Satisfy your dessert cravings with this rich and creamy Vegan Milkshake! Made with dairy-free coffee ice cream, frozen banana, and raw cacao, this plant-based drinkable treat is a guilt-free indulgence everyone can enjoy. Variations to make other classic vegan milkshake flavors are included, too! This easy recipe only takes two minutes to whip up in a blender for a quick, anytime delicacy!
This recipe was written on August 6, 2018. It was updated with additional recipe information on July 26, 2024.
If you love coffee and ice cream, you’ll adore this mocha-inspired vegan milkshake recipe! With just five simple ingredients, you can create a delightful blend of flavors perfect for cooling off a hot summer’s day. Rich, vegan coffee ice cream pairs perfectly with the natural sweetness of a ripe frozen banana and the deep, chocolatey notes of raw cacao powder. Combined with plant-based milk, this easy-to-make vegan shake will satisfy your sweet tooth while providing a refreshing and healthier option for a hot day!
This creamy, dreamy summertime dessert also bodes a picturesque presentation, perfect for parties and group gatherings. Fresh banana slices are pressed along the inside surface of cold glasses and then filled with the delicious plant-based milkshake. The result is a visually stunning treat that not only tastes incredible but adds a touch of elegance to any occasion! If you want to make classic vegan milkshakes like chocolate or strawberry, check out my variations section below for easy adaptations!
For more vegan summer dessert recipes, try my Easy Pear Sorbet, Grilled Banana & Macadamia Milk Vegan Ice Cream, or Strawberry Sorbet.
Ingredients
Vegan Coffee Ice Cream: This dairy-free ice cream provides a rich coffee flavor, making it the perfect base for a mocha-inspired milkshake. Look for a quality brand like Oatly or So Delicious that offers smooth, creamy textures without dairy. Or use vanilla or chocolate ice cream and add 1 to 2 teaspoons of instant espresso powder or a shot of espresso.
Non-Dairy Milk: Choose your favorite unsweetened plant-based milk such as soy, almond, or oat milk, to achieve the best dairy-free milkshake consistency. For an even creamier shake, full-fat coconut milk is an excellent alternative.
Frozen Banana: Ripe frozen bananas add natural sweetness and a thick, creamy texture to non-dairy shakes. Make sure your bananas are perfectly ripe before freezing to maximize the sweetness or use store-bought frozen bananas for convenience.
Raw Cacao Powder: This ingredient infuses the dairy-free milkshake recipe with rich, chocolatey notes. Use raw cacao powder for the most nutrients, or swap it with regular unsweetened cocoa powder for a more pronounced chocolate flavor.
Sliced Banana: Fresh banana slices are used to line the inside of the glass before serving for a decorative and flavorful touch. Choose firm, ripe bananas to ensure they hold their shape. Alternatively, add other fruit slices like strawberries or kiwis for a pop of color.
How to Make a Vegan Milk Shake
- Blend Ingredients. Add all ingredients to a high-speed blender and blend until smooth and creamy, scraping down the sides periodically as needed.
- Prepare Glass. Press sliced bananas onto the inside of a cold glass. Pour the shake into the glass.
- Garnish. Top the shake with another scoop of vegan ice cream and add a few more banana slices. Enjoy immediately!
Recipe Pro-Tips
- Use a high-speed blender. To give dairy-free milkshakes the best texture, use a high-speed blender so all ingredients thoroughly blend and develop a smooth, creamy consistency.
- Blend in stages. Start by blending the frozen banana and non-dairy milk until smooth. Then, add the ice cream and raw cacao powder. This will help achieve the smoothest texture with the least hassle.
- Chill glass. Place your serving glasses in the freezer for 10-15 minutes before making the non-dairy milkshake recipe. This will keep the vegan shakes cold for longer and enhance the presentation.
- Adjust sweetness to taste. Taste the lactose-free milkshake before serving. For a sweeter flavor, add a small amount of maple syrup or agave nectar.
- Increase the coffee flavor. If you prefer a stronger coffee taste, choose an espresso-flavored vegan ice cream for a more punctuated flavor. Or blend in a shot of espresso or espresso powder!
- Add banana slices for visual appeal. While optional, I recommend carefully pressing fresh banana slices inside the chilled glasses before pouring in the shake for an Instagram-worthy presentation.
- Enjoy immediately. This milkshake no milk recipe is best enjoyed immediately after preparation to retain its creamy texture and flavors.
Recipe Variations
Below are optional variations to mix up your dairy-free shakes and experiment with different flavors:
- Vanilla: Keep it basic but delicious with vegan vanilla ice cream, frozen banana, and your choice of non-dairy milk – from an oat milk milkshake to a milkshake with almond milk.
- Strawberry: A tasty combination of vegan vanilla ice cream, plant-based milk, and frozen strawberries for a berry twist.
- Chocolate: Ditch the coffee flavor and go for classic chocolate with vegan chocolate ice cream, dairy-free milk, and frozen bananas. Add cacao powder for enhanced chocolatey goodness.
- Mint: An extra refreshing choice made with vanilla ice cream, plant-based milk, mint extract, and frozen bananas. If you’re a chocolate lover, add in a tablespoon or two of optional cocoa powder.
- Peanut Butter: Make it rich and nutty with vegan vanilla ice cream, non-dairy milk, frozen bananas, peanut butter, or your preferred nut butter.
- Blueberry: For a fruit-forward delight, blend 1 cup of blueberry (or blueberry cardamom ice cream) with non-dairy milk and 1 cup of frozen blueberries.
- Peach: Delight in the Georgia peach with me by blending 1 cup of vegan peach ice cream with milk and 1/2 of a frozen ripe banana, if desired!
Serving Suggestions
Enjoy a magical vegan milkshake as a mid-day summer treat or anytime dessert! Or make a batch to serve party guests along with some of our favorite sweet treat recipes below for a full-spread dessert table:
Frequently Asked Questions
Add more frozen bananas and reduce the amount of non-dairy milk for a milkshake with a thicker consistency. To make it thinner, increase the amount of non-dairy milk.
You can substitute frozen mango, berries, or pineapple for the frozen banana. Adjust the sweetness and flavor profile accordingly based on your choice of fruit.
Garnish your milkshake with a dollop of coconut cream instead of another scoop of ice cream. Also, feel free to include additional toppings like vegan chocolate shavings, a sprinkle of cinnamon, crushed nuts, or a drizzle of vegan caramel or fruit syrup.
More Vegan Dessert Recipes
Recipe Card
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Add the ingredients to the blender. Blend until smooth and creamy.
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Press sliced bananas onto the sides of a chilled glass. Pour the milkshake into the glass. Top with another scoop of the vegan ice cream and a few more banana slices. Enjoy immediately!
- Vanilla: Keep it basic but delicious with vegan vanilla ice cream, frozen banana, and your choice of non-dairy milk – from an oat milk milkshake to a milkshake with almond milk.
- Strawberry: A tasty combination of vegan vanilla ice cream, plant-based milk, and frozen strawberries for a berry twist.
- Chocolate: Ditch the coffee flavor and go for classic chocolate with vegan chocolate ice cream, dairy-free milk, and frozen bananas. Add cacao powder for enhanced chocolatey goodness.
- Mint: An extra refreshing choice made with vanilla ice cream, plant-based milk, mint extract, and frozen bananas. If you’re a chocolate lover, add in a tablespoon or two of optional cocoa powder.
- Peanut Butter: Make it rich and nutty with vegan vanilla ice cream, non-dairy milk, frozen bananas, peanut butter, or your preferred nut butter.
- Blueberry: For a fruit-forward delight, blend 1 cup of blueberry (or blueberry cardamom ice cream) with non-dairy milk and 1 cup of frozen blueberries.
- Peach: Delight in the Georgia peach with me by blending 1 cup of vegan peach ice cream with milk and 1/2 of a frozen ripe banana, if desired!
Recipe Pro-Tips
- Use a high-speed blender. To give dairy-free milkshakes the best texture, use a high-speed blender so all ingredients thoroughly blend and develop a smooth, creamy consistency.
- Chill glass. Place your serving glasses in the freezer for 10-15 minutes before making the non-dairy milkshake recipe. This will keep the vegan shakes cold for longer and enhance the presentation.
- Adjust sweetness to taste. Taste the lactose-free milkshake before serving. Add a small amount of maple syrup or agave nectar for a sweeter flavor.
- Increase the coffee flavor. If you prefer a stronger coffee taste, choose an espresso-flavored vegan ice cream for a more punctuated flavor. Or, blend in a shot of espresso or a teaspoon of instant espresso powder.