Make an Almond Milkshake

Almond milk is a great alternative to cow's milk or soymilk. It contains no cholesterol and is filled with protein and vitamins. If you love the taste of almond milk, you may want to find out how to incorporate it into a milkshake or smoothie. It is a great alternative for those who cannot have dairy.

Ingredients

Vegan Almond Milkshake

  • 1½ cups (350 milliliters) almond milk
  • 2 medium-sized bananas, sliced (optional)
  • 2 cups (300 grams) strawberries (optional)
  • 2 to 3 tablespoons (43 to 64 grams) agave nectar
  • ½ teaspoon (2.5 milliliters/grams) of flavoring (ie: cinnamon, vanilla extract, etc)
  • 5 large ice cubes

Makes 4 servings

Chocolate Almond Milkshake[1]

  • 1 pint (344 grams) chocolate ice cream, softened
  • 1 cup (240 milliliters) milk
  • 1 cup (250 grams) low-fat vanilla yogurt
  • ½ cup (125 grams) smooth, unsalted almond butter
  • 1 teaspoon (5 milliliters) vanilla extract
  • 1 bar (2 ounces) semi-sweet chocolate

Makes 4 servings

Vanilla Almond Milkshake[2]

  • 3 scoops vanilla ice cream, divided
  • 1 cup (240 milliliters) milk
  • 2 tablespoons (30 grams) honey
  • 2 tablespoons (30 grams) smooth, unsalted almond butter
  • ¼ cup (30 grams) sliced/slivered almonds, plus extra for garnish

Makes 1 to 2 servings

Steps

Making a Vegan Almond Milkshake

  1. Pour the almond milk into a blender. You can choose plain, vanilla, or chocolate depending on your flavor preference. For a healthier shake, choose unsweetened almond milk and let the other ingredients add the sweetness.
    • If you want to create an almond milk smoothie, rather than a shake, add 8 oz. (237 ml) of non-fat yogurt. Reduce the almond milk to 3/4 of a cup (177 ml). Use almond, soy or coconut yogurt to make the smoothie completely lactose-free.
  2. Slice 2 medium-sized bananas and add them to the blender blender. If you do not like bananas, you can omit them or replace them with another thick fruit, like mango. The banana gives the shake a thick consistency and flavor.
    • For a thicker smoothie, use frozen bananas.
  3. Add up to 2 cups (300 grams) of strawberries for a healthier shake. If you don't like strawberries, you can use another type of fruit instead. If the fruit is larger, like a peach, make sure that you slice it first. Some great choices include:
    • Blueberries
    • Mangos
    • Peaches
    • Strawberries
  4. Drop in 5 large ice cubes into the blender. This will make your smoothie nice and thick. If you are already using frozen fruit, however, then you can omit the ice, unless you like your smoothies extra-thick.
  5. Drizzle in some agave nectar for a touch of sweetness. If you are not a fan of agave nectar, you can use another sweetener instead, such as stevia; if you are not a strict vegan, then you can try honey instead.
    • If you used a flavored almond milk, such as vanilla or chocolate, then you do not have to add the honey or any other sweetener
  6. Add some other flavorings, if desired. You can use almond extract to enhance the almond flavor of your shake, or you can add baking spices instead. Cinnamon and nutmeg are great options!
    • For a chocolate-y milkshake, try 2 to 3 tablespoons (30 to 45 grams) of cocoa powder.[3]
    • Add 1 tablespoon (15 grams) flaxseeds for extra thickness and fiber.[4]
    • For extra almond flavor, add 2 to 3 tablespoons (30 to 45 grams) of almond butter. If you would like to cut down on the sweetness of the smoothie, use salted almond butter.[3]
  7. Blend the smoothie on low speed until smooth. Depending on how much you added into the blender, this will take about 30 to 45 seconds. From time to time, you may have to open up the blender, and push the mixture down the sides with a spatula. This will ensure that everything mixes evenly.
  8. Pour the smoothie into tall glasses and serve. For a fancier touch, pop a straw into each glass, and use some left-over fruit as garnish.
  9. Finished.

Making a Chocolate Almond Milkshake

  1. Scoop 1 pint (344 grams) of chocolate ice cream into a blender or food processor. If the ice cream is hard to scoop, it will be too hard too blend. Let it soften a little on the counter first.
  2. Pour in the milk and yogurt. If you don't like the taste of vanilla, or if you'd like a less sweet-tasting smoothie, use plain yogurt instead.
  3. Add the almond butter and vanilla extract. Try to use smooth almond butter if you can; this will give you a smoother milkshake. For a peanut smoothie, use peanut butter instead.
    • If you want a less sweet-tasting milkshake, then you can use salted almond butter instead. The added salt will cut down the sweetness.
    • If you don't like the taste of vanilla, you can use another sweetener instead, such as stevia or sugar.
  4. Close the blender and blend until smooth. From time to time, open up the blender and push the mixture down the sides using a rubber spatula. This will ensure that everything gets mixed in evenly.
  5. Pour the smoothie into 4 tall glasses and garnish with shaved chocolate. You can shave the chocolate bar using a grater or vegetable peeler. You can also chop it into tiny chunks using a knife.[5]
  6. Add a straw into each glass, and serve.

Making a Vanilla Almond Milkshake

  1. Drop 2 scoops of vanilla ice cream into a blender or food processor. Save the third scoop for later. You will be using it as a garnish.
  2. Add the milk and honey. If you don't like the taste of honey, you can use another sweetener instead, such as agave nectar.
  3. Add the almond butter and sliced/slivered almonds. Try to use smooth almond butter if you can; this will cut down on the blending time and give you a smoother milkshake. If you'd like to cut down on the sweetness of the smoothie, use salted almond butter instead.
  4. Blend until everything is smooth and evenly mixed together. From time to time, use a spatula to push the mixture down the sides of the blender or food processor. This will ensure that everything mixes evenly. You don't want any large chunks of almonds by the time you are done.
  5. Pour the milkshake into a tall glass, but make sure that you leave a little room at top. You will need that space for the final scoop of ice cream![2] For a smaller serving, pour the milkshake into two smaller glasses instead.
  6. Add the final scoop of ice cream at top and garnish with more sliced/slivered almonds. If you are making two smaller servings, then add two smaller scoops of ice cream into each glass. If you'd like, you can add a drizzle of honey on top for a final touch and boost of flavor.
  7. Add a straw, and enjoy.

Trying Tasty Variations

  1. Add some almonds or oats for extra crunch, protein, and fiber. You can use up to ¼ cup (35 grams) of raw almonds and ½ cup (40 grams) of old-fashioned oats. It tastes great when combined with strawberries and bananas![6]
  2. Try a simple banana-vanilla smoothie. In a blender, combine 2 frozen bananas cut into slices, 1 cup (240 milliliters) unsweetened vanilla almond milk, 1 teaspoon (5 milliliters) vanilla flavor, 1 tablespoon (15 grams) raw almond butter, and 1 teaspoon (5 grams) chia seeds. Blend until smooth, and serve promptly in tall glasses.[7]
    • This makes 2 servings.
  3. Try a peanut butter-chocolate-banana smoothie for extra protein. You will need 4 frozen bananas cut into slices, 2 tablespoons (30 grams) of peanut butter, 2 tablespoons (30 grams) of unsweetened cocoa powder, and 1½ cups (350 milliliters) of vanilla almond milk. Combine everything in a blender until smooth, pour into tall glasses, and serve.[8]
    • This makes 3 servings.
  4. Try a yogurt based almond milkshake if you can have dairy. In a blender, combine 2 frozen, sliced bananas with ¼ cup (60 milliliters) of almond milk, ¼ cup (65 grams) of yogurt, and 1 teaspoon (5 milliliters) of vanilla extract. Blend until smooth, and serve immediately.[9]
    • This makes 1 large serving, or 2 smaller servings.
  5. Try an ice cream based coffee almond milkshake if you can have dairy. You will need 1½ cups (210.5 grams) crushed ice, 1 cup (250 grams) vanilla ice cream, and ½ cup (120 milliliters) almond milk. Next, add 2 tablespoons (30 grams) sugar, 2 teaspoons (10 grams) cocoa powder or vanilla sugar, and 1 teaspoon (5 grams) instant coffee. Blend in a blender until smooth, pour into tall glasses, and serve.[10]
    • This makes 2 servings.

Tips

  • If the smoothie is too thick, add more almond milk.
  • If the smoothie is too thin, add more ice or bananas. You can also use frozen fruit instead.
  • Cut large fruits, such as bananas, peaches, and strawberries into smaller pieces. Use small berries, such as blueberries and raspberries, whole.
  • You can use just about anything for sweetener, including: agave nectar, honey, stevia, and sugar.
  • If you are vegan or lactose-intolerant, be careful when using cocoa; some of it is not pure cocoa and has milk powder added to it.
  • Use fresh, in-season fruit for the best taste.
  • If you are not vegan or lactose-intolerant, you can add ice cream or yogurt as well!
  • If you don't have a blender, use a food processor fitted with metal blades instead.

Things You'll Need

  • Blender
  • Tall glasses
  • Rubber spatula

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Sources and Citations