National Vanilla Milkshake Day
National Vanilla Milkshake Day 🥤 is featured in the Obscure Holiday Calendar app with custom icons, reminder options, and quick posts.
Overview
National Vanilla Milkshake Day, observed annually on June 20th, is a delightful occasion dedicated to celebrating one of America's most beloved and classic frozen treats. This day encourages everyone to indulge in the simple pleasure of a creamy, sweet vanilla milkshake, whether homemade or purchased from a favorite diner or ice cream parlor, honoring its enduring appeal as a refreshing dessert.
Origin and story
The term "milkshake" first appeared in print in 1885, initially referring to an alcoholic whiskey drink with eggs.
It wasn't until the early 20th century, with the popularization of electric blenders, that milkshakes evolved into the ice cream-based, frothy drink we know today.
Quick facts
- DateJune 20
- TypeFood / Dessert
- Great forFoodies, Chocolate lovers, Home bakers
Also on this date
Ways to celebrate
The first printed "milkshake" recipe, in 1885, wasn't dessert at all — it was an eggnog-like tonic of milk, eggs, and whiskey, sold at soda fountains as a restorative drink for adults, alcohol included.
See how fast it went nonalcoholic
Just a year later, an 1886 Atlanta Constitution recipe dropped the whiskey entirely in favor of milk, sugar, and flavored syrup shaken over ice — already recognizable as the modern milkshake.
Read the full, stranger-than-expected history
Helpful resources: Tasting Table digs into the milkshake's boozy 19th-century origins in "Original Vanilla Milkshake Recipes Were Intended As Alcoholic Drinks."
Make one the modern way
- Blend real vanilla bean or extract with vanilla ice cream and cold milk for a version closer to what soda fountains served once the whiskey era ended.
Did you know?
Milkshakes didn't get their thick, frothy modern texture until the electric blender arrived in 1922, which made whipping ice cream into the mix fast and practical for diners.
Fun facts
- The term "milkshake" first appeared in print in 1885, initially referring to an alcoholic whiskey drink with eggs.
- It wasn't until the early 20th century, with the popularization of electric blenders, that milkshakes evolved into the ice cream-based, frothy drink we know today.
- Vanilla is often considered the original and most classic milkshake flavor, serving as a base for many other variations.
Sources and attribution
External links may lead to third-party websites.
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FAQ
- When is National Vanilla Milkshake Day?
- It is observed on June 20 each year.
- What is National Vanilla Milkshake Day?
- National Vanilla Milkshake Day, observed annually on June 20th, is a delightful occasion dedicated to celebrating one of America's most beloved and classic frozen treats. This day encourages everyone to indulge in the simple pleasure of a creamy, sweet vanilla milkshake, whether homemade or purchased from a favorite diner or ice cream parlor, honoring its enduring appeal as a refreshing dessert.
- How do people celebrate National Vanilla Milkshake Day?
- Blend real vanilla with vanilla ice cream and cold milk for a classic shake, and read up on how the drink started life in 1885 as a boozy whiskey-and-egg tonic before going nonalcoholic just a year later.
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