September is National Milkshake Month!

September is National Milkshake Month!

Milkshake Trivia & History ~

When ‘milkshakes’ were first invented in 1885, they also included whiskey. The initial description of the drink was a “sturdy, healthful eggnog type of drink, with eggs, whiskey, etc., served as a tonic as well as a treat.” The basic ingredients for a milkshake include milk, ice cream, and flavoring. Bandleader Fred Waring financed the invention of the blender by Frederick Jacob Osius, and later marketed the Miracle Mixer and Waring Blendor (note the spelling) in 1937, making milkshakes available in many homes, in addition to medical research. They sold for under $30.

Hamilton Beach made the blender of choice for most professional food establishments beginning with the ‘Cyclone Blender’ in 1911. Prior to that, they were literally “shaked.”

Ice cream was added in the early 1900s, and the term “Frosted” came about in the 1930s, when more efficient refrigeration made ice cream available on a massive scale. Walgreens’ Ivar Coulson is noted as the first person to combine malt, ice cream, and a flavoring for the modern milkshake.

Ivar Coulson’s Recipe for Old Fashioned Chocolate Malted Milk:

Use a Frosted Malt Can

1 1/2 oz. Chocolate Syrup
3  #16 Dips of Vanilla Ice Cream
5 1/2 oz. of Cold Milk
Add Malt Powder (One Heaping Tablespoonful)
Place On Mixer Only Until Mixed (Do Not Over Mix)
Use a Generous Portion of Whipped Topping In A #1808 10 oz. Glass
Pour Malted Milk in Glass Approximately 2/3 Full
Serve Remainder Of Malted In A Shaker Along With The Glass To The Guest With Straws and Package of Fountain Treat Cookies

Milkshake Trivia:

  • Joseph Friedman invented the flexible straw when he saw his daughter struggle with her milkshake. He patented (#2,094,268 ) his ‘drinking tube’ in 1937.
  • A banana milkshake mixed with a little honey has been called the perfect cure for a hangover.
  • Dairy Queen began serving them in 1949.
  • McDonald’s McFlurries were invented in October 1997, although they offered milkshakes shortly after they first opened in 1940. Ray Crock was the salesman, and later bought the company from Maurice and Richard McDonald. (The Shamrock Shake was introduced in 1970)
  • Wendy’s introduced their Frostys in 1969.
  • Health food stores on the West Coast of the United States began selling smoothies (which inclued fruits and the occasional vegetable) in the 1930s.
  • In some areas, a milkshake is known as a ‘frappe’ (the ‘e’ is silent).
  • A ‘Concrete” Shake is designed so thick that the server hands it out the order window upside down, demonstrating that not a drop will drip. Dairy Queen sometimes offers it, in some regions of the US.
  • A milkshake is a ‘malt’ if it is made with malted milk. William Horlick invented the mixture of dried milk, malted barley and wheat in 1897, and added it to milk to create the ‘malt’ drink.
  • Reduced-sugar, low-fat milk shakes are available in many schools and health-conscious restaurants.
  • June 20 is National Vanilla Milkshake Day.
  • September 12 is National Chocolate Milkshake Day.
  • October 7 is National Frappe Day

More information about Milkshake History:

Highland Park Soda Fountain
Hankering For History

 

Today in History
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