Coffee Milkshake With Chocolate Swirl Recipe

By Rhonda Kennedy July 19, 2025 8 mins read 27 Views

I’ll share my foolproof coffee milkshake with chocolate swirl that’s become my secret treat when I need to cheer up.

Blend three scoops vanilla ice cream, 1½ cups cold brewed coffee, and ½ cup milk for thirty seconds until smooth. Here’s the secret I learned after many messy attempts: drizzle chocolate sauce inside your glass first, then pour the milkshake and gently swirl for those Instagram-worthy ribbons.

The contrast between rich coffee and silky chocolate creates pure magic, and there’s so much more to perfect this indulgent creation.

What Is This Creamy Caffeinated Dessert Drink?

This recipe creates a thick, velvety shake that tastes like your favorite café drink had a baby with old-fashioned ice cream parlor magic.

For maximum energy benefits, enjoy this treat during mid-morning cortisol dips when your body naturally needs a boost.

The magic happens in your blender, and order matters so please read carefully!

Grab These Ingredients

The secret to a stellar coffee milkshake starts with using cold coffee because hot coffee will turn your dreamy shake into a sad, melted mess.

Ingredients:

3 scoops vanilla or coffee ice cream (about 360ml/12 fl oz)
1½ cups cold brewed coffee or espresso, cooled (355ml)
½ cup milk, dairy or plant-based (120ml)
Optional: chocolate sauce for drizzling
Optional: whipped cream for topping
Optional: chocolate shavings for garnish
Optional: maraschino cherries for that retro diner vibe

Now, let’s chat about these ingredients because they’re doing some serious heavy lifting here.

I always keep a batch of cold brew in my fridge specifically for moments like these…. it’s like having liquid gold ready to go.

The ice cream choice is where you get to play favorites: coffee ice cream will give you that bold, in-your-face coffee punch, while vanilla keeps things mellow and lets the actual coffee shine through.

Your milk choice matters too, and I’ve found that whole milk creates the creamiest texture, though oat milk runs a close second if you’re going the plant-based route.

Those optional toppings? They’re not really optional in my book life’s too short for naked milkshakes.

Directions On How To Make This

Coffee Milkshake With Chocolate Swirl Recipe

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Author: Ruud
Prep Time: 5 Minutes
Total Time: 5 Minutes
Yield: 2
Category: Dessert
Method: Blending
Cuisine: American
Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

3 scoops vanilla or coffee ice cream (about 360gl/12 oz)
1½ cups cold brewed coffee or espresso (360ml/12 fl oz)
½ cup milk, dairy or plant-based (120ml/4 fl oz)
Chocolate sauce (optional)
Whipped cream (optional)
Chocolate shavings (optional)
Maraschino cherries (optional)

Instructions

I always start with the liquids. Pour 1½ cups of cold brewed coffee or espresso into your blender first, followed by ½ cup of milk.

If you’re using regular dairy milk or your favorite plant-based alternative, it doesn’t matter – they all work beautifully here. Consider adding vanilla extract and coconut for an energizing boost to your milkshake.

The key word is cold coffee, though. I know it might be tempting to use that leftover hot coffee from this morning, but resist the urge. Hot coffee will just melt your ice cream into a sad, watery mess before you even get started.

Using filtered water for brewing your coffee will ensure the best possible flavor in your milkshake.

Load in the Ice Cream

Now comes the fun part – add those 3 scoops of vanilla or coffee ice cream right on top of your liquid base. I like to let the ice cream sit for just a minute or two to soften slightly, which makes blending so much easier. You know how sometimes ice cream can be rock-hard straight from the freezer? Yeah, your blender will thank you for this little patience trick.

Blend Until Smooth and Creamy

Hit that high speed button and blend for about 30 seconds. You’ll hear the blender working its magic, and the mixture should transform from chunky chaos to smooth, creamy perfection.

Sometimes, especially if your ice cream was particularly stubborn, you might need to stop and use a spatula to push everything down toward the blades. Don’t worry if this happens – it’s totally normal, and I do it all the time.

Check Your Consistency

Here’s where you get to play around a bit. Take a peek at your milkshake through the blender. Does it look thick enough to coat a spoon but still pour easily? Perfect.

If it’s too thick for your liking, add a splash more milk and give it another quick blend. If it’s too thin, well, that’s what happens when we get a little heavy-handed with the liquids – just add another scoop of ice cream and blend again.

Pour and Get Ready to Garnish

Pour your beautiful creation into a tall glass, and this is where you can really make it your own. Drizzle some chocolate sauce around the inside of the glass before pouring if you’re feeling fancy, or just add it on top.

A dollop of whipped cream never hurt anyone, and those chocolate shavings or a bright red maraschino cherry can make this feel like a real treat from an old-school soda fountain.

Notes

Make sure your coffee is completely cold before blending, because hot coffee will just melt your ice cream into sad, thin soup.
Less milk equals thicker shake, more milk gives you a thinner consistency, so adjust based on whether you want to drink it or eat it with a spoon.
Coffee ice cream will give you that intense coffee shop vibe, but vanilla ice cream actually lets the coffee flavor shine through in a different way.

Quick 30-Second Prep Time

Thirty seconds is literally all the prep work this coffee milkshake needs, which honestly sounds too good to be true until you realize we’re talking about the actual hands-on prep time before blending starts. I’m not kidding when I say this recipe practically makes itself.

You’ll spend more time deciding which glass to use than actually assembling ingredients.

Just grab your cold coffee from the fridge, measure out some milk, scoop that ice cream, and you’re done. The blender does all the heavy lifting while you stand there feeling smugly productive.

I’ve timed myself making this shake, and the longest part was wrestling with my ice cream scoop because I’d forgotten to run it under warm water first.

For an extra indulgent twist, try adding a drizzle of salted caramel syrup to create that perfect sweet-salty balance in your shake.

Customize Your Coffee Creation

While you could absolutely stick with the basic recipe and call it a day, customizing your coffee milkshake is where the real fun begins and once you start experimenting, you’ll wonder why you ever settled for plain vanilla anything.

I’ve discovered that adding a tablespoon of cocoa powder transforms it into a mocha masterpiece, while a splash of caramel syrup creates this ridiculously indulgent treat.

Medium roast coffee provides the perfect balance for flavoring without overpowering the added ingredients.

Want something fancy? Try swapping regular milk for coconut milk and adding a pinch of cinnamon – it’s like vacation in a glass.

My personal favorite involves crushing up some chocolate cookies and blending them right in. The texture becomes incredible, and honestly, it’s dangerous how good it tastes.

Using Arabica coffee beans will give your milkshake a more complex and diverse range of flavors with a crisp acidity that perfectly complements the sweetness.

Perfect Pairing Suggestions

Coffee milkshakes deserve companions just as thoughtful as the drink itself, and after years of trial and error – okay, mostly delicious error – I’ve figured out which treats make this creamy caffeinated wonder shine even brighter.

Biscotti are my top pick because they’re practically begging to be dunked. The almond crunch against that smooth coffee cream? Pure magic. Store biscotti in airtight containers alongside your coffee beans to maintain optimal freshness for both treats.

Chocolate chip cookies work beautifully too, especially when they’re still slightly warm.

For something more substantial, I love pairing these shakes with buttery croissants or cinnamon rolls. The pastry’s richness doesn’t compete with the coffee flavor – it enhances it.

If you’re feeling fancy, serve alongside chocolate-covered strawberries or tiramisu. Your taste buds will absolutely love you for the thoughtful combination.

Using freshly ground espresso beans stored properly away from sunlight will ensure the richest coffee flavor in any pairing.

Chocolate Swirl Visual Appeal

Although taste matters most, let’s be honest…. we eat with our eyes first, and a coffee milkshake with gorgeous chocolate swirls looks infinitely more tempting than a plain brown drink.

I’ve learned that creating those swirls isn’t rocket science, though my first attempts looked more like muddy water than artistic masterpieces.

Here’s my foolproof method: drizzle chocolate sauce down the inside of your glass before pouring the milkshake.

Then, add more sauce on top and gently swirl with a knife tip. Don’t overmix – you want distinct ribbons, not chocolate soup.

The contrast between creamy coffee and rich chocolate creates visual drama that’ll make your friends wonder if you moonlight as a barista.

Taste Test & Verdict

After countless batches and probably way too much caffeine coursing through my veins, I can confidently say this coffee milkshake hits every single note you want in a frozen treat.

The coffee flavor comes through bold but not bitter, while that chocolate swirl adds the perfect sweet contrast. You’ll taste creamy vanilla ice cream, smooth coffee, and rich chocolate in every sip.

The texture? Absolutely spot-on. Not too thick that you’ll struggle with your straw, but substantial enough to feel indulgent.

I’ve made this for friends who aren’t even coffee lovers, and they’ve gone back for seconds. The best part is how customizable it is. Add more coffee for intensity, extra milk for lighter texture, or go wild with the chocolate swirl.

It’s become my go-to summer treat.