Kids of All Ages Look to Shake Up Summer

Nothing induces summertime nostalgia like a milkshake, and no wonder — milkshakes have a venerable and tasty history.

Milkshakes were developed as health drinks. Of course, ingredients like heavy cream, port wine and whiskey were considered healthy at the time. Originally sold in pharmacies, milkshakes soon made the transition to charming soda fountains, or malt shops.

Few Americans have old-fashioned soda fountains in the neighborhood anymore, and the milkshake loses a bit of its charm when it moves from tall, clear glass to fast-food styrofoam cup. But capturing the spirit of yesteryear at home takes only a few ingredients and a blender.

Vitamix (www.vitamix.com), maker of the Vitamix 5200, a blender so powerful that it can liquefy whole fruits and vegetables, including their peels and seeds, in seconds, encourages its customers to recapture the spirit of milkshakes past, whether by adding healthy ingredients, like bananas, or by mixing it up with alcohol to appeal to a more adult crowd.

Vitamix provides the following recipes for fun, funky milkshakes perfect for summertime sipping. The recipes are designed for the Vitamix 5200, but can be adjusted for your blender by blending the liquid and soft ingredients together before adding any of the harder ingredients.

Peanut Butter Cup Milkshake

Yield: 2 1/2 cups

1/4 cup milk

2 cups vanilla ice cream

2 tablespoons peanut butter

2 tablespoons chocolate syrup

Place all ingredients in the Vitamix in the order listed. Select Variable 1. Turn on the machine and slowly move to Variable 8. Blend for 35 to 45 seconds.

Choco-Banana Milkshake

Yield: 2 cups

1/4 cup milk

1 1/2 cups vanilla ice cream

2 tablespoons chocolate chips

1/2 banana, peeled

1 teaspoon instant coffee

2 tablespoons chocolate syrup

1 teaspoon vanilla extract.

Place all ingredients in the Vitamix in the order listed. Select Variable 1. Turn on the machine and move to Variable 10, then High. Blend for 15 seconds.

Irish Cookies and Cream

Milkshake

Yield: 3 1/2 cups

2 ounces Irish whiskey

3 cups vanilla ice cream

2 chocolate sandwich cookies

Place all ingredients in the Vitamix in the order listed. Select Variable 1. Turn on the machine and slowly increase speed to Variable 10, then High. Blend for 15 seconds.