Shake it Up Quiz

Happy National Vanilla Milkshake Day! It's absolutely worth celebrating, and we suggest doing so with lots of fun toppings. If you're looking for a guide to milkshake toppings that match your personality, take our quiz below. And if you're curious about this treat's origin story, read on.

History of Milkshakes

Milkshakes are a uniquely American invention, and while they might have a squeaky-clean image today, they sure didn’t start that way! The first documented milkshake dates back to 1885, and it included eggs and whisky. It was described as a “tonic as well as a treat.”

By the turn of the century, its alcoholic ingredient was gone—replaced by chocolate, strawberry or vanilla syrups. Then, in the early 20s, an inspired soda fountain employee added two scoops of ice cream to malted milk and gave us something closer to the milkshake we know today. His concoction was a hit that spread far and wide thanks in part to the invention of electronic blenders as well as developments in refrigerator technology.

The treat sparked variations too. By the late 1930s, the term “frosted” was used to describe maltless milkshakes that blended ice cream and milk into a smooth consistency while a “float” had scoops of ice cream floating in milk. Regional names for these drinks included “frappes,” “velvets,” and “frosted” in the Northeast and “concretes” in the Midwest—named as such because they were so thick you could turn them upside down and they’d still stick to the container.

By the 40s and 50s, soda fountain staff had their own monikers for different milkshake flavors. For example, the vanilla milkshake was called a White Cow.

Take the What Kind of Vanilla Milkshake are You Quiz

What’s the next evolution in milkshakes? It’s up to you and your imagination! In the meantime, find out which milkshake toppings match your personality with the fun quiz below.

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