Mint Chocolate Chip Shake

Last summer my youngest came home from a friend's house absolutely obsessed with mint chip milkshakes, talking about this little shop downtown that made them somehow taste like mint rather than just green sugar. We spent the next month experimenting every Sunday afternoon until we finally cracked the code.

My grandmother always insisted that whipped cream should never come from a can, and making it fresh while the blender runs has become this little ritual. The sound of cream hitting the bowl marks the beginning of something good.

Ingredients

• 2 cups vanilla ice cream: Vanilla serves as the perfect blank canvas, letting the mint shine without competing flavors
• 1 cup whole milk: Whole milk creates that rich, luxurious texture I've never been able to replicate with skim
• 1/2 teaspoon pure peppermint extract: A little goes a long way, and pure extract makes all the difference between artificial and authentic
• 1/3 cup mini chocolate chips: Mini chips distribute evenly through every sip so you never get a chocolate-free spoonful
• 2–3 drops green food coloring: Optional, but somehow the green makes the mint taste more genuine to our brains
• 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream: Cold heavy cream whips up into the most pillowy topping you'll ever taste
• 1 tablespoon powdered sugar: Just enough sweetness to stabilize the cream without making it taste like frosting
• Additional chocolate chips or shavings: That visual cue on top tells everyone exactly what they're about to enjoy
• Fresh mint leaves: The aroma hits you before you even take that first sip

Instructions

Whip the cream first:

In a chilled metal bowl, beat the heavy cream with powdered sugar until soft peaks form, then pop it in the fridge to stay firm while you blend.

Blend the base:

Combine vanilla ice cream, milk, peppermint extract, and food coloring in your blender, running it until completely smooth and uniformly green.

Add the chips:

Toss in those mini chocolate chips and pulse just two or three times to distribute them while keeping some chocolate texture intact.

Pour and crown:

Divide between two tall glasses and mound that whipped cream on top like the cloud it deserves to be.

Garnish generously:

Sprinkle extra chips, add some shavings if you're feeling fancy, and tuck in a fresh mint leaf for that final touch.

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These became our official end-of-summer-celebration drinks, the ones we'd make on the last day of school or after big wins at swim meets. Now even just hearing the blender start up makes everyone drift toward the kitchen.

The Secret to Restaurant Style

Chilling your glasses in the freezer for ten minutes before pouring keeps everything frosty longer, just like the shake shop downtown does.

Making It Dairy Free

Coconut milk ice cream with oat milk creates a surprisingly creamy base, and full-fat canned coconut cream whips up beautifully for the topping.

Customizing Your Shake

Chocolate ice cream instead of vanilla doubles down on the chocolate intensity while still keeping that bright mint note cutting through the richness.

• Try adding a splash of coffee for a mocha mint variation
• A tablespoon of cocoa powder makes it more chocolate-forward
• Crushed peppermint candies on top add lovely crunch

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There's something impossibly satisfying about the clinking of spoons against glass when everyone's practically licking the bowl clean. These make any Tuesday afternoon feel like a celebration.

Recipe FAQs

→ How do I keep the chocolate chips from sinking?

Pulse the chocolate chips briefly into the blended mixture to keep small chunks suspended, preventing them from sinking.

→ Can I use plant-based milk and ice cream?

Yes, using plant-based alternatives and coconut whipped cream is a great dairy-free option without compromising flavor.

→ How do I make the whipped cream topping?

Whip heavy cream with powdered sugar until soft peaks form, then refrigerate until ready to serve for a light, fluffy topping.

→ Is green food coloring necessary?

Green food coloring is optional and purely for visual appeal; the natural mint flavor remains the focus.

→ Can I adjust the mint intensity?

Yes, start with less peppermint extract and add more to taste for a milder or stronger mint flavor.