Delicious milkshakes for summer

Ramadan coinciding with the peak summer season this year is a situation we do not quite like. While the summer heat is enough to dehydrate us on its own, the added lack of fluid intake for prolonged hours shall further deprive us of energy.

During such times, it is of paramount importance that we carefully select our choice of fluids to include the most energy packed ones, while of course not compromising with taste! Thus, here are four fulfilling and delicious milkshake recipes for you to try that will keep you energised while you fast under the blazing sun this summer.        

COTTON CANDY MILKSHAKE

 This funky milkshake has a unique taste and will become your children's favourite in no time! With a slight twist on the traditional milkshake, this requires only four ingredients to make.

Ingredients

1 stick cotton candy

2 scoops strawberry ice cream

2 tbsp molten white chocolate

1 cup whole milk

1 tbsp sprinkles (for garnish)

Method

First of all, prepare your serving glass for a fun and colourful look — dip the rim in molten white chocolate and then immediately put this into a layer of sprinkles to attain an attractive rim. In your blender, drop in a couple of scoops of strawberry ice cream along with the milk and leftover molten white chocolate.

Separate the cotton candy of your choice from its stick and add this to the blender as well. Blend everything together to get a homogenous mixture and serve chilled in your prepared glass. You can also add cotton candy fluff as garnish atop. 

CHOCOLATE COFFEE MILKSHAKE

Combining the taste of coffee and chocolate, this milkshake is the jazzed up version of your ordinary cold coffee. With the perfect hit of caffeine, it will also meet your caffeine cravings during Ramadan in a cool way! 

Ingredients

2 scoops chocolate ice cream

2 tbsp molten chocolate

1 cup milk

1 tsp instant espresso powder

1 tsp sugar

Method

Pour the milk in a blender along with the instant espresso powder and sugar to cut out the bitterness of coffee. Blend this in high speed until completely combined. Next, drop in two scoops of chocolate ice cream and give this a final whiz.

To serve, take a spoonful of molten chocolate of thick consistency and pour it inside the top of your serving glass. Swirl this around to get thick streaks of molten chocolate inside your glass. Finally, pour the prepared milkshake in it and enjoy!       

COCONUT PISTACHIO MILKSHAKE

This milkshake is the perfect balance of being indulgent and nutritious at the same time. Reap the goodness of coconuts while meeting your sugar cravings during iftar with this one!  

Ingredients

1 cup coconut water

1/2 cup tender coconut meat

1 tsp sugar

1 tbsp ground pistachio nuts

2 scoops coconut ice cream 

Method

From one coconut, drain its water and also scoop out the flesh, which should yield the stated amount of coconut meat and water. Add these to your blender along with sugar, ground pistachios and two scoops of coconut ice cream. You can adjust the amount of sugar to your liking or leave it out completely and may also substitute coconut ice cream for a vanilla variation.

Blend everything together until you get a silky and creamy mixture. Top the frothy milkshake with chopped pistachios for garnish and serve this concoction chilled for the best experience.

DATE MILKSHAKE

For time immemorial, dates have been synonymous to Ramadan and iftar. While dates are delicious on their own, this milkshake further enhances their sweet and delectable flavour. 

Ingredients

10 – 12 ripe dates

1 cup whole milk

½ tsp cardamom powder

2 scoops vanilla ice cream

¼ cup almonds

Method

Remove the date pits and soak the flesh in half cup of milk along with the almonds for at least four hours. After that, chop the soaked almonds and add them in a blender along with the dates, milk, cardamom powder and two scoops of vanilla ice cream.

You can also substitute the vanilla flavour for our traditional ones such as kheer or yoghurt ice cream for better taste. Blend everything together until you get a thick and smooth milkshake. Serve this cold and garnish with slithered almonds on top.      

Photo: LS Archive/ Sazzad Ibne Sayed/ Ajo