Chocolate Milk and Ice Shake

• A simple combination of about 2 cups of chocolate milk and a tray and a half of ice cubes in the blender will yield results pretty close to a chocolate milk shake. You can also use 2 cups of regular milk and add cocoa powder or chocolate syrup instead for the chocolate flavoring. If you’re out of milk, you can use non-fat dry milk powder and water, or even condensed milk, which will add more sweetness as well. If you’re lactose intolerant, you can also make a vegan smoothie this way with almond milk or coconut milk.

In Search of Creaminess

• If you take a sip of this basic shake made with milk, you may feel like something is amiss. That something is creaminess — that smooth, rich mouth-feel that good old-fashioned ice cream imparts. To infuse creaminess into your shake, try adding a couple of tablespoons of fat, either melted butter or a mild-tasting oil, such as canola or coconut. The fat will emulsify the mixture, thickening it and improving the texture. If you have some heavy cream or half-and-half handy, you can also use that in place of some of the milk to up the creaminess.

A Step Further

• If you still feel like something is missing, it may be sweetness or that signature vanilla flavor. If you used regular or dry milk, rather than chocolate or condensed, you may want to add sugar or another sweetener to taste. Chocolate milk shakes are often made with vanilla ice cream and chocolate syrup, so adding the undertone of vanilla provides another level of flavor to the drink. Add a few teaspoons of vanilla extract to taste.

More Flavoring Ideas

• Now that you know you can simply make a milk shake out of chocolate milk and ice, you may be blending them up all the time — and searching for a little diversity of flavor. Try adding a little bit of almond extract or make a St. Patrick’s Day version with peppermint extract. For a Mexican flavor profile, add a bit of cinnamon and a dash of cayenne pepper.