5 Premium Milkshake Recipes That Increase Average Spend
Milkshakes aren’t just for kids — when done right, they can become high-margin, profitable menu items for cafés, bars, and restaurants. With the right milkshake machine, operators can create premium drinks that attract customers, increase average spend, and boost social media engagement.
Here are five milkshake recipes designed to help your business increase revenue — all made using commercial milkshake machines supplied and maintained by DS Refrigeration.
1. Biscoff Cookie Crunch Milkshake
Ingredients:
- Vanilla ice cream
- Biscoff spread
- Crushed Biscoff cookies
- Whipped cream
- Caramel drizzle
Profit Tip:
Biscoff-based milkshakes are trendy and highly Instagrammable, allowing you to price them slightly higher than standard milkshakes. Pair with cookie toppings to create a premium “dessert-in-a-glass” experience.
2. Salted Caramel Pretzel Milkshake
Ingredients:
- Salted caramel ice cream or vanilla ice cream with caramel sauce
- Crushed pretzels
- Whipped cream
- Caramel drizzle
Profit Tip:
Sweet and salty combinations appeal to adults and teens. Using high-contrast toppings increases perceived value and encourages repeat purchases.
3. Oreo Overload Milkshake
Ingredients:
- Chocolate or vanilla ice cream
- Crushed Oreo cookies
- Whipped cream
- Chocolate sauce
Profit Tip:
The classic cookie milkshake never goes out of style. Offering it as a premium menu item with extra toppings increases your average transaction.
4. Protein-Packed Banana & Peanut Butter Shake
Ingredients:
- Banana ice cream or frozen bananas
- Peanut butter
- Protein powder (vanilla or chocolate)
- Milk
- Whipped cream (optional)
Profit Tip:
Cater to health-conscious customers or gym-goers. Highlighting the protein content allows higher pricing while appealing to a growing market segment.
5. Seasonal Special: Strawberry Cheesecake Shake
Ingredients:
- Strawberry ice cream
- Cream cheese
- Graham cracker crumbs
- Whipped cream and fresh strawberries
Profit Tip:
Limited-time or seasonal milkshakes create urgency and can be marketed on social media to increase footfall.
How Milkshake Machines Help Boost Profits
Creating premium milkshakes consistently requires reliable equipment. Commercial milkshake machines from DS Refrigeration ensure:
- Consistency: Smooth texture, perfect blending, and portion control
- Speed: High output during peak hours
- Ease of Cleaning: Fast turnaround reduces downtime
- Versatility: Mixers can create protein shakes, dessert shakes, and seasonal specials
The right machine allows you to increase average spend without slowing down service or overcomplicating your menu.
Tips for Maximising Sales
- Offer add-ons: extra toppings, cookies, sauces
- Highlight “Instagrammable” shakes on menus and social media
- Bundle with snacks or desserts for combo deals
- Rotate seasonal flavours to keep customers returning
Take Action
Ready to add premium milkshakes to your menu and increase profits? DS Refrigeration supplies, installs, and maintains high-performance milkshake machines for cafés, bars, and restaurants across Northern Ireland.
👉 Call 028 3751 1425 or click here to explore our range and start creating high-margin milkshakes today.