When the blender stops, the vanilla base should be smooth, with little peppermint candy flecks scattered through it. That contrast is what makes this Holiday Peppermint Milkshake more interesting than a plain mint shake: the extract flavors the ice cream throughout, while crushed candy canes bring a sweet, delicate crunch. The recipe makes two glasses, and it takes only a few minutes to blend.
I blend the ice cream, whole milk, and peppermint extract first, then add the candy canes at the end. That order gives the base time to turn creamy before the candy goes in, so the pieces stay visible instead of disappearing into the shake. Measure the extract rather than estimating from the bottle; peppermint is bold, and a small amount goes a long way. Pour the finished shakes as soon as the flecks are evenly mixed through, while the texture is still thick and cold.
Kitchen Note
Measure the peppermint extract instead of pouring it straight from the bottle. It’s a small amount, but its flavor is concentrated, and measuring keeps the peppermint from overwhelming the vanilla.
Save this Holiday Peppermint Milkshake for a quick cold treat with creamy vanilla and candy-cane flecks in every glass.
Why the Candy Canes Go In After the Shake Is Smooth
Peppermint extract and crushed candy canes do different jobs here. The extract blends into the ice cream and milk, giving the whole shake a steady mint flavor. The candy canes are there for little bursts of sweetness and the flecked texture, so they don’t need a long blend with the liquid.
Adding the crushed candy at the end also lets you see what’s happening. A few short pulses distribute the pieces without turning them into a fine powder. If you blend everything together from the start, the candy gets more time under the blades and the finished shake is less likely to have distinct flecks. You’re looking for an even scatter, not a perfectly uniform mixture. That little bit of contrast is the point: each sip stays creamy, with a light candy crunch rather than a completely smooth mint base.
The order is especially useful when you’re aiming for the same look in both glasses. Blend the base until smooth first, then pulse in the candy and pour while it’s evenly dispersed.
Why Vanilla Ice Cream and Whole Milk Set the Balance
- Vanilla ice cream — It supplies the shake’s creamy body and a mellow flavor for the peppermint to sit on. A standard store-brand vanilla works; a richer ice cream will make the result taste fuller, but there’s no need for a specialty flavor. There isn’t a direct non-dairy replacement among these ingredients that keeps the same recipe and texture.
- Whole milk — Whole milk loosens the ice cream enough for the blender to make a smooth drink while keeping the shake creamy. If you have 2% milk instead, it will blend, though the finished shake won’t feel quite as rich. Use it in place of the whole milk rather than adding extra liquid.
- Peppermint extract — This is the concentrated mint flavor, so it’s worth measuring accurately. Vanilla extract won’t give the same peppermint taste, and peppermint syrup isn’t a direct stand-in because it adds both sweetness and liquid.
- Candy canes — These add the sweet, crisp flecks that distinguish the shake from a smooth peppermint ice cream drink. Crush them before they go into the blender; large pieces are harder to distribute evenly. The candy canes are the source of both the candy texture and their particular peppermint sweetness.
Blend the Base First, Then Fleck It With Candy
Make a Smooth Vanilla-Peppermint Base
Add the vanilla ice cream, whole milk, and peppermint extract to the blender. Blend until the mixture looks smooth and creamy, with no visible streaks of extract. If the blades are spinning but the mixture hasn’t come together, pause and check that the ingredients are reaching the blades rather than continuing to blend an uneven pocket. Keep the candy canes out for now so the base can become smooth on its own.
Pulse Until the Candy Is Evenly Flecked
Add the crushed candy canes to the smooth base and pulse until the pieces are evenly flecked through it. Use pulses rather than running the blender continuously at this point; you want the candy spread through the shake, not pulverized. Look through the blender jar for an even scatter before you stop. If the pieces are still gathered in one area, give the mixture another brief pulse.
Pour and Serve While Cold
Pour the finished shake into two glasses and serve immediately. The mixture should still look thick, with candy flecks visible through the vanilla-colored base. Don’t leave it sitting while you finish other tasks; the shake softens as it stands, and the candy pieces lose their crisp texture. Have the glasses ready before you start blending so the last step is quick.
Three Small Changes for a Different Peppermint Shake
Keep Some Candy Cane Crunch on Top
Set aside some of the crushed candy canes before adding the rest to the blender. Pulse the portion in the shake until evenly flecked, then scatter the reserved pieces over the glasses. You’ll get both the distributed candy texture and a more pronounced crunch on top.
Make the Candy Canes the Main Mint Flavor
Leave out the peppermint extract and keep the vanilla ice cream, milk, and crushed candy canes. The result is a softer, candy-led peppermint flavor rather than a minty note running through the whole base. The candy still adds its flecks and sweetness.
Skip the Candy Pieces for a Smooth Shake
Omit the crushed candy canes and blend the vanilla ice cream, whole milk, and peppermint extract until smooth. You’ll keep the peppermint flavor but lose the added candy sweetness and flecked texture. This is the simplest option if you prefer a uniform shake.
Make-Ahead and Serving
- Make ahead: Blend just before serving. The shake loses its thick texture as it stands.
- Serving: Have the glasses ready and pour as soon as the candy is evenly flecked through the shake.
- Leftovers: This drink doesn’t keep its smooth, thick texture in the refrigerator, and reheating isn’t appropriate. Blend only what you’re ready to serve.
Questions That Come Up When Making This Peppermint Shake
Holiday Peppermint Milkshake
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Add the ice cream, milk, and peppermint extract to a blender and blend until smooth.
- Add the crushed candy canes and pulse until evenly flecked.
- Pour into glasses and serve immediately.
