What is inside
Indian cafe thick shakes, explained.
An Indian cafe shake is thicker, sweeter and more dessert-like than most milkshakes. The thickness comes from ice cream, not ice, and the flavours come from syrups, crushed biscuits and chocolate.
From the Tapri Chai kitchen · November 2026 · 2 min read
Base
Ice cream and milk
Texture
Spoonable
Flavours
Chocolate, nuts, rose
Feels like
Dessert
The 5 parts of a thick shake
A thick shake is built in five parts. They are listed from the glass up, and the numbers match the diagram.
The syrup lining
Chocolate, caramel or fruit syrup swirled around the inside of the glass, so every sip has a ribbon of flavour.
The ice cream
Scoops of vanilla or flavoured ice cream. This is what makes the drink thick, creamy and cold without watering it down.
The cold milk
Full-fat milk, just enough to loosen the mixture so it blends, but not so much that it turns thin.
The flavour
Instant coffee, crushed biscuits, nuts, chocolate pieces or rose syrup, blended in for the main taste.
The topping
Whipped cream, a drizzle of syrup, or chunks of the flavour on top, which turn it into a small dessert.
01
Thick, not icy
Many milkshakes lean on ice and milk. An Indian cafe shake leans on ice cream, which is why it needs a wide straw and sometimes a spoon. It is cold and creamy rather than slushy, and it keeps its texture longer.
02
Why they are so sweet
These shakes are made as treats, so sugar, syrups and sweet toppings are part of the design. They sit closer to a dessert than a drink, and many people have one in place of a pudding after a savoury meal.
03
Common flavours
Typical flavours are cold coffee, chocolate with crunchy biscuit or wafer, butterscotch with nuts, rose with pistachio, hazelnut chocolate and strawberry. Some come from Indian traditions, such as rose and pistachio, and others come from global treats.
04
How to enjoy one
Drink it cold, with a wide straw, and expect to share if you are not hungry. A thick shake pairs well with salty, fried foods such as fries or samosas, because the sweetness and salt balance each other.
05
Shakes at Tapri Chai
Every shake on our menu is $8.99 CAD. Tapri Chai is at 200 Kennevale Dr Unit 104, Barrhaven, Ottawa, open Tuesday to Sunday, 11am to 11pm.
- Desi Cold Coffee, $8.99
- Crunchy KitKat, $8.99
- Nutty Butterscotch, $8.99
- Rose Pistachio, $8.99
- Ferrero Madness, $8.99
- Cookies and Cream, $8.99
- Strawberry Crème, $8.99
Questions, answered.
What is a thick shake?
A very thick, creamy milkshake made with ice cream, milk and flavouring, usually served with toppings.
How is a thick shake different from a smoothie?
A thick shake is dairy-based and dessert-like. A smoothie is usually fruit-based and lighter.
What flavours does Tapri Chai have?
Desi Cold Coffee, Crunchy KitKat, Nutty Butterscotch, Rose Pistachio, Ferrero Madness, Cookies and Cream and Strawberry Crème.
How much are the shakes?
Each shake is $8.99 CAD.
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.