The History of Shakes: How Freddy's Adds Its Twist to an Old Favorite

From technological advancements to restaurant industry evolution, some of the same events that have impacted how we prepare or access food have also played an important role in the history of shakes. As you savor your favorite frozen custard shake at Freddy’s, you may be so captivated by the wonderful flavors of the present that you may not be thinking about the shake’s lengthy past. Keep reading to learn about some of the key moments in the history of shakes, as well as how Freddy’s contributes to their continued enjoyment today!

Notable Moments in the History of Shakes

For many people across the country and throughout the decades, shakes of all kinds and flavors have been a part of their own stories. However, shakes today are sometimes quite different from their earliest offerings, whether in terms of ingredients or preparation. Below, take a look at how and why shakes evolved to the way we know and experience them today.

1. Whiskey-forward and (often) ice cream-free beginnings: According to Tasting Table, one of the earliest shake recipes included whiskey in addition to eggs and dairy, while another simply used dairy, sweetener and flavoring syrup, as well as ice. So, where is the ice cream that many consider essential for a milkshake? The choice to incorporate ice cream became more common a few decades later.

2. The arrival of the electric blender: The history of shakes is also intertwined with various technological advancements. As highlighted at Hamilton Beach Commercial, the first few decades of the 20th century brought drink mixers and then electric blenders and spindle mixers that were often used in early soda fountains to make various drinks. According to Imbibe Magazine, the prevalence and standard incorporation of ice cream in a shake resulted from both the arrival of the blender and the choice of a Walgreens soda fountain employee named Iver O. Coulson, who added ice cream into an otherwise fairly typical drink.

3. Fast-food frenzy: Today, shakes may be a menu staple at quick-serve restaurants, fast-casual establishments like Freddy’s and more. Their prominence here may not be surprising given their initial flourishing at soda fountains, diners and other dining establishments at the time that offered faster service than other options. Given the popularity of shakes at these locations and in general, many emerging fast-food and drive-in restaurants in the middle of the 20th century started offering this treat, which resulted in even more opportunities to enjoy it then and today.

4. Innovative creations and flavor explorations: Beyond the classic flavor trio of chocolate, strawberry and vanilla, each passing decade brought with it new experiments in shake flavors as well as what else might be added to the shake or used to make it. Today, at Freddy’s, we make our shakes with frozen custard and offer both classic flavors as well as unique twists.

Frozen Custard Shakes at Freddy’s

Although using the more egg-forward frozen custard versus ice cream may slightly echo the shake’s early origins, it's our spectrum of flavor options that really makes our shakes so inventive. While our shakes are available in classic flavors like chocolate and vanilla, we also offer a diverse roster of creations as well as unique limited-time only specials. Here are some of the current selections that make our shakes stand out:

Chocolate Brownie Delight: This shake is a celebration of chocolate. In it, our fresh and creamy chocolate frozen custard is combined with decadent hot fudge and mouthwatering chocolate brownies. Finished with whipped cream and a cherry (if you wish), this treat offers a new twist on one of the most popular shakes in the history of shakes.

Peanut Butter Bananza: Cool and refreshing, this treat combines our creamy vanilla frozen custard and fresh banana slices with one of most beloved candies of all time – REESE’S Peanut Butter Cups. Including candy pieces, fruit and baked treats in addition to syrups and sauces is yet another way that today’s shake creators, like Freddy’s, are bringing new flavors to the world of shakes.

Create Your Own Shake: Choose this option to customize your own shake experience. In addition to your preferred frozen custard flavor, you’ll find a range of fruit, candy, cookies, syrups, sauces and more to incorporate. From malt to marshmallow and cheesecake bites to chocolate sauce, enjoy experimenting with your next shake or combining some of your favorite sweet components into one delicious treat!

While some of the same syrup flavors are in use today as they were over a century ago, there are even more options and approaches to making shakes now than ever before. As the history of shakes continues to unfold, this moment in time may be the one that celebrates the sheer volume of so many incredible frozen custard shake and milkshake flavors to try. Whether to remember past experiences fondly or to create new memories, visit the Freddy’s near you today to enjoy our rich, creamy and creative frozen custard shakes!