Creamy Lemon Milk Shakes

Total Time
Prep/Total Time: 10 min.

Updated on Nov. 06, 2024

Tangy and sweet and unexpectedly delightful, this lemon shake recipe is one you'll return to again and again.

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We know what you’re thinking: Mixing together lemon and dairy is not something one usually does. Fear not, this lemon shake will completely change your opinion about that. Tart, tangy, sweet and absolutely delicious, it is an easy treat that will be a delight for kids and adults alike.

The secret of this creamy lemon shake is that the milkshake is laughably easy to prepare. It’s the extra TLC you give in prepping the glasses with candy-coated rims that truly make it memorable.

Lemon Shake Ingredients

  • Lemon drop candies: Lemon drop candies, crushed into small bits, add a bit of taste and a lot of fun to this milkshake recipe.
  • Sugar: Of course you’re going to find sugar in this recipe, this is a frozen dessert after all!
  • Lemon: You’ll use the lemon in several different ways, so make sure to zest it before slicing.
  • Milk: While 2% milk works quite well in this recipe, whole milk is just fine if that’s what you have.
  • Vanilla ice cream: Two cups of vanilla ice cream bring the sweetness and texture in droves.
  • Lemon sorbet: Two cups of lemon sorbet provide much of the flavor and sweetness in this unique milkshake.
  • Cream cheese: The cream cheese should be softened for use in this recipe, so get it out of the fridge at least half an hour before you will start cooking.
  • Lemon zest: The 2 teaspoons of lemon zest are flavor powerhouses, so much so that you might even want to go a bit lighter.
  • Vanilla extract: Just a 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract is all you need to finish out this delightful milkshake.

Directions

Step 1: Prepare candied glass rims

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In a shallow dish, mix the crushed lemon drops and sugar. Using one or two lemon slices, moisten the rims of four glasses and dip the rims into the candy mixture.

Step 2: Blend the milkshake, then serve

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Place all of the remaining ingredients (minus the lemon slices) in a blender, cover it and process until the mixture is smooth. Pour the shakes into the prepared glasses and serve immediately with the remaining lemon slices.

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Lemon Shake Variations

  • Skip the cream cheese: If there is one ingredient that you can leave out of this recipe, it’s the cream cheese. Just add an additional scoop of ice cream in its place.
  • Add some fresh lemon juice: To really take the lemon flavor up a notch, add a teaspoon or so of fresh lemon juice into the blender as you mix things up.
  • Use brown sugar: For a slightly more nuanced flavoring for those candy-rimmed glasses, use brown sugar instead of traditional white sugar.

How to Store Lemon Shakes

These milkshakes will only be good for about 15 to 20 minutes after you serve them; after that, they will be rather mushy and unpleasant.

Can you freeze a milkshake?

Yes! You can pour portions of this milkshake into popsicle molds and freeze them for up to three months.

Lemon Shake Tips

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How do I crush the lemon drops?

The safest way to do it is to place them in a baggie and use a food hammer on a cutting board. Use lots of small taps rather than big strikes.

Won’t the lemon and milk ingredients curdle?

No, because everything is cold and will not be heated to anywhere near room temperature, curdling will not be an issue.

Can I skip the candy-coated rims?

Of course you can, and the milkshake will still taste great, but many people do consider that sweetened rim the highlight of these milkshakes, so we encourage you to take the time to prepare them.

Lemon Shake

Prep Time 10 min
Yield 4 servings

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons crushed lemon drop candies
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • 1/2 small lemon, cut into six slices, divided
  • 1/2 cup 2% milk
  • 2 cups vanilla ice cream
  • 2 cups lemon sorbet
  • 3 ounces cream cheese, softened
  • 2 teaspoons grated lemon zest
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions

  1. In a shallow dish, mix crushed lemon drops and sugar. Using 1 or 2 lemon slices, moisten the rims of four glasses; dip rims into candy mixture.
  2. Place remaining ingredients (minus lemon slices) in a blender; cover and process until smooth. Pour into prepared glasses; serve immediately with remaining lemon slices.
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Several different recipes inspired the combination of ingredients I use in these shakes, and I'm glad they did! They're so refreshing. —Carol Gillespie, Chambersburg, Pennsylvania
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