Malted Milkshake Recipe (Classic Old-Fashioned Malt)
This malted milkshake recipe is thick, creamy, and packed with the nostalgic sweet malt flavor that was so popular at old-fashioned soda fountains. Made with just a handful of simple ingredients, it blends together in minutes for a rich homemade treat that’s perfect any time you’re craving a classic milkshake.
Old fashioned soda fountain malted shake
My older sister was obsessed with malted milk balls (Whoppers). She always had a carton tucked away in her room, and every now and then I’d sneak in and steal one or two, hoping she wouldn’t notice they were missing. It didn’t take long for me to fall in love with that rich, nutty malt flavor too. When I found out that old-fashioned malt flavored shakes were being served in diners, I couldn’t wait to try one. I was hooked from the very first sip.
Now, as an adult, whenever that craving hits, I make this homemade malted milkshake instead. It comes together in just a few minutes, and I can make it any flavor I like. Chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry are all classic favorites.
If you enjoy making thick, creamy milkshakes at home, be sure to try my orange creamsicle milkshake, pumpkin spice milkshake, and homemade chai milkshake too.
What is malt?
Malt is made by sprouting cereal grains, most commonly barley, and then drying them to develop their signature flavor. They have a rich, lightly sweet flavor with notes that many people describe as nutty, toasty, or similar to caramel. If you’ve ever enjoyed Whoppers, Ovaltine, or chocolate malt candies, you’re already familiar with its distinctive taste.
For milkshakes, you won’t use plain malt. Instead, you’ll use malted milk powder, a blend of malted barley, wheat flour, and dried milk that dissolves easily into the shake. It deepens the flavor, adds a subtle toasted sweetness, and gives the shake the classic soda fountain taste that’s made malted milkshakes a favorite for generations.
Recipe ingredients
- Ice cream: The ice cream is the foundation of this recipe and determines the flavor of the finished milkshake, so choose one you genuinely love. A premium ice cream with a high butterfat content creates a thicker, creamier shake with a cleaner, more pronounced flavor than lower-quality brands.
- Whole milk: Whole milk gives a malted milkshake its classic smooth, creamy consistency without thinning it too much. Fresh, full-fat milk blends more seamlessly with the ice cream, producing a richer shake with better body than reduced-fat alternatives.
- Malted milk powder: Choose a traditional malted milk powder rather than a chocolate malt drink mix or instant breakfast beverage. The ingredient list should include malted barley and dried milk, which provide the authentic old-fashioned malt flavor this recipe is known for while allowing the flavor of the ice cream to remain the star.
- Whipped cream (optional): Although optional, whipped cream gives a homemade malt the classic soda fountain finish. For the best flavor and texture, top each milkshake with freshly made homemade whipped cream just before serving.
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
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How to make a malted milkshake
Step 1: Add the vanilla ice cream, malted milk powder, and whole milk to a blender. Blend on high speed until the malted milk powder is fully incorporated and the milkshake is thick, smooth, creamy, and evenly blended with no visible streaks of malt powder remaining.
Step 2: Pour the milkshake into a chilled serving glass. If desired, top with whipped cream and a maraschino cherry for a classic soda fountain presentation. Serve immediately while the milkshake is thick and icy cold.
Top tips
- Start with firm ice cream: Ice cream that’s well frozen produces the thick, old-fashioned texture that defines a great malt. Softened ice cream melts more quickly during blending and results in a thinner milkshake.
- Blend just until smooth: Blend only until the milkshake is completely smooth and uniform in color. Longer blending times introduce excess heat, which melts the ice cream and reduces the shake’s thick, creamy consistency.
- Adjust the consistency before serving: If the milkshake is thicker than you’d like, blend in whole milk one tablespoon at a time until it reaches your preferred consistency. For a thicker malt, add another scoop of ice cream and blend briefly to incorporate.
- Serve immediately: A malted milkshake is at its best the moment it’s blended, when the texture is thick, creamy, and ice cold. Waiting too long allows the ice cream to melt, changing the consistency.
Other recipes you’ll love
If you loved this dessert beverage recipe, give these other great drink recipes a try too!
Tropical Fruit Milkshake
Blueberry Cheesecake Milkshake Recipe
Old Fashioned Ice Cream Float Recipe (2 Ingredients)
Pumpkin Spice Smoothie Recipe
Old-Fashioned Ice Cream Soda (Classic Soda Fountain Method)
Malted Milkshake
Ingredients
- 1 3/4 cups vanilla ice cream
- 1/3 cup whole milk
- 2 tablespoons malted milk powder
- whipped cream optional
- maraschino cherry optional
Instructions
- Add the vanilla ice cream, malted milk powder, and whole milk to a blender.
- Blend on high speed until the milkshake is smooth, creamy, and evenly combined.
- Pour into a chilled serving glass.
- If desired, top with whipped cream and a maraschino cherry.
- Serve immediately.
Notes
- For a thicker milkshake, add an extra scoop of ice cream. For a thinner consistency, blend in additional whole milk 1 tablespoon at a time.
- Any flavor of ice cream can be used to create your favorite malted milkshake variation.
- For the best texture, serve immediately after blending.
- A chilled serving glass helps keep the milkshake cold longer.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
