Cool, creamy, chocolatey, and wildly nostalgic, this McDonald’s chocolate shake made with vanilla ice cream, low-fat milk, and a scoop of Nesquik hits every happy note.
That first sip? Yeah, it’s smooth, frosty heaven. The kind that makes you hum a little without meaning to, and maybe sneak the last slurp when nobody’s looking.
There’s something magic about recreating a fast food classic at home, especially when it takes you, oh… less time than heating up a frozen pizza. This McDonald’s chocolate shake comes together in under five minutes, no drive-thru required, and leaves you with a creamy, dreamy blast of chocolate nostalgia. It’s chilly, luxuriously thick (hello brain freeze), and sweet without tipping into toothache territory.
Best of all, it doesn’t need fancy ingredients. If you’ve got a tub of vanilla ice cream, some milk, and a little bit of Nesquik powder? You’re literally seconds away from shake bliss.
Table of Contents
Don’t let this one slip away — pin it now and thank yourself later!
Don’t let this one slip away — pin it now and thank yourself later!
Why You’ll Love this McDonald’s Chocolate Shake
This one’s a classic. No bells. No whistles. Just pure frozen chocolate nostalgia in a glass.
- Ridiculously simple to make: You toss three things in a blender, hit the button, and boom—milkshake magic.
- No fancy gear or exotic ingredients: If your kitchen has a blender and a gallon of ice cream, you’re golden.
- Smoother than your guy friend trying pickup lines: The texture is lush and silky without being too thick to sip through a straw.
- Just the right amount of sweet: It’s chocolatey in a throwback, not-too-rich kind of way. Think retro soda shop vibes.
- Perfect excuse to channel your inner kid: Honestly, why resist? You deserve a milkshake moment.
- Easy to dress up or tweak: Want whipped cream? A cherry? A bit of boozy swirl? Go wild.
Ingredient Notes
You only need three things, but hey, it’s worth chatting about them because the small stuff matters.
- Vanilla ice cream: Go full-on classic here. The better the ice cream, the better the shake. That said, I’ve definitely made this with store-brand stuff hiding in the back of the freezer, and it was still very slurpable.
- Low-fat milk: This keeps things smooth without going overboard on richness. Whole milk works too, but you’ll get a thicker shake (which might require spoon effort).
- Nestle Nesquik chocolate drink mix: Yep, the old-school powder. It melts right into the shake and gives that unmistakable flavor. Cocoa powder won’t give you the same nostalgia vibe, so stick with the rabbit.
How To Make This McDonald’s Chocolate Shake
Get your blender ready and maybe do a little celebratory dance, because this is gonna be fast and fun.
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Chill your glasses: Pop two 12-ounce glasses into the freezer for at least 15 minutes. This tiny step seriously amplifies that frosty-first-sip satisfaction. You could skip it, but then… why would you.
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Add everything to the blender: Scoop in 2 cups of vanilla ice cream, pour 1¼ cups of milk over it, and then add 2 tablespoons of Nesquik. No need to be fussy here—just layer it in and cap the blender.
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Blend until smooth: Go full throttle, baby. High speed for about 30 seconds to one minute should do it. If your blender’s feeling dramatic or the mix is too thick, add a splash more milk and blend again.
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Pour into chilled glasses: That cold glass hitting your palm? Yeah, it’s a good moment. Now pour in the shake and marvel at that creamy swirl. Bonus points if you top it with whipped cream or raid the pantry for sprinkles.
Storage Options
Okay, real talk: milkshakes are meant to be gulped right after blending. That’s their prime moment, when the ice cream is still a bit fluffy and the chocolate hits just right. But let’s say you made a little too much (been there), or someone ghosted you at shake o’clock.
Fridge? Not ideal. It’ll melt and separate into a sad, sweet puddle with faint shake memories. You could give it a stir, but the magic’s kinda gone.
Freezer? Better bet. Pour the leftovers into a sealed jar or even an ice cube tray (yes, really). When you’re ready for round two, just let it thaw a bit or blend again with a splash of milk to revive that creamy texture. Smooth operator.
Don’t bother with reheating (unless you’re doing a bizarre milkshake soup experiment, and if so, please report back).
Variations and Substitutions
While the original is dreamy, there are fun ways to riff on this shake if you’re feeling adventurous or pantry-limited.
- Chocolate ice cream: Double up on chocolate if you’re that kind of person. It’ll be richer and thicker and you won’t hear me complaining.
- Oat or almond milk: If dairy’s not your pal, swap in a creamy plant-based milk. Go unsweetened or the shake might go into sugar shock.
- Strawberry Nesquik instead: I know, it’s not chocolate. But if you’re chasing McDonald’s strawberry shake vibes instead, I fully support it.
- Add a scoop of peanut butter: It swirls in and adds salty-smooth depth. Truly next level. Bonus? Pairs well with a little cookie action, like these Neiman Marcus cookies.
- Toss in a banana: I do this when I need to convince myself a milkshake is a real snack. Banana + chocolate = a good life choice.
- Whipped cream and sprinkles: Not required, just fun. Like wearing glitter socks under your jeans. No one sees it but you know.
What to Serve with McDonald’s Chocolate Shake
This shake sits so happily alongside simple food that makes you feel good inside. Think comfort, carbs, and maybe a little salt.
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If you’re going full-on diner fantasy, serve it with crispy fries still hot from the oven. Yep, dipping fries into shakes is still a thing—sweet, salty, melty magic with every bite. Trust the process.
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Pair it with a juicy handheld meal, like a classic burger or grilled veggie sandwich. Cold sweet shake meets warm savory bite? It’s the kind of combo that makes your tastebuds do jazz hands.
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Got something warm and cozy cooking? Surprisingly, this plays well with soup. I’ve sipped this after a bowl of lemon chicken artichoke soup, and the contrast is weirdly satisfying.
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Keep it retro-dessert meets retro-beverage: try serving it with peanut butter and banana ice cream sandwiches. It’s dessert inception, and it’s fabulous.
Don’t let this one slip away — pin it now and thank yourself later!
Don’t let this one slip away — pin it now and thank yourself later!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this McDonald’s chocolate shake without a blender?
You technically can, but it takes a little elbow grease. Soften the ice cream a bit, then whisk vigorously by hand or use an immersion blender. It won’t be quite as airy, but it’ll still be deliciously sippable. Bonus: upper arm workout.
Is there a dairy-free version of this shake?
Totally! Use a dairy-free vanilla ice cream (like almond or cashew based) and your favorite plant milk. Oat milk makes a great sub because of its creamy texture. Just make sure to use a dairy-free chocolate drink mix, too.
How do I make the shake thicker?
Use less milk or freeze your ice cream extra solid before blending. Adding a few ice cubes can help too, but it may water the flavor just a smidge. Or sneak in a scoop of chocolate protein powder if you want the thickening *and* a power boost.
Can I add alcohol to jazz it up?
Oh yes, grown-up shake time. A splash of Baileys, Kahlua, or chocolate liqueur goes a long way. Just add it after the main blending so you don’t over-dilute the creamy texture. Sip responsibly while texting all your childhood friends about your excellent decisions.
McDonald's Chocolate Shake (Copycat)
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 2 cups (470 ml) vanilla ice cream
- 1 1/4 cups (300 ml) low-fat milk whole milk okay for a thicker shake
- 2 tbsp (16 g) Nestle Nesquik chocolate drink mix
Optional Toppings
- whipped cream for topping, optional
- chocolate sprinkles for topping, optional
- maraschino cherry for garnish, optional
Equipment
- Blender
- Measuring cups
- Chilled glasses
Instructions
- Chill two 12-ounce glasses in the freezer for at least 15 minutes before making the shake for extra frosty results.
- Add the vanilla ice cream, low-fat milk, and Nesquik chocolate drink mix to your blender. No need to be precise about the order; just add them all in.
- Blend on high speed for 30–60 seconds until the mixture is completely smooth. If the shake is too thick for your liking or your blender is struggling, add a splash more milk and blend again.
- Pour the shake evenly between the chilled glasses. Top with whipped cream, sprinkles, and a cherry if you want an authentic diner touch. Sip immediately for prime creaminess!
