Troy Warren for CNT #Celebrations

NATIONAL CHOCOLATE MILKSHAKE DAY

National Chocolate Milkshake Day on September 12th brings chocolate and ice cream lovers together. Forget the calories for just this one day and enjoy a sweet tall, thick and delicious, chocolate milkshake!

The term milkshake first appeared in print in 1885. During this period, milkshake referred to an alcoholic beverage described as a “sturdy, healthful eggnog type of drink” blended with eggs, whiskey, and other ingredients. Pharmacies served the drink as a tonic and a treat to customers. By 1900, pharmacies offered this “wholesome drink” with either chocolate, strawberry, or vanilla syrup.

The early 1900s – People began asking for this “new treat” with a scoop of ice cream.

1911 – Hamilton Beach’s drink mixers began to be used at soda fountains.

1922 – Steven Poplawski invented the electric blender or drink mixer.

Due to the invention of the blender, the milkshake began to take a chipped, aerated, and frothy form as they are today.

By the 1920s & 1930s, milkshakes became a popular drink at malt shops everywhere.

Another addition to the milkshake was malted milk powder. Made from malted barley, wheat flour, and dehydrated whole milk, malted milk tastes a bit like toasted caramel. It made its debut around the 1870s as a shelf-stable dry milk product. Add the powder to a chocolate milkshake, and transform the creamy goodness into a malted chocolate milkshake. Along with milkshakes, malted milk milkshakes became popular drinks at soda fountains around the 1920s.

HOW TO OBSERVE #ChocolateMilkshakeDay

Enjoy a chocolate milkshake at your favorite restaurant or soda fountain. Or try a malted version, especially if you’ve never had a malted chocolate milkshake. It is definitely worth a try. You may want to top off your chocolate milkshake with a dollop of whipped cream! While you’re enjoying this sweet treat, don’t forget to introduce this delicious pastime to someone else.

Do you have a favorite malt shop? Be sure to give them a shout-out, too! Use #ChocolateMilkshakeDay to post on social media.