If you’ve ever sipped a mocha and thought I wonder what would happen if I added ice cream to this, one, I like the way you think, and two, today’s recipe is for you. Also, the answer to that question is magic. Magic is what happens with you mix ice cream and coffee. ❤️
This coffee milkshake is all your sweet coffee dreams come true. It’s thick and creamy with a rich coffee and chocolate flavor. Best of all, if you have some leftover coffee from this morning and some vanilla ice cream in your freezer, you could be sipping a coffee shake in about 5 minutes.
Ingredient Notes
Vanilla ice cream: Vanilla ice cream makes a good base for a coffee milkshake because it really lets the coffee flavor shine through, but you can use whatever ice cream you have on hand as long as the flavor pairs well with coffee. Cold coffee OR instant coffee or espresso: This shake can be made with leftover cold coffee or instant coffee or espresso. Both versions are delicious, but I prefer using instant coffee because it gives you a really concentrated boost of coffee flavor. Cocoa powder: A bit of cocoa powder gives the shake a subtle chocolate flavor that pairs so well with coffee. Milk: You’ll only need milk if you’re making your milkshake with instant coffee/espresso (if you’re using leftover coffee, you won’t need any more liquid for the shake). Any percentage or type of milk will work. The higher fat milk you use, the richer/creamier your shake will be.
A Note on Coffee Temperature: This should go without saying, but don’t try to make your shake with freshly brewed hot coffee. It will melt the ice cream too much. If starting with hot coffee, measure the amount needed for the recipe into a large cup or bowl and place it in the freezer for 10 to 20 minutes, until chilled. Then make your shake.
How to Make a Coffee Milkshake
Milkshake Variations
Caramel coffee shake: Add 1 heaping tablespoon of caramel to the shake before blending. (This is seriously SOOOO good.) Boozy coffee milkshake: Replace 2 tablespoons to ¼ cup of the milk or coffee with Kahlua, Irish cream, or your choice of alcohol.
Can I make this shake ahead of time?
I don’t recommend making your milkshake ahead of time. Shakes are always best right after they’ve been mixed. Even when stored in the refrigerator, they will slowly begin to melt and become less thick and frosty the longer they sit.
Can I make a milkshake without a blender?
Yes! It won’t be as thick and creamy as a blended shake, but it will still be delicious. To make your shake without a blender: If you want to see a step-by-step walkthrough of this, go check out my How to Make a Milkshake Without a Blender post.
Can I make this with cold brew coffee?
Absolutely. Cold brew works great.
Is there caffeine in a coffee milkshake?
Yes. Unless you’re using decaf coffee, your milkshake will be caffeinated.
More Coffee Recipes
White Chocolate Mocha Iced Mocha Iced Caramel Latte Iced White Chocolate Mocha
More Milkshake Recipes
Banana Milkshake Chocolate Milkshake Vanilla Milkshake Strawberry Milkshake
Recipe Notes
This recipe makes about a 12 to 16-ounce (1½ to 2-cup) milkshake, enough for one restaurant-size serving or two smaller ones
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