A vegan milkshake is really simple to make, and an ideal way to get some protein and calcium into your bones, via your choice of plant milk. Conventional milkshakes sold in stores are obviously made with dairy, and McDonald’s milkshakes are not just unkind to animals, but huge in calories too. Why not make your own? Treat yourself to a couple of 50-s style milkshake glasses, to make it a regular treat. Keep these shakes away from pets due to chocolate, nuts etc.
This banana & oat milk shake (So Vegan) is worthy of a 1950s American milkshake bar. This is made with fresh bananas and vegan yoghurt, with vegan vanilla ice-cream, vanilla and maple syrup. Serve over ice with coconut whip (vegan squirty cream tends to have palm oil) and organic vegan glace cherries.
McDonald’s milkshakes are packed with cholesterol and calories. A combination of ice cream, whipped cream and vanilla shake syrup, they are kind of not milkshakes at all really. Just one order packs almost all your calorie needs in one day, when you could instead support local artisan ingredients, and make your own instead like above. Not to mention a glass and reusable straw is better than disposable packaging (avoid stainless steel straws for children or when on the move, as they don’t bend).
Try this Banana & Cashew Shamrock Shake (Crowded Kitchen). Shamrock is not the same as a four-leaf clover, as it only has three leaves. Legend has it that St Patrick (the patron saint of Wales) used it to teach about the Holy Trinity, in a Catholic country. We all know of St Patrick as the patron saint of Ireland. He did not banish snakes from Ireland as commonly thought (they were never there in the first place. It’s too cold! that’s why lizards are as snakey as you get on the Emerald Isle). After being enslaved by Irish pirates, he converted to Christianity and returned to spread the word in his adopted home.
Strawberry Protein Milkshake (The Simple Veganista) blends frozen berries with plant milk, banana, vanilla and maple syrup.
Creamy Vegan Vanilla Shake (Simple Vegan Blog) is far better than the original, and topped with coconut whip (just whizz up chilled coconut cream (pour the water away or use in smoothies) and mix with a little sugar). Mix in spices if wished, or cocoa or carob powder.
Vegan Peanut Butter Milkshake (Loving it Vegan) offers a high-protein drink, who would not prefer this, to a can of cola? Top with melted peanut drizzle and some chopped peanuts. Use organic peanut butter to avoid palm oil.
3 Ingredient Mocha Milkshake (Minimalist Baker) blends the flavours of coffee and chocolate. All you need is vegan vanilla ice-cream, cocoa powder and strong coffee.
The Best Vegan Chocolate Shake (The Simple Veganista) needs just 4 simple ingredients, and is ready in a minute. You can also add cinnamon or dates for extra taste. Did you know that chocolate is the only edible substance that melts just below human body temperature (which is why it melts on your tongue). The Aztecs in South America valued chocolate so much, that cocoa beans were used as their currency! The cocoa tree’s name means ‘food of the Gods’.
Chocolate Chickpea Shake (Rainbow in my Kitchen) gives you protein and calcium, in a tasty drink. It’s made with bananas, rice milk, coconut cream, roasted hazelnuts and raw cacao powder, sweetened with maple syrup.
Make Your Own (vegan) Milkshake Mix
There does not appear to be a ready-made mix on the market, but you can make your own. This makes it ideal, to quickly whizz up a milkshake when you want, without having to buy the big brands. The most popular brand in England is Nesquik, which sells plastic tubs of milkshake powders in various flavours, made with milk (likely from factory farms), and various add-ons. But you can make your own with this simple recipe from Go Dairy-Free.
This recipe uses coconut milk powder (which you can also use as a dry coffee creamer). Choose from 4 flavours (vanilla, mint chip, malted mocha or super berry). Then to make, just mix up 1/2 cup each of the powder with ice-cold water, add 1/2 cup of crushed ice and mix in a good blender on high speed for around 2 minutes.
