Make it at home
How to make a thick milkshake at home.
A thick milkshake takes five minutes and three ingredients: ice cream, cold milk and a flavour. The secret is using much less milk than you think.
From the Tapri Chai kitchen · November 2026 · 2 min read
Time
5 minutes
Serves
2
Skill
Easy
Method
Blend
The base recipe
This makes two tall glasses. Chill the glasses in the freezer first.
- 4 large scoops (about 2 cups) good vanilla ice cream
- 3/4 cup cold whole milk
- 1 to 2 tbsp sugar, optional
- Syrup or chocolate sauce for the glass
- Whipped cream, to top (optional)
Step by step
Work quickly, so the ice cream does not melt.
Chill the glasses
Put two tall glasses in the freezer for 10 minutes. Cold glasses keep the shake thick for longer.
Swirl the syrup
Drizzle chocolate or caramel syrup around the inside of each glass.
Blend with little milk
Add the ice cream and only 1/2 cup of milk to the blender. Blend on low until just combined, adding more milk a splash at a time only if the blades will not turn.
Add the flavour
Add your chosen flavour (see below) and pulse once or twice, so the pieces stay chunky.
Pour and top
Pour into the glasses, top with whipped cream and a drizzle of syrup, and serve with a wide straw and a spoon.
01
Six flavour variations
Add these to the base recipe:
- Cold coffee: dissolve 2 tbsp instant coffee in 2 tbsp hot water, cool, and blend in.
- Cookies and cream: add 6 crushed chocolate sandwich cookies.
- Chocolate crunch: add 3 tbsp chocolate sauce and 1/2 cup crushed wafer chocolate bars.
- Butterscotch: add 3 tbsp butterscotch sauce and a handful of chopped nuts.
- Rose pistachio: add 2 tbsp rose syrup and a handful of chopped pistachios.
- Strawberry: add 1/2 cup strawberries or 3 tbsp strawberry syrup.
02
Why less milk makes it thicker
Milk loosens the ice cream. The more you add, the thinner the shake. Start with half a cup for four scoops, and add more only if needed. A shake that is too thin can be rescued by blending in another scoop of ice cream.
03
Mistakes to avoid
Common reasons a shake turns out thin or flat:
- Too much milk or too much ice.
- Blending for too long, which melts the ice cream.
- Using low-fat ice cream, which is less creamy.
- Adding crunchy pieces at the start, so they turn to dust instead of chunks.
04
Shopping in Canada
Everything is in a regular supermarket. For the best texture, choose a full-fat vanilla ice cream, whole milk and a good-quality syrup. Rose syrup is sold at Indian and Middle Eastern grocers.
05
Or order one
If you would rather not wash a blender, our shakes are $8.99 each. Tapri Chai is at 200 Kennevale Dr Unit 104, Barrhaven, Ottawa, open Tuesday to Sunday, 11am to 11pm.
Questions, answered.
How do I make a milkshake thicker?
Use more ice cream and less milk, and chill your glass.
Can I use frozen yogurt?
Yes, though the shake will be less creamy and slightly tangier.
How much milk do I use?
About 3/4 cup for four scoops of ice cream, and less if you can.
Can I make it ahead?
No. A thick shake melts quickly. Blend it just before serving.
At Tapri Chai
Taste it for yourself.
Our kitchen in Barrhaven is 100% vegetarian. 200 Kennevale Dr Unit 104, Ottawa. Tuesday to Sunday, 11am to 11pm. Closed Mondays.