Milkshakes originated in the United States around the turn of the 20th century, and grew in popularity following the introduction of strawberry milkshake blenders in the subsequent two decades. They became a common part of youth popular culture, as ice cream shops were a culturally acceptable meeting place for youth, and milkshakes became symbolic of the innocence of youth. Starting in 2019, throwing milkshakes at politicians—milkshaking—has become a common protest tactic in some countries.
Full-service restaurants, ice cream shops, soda fountains, and diners usually prepare the shake in a specialized mixer known as a milkshake machine. At home, a blender is more commonly used. These are similar to soft-serve ice cream machines, but keep the shake at a drinkable consistency. Terminology around the distinction between a milkshake that uses ice cream and other forms of flavored milk varies regionally. An ice cream-based milkshake may be called a thick shake to distinguish it. Rhode Island residents sometimes refer to milkshakes as “cabinets”.
A milkshake containing malted milk powder is sometimes called a malt. When the term “milkshake” was first used in print in 1885, milkshakes were an alcoholic whiskey drink that has been described as a “sturdy, healthful eggnog type of drink, with eggs, whiskey, etc. The history of the electric blender, malted milk drinks, and milkshakes are interconnected. Before the widespread availability of electric blenders, milkshake-type drinks were more like eggnog, or they were a hand-shaken mixture of crushed ice and milk, sugar, and flavorings. The Hamilton Beach design, with the motor on top, remains the most common kind of milkshake machine. In 1922, Steven Poplawski invented the bottom-motor blender, which is sometimes used for making milkshakes.
With the invention of the blender, milkshakes began to take their modern, whipped, aerated, and frothy form. The use of malted milk powder in milkshakes was popularized in the US by the Chicago drugstore chain Walgreens. The automation of milkshakes developed in the 1930s, after the invention of freon-cooled refrigerators provided a safe, reliable way of automatically making and dispensing ice cream. In the late 1930s, several newspaper articles show that the term “frosted” was used to refer to milkshakes made with ice cream.
In 1937, the Denton Journal in Maryland stated that “For a ‘frosted’ shake, add a dash of your favorite ice cream. 10” lunch counters, diners, burger joints, and drugstore soda fountains. Milkshakes had also become popular in other parts of the world, including the United Kingdom and Australia. In Australia, milk bars had grown popular and milkshakes were normally served lightly whipped and often in the aluminium or stainless steel cups in which they were prepared. This milkshake was made using liquid nitrogen.
Vapor can still be seen forming at the top. Agricultural Research Service developed reduced-sugar, low-fat milk shakes for lunch programs. Schools need a milk shake machine or soft-serve ice cream machine to serve the milkshakes. 2006, according to the industry research firm NPD Group. Christopher Muller, the director of the Center for Multi-Unit Restaurant Management at Orlando’s University of Central Florida said that “milkshakes remind us of summer, youth — and indulgence”, and “they’re evocative of a time gone by”. A 2016 article stated that chefs are trying out innovative ideas with milkshakes to keep customers interested in the drinks. The article noted that coffee-flavored shakes are popular “because it complements both sweet and savory” dishes.
In May 2019, during the build-up to the EU parliament elections in the United Kingdom, the throwing of milkshakes emerged as a protest tactic, usually targeting right-wing politicians. This prompted Burger King to tweet in response: “We’re selling milkshakes all weekend. Milkshakes in the movies have been described a “shorthand for sweetness and goodness”. In All About Eve, by director Joseph L. The characters from Archie Comics are often depicted drinking milkshakes.