Chocolate Banana Milkshake

Chocolate Banana Milkshake

This rich and creamy milkshake combines the classic flavors of chocolate and banana, topped with whipped cream and a cherry for a delicious treat.

Yields: 1 large serving or 2 smaller servings Prep time: 5 minutes

Ingredients:

• For the Milkshake:
  • 1 ripe banana, peeled and cut into chunks (for a colder shake, you can freeze the banana chunks beforehand)
  • 1/2 cup (120ml) whole milk (or your preferred milk, e.g., 2%, almond milk)
  • 1/4 cup (60ml) chocolate syrup, plus more for drizzling inside the glass
  • 2-3 scoops (about 1.5 cups) vanilla ice cream
  • 1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder (optional, for a richer chocolate flavor)
  • A pinch of salt (enhances the flavors)
• For Garnish:
  • Whipped cream
  • Maraschino cherry
  • Additional chocolate syrup for drizzling on top

Equipment:

• Blender
• Tall glass (e.g., hurricane glass, malt glass)

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Glass: Take your tall glass. Drizzle some chocolate syrup generously along the inside walls of the glass, letting it run down in appealing streaks. This adds to the visual appeal and provides extra chocolatey goodness with every sip.
2. Combine Milkshake Ingredients: In a blender, combine the banana chunks, milk, 1/4 cup chocolate syrup, vanilla ice cream, cocoa powder (if using), and a pinch of salt.
3. Blend: Secure the lid on the blender and blend on high speed until all ingredients are smooth and creamy. If the milkshake is too thick, add a splash more milk and blend again. If it’s too thin, add another small scoop of ice cream.
4. Pour: Pour the blended milkshake into your prepared glass.
5. Garnish: Top generously with a swirl of whipped cream. Drizzle more chocolate syrup over the whipped cream. Place a maraschino cherry on top. If you have some orange zest, a tiny sprinkle like in the picture would add a nice touch of color and aroma.
6. Serve Immediately: Serve your delicious chocolate banana milkshake right away with a straw and a spoon.

Tips for Success:

• Frozen Banana: For an extra thick and cold milkshake without watering it down with too much ice, use a frozen banana.
• Ice Cream Choice: While vanilla ice cream is classic, you can experiment with chocolate ice cream for an even more intense chocolate flavor, or even banana ice cream if you can find it.
• Adjust Sweetness: Taste the milkshake before pouring and adjust the sweetness by adding more chocolate syrup if desired.
• Thickness: The amount of milk and ice cream can be adjusted to achieve your preferred milkshake consistency.
• Variations:
  • Nutty: Add a tablespoon of peanut butter or almond butter for a nutty twist.
  • Coffee: Add 1/2 teaspoon of instant coffee granules (or 1 tablespoon of cooled espresso) for a mocha-banana milkshake.
  • Spiced: A tiny pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg can complement the banana flavor.

Enjoy your homemade chocolate banana milkshake!