National Vanilla Milkshake Day – June 20

On June 20, we raise a frosty glass to an American diner classic: the vanilla milkshake. It’s National Vanilla Milkshake Day, a celebration of the simple yet heavenly concoction of vanilla ice cream blended with milk and often topped with whipped cream. In a world of wild shake flavors and Instagram-worthy “freakshakes,” the unassuming vanilla milkshake might seem plain – but it’s the very foundation of milkshake culture.

Rich, creamy, and comforting, a vanilla shake stands on its own and also provides the base for countless other flavors (after all, where would chocolate or strawberry shakes be without vanilla?). This holiday pays homage to the history and craft of the milkshake, a treat that has delighted Americans for well over a century. From old-school soda fountains to modern fast-food counters, the vanilla milkshake remains a symbol of sweet indulgence, nostalgia, and the joy of a cold treat on a hot day.

Celebrating National Vanilla Milkshake Day

National Vanilla Milkshake Day is all about indulgence and maybe a bit of retro flair. Here are some ways to celebrate the occasion:

• Go Out for a Shake: Visit a local ice cream parlor or diner that serves old-fashioned milkshakes. There’s something special about ordering a shake and having it presented in a chilled tall glass, often with the metal mixing cup on the side containing the extra. Whether it’s a mom-and-pop soda fountain or a chain like Johnny Rockets or Shake Shack, treat yourself to the real deal. Many places might even offer discounts or special vanilla shake variations on this day.
• Make the Ultimate Homemade Shake: Making a vanilla milkshake at home is super simple, but you can elevate it with a few tricks. Start with high-quality vanilla ice cream (the more real vanilla bean flavor, the better) and whole milk for richness. Blend until just smooth – over-blending can make it too melty. For an extra cold shake, chill your glasses in the freezer beforehand. Top it with whipped cream and a maraschino cherry for the classic look. Maybe even stick a wafer cookie or a slice of banana on the rim as a garnish. The beauty of vanilla is you can add whatever you like – a drizzle of caramel or a handful of Oreo crumbs can turn your vanilla shake into something uniquely yours while still keeping vanilla as the star.
• Host a Milkshake Social: Invite friends or neighbors over for a milkshake bar. Set out a blender and various ingredients so people can customize their vanilla shakes. Have mix-ins like chocolate chips, berries, peanut butter, malted milk powder, or flavored syrups. The base for everyone is vanilla ice cream and milk, but they can choose to doctor it up as they please. Don’t forget toppings: sprinkles, whipped cream, fudge sauce. Play some ’50s rock ’n’ roll or doo-wop in the background to get that retro vibe going. This can be especially fun for kids – you might even create a contest for the most creative vanilla shake remix.
• Milkshake Memory Lane: Take a moment to share memories or pop culture moments involving milkshakes. Do you remember the first time you had a milkshake? Is there a favorite movie scene (perhaps Travolta and Thurman’s $5 milkshake in “Pulp Fiction,” which was a vanilla shake) or a song (Kelis’s “Milkshake,” anyone?) that comes to mind? Social media will likely be abuzz on this day with people posting selfies with their shakes or debating whether a straw or spoon is the correct way to consume one. Join the conversation with the hashtag #VanillaMilkshakeDay and see what sweet nostalgia others are sharing.

Celebrating might also mean learning: perhaps look up why it’s called a “milkshake.” As a fun fact to tell your friends while slurping shakes: the term caught on in the early 1900s, but the “shake” part likely referred to shaking up the mixture (or the mixing action of the blender) – and possibly because early milkshakes with whiskey would give a shake or jolt! Over time it came to simply mean a milk-and-ice-cream drink that’s shaken or blended until frothy.

History of the Vanilla Milkshake

The milkshake’s story is a bit surprising – the earliest “milkshakes” of the late 19th century were actually alcoholic whiskey cocktails with eggs and cream, more like a stout eggnog, and described as a “sturdy healthful eggnog type of drink” in 1885. By the early 1900s, the term evolved to refer to the cold, non-alcoholic treat we know today, especially after the invention of electric blenders and drink mixers. Soda fountains in the 1900s began adding ice cream to flavored milk drinks. Chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry syrups were among the first flavorings mixed into milkshakes and became an instant hit. Back then, you might have heard the term “frosted shake” or “milk shake,” indicating a drink made with ice cream, as opposed to a simpler “malted milk” which often used malt powder for flavor.

The advent of the electric blender in 1922 (thanks to inventor Stephen Poplawski) revolutionized the making of milkshakes. By the 1920s, places like Chicago’s Walgreens were famous for their chocolate malted milkshakes, and by 1949, fast-food pioneer Dairy Queen had added milkshakes to their menu nationally. The 1940s and 50s were the golden age of the American diner and soda fountain, where teenagers sipped on thick vanilla malts and shakes while listening to jukebox tunes. The milkshake became emblematic of wholesome youth culture – think of the iconic image of two people sharing a shake with two straws.

Why vanilla? Vanilla was actually a rather exotic flavor in the 1800s (vanilla beans from orchids, primarily grown in Madagascar and tropical regions), but it rose to prominence as ice cream’s default flavor in the U.S. by the 20th century. The smooth, creamy taste of vanilla ice cream makes it a perfect base for a milkshake, which might be why vanilla milkshakes have such staying power. The holiday itself, National Vanilla Milkshake Day, likely came into being through the efforts of ice cream companies or enthusiasts celebrating shake history. It’s one of several “milkshake days” on the calendar (there’s also a Chocolate Milkshake Day in September), but as the original flavor, vanilla gets the early summer slot. This timing in late June also aligns nicely with dairy month promotions and the general spike in ice cream consumption as weather heats up.

Vanilla Shake Recipes & Innovations

While a basic vanilla milkshake is simply ice cream, milk, and vanilla extract (if your ice cream needs a flavor boost), there are plenty of ways to riff on this classic while keeping the vanilla soul intact:

• Malts and Mixers: Add a tablespoon or two of malted milk powder to your vanilla shake to make a vanilla malt. The malt imparts a toasty, rich flavor that many find addictive – it’s the taste of classic malt shop shakes. For a different spin, you could also throw in a scoop of vanilla protein powder and make it a post-workout treat (vanilla shakes can be surprisingly high in protein if made with protein-fortified mix-ins).
• Boozy Vanilla Shake: For adults only: spike your vanilla shake with a shot of something complementary. Good choices include bourbon (vanilla and bourbon are a heavenly match), Kahlúa or another coffee liqueur for a vanilla bean iced coffee vibe, or Irish cream liqueur to basically create a liquid “affogato” effect. Blend in the alcohol with the shake or simply pour it on top and stir a bit. Drink responsibly – these are deceptively easy to sip!
• Alternative Milks and Ice Creams: Dairy-free or vegan? You can still have a vanilla “milk” shake. Use a creamy non-dairy ice cream (coconut milk-based ones tend to be rich, or cashew milk-based for a more neutral flavor) and a non-dairy milk like oat milk which is nicely thick. Add a touch of vanilla extract or even the scrapings of a vanilla bean to amplify the flavor. The result can be just as satisfying and will allow those with lactose intolerance or vegans to partake in Vanilla Milkshake Day.
• Dessert Combos: Consider using your vanilla shake as a component in a larger dessert. For example, make a mini ice cream float by dropping a small scoop of vanilla ice cream into a glass of root beer, then fill the rest with blended vanilla milkshake. It’s like a supercharged root beer float. Or serve a vanilla shake as a side to a slice of pie (apple pie milkshake, anyone? Dip a piece of pie crust in or blend a tiny piece of pie into the shake to create a pie-shake fusion). Creativity has no calorie limit here!

One emerging trend in the world of shakes is the concept of “freakshakes” – those over-the-top milkshakes topped with a bakery’s worth of goodies (doughnuts, whole slices of cake, candy bars, etc.). While those often lean chocolate or caramel, you could certainly make a vanilla freakshake: picture a vanilla shake in a jar with a vanilla-frosted doughnut on top, heaps of whipped cream, white chocolate drizzle, and maybe a slice of vanilla cake precariously perched. It’s more for the spectacle than practicality, but hey, it’s a celebration.

When it comes to product picks, quality is key. Because a vanilla shake has nowhere to hide, you want good vanilla ice cream. Look for brands that use real vanilla (Madagascar bourbon vanilla, Tahitian vanilla, etc.) and minimal artificial ingredients. Some of the top-rated vanillas in taste tests include Häagen-Dazs Vanilla (simple and rich), Ben & Jerry’s Vanilla (which has tiny flecks of vanilla bean), or regional dairy brands that make super-premium ice cream. If you’re making shakes for a crowd, you can even get those big tubs of ice cream – just try to let the ice cream soften slightly before blending; very hard ice cream can be tough on blenders.

Don’t forget the classic presentation. A soda fountain-style milkshake glass and a bright straw can make the experience feel special. Some enthusiasts even serve water alongside shakes, a trick from diners to help cleanse the palate and cut the sweetness between sips. But however you serve it, take a moment to appreciate the simple perfection of vanilla, milk, and ice – three ingredients that, when shaken together, have created smiles for over a century.

National Vanilla Milkshake Day Calendar

Year	Date	Day of the Week
2025	June 20, 2025	Friday
2026	June 20, 2026	Saturday
2027	June 20, 2027	Sunday
2028	June 20, 2028	Tuesday
2029	June 20, 2029	Wednesday

Fun Facts about Milkshakes

World’s Largest Milkshake: According to Guinness World Records, the largest milkshake ever made was a whopping 6,000 gallons, created in 2000 in New York. It was a giant vanilla milkshake sponsored by Comfort Diners and the American Dairy Association, in celebration of the millennial year. 6,000 gallons could fill an entire tanker truck – that’s a lot of brain freeze. They used over 8,000 gallons of ice cream to make it, essentially turning an entire swimming pool into a shake.

Origins of “Milkshake”: The term first appeared in print in 1885, but back then a milkshake was described as a sturdy eggnog-like drink with whiskey. By the early 1900s, the word was used in its modern sense. Also interesting: it wasn’t until the 1930s that the use of the electric blender by Hamilton Beach popularized the perfectly aerated, frothy milkshake we know. Before that, shakes were often hand-shaken or mixed with mechanical shakers, and might not have had that smooth consistency.

Shake Mascot: Did you know there’s a town that has a milkshake as a mascot? In the 1950s, the city of Newport, Rhode Island, had an official mascot named “Milky the Milkshake” – a man dressed in a milkshake cup costume – to promote an annual dairy festival. While Milky hasn’t been around in decades, the vintage photos are a reminder of how milkshakes (especially vanilla, which was a default flavor in those promotions) were once a centerpiece of dairy pride events.

Space Shakes: Astronauts have enjoyed something akin to milkshakes in space – in the form of freeze-dried ice cream and powdered milk with flavoring that they mix with water. Okay, it’s a stretch, but one fun anecdote: on the Apollo missions, astronauts’ menus included a “vanilla drink” and “strawberry drink” which, once rehydrated, had a milkshake-like consistency (though not as luxurious as the real thing). In 1975, during the joint US-Soviet Apollo-Soyuz mission, the Americans shared a freeze-dried ice cream strawberry shake with the Soviet cosmonauts, giving a little sweet taste of Americana in orbit.