Guide Note

Milkshakes are a blend of milk, ice cream and a variety of syrups and sweeteners. The drink is most popularly served at diners and fast food restaurants.

Fast Facts

1. AKA: Frappe, Cabinet
2. Originally used as medicine for children and invalids
3. Jack in the Box and CKE Restaurants use real ice cream in their shakes
4. Most popular U.S. flavors: vanilla, chocolate and strawberry
5. Malt is optional

The first milkshakes were served in the late 19th century and frequently contained raw eggs and whiskey. It did not become a children's drink until well into the 20th century, being served at malt shops and soda fountains with ice cream.

Steven Poplawski invented the electric blender in 1922, allowing a much speedier production, and modern milkshake recognizable today.

The average milkshake contains over 20 grams of fat, with one third to one half of those being saturated. Based on the amount of dairy, milkshakes are a considerable source of protein and may contain up to half of the daily recommended value of calcium.

In the 2007 film There Will Be Blood, protagonist Daniel Plainview uses the consumption of milkshakes as an analogy for depleting oil supplies. When Eli Sunday does not understand how oil under an un-drilled plot of land could be consumed, Plainview explains that he stuck his "straw" into the adjacent plot which allowed him to "drink up" the milkshake.