Like a snow globe you shake to reveal a tiny world, a holiday milkshake can turn a simple treat into an event. You’ll learn twelve over-the-top recipes that are easy to follow, with clear ingredient lists and simple steps for blending, layering, and garnishing. Start with basic flavors like peppermint and eggnog, then add show-stopping toppings like toasted marshmallows or candied ginger. Try one and keep going until you find your favorite.
Peppermint Bark Milkshake
Cool, invigorating holiday magic in a glass — this Peppermint Bark Milkshake tastes like dessert and winter in one sip!
Ingredients:
- 2 cups vanilla ice cream (about 4 scoops)
- 1/2 cup whole milk (adjust for thickness)
- 1/4 cup crushed peppermint bark (plus extra for garnish)
- 2 tablespoons chocolate syrup (plus extra for rim/drizzle)
- 1/4 teaspoon peppermint extract (optional — for extra minty punch)
- Whipped cream, for topping
- Crushed candy cane or crushed peppermint candy, for rim and garnish
- Chocolate shavings or mini chocolate chips, for garnish
How to Make:
- If you like a chocolate-rimmed glass, drizzle chocolate syrup around the inside of the glass and dip the rim in crushed candy cane; set aside.
- In a blender add the vanilla ice cream, milk, crushed peppermint bark, chocolate syrup, and peppermint extract.
- Blend until smooth and creamy; stop and scrape down the sides if needed and blend again.
- Taste and add more milk if too thick or more crushed peppermint bark for extra texture.
- Pour the shake into the prepared glass.
- Top with a generous swirl of whipped cream, a sprinkle of crushed peppermint, and chocolate shavings or mini chips.
- Add a little extra peppermint bark on top if you want a festive crunch.
Sip, smile, and enjoy your peppermint bark milkshake — holiday indulgence in every frosty sip!
Gingerbread Cookie Milkshake
Gingerbread Cookie Milkshake — cozy ginger, molasses, and cookies in a sip!
Ingredients:
- 2 cups vanilla ice cream (or ginger ice cream if you have it)
- 1/2 cup milk (use whole milk for richness, or almond milk)
- 4 gingerbread cookies (plus 1 extra for garnish), roughly broken
- 2 tablespoons molasses
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- Pinch of salt
- Whipped cream (for topping)
- Optional: a drizzle of caramel or chocolate sauce and a sprinkle of crushed cookie or cinnamon
How to Make:
- Add ice cream, milk, broken gingerbread cookies, molasses, ground ginger, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt to a blender.
- Blend on high until smooth and the cookies are well incorporated, about 30–45 seconds. Stop and scrape down sides if needed.
- Taste and add a splash more milk if it’s too thick, or an extra cookie for more texture—blend briefly to combine.
- Pour into a chilled glass.
- Top with a swirl of whipped cream, drizzle caramel or chocolate if using, and garnish with the extra cookie or a sprinkle of crushed cookie/cinnamon.
- Serve immediately and enjoy the cozy, spiced goodness!
Sip, unwind, and let this gingerbread milkshake bring holiday cheer in every creamy mouthful.
Eggnog Cinnamon Swirl Milkshake
Creamy, spiced eggnog meets a cinnamon-sugar swirl for a festive, sip-worthy treat.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups chilled eggnog
- 1 cup vanilla ice cream
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon (plus extra for garnish)
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg (plus a pinch for garnish)
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup milk (adjust for thickness)
- 2 tablespoons cinnamon simple syrup or cinnamon sauce (see note)
- Whipped cream, for topping
- A cinnamon stick or extra drizzle of cinnamon syrup, for garnish
How to Make:
- If you don’t have cinnamon syrup, combine 2 tablespoons brown sugar, 2 tablespoons water, and 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon in a small saucepan; simmer until slightly thickened, then cool.
- In a blender, add eggnog, vanilla ice cream, ground cinnamon, nutmeg, brown sugar, vanilla extract, and milk.
- Blend on high until smooth and frothy, about 20–30 seconds; check thickness and add a splash more milk if needed.
- Drizzle cinnamon syrup around the inside of two tall glasses to create a swirl effect.
- Pour the milkshake into the prepared glasses.
- Top each shake with a generous dollop of whipped cream, a light sprinkle of cinnamon and nutmeg, and a cinnamon stick or extra syrup drizzle.
- Serve immediately and enjoy a cozy, cinnamon-spiked holiday sip!
Enjoy that festive sip — cheers to cozy flavors!
Hot Chocolate S’mores Milkshake
A cozy, campfire-style shake that tastes like hot chocolate and toasted s’mores in every sip.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups chocolate ice cream
- 1 cup whole milk (or milk of choice)
- 1/4 cup hot chocolate (cooled) or 2 tbsp hot cocoa mix dissolved in 1/4 cup warm water then cooled
- 2 tablespoons chocolate syrup, plus extra for drizzling
- 6 large marshmallows (or 1/4 cup mini marshmallows)
- 2 graham cracker sheets, crushed (plus extra for rim)
- Whipped cream, for topping
- Optional: 1 ounce melted chocolate or chocolate chips for garnish
How to Make:
- If you like a graham-cracker rim, spread a little chocolate syrup around the rim of your glass and dip it into crushed graham crackers.
- Toast the large marshmallows over a gas flame, kitchen torch, or under a broiler until golden and slightly charred; set aside to cool a moment.
- In a blender, combine chocolate ice cream, milk, cooled hot chocolate, 2 tablespoons chocolate syrup, and the crushed graham crackers.
- Add the toasted marshmallows (or mini marshmallows) to the blender.
- Blend until smooth and thick, scraping down the sides as needed; add a splash more milk if too thick.
- Drizzle chocolate syrup inside the prepared glass for a decorative look.
- Pour the shake into the glass, top with whipped cream, extra toasted marshmallow or mini marshmallows, and a sprinkle of crushed graham crackers.
- Finish with a drizzle of melted chocolate or chocolate syrup if desired.
Take a big sip and enjoy that gooey, chocolatey s’mores bliss in milkshake form!
Candy Cane Cocoa Crunch Milkshake
Candy Cane Cocoa Crunch Milkshake — a minty-chocolate holiday treat that tastes like a peppermint hot cocoa in shake form.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups vanilla ice cream
- 1 cup whole milk (or milk of choice)
- 2 tablespoons chocolate syrup (plus extra for drizzling)
- 1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract (adjust to taste)
- 4 candy canes, crushed (reserve a few larger pieces for garnish)
- Whipped cream for topping
- Optional: chocolate shavings or mini chocolate chips for garnish
How to Make:
- Add the vanilla ice cream, milk, chocolate syrup, cocoa powder, peppermint extract, and most of the crushed candy canes to a blender.
- Blend on medium-high until smooth and creamy, scraping down the sides once if needed.
- Taste and adjust peppermint or chocolate level—add a bit more extract or syrup if you want stronger flavor—then pulse briefly to combine.
- Drizzle chocolate syrup inside chilled glasses and pour the milkshake in.
- Top with a swirl of whipped cream, a sprinkle of crushed candy cane, and a few chocolate shavings or chips.
- Garnish each glass with a larger candy cane piece for that festive look.
Sip and enjoy — a crunchy, minty chocolate hug in a glass!
Salted Caramel Pecan Holiday Shake
A silky, nutty milkshake that tastes like holiday coziness in a glass.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups vanilla ice cream
- 1/2 cup whole milk (or milk of choice)
- 1/4 cup salted caramel sauce, plus extra for drizzling
- 1/4 cup toasted pecans, plus extra for garnish
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pinch of flaky sea salt
- Whipped cream for topping (optional)
- Caramel and chopped pecans for garnish
How to Make:
- Add the vanilla ice cream, milk, 1/4 cup salted caramel sauce, toasted pecans, and vanilla extract to a blender.
- Blend on medium until smooth and creamy, scraping down the sides as needed.
- Taste and add a pinch of flaky sea salt if you want a brighter caramel flavor; blend briefly to combine.
- Drizzle caramel sauce inside serving glasses and pour the milkshake in.
- Top with whipped cream, a sprinkle of chopped pecans, extra caramel drizzle, and a tiny pinch of sea salt.
- Serve immediately with a straw and a spoon for the pecan bits.
Enjoy a sip of holiday comfort with every nutty, caramel-kissed mouthful!
White Chocolate Cranberry Milkshake
Creamy, festive, and tart — this White Chocolate Cranberry Milkshake sings holiday cheer in every sip.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup vanilla ice cream
- 1/2 cup milk (whole or 2% for creaminess)
- 1/4 cup white chocolate chips or chopped white chocolate
- 1/4 cup fresh or frozen cranberries (plus a few extra for garnish)
- 1–2 tablespoons simple syrup or honey (adjust to taste)
- 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Whipped cream, for topping
- Optional: white chocolate shavings or crushed peppermint for garnish
How to Make:
- If using fresh cranberries, simmer them with 1–2 tablespoons water and the simple syrup for 3–5 minutes until they soften and release juices; let cool slightly.
- Melt the white chocolate gently in the microwave in 15-second bursts, stirring between, until smooth; let cool a bit.
- In a blender, combine the vanilla ice cream, milk, melted white chocolate, cooled cranberries (or thawed frozen), and vanilla extract.
- Blend until smooth and thick; taste and add more syrup if you want it sweeter, then pulse to combine.
- Pour into a chilled glass, top with whipped cream, and sprinkle with a few cranberries and white chocolate shavings or crushed peppermint if using.
- Serve immediately and enjoy a festive, creamy treat!
Cheers to a merry milkshake moment!
Hot Buttered Rum Milkshake (Mocktail Option)
Hot Buttered Rum Milkshake (Mocktail Option) — a cozy, boozy-style milkshake that tastes like a warm holiday night (without the alcohol, if you prefer).
Ingredients:
- 2 cups vanilla ice cream (or dairy-free vanilla for a vegan option)
- 1/2 cup whole milk (or almond/oat milk)
- 2 tbsp brown sugar, packed
- 1 tsp unsalted butter, softened (or vegan butter)
- 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/8 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1/4 tsp vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
- Whipped cream, for topping (dairy or coconut)
- Optional garnish: a sprinkle of cinnamon, a drizzle of caramel sauce, and a cinnamon stick
- For the alcoholic version: 1–1.5 oz dark rum (add to blender)
How to Make:
- Scoop the vanilla ice cream into a blender.
- Add milk, brown sugar, softened butter, cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt.
- If using rum, pour it in now; otherwise leave it out for the mocktail version.
- Blend on medium until smooth and thick, about 20–30 seconds; add a splash more milk if too thick.
- Taste and adjust sweetness or spices as desired.
- Pour into a chilled glass.
- Top with whipped cream, a drizzle of caramel, a sprinkle of cinnamon, and a cinnamon stick if you like.
- Serve immediately and enjoy that warm, buttery holiday flavor in a chilly shake!
Cheers to indulgent holiday sips — boozy or not, this shake feels like a hug in a glass.
Toasted Marshmallow Yule Log Milkshake
Toasted Marshmallow Yule Log Milkshake — the cozy, campfire-flavored holiday shake that looks like a festive dessert and tastes like a warm night by the fire.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups vanilla ice cream
- 1/2 cup whole milk (or milk of choice)
- 1/4 cup chocolate syrup, plus extra for drizzling
- 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 6 large marshmallows (for toasting) + 1/2 cup mini marshmallows
- 2 Oreo cookies or chocolate wafer cookies (optional, for “bark” texture)
- Whipped cream for topping
- Chocolate shavings or cocoa powder for garnish
- Optional: 1 tablespoon crème de cacao or 1/2 teaspoon instant espresso powder (for depth)
How to Make:
- If using, crush the Oreo or wafer cookies into coarse crumbs and set aside for garnish.
- Toast 6 large marshmallows over a gas flame or with a kitchen torch until golden-brown and slightly charred; let them cool a moment.
- In a blender, combine the vanilla ice cream, milk, chocolate syrup, vanilla extract, toasted marshmallows, and optional liqueur/espresso powder.
- Blend until smooth and creamy. If too thick, add a splash more milk; if too thin, add a scoop more ice cream.
- Rim the serving glasses with chocolate syrup and press some cookie crumbs onto the rim to mimic yule log bark.
- Pour the milkshake into prepared glasses.
- Top with whipped cream, sprinkle with mini marshmallows and chocolate shavings, and drizzle with extra chocolate syrup.
- For a finishing touch, toast a few mini marshmallows quickly and perch one on top of each shake.
- Serve immediately and enjoy the festive, toasty flavors.
A sip that tastes like a holiday campfire—cheers to cozy treats!
Spiced Apple Cider Milkshake
Spiced Apple Cider Milkshake — cozy, tangy, and just a little boozy (optional).
Ingredients:
- 2 cups chilled spiced apple cider (store-bought or homemade)
- 2 large scoops vanilla ice cream (about 1 cup)
- 1/2 cup plain or vanilla Greek yogurt (optional for creaminess)
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- Pinch of ground nutmeg
- 1–2 teaspoons maple syrup or honey (to taste)
- 1/4 cup crushed ice (optional for thicker, colder shake)
- Whipped cream, caramel sauce, and a cinnamon stick for garnish
- Optional: 1–2 tablespoons bourbon or spiced rum for an adult version
How to Make:
- Pour the chilled spiced apple cider into a blender.
- Add the vanilla ice cream and Greek yogurt if using.
- Sprinkle in the ground cinnamon, nutmeg, and maple syrup or honey.
- Add crushed ice if you want a thicker, frostier texture.
- Blend until smooth and creamy, tasting and adjusting sweetness if needed.
- If using alcohol, add bourbon or spiced rum and pulse once to combine.
- Pour into tall glasses and top with whipped cream, a drizzle of caramel, and a cinnamon stick.
Enjoy this cozy spiced apple cider milkshake with a warm blanket and holiday tunes!
Pistachio Rose Winter Shake
A bright, nutty and floral shake that tastes like a holiday hug in a glass.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups vanilla ice cream (or pistachio ice cream if you want extra nuttiness)
- 1 cup whole milk (or milk of choice)
- 1/2 cup roasted unsalted pistachios, plus extra for garnish
- 1–2 tablespoons rose syrup (adjust to taste)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pinch of fine sea salt
- Whipped cream for topping (optional)
- Crushed pistachios and a few dried rose petals for garnish (optional)
How to Make:
- Roughly chop the roasted pistachios so they blend more easily.
- Add ice cream, milk, chopped pistachios, rose syrup, vanilla, and a pinch of salt to a blender.
- Blend on high until smooth and creamy, about 30–45 seconds. Stop and scrape down the sides if needed.
- Taste and add more rose syrup or milk to reach your preferred sweetness and thickness.
- Pour into chilled glasses.
- Top with a swirl of whipped cream, a sprinkle of crushed pistachios, and a few dried rose petals if using.
- Serve immediately and enjoy the nutty, floral goodness — cheers to a festive sip!
Chocolate Orange Snowball Milkshake
Chocolate Orange Snowball Milkshake — like a cozy winter hug in a glass.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups vanilla ice cream
- 1 cup milk (whole or 2% for creaminess)
- 3 tablespoons chocolate syrup, plus extra for garnish
- 2 tablespoons orange marmalade or 1/4 cup fresh orange juice + 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon orange zest (optional, for extra brightness)
- Whipped cream, for topping
- Chocolate shavings or mini chocolate chips, for garnish
- Orange slice or candied orange peel, for garnish
- Crushed graham cracker or cookie crumbs (optional) for rim
How to Make:
- If you like a festive rim, dip the glass edge in orange marmalade or syrup, then press into crushed graham cracker or cookie crumbs.
- In a blender, combine vanilla ice cream, milk, chocolate syrup, orange marmalade (or orange juice + sugar), vanilla extract, and orange zest.
- Blend until smooth and thick, about 20–30 seconds. Add a splash more milk if it’s too thick to pour.
- Taste and adjust: add a little more chocolate syrup for richness or a touch more orange if you want brighter citrus.
- Drizzle chocolate syrup inside the glass for a pretty swirl, then pour the milkshake in.
- Top with a generous swirl of whipped cream, sprinkle with chocolate shavings or mini chips, and garnish with an orange slice or candied peel.
- Serve with a straw and a small spoon for scooping the snowy goodness.
Enjoy this Chocolate Orange Snowball Milkshake — festive, chocolatey, and bright as a holiday snowball!
Conclusion
You’ve got a dozen festive milkshakes to try, so pick one, gather your ingredients, and get blending. Start with cold ice cream, add mix-ins, pulse until smooth, then top with whipped cream and a garnish that matches the flavor. Chill your glass first if you can. Serve right away so toppings stay crisp. Repeat with another recipe to keep the menu bright, and share the results with family or friends.