The Sweet History of Ice Cream Malts
For over 100 years, people of all ages have enjoyed malts – creamy, cold and drinkable treats in various flavors. At Freddy’s, our version of the beloved ice cream malt utilizes our fresh frozen custard to create tasty and decadent malts. Keep reading to learn about the history of the ice cream malt, making this blended treat at home and the malts and other frozen custard treats on the Freddy’s menu that you’ll be eager to put a straw into.
A Brief History of Frozen Custard and Ice Cream Malts
From drugstore soda fountains to diners, the ice cream malt became a staple on many menus by the middle of the 20th century. As suggested by the Art of Drink, combining milk and malted milk powder was fairly common by the arrival of this century, but the blending of these ingredients with ice cream done by Walgreens employee, Ivar “Pop” Coulson, is often credited with driving the popularity of milkshake (malted or otherwise), as it is known today. Like the milkshake, Tasting Table highlights that the malt became a familiar treat to enjoy alone or alongside burgers, fries and (eventually) other fast food staples. While ice cream malts like malt shops themselves may not be as prevalent as in previous decades, you can still find this sweet treat at many restaurants, especially ones that offer comfort classics and quick service like the Freddy’s near you.
How to Make Homemade Frozen Custard and Ice Cream Malts
If you want to pair a malt with your own homemade burgers, frozen custard and ice cream malts can also be made in your very own kitchen. Your preferred consistency for this blended creation may not only impact the amount of milk you use but also your choice of ice cream vs. frozen custard – the latter of which tends to be thicker in general. A malt recipe like this one from the Laughing Spatula provides a guide to the ingredients, though adjustments to the exact amounts of each one may be needed based on desired servings, serving sizes, choice of creamy frozen ingredients and more. To give your malts some extra special flair, be sure to check out the colorful decorative idea in this recipe! If you plan to use frozen custard for your malt, simply order a pint or quart from your local Freddy’s. As for that specialty ingredient that makes what could be a shake into the preferred malt, malted milk powder may be found at your grocery store or by shopping online, as at King Arthur Baking Company.
Malts and Other Frozen Custard Drinks to Enjoy at Freddy’s
A sundae or sandwich made with fresh frozen custard can be a sweet anytime treat or the perfect finish to a meal. However, like the ice cream malt, drinkable frozen custard treats also provide a cooling complement to mouthwatering steakburgers, as well as other savory sandwiches and sides. As you are thinking about which drink to pair with your next order from Freddy’s, here are three possibilities!
Chocolate Malt: In terms of the malt vs. the shake, it’s the malted milk powder that distinguishes the two. Consequently, Freddy’s guests simply need to add malt to their choice of frozen custard shake to enjoy this type of treat. For example, to make a chocolate malt – one of the most classic flavors of this drink, order a chocolate shake in the size of your choice and choose malt to be included in its preparation.
MUG® Root Beer Float: Another classic soda fountain staple, the root beer float like the malt is delicious with ice cream, but the use of frozen custard makes for an even richer and creamier treat. At Freddy’s, our floats use MUG Root Beer for a delectable drink with a little fizz to it!
Lemon Cream and Orange Cream Frosts: Want to try one of the newest frozen custard drinks to arrive on our menu? Instead of milk or root beer, our Lemon Cream Frost and Orange Cream Frost pair all-natural lemonade and other fruit flavoring to create a zesty and refreshing treat.
Whether you customize your frozen custard malt at Freddy’s or your ice cream malts at home, you’ll be able to experience the unique flavor that the malted milk powder adds to these blended drinks. When you choose one of our combo meals, you’ll be able to enjoy selections like the Smoky Bacon Cheddar Stack and the Spicy Chicken Sandwich, as well as a malt or any other drink and a side. Don’t forget to join Freddy’s Rewards, so you can quickly earn points with every order and eventually redeem them for FREE rewards like a regular malt or a Freddy’s Original Bacon & Cheese Double!