How to Make a Milkshake Maker

Milkshakes are a popular food item at home and in restaurants.

When the term milkshake first appeared in print in the late 1800s, it referred to an alcoholic whiskey drink. By the turn of the century, the milkshake was a wholesome drink made with vanilla, strawberry, or chocolate syrups. Today, milkshakes are a blend of ice cream and milk. Often fresh or frozen fruits, or syrups are added. Specialty milkshakes may include crushed cookies, nuts, candy bars or small candies. Making milkshakes at home is a cost effective alternative to buying them commercially.

Things You'll Need

• Electric blender or food processor
• Hand mixer
• Lengthened shaft mixer blades
• Welded base for hand mixer
• Quart canning jar with tight lid
• 3 large marbles

Instructions

Dedicated Kitchen Appliance for Milkshake Making

1. Designate an existing blender or food processor in the home as the milkshake maker. The major difference between a commercial milkshake maker and a kitchen blender or food processor is that the milkshake maker is used exclusively for creating milkshakes.

2. Mark the kitchen appliance that is being designated solely for milkshakes with either a decal with a milkshake theme, a printed label on sticky-back paper that can be applied to the appliance. You can also use permanent ink markers.

3. Inform all family members of the newly designated, exclusive purpose of the blender or food processor.

Making a Milkshake Maker From a Hand Mixer

1. Locate a metal shop.

2. Arrange with the metal shop to attach the hand mixer to a stable hinged metal base at the appropriate height for a 24 oz. ingredient container and lengthened-shaft blade. Hinging the hand mixer to the base allows for easy removal of the ingredient container. If the cost of hinging the base is restrictive, an alternative strategy is to routinely release the blade from the mixer prior to moving the container away.

3. Instruct the metal shop to lengthen the shaft of one hand mixer blade as only one is needed to process the shake ingredients. Make it the length that fits the mixer.

Making a Milkshake Maker from a Shaker Cup or Jar

1. Mark a wide-mouth quart canning jar with either a stick-on label, decal, or permanent ink marker. Describe it as for milkshake-making only.

2. Purchase a plastic screw-on lid for the canning jar if you don't have one.

3. Add ingredients to the jar.

4. Drop in the three large marbles.

5. Screw the lid on tightly. If there is any leakage, try placing a square of plastic wrap over the rim of the jar and then screwing the lid on. Shake until the ingredients are uniformly blended - the marbles serve to help create a homogeneous mixture.

Tips & Warnings

• Retail milkshake makers can cost as much as $700. However, a small range of milkshake makers are available for under $80. Should a homemade milkshake maker not be of interest to you, there are commercial options at affordable prices.

• If utilizing the shaker jar method for making a milkshake, remove the marbles before drinking.

References

• "Thoroughly Modern Milkshakes: 100 Classic and Contemporary Recipes," Adam Ried; 2009
• "Soda Fountain Classics," Elsa Petersen-Schepelern and Debi Treloar; 2001