. Let sit at room temperature for a few minutes, then stir or re-blend briefly before serving.

What About Leftovers?

If you somehow have leftover Christmas milkshake:

• Freeze it in an airtight container.
• Let soften slightly later and re-blend with a splash of milk.
• Turn it into a shake bowl by letting it soften and eating it with a spoon.

Avoid adding ice cubes, which water down the flavor and texture.

Troubleshooting & Common Mistakes

Even a simple Christmas Milkshake Recipe can go wrong if you’re not careful. Here’s how to fix common issues.

Milkshake Too Thin

Possible causes:

• Too much milk
• Ice cream fully melted before blending

Fixes:

• Add more ice cream and blend briefly.
• Freeze the mixture for 10–15 minutes, then blend again.

Milkshake Too Thick

Possible causes:

• Not enough milk
• Ice cream still very hard

Fixes:

• Add a small splash of milk at a time and blend just until smooth.
• Let the ice cream soften for a few minutes before blending.

Overpowering Mint or Extract

Extracts are strong, especially peppermint.

Fixes:

• Add more ice cream to mellow the flavor.
• Add a spoonful of chocolate or caramel sauce to balance the sharpness.

Muddy Colors

Red and green can mix into a brownish shade if over-blended.

Fixes:

• Keep colors separate where possible (layer red and green shakes).
• Use clear glasses to show distinct layers.
• Add colored sprinkles on top instead of heavy coloring in the shake itself.

Sprinkles Not Sticking to the Rim

Fixes:

• Apply frosting or melted chocolate in a thicker band around the rim.
• Press the sprinkles onto the rim instead of just dipping.
• Work quickly so the chocolate or frosting doesn’t set before you add sprinkles.

FAQs – Christmas Milkshake Recipe

1. What is a Christmas milkshake made of?
A Christmas milkshake is usually made with ice cream, milk, a festive flavor (like peppermint, gingerbread, or eggnog), and toppings such as whipped cream, sprinkles, and candy canes. The exact combination depends on the flavor theme you choose.

2. How do you make a Christmas milkshake without ice cream?
You can blend frozen bananas, a bit of milk, and flavored syrups or extracts to mimic the creaminess of ice cream. Another option is frozen yogurt or a non-dairy frozen dessert alternative.

3. Can I make a Christmas milkshake without a blender?
Yes, if the ice cream is very soft. Place the softened ice cream in a large bowl, add milk and flavorings, and stir vigorously with a sturdy spoon until smooth. It won’t be quite as silky as a blended shake, but it still tastes great.

4. How do I thicken a Christmas milkshake?
Add more ice cream or reduce the amount of milk you use. You can also chill the blended shake for a few minutes in the freezer before serving to firm it up slightly.

Conclusion

Creating a Christmas Milkshake Recipe is one of the easiest ways to bring instant holiday magic to your table. With just a blender, a few simple ingredients, and a dash of creativity, you can whip up a festive treat that feels joyful, nostalgic, and totally customizable for any celebration.