National Chocolate Milkshake Day

Sip, Slurp, and Celebrate

If there's one beverage that makes adulthood feel like a continuous dessert, it’s the chocolate milkshake. On National Chocolate Milkshake Day, celebrated every year on September 12th, we honor the tall, frosty glass of pure chocolate bliss that has united taste buds across generations. Whether you sip it with nostalgia or slurp it with reckless abandon, today is all about celebrating this beloved classic with a side of whipped cream and maybe a cherry on top (or two).

The Origins of the Chocolate Milkshake

Once upon a time, back in the late 1800s, a "milkshake" was actually a frothy, whiskey-infused concoction that could knock your socks off before you even got to the bottom of the glass. But by the early 1900s, someone realized that not every milkshake needed to come with a side of tipsy. Enter the non-alcoholic version we know today, where milk, ice cream, and chocolate teamed up to create the perfect trio for a brain freeze.

The original milkshake machine was the brainchild of a man named Hamilton Beach, whose name now graces kitchen appliances everywhere. His creation of the drink mixer in 1911 helped make milkshakes what they are today—smooth, velvety, and dangerously easy to consume in large quantities.

Anatomy of a Chocolate Milkshake

Let’s break it down. What makes a chocolate milkshake? It’s a simple yet genius combination of milk, chocolate syrup, and ice cream. It’s the cold drink that walks the fine line between a dessert and a beverage, delighting your taste buds while giving your sweet tooth a gentle high-five.

• Milk: The foundation. Whether you go with classic whole milk or opt for a plant-based version like almond or oat milk, the choice is yours. Milk keeps everything smooth and sippable, like a hug in liquid form.
• Chocolate Syrup: The star of the show. It’s the rich, sweet, slightly bitter essence of chocolate condensed into a bottle that we pour generously because moderation is for salads, not milkshakes.
• Ice Cream: The thickener, the cooling agent, the soul. Without ice cream, your milkshake is just sad chocolate milk. And let’s be honest, no one is signing up for that.

Mix these elements together, and you have yourself a drink that’s capable of healing bad days, celebrating good ones, and everything in between.

How to Celebrate National Chocolate Milkshake Day

While there’s no wrong way to enjoy a chocolate milkshake, there are certainly some more exciting methods you can try today. Get ready to embrace the ultimate milkshake extravaganza.

• Go Classic: Hit up your local diner or ice cream shop for an old-school, hand-spun chocolate milkshake. The stainless steel cups, the frothy overflow—it’s like stepping back in time to when sock hops and jukeboxes ruled the world.
• Make Your Own: Dust off your blender and get creative. Sure, a classic milkshake is good, but why not throw in some extra flair? Toss in crushed cookies, a handful of chocolate chips, or a swirl of caramel. If you’re feeling particularly wild, how about a chocolate-peanut butter swirl or a double chocolate extravaganza?
• Try a Milkshake Bar: Yes, they exist! These Instagram-worthy spots often come with over-the-top creations, like milkshakes topped with entire slices of cake, brownies, or even cotton candy. It's a spectacle that turns milkshake sipping into a full-contact sport.

Famous Milkshakes in Pop Culture

Chocolate milkshakes have managed to cement their place not just in the diner scene but in pop culture as well. Who could forget the iconic milkshake scene in Pulp Fiction, where John Travolta’s character marvels at the “five-dollar shake”? Or the milkshake that brought all the boys to the yard, as immortalized in Kelis’ famous 2003 song? Clearly, milkshakes aren’t just for drinking—they’re for making statements.

Even in Riverdale, Pop’s Chock’lit Shoppe seems to thrive on the unspoken rule that no scene is complete without a thick chocolate milkshake arriving mid-conversation. It’s almost like they’re not even serious about their deep, mysterious dramas without a milkshake to ground the moment.

Chocolate Milkshakes Around the World

While National Chocolate Milkshake Day is a celebration born in the United States, it’s worth noting that chocolate milkshakes are enjoyed across the globe, each culture adding its own unique twist:

• Brazil: Chocolate milkshakes are typically made with rich, decadent brigadeiro sauce, a kind of chocolate fudge that takes this classic drink to a whole new level of indulgence.
• India: In India, chocolate milkshakes might come with a dose of cardamom or cinnamon, making them fragrant and spicy. Plus, you might find them topped with crushed pistachios for a bit of crunch.
• Japan: Don’t be surprised if your chocolate milkshake in Japan comes with a hint of matcha green tea powder, offering a subtle, earthy note that complements the sweetness of the chocolate.

Milkshake Mishaps

Of course, no great food experience is without its potential pitfalls. The danger of the brain freeze looms over every sip of a chocolate milkshake. That sudden, cold-induced headache is the universe's way of telling you, “Hey, slow down! Savor this moment!” It’s advice we often ignore because, really, how can you sip slowly when chocolate milkshakes taste so good?

And then there’s the infamous milkshake mustache. You know the one—the chocolate foam that lingers on your upper lip long after the glass is empty, announcing to the world that you’ve been deep in milkshake territory. Own it. Wear it with pride.

Fun Facts About Chocolate Milkshakes

• The first known printed reference to a milkshake appeared in a British newspaper in 1885, where it was described as a “sturdy drink” made with whiskey and eggs. Thankfully, someone had the bright idea to tone down the alcohol and up the dessert factor.
• In 1922, a Walgreen’s employee named Ivar Coulson invented the modern chocolate milkshake by adding two scoops of ice cream to malted milk. History was made, and we’ve been sipping happily ever since.
• The largest chocolate milkshake ever made weighed in at over 6,000 gallons and was created in New York City. That’s enough milkshake to last… well, probably a weekend, if we’re being realistic.

On National Chocolate Milkshake Day, let’s raise our straws in honor of this decadent, dairy-rich delight. Whether you prefer your shake thick enough to require a spoon or thin enough to sip through a straw, today is the day to indulge in that perfect blend of chocolate and ice cream goodness.

Just remember, if you’re going for a second round (or third, we’re not judging), pace yourself—there’s a fine line between enjoying a chocolate milkshake and wearing it.

So go forth, blend, sip, and slurp. Today’s mission? Celebrate chocolate milkshakes in all their glory, because life’s just better when you’ve got a milkshake in hand.

Please Share our Content