Summer Time Magic Milkshake

It was a lazy summer afternoon and I was sitting on the patio reading the newest Tom Clancy novel. The grandkids, ranging in age from 2 thru 12 were playing in the yard. My wife poked her head out the door and said our neighbor, Bob and Sharon had just called and were putting burgers and hot dogs on the grill and wanted to know if we’d like to come over. I told my wife sure, why not, we’re not doing anything special and it might be fun.

Bob and Sharon had a nice size swimming pool in the back yard so the kids ran into the house to get their swim suits and towels. We had some ice cold watermelon in the refrigerator that we were taking with us and I threw a couple of beers into a cooler, we were about ready to go. We left the yard and walked across the street and we were there.

We walked around Bob and Sharon’s house into their yard and were greeted by several of our neighbors who had also been invited. Bob was standing by the picnic table and Sharon was filling the table with different salads, chips and all the fixings that go along with a simple and fun barbeque. My wife added the water melon to the table and I pop open a beer and settled in for a relaxing afternoon with friends.

An hour or so went by, the kids were splashing and playing in the pool with their friends, the adults were telling stories and jokes, when Bob said “I’m getting hungry, anybody want to eat”? He went into the house and came out with a platter heaped with burgers and dogs and tossed them onto the barbeque. Fifteen minutes later the air was filled with the smoke and smells of paddies sizzling over hot coals.

Once the kids were finally pulled out of the water we all started filling our plates and the feast began. A few more stories, laughter from a few more jokes, and the eating part of the evening was coming to an end, Sharon asked the kids, “Who would like a strawberry milkshake for desert”? With a unanimous “I do” from all the kids, she went into the house to get the shakes.

Ten minutes later she was back. I had expected the kids to get the milkshakes we have all become accustom too. The type you get at McDonalds, or any fast food restaurant, soft serve poured into a paper cup with strawberry syrup added. Was I mistaken! She came out carrying three stainless steel malt/milkshake cups with frost building up on the sides. These were the kind of cups I used to see at Soda Shops when I was a kid. She tipped the first cup to pour the shake into the kid’s glasses and out came this thick, creamy, strawberry colored drink. The kids dug in and after a few pulls on their straws, spoons were put into action. Between the umms and yums the shakes slowly started to disappear.

Before my grandson could finish I leaned over and asked if I could have a taste? Thick, creamy with small pieces of real strawberries mixed throughout, this was the real thing. I hadn’t tasted this kind of milkshake in years. I almost felt cheated that they were only being served to the kids.

At the end of a wonderful day, I asked Sharon how she made those shakes, and she gave me a copy of the recipe. I’d like to share it. The next hot summer day, if you’d like a real old fashion milkshake, this is the real deal.

This is the Strawberry Milkshake recipe I got from Sharon that evening.

·         ½ cup cream

·         ½ cup whole milk

·         1 cup strawberry ice cream (real ice cream)

·         1 cup fresh or frozen strawberries (chopped)

·         ¼ cup crushed ice

Put into a blender and mix until all ingredients are completely blended.  Pour into a chilled glass, stick in a straw and a spoon, and enjoy.

If you prefer a different flavored shake use only vanilla ice cream and substitute the strawberries with   chocolate syrup, or vanilla beans / extract, or any fresh fruit you’d like.

I’ll say this once more, this is the real thing, try it I think you’ll like it.