Milkshakes are not smoothies or juice. Making one requires more than throwing a bunch of goodness in a blender and pressing a button. It’s an art, really — it’s crucial to get the liquid-to-cream ratio (4:1), temperature control (sans ice, which waters down the shake) and ice cream (full-fat preferred for ultimate richness) just right.
The pros at local Hamptons ice cream and sweet shops have their work cut out for them whenever they get a milkshake order. But they deliver the frozen treats with warm smiles day in and day out. While we often scream for ice cream during the summer months, milkshakes are truly a seasonal treat, just like a trip to or living on the South Fork. While you’re here, make a pit stop at one of these seven South Fork shops blending the perfect milkshakes.
Shock Ice Cream, 99 Main St., Westhampton, 631-553-0155
This humble white brick and mortar’s sprinkle of color accents — teal tables, white lettering on the menu — immediately put people in a happier state of mind. But the popular ice cream shop that has been a fixture on Main Street for a quarter-century is known for its croffles (a combination of croissant and waffles covered in ice cream and toppings). But don’t sleep on the shakes. The shop boasts an entire menu of “Shock Shakes,” including a Shock Stack (soft-serve ice cream with a layer of Italian ice) and an ahead-of-its-time Egg Cream offering (milk, seltzer and chocolate syrup). Then, there’s the signature Shock Freakshake, which lets you pick any ice cream, blend it and top it with candy for a sipper that’s nothing if not freakishly good.
Sip’n Soda, 40 Hampton Road, Southampton, 631-283-9752
A Parash family-run luncheonette since Day 1, 1958, Sip ‘n Soda has stayed true to its retro-era roots. The spot still serves sundaes in glasses, just as it did when William, Nicolette, Paul, and Jim Parash opened it nearly 70 years ago, and it maintains an old-fashioned soda fountain and a fan-favorite vintage milkshake machine. The latter churns out thick, creamy ice cream-based beverages, including classics like chocolate and strawberry milkshakes. Want whipped cream and a cherry on top of your milkshake? That’s totally on the table.
Boom Burger, 85 Montauk Highway, Westhampton Beach, 631-998-4663
Gourmet burger may be this joint’s calling card. But ice cream aficionados can get the most bang for their buck if they stay for dessert. Diners can choose between 10 milkshakes from the beverage menu, including premium flavors such as Oreo, peanut butter, Nutella and caramel, that will satisfy both your inner child and current cravings.
Snowflake Ice Cream Shoppe, 1148 W. Main St., Riverhead, 631-727-4394
It’s hard to miss this standalone scoop shop on Main Street with its blue exterior, navy-and-green awning and bright pink benches. But it’s what’s served on the inside that accounts for the summer season’s wraparound lines. Snowflake Ice Cream Shoppe continues to use the same homemade ice cream recipes that warmed residents and guests to the spot when it opened in 1953. Turn your favorite one— from standard bearers like chocolate and vanilla to seasonal treats like pumpkin — into a shake.
Union Burger Bar, 40 Bowden Square, Southampton, 631-377-3323
Over in Southampton, you’ll find another burger spot that has no beef with sweet tooths. If anything, Union Burger Bar’s desserts and shakes menu is like a warm embrace full of frozen treats. You’ll find seven shake offerings on the menu, including a black and white shake that’s essentially chocolate-y vanilla heaven. The cookies and cream shake is liquid gold for fans of the flavor in ice cream form.
Sweet Spot, 106 Newtown Lane, East Hampton, 631-604-6500
A sweets lover’s paradise, this brick exterior East Hampton mainstay serves up everything from pastries to shakes. Go rich with salted caramel or chocolate, or take taste buds ot the tropics with a pineapple concoction. Counters with stools inside give people a chance to stop and sip for a while in a laid-back setting, any time of year. Outdoor benches are perfect for balmy weather.
Bridgehampton Candy Kitchen, Montauk Highway, 2391 Bridgehampton, 631-537-9885
Whether it’s summer, winter, or fall and spring in between, a trip to Bridgehampton Candy Kitchen is like walking into a wonderland. The luncheonette — which is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year — delights guests of all ages by keeping milkshakes on its menu year-round. Owned by the Laggis family since 1981, Bridgehampton Candy Kitchen continues to blend milkshakes in old-timey machines. Pull up a seat at the counter and watch it go down for a thick chocolate, strawberry or vanilla shake made with the homemade ice cream promised on the institution’s recognizable highway-side sign.
The Islander, 63 N. Ferry Road, Shelter Island, 631-749-1998
There’s a reason The Islander gets raves on the Rock. This family-centric restaurant with a coffee-shop vibe not only offers diner faves with fresh ingredients at pocket-easy prices, it’s also the gathering hub for pretty much everybody on the Island. And if you’re looking for classic shake options, they’ve got that, too — your basic vanilla, chocolate, strawberry and coffee are always an option, and also some less-basic fun variations like mint chocolate chip, M&M, and Oreo Heath Bar.
