As an accompaniment to a sandwich and fries or a refreshing drink on a hot day, a chocolate milkshake is a definite cure for a raging sweet tooth. Our guide, how to make a chocolate milkshake, will show you how to prepare versions with and without ice cream, in addition to several variations featuring everything from cayenne pepper to peppermint extract.

• Evoke the feel of an old-fashioned diner by whipping up a batch of rich chocolate milkshakes to serve with your meal or as a sweet treat. Whether you want a thicker blend with an ice cream foundation or a lower-calorie version featuring ice and milk, these simple recipes will definitely satisfy your chocolate craving.

• Whether you prefer to use ice cream or a frosty combination of milk and ice, follow these steps to create one frothy chocolate milkshake in about five minutes.

1. Use chocolate syrup, chocolate drink mix or cocoa powder to flavor the shake.
2. Make your shake with chocolate or vanilla ice cream or a combination of milk and ice.
3. Use chocolate milk instead of regular milk for a shake with extra chocolate flavor.
4. Blend about 45 seconds until smooth.
5. Add more milk to the mix if you want a thinner milkshake.

• What You'll Need
• 2 cups chocolate ice cream
• 1 cup milk
• 2 tablespoons chocolate syrup
• blender
• Tall glass

A blender is a key piece of equipment in making a milkshake (Creative Commons photo by redjar)

• What to Do

1. Place the chocolate ice cream, chocolate syrup and milk in the blender.Food Network: Chocolate Milkshake Recipe
   • -You can use chocolate milk instead of regular milk for extra chocolate flavor.Recipezaar: Death by Chocolate Milkshake
   • -Try vanilla ice cream instead of chocolate for a milder chocolate flavor.Recipezaar: Chocolate Milkshake
   • -Include two tablespoons of powdered chocolate drink mix or cocoa if you don't have chocolate syrup on hand.All Recipes: Delicious Chocolate Shake
2. Blend on low speed until the shake is smooth, about 45 seconds.Food Network: Chocolate Milkshake
   • -Add more milk if you prefer a thinner milkshake.All Recipes: Freeze Easy Chocolate Shake
3. Pour the shake into a tall glass and serve it immediately.Food Network: Chocolate Milkshake Recipe

• What You'll Need
• 1 cup milk
• 2 cups ice
• 4 tablespoons chocolate syrup
• Blender
• Tall glass
• What to Do

1. Pour the milk, ice and chocolate syrup into the blender.Recipezaar: Chocolate Mocha Milkshake
   • -You can use cocoa powder or powdered chocolate milk mix instead of the chocolate syrup.Recipezaar: Chocolate Milkshakes with no Ice Cream
   • -Substitute two tablespoons of fat-free chocolate pudding mix for the chocolate syrup and use skim milk to create a fat-free shake.Recipezaar: Fat-Free Chocolate Milkshake
2. Blend well before serving.Love to Know: Chocolate Milkshake Recipe

Add espresso for a mocha shake (Creative Commons photo by tonx)

• What goes well with chocolate? You'll find out when you try one of these delectable variations on the basic chocolate ice cream shake recipe.

1. Blend cherries with the chocolate ice cream to create a black forest shake.Martha Stewart: Black Forest Shake
2. You can also add raspberries if you prefer them to cherries.Food Network: Raspberry Chocolate Shakes
3. For the taste of cheesecake in a glass, add cream cheese to the mix.All Recipes: Chocolate Cheesecake Milkshake
4. Include brown sugar and cinnamon to recreate the flavor of hot chocolate.All Recipes: Chocolate Mug Milkshake
5. Give your chocolate shake a spicy kick by adding cayenne pepper.Food Network: Spicy Chocolate Milkshakes
6. The addition of peppermint extract creates the popular chocolate mint flavor combination.All Recipes: Chocolate Mint Milkshake
7. Whirl in a chocolate peanut butter cup to achieve a hint of peanut flavor.All Recipes: Georgia Shake
8. Espresso gives the chocolate shake a mocha flavoring.All Recipes: Chocolate Buzz Milkshake
9. Blend in Twinkies for additional texture and flavor.Epicurious: Twinkie Milkshake
10. Incorporate pineapple for a hint of the tropics.AOL Food: Chocolate Pineapple Shake

(Creative Commons photo by new1mproved)