Today’s Peppermint Milkshake is one of our favorite Christmas treats because it’s cool, creamy, and full of festive peppermint flavor. Vanilla ice cream, milk, crushed candy cane, and peppermint extract blend together into the easiest holiday shake.
We love making these for Christmas movie nights, holiday parties, or a fun winter dessert with the kids. Top each glass with whipped cream and extra candy cane pieces, and it instantly feels extra cute and festive.
If you love this, try Peppermint Brownies, Peppermint Fluff, Peppermint Chocolate Delight, and, of course, this peppermint shake for all things peppermint!
Why you’ll love it + Why it works:
- For celebrations. Enjoy this holiday drink during special events, or make any night extra fun!
- Ready to enjoy in minutes. There are literally two steps, and it only takes 5 minutes to whip up!
- Vanilla ice cream keeps it creamy. It gives the shake a smooth, sweet base that lets the peppermint flavor shine.
- Candy cane + extract add double peppermint flavor. Crushed candy adds texture while extract gives the shake a stronger holiday taste.
Peppermint Milkshake Ingredients
- Vanilla ice cream (2 cups): Creamy, sweet base that makes the shake thick. You can use store-bought or Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream. Allow the ice cream to soften a bit before scooping.
- Milk (½ cup): Thins out the shake just enough for sipping. Whole milk makes a creamier shake, but any kind of milk works.
- Candy canes, crushed (¼ cup): Adds crunch, festive color, and extra peppermint goodness inside the shake. You can also use peppermint candies.
- Peppermint extract (1 teaspoon): A concentrated punch of peppermint flavor, so use sparingly since it’s strong. Add more or less depending on your flavor preference.
- Whipped cream: Makes it look and taste extra indulgent. Store-bought Cool Whip or Homemade Whipped Cream.
- optional garnish: More peppermint pieces, holiday sprinkles, or maraschino cherry, festive straw
How to Make Peppermint Milkshakes
BLEND. Add ice cream, milk, crushed candy cane pieces, and peppermint extract to a high-power blender. Mix until well combined.
SERVE. Pour into a glass and top with whipped cream and more candy cane pieces.
Kristyn’s Recipe Tips
- If your store carries it, Peppermint Ice Cream can be used in place of vanilla. Be sure to reduce or omit the amount of peppermint extract you add so it isn’t overpowering.
- For a rich, creamy, and thick milkshake, use whole milk and a good quality, full-fat vanilla ice cream. To keep it creamy, do not over-blend.
- Too thin? Add another scoop or two of ice cream and blend again for a few seconds.
- Too thick? Add a small splash of milk at a time until you reach your desired consistency.
Peppermint Milkshake Recipe
Video
Ingredients
- 2 cups vanilla ice cream
- ½ cup milk
- ¼ cup candy cane, crushed
- 1 teaspoon peppermint extract
- whipped cream
Instructions
- Add ice cream, milk, crushed cane pieces, and peppermint extract to a blender.
- Mix until well combined.
- Pour into glass and top with whipped cream and candy cane pieces.
Notes
- If your store carries it, Peppermint Ice Cream can be used in place of vanilla. Be sure to reduce the amount of peppermint extract you add so it isn’t overpowering.
- For a rich, creamy, and thick milkshake, use whole milk and a good quality, full-fat vanilla ice cream. To keep it creamy, do not overblend.
- Too thin? Add another scoop or two of ice cream and blend again for a few seconds.
- Too thick? Add a small splash of milk at a time until you reach your desired consistency.
Another fun idea is to pour the milkshake into popsicle molds and freeze.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Recipe FAQ
Combine your preferred dairy-free vanilla ice cream with its liquid milk counterpart. Blend in the non-dairy milk slowly until you reach the desired consistency.
Store for a short time in the fridge. To store for more than a couple hours pour it into an airtight container and freeze. Allow it to soften and re-blend, or eat it with a spoon. Another fun idea is to pour the milkshake into popsicle molds and freeze it!
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This recipe was originally published December 2015.
One of my son’s favorite ice cream flavor is peppermint so this is just perfect.
My kids loved helping make this & loved the flavor ! They just didn’t want to help me clean up ☺️
This peppermint milkshake is a family favorite!! They beg me to make it weekly! It’s so yummy and the perfect treat to sip on while watching Christmas movies!
This was way too much peppermint flavor with both the crushed peppermint and peppermint extract. I will cut the peppermint extract in half next time. I also added chocolate chips.
Thank you for trying it. Yes, you can totally lessen that amount.
Peppermint milkshakes are my favorite ice cream…ever. I love that I can now make them from the comfort of my own home and save money rather than driving and buying them from a restaurant. These are so good!
Wow wow wow!!!! So good!!! I wish i could have this every night snuggled up to a warm fire
Hi Lily,
These milkshakes all look so good. I can hardly wait to make one. Thank you Lily and have a fun day today.