Milkshake vs. Malt: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 25, 2023
A milkshake is a sweet, cold beverage made from milk, ice cream, and flavorings, while a malt, or malted milkshake, includes malted milk powder for added flavor and texture.
Key Differences
Milkshakes are creamy beverages made by blending milk with ice cream and various flavorings or sweeteners like chocolate or fruit syrups. Malts, or malted milkshakes, include all the ingredients of a milkshake but with the addition of malted milk powder, which imparts a distinctive flavor and slightly grainy texture.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 20, 2023
The key ingredient in a milkshake is the ice cream, which provides the creamy texture and base flavor. In a malt, the addition of malted milk powder, made from malted barley, wheat flour, and whole milk, differentiates it from a regular milkshake by adding a nutty, toasty flavor.
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Nov 20, 2023
Milkshakes can be found in a variety of flavors, such as vanilla, strawberry, or chocolate, depending on the ice cream and syrups used. Malts, while they can also vary in flavor, have the unique characteristic of the malted milk flavor, no matter what other flavorings are added.
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Nov 20, 2023
The texture of a milkshake is generally smooth and creamy. In contrast, a malt has a slightly thicker, more textured feel due to the malted milk powder, which doesn’t fully dissolve.
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Milkshakes are popular worldwide and can be found in many restaurants and ice cream shops. Malts, while also widely available, are particularly associated with classic American diners and soda fountains, where they have a nostalgic appeal.
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Nov 20, 2023
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Comparison Chart
Base Ingredients
Milk, ice cream, flavorings
Milk, ice cream, flavorings, malted milk powder
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Key Flavor
Depends on the ice cream and syrups used
Nutty, toasty flavor from malted milk powder
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Variety of Flavors
Wide range (vanilla, chocolate, strawberry, etc.)
Flavors vary but always include the malted milk taste
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Cultural Association
Popular globally, versatile in preparation
Strongly associated with American diners and nostalgia
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Milkshake and Malt Definitions
Milkshake
Milkshake is a cold, sweet drink often enjoyed as a dessert or snack.
On hot days, a strawberry milkshake is his go-to refreshment.
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Nov 17, 2023
Malt
Malt has a slightly grainier texture than a regular milkshake.
The grainy texture of the malt sets it apart from other milkshakes.
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Nov 17, 2023
Milkshake
Milkshake can be customized with various additions like fruits, chocolate, or syrups.
He loves adding caramel syrup to his vanilla milkshake.
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Nov 17, 2023
Malt
Malt is often associated with classic American diners and nostalgia.
Visiting the old-fashioned diner, he always orders a vanilla malt.
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Nov 17, 2023
Milkshake
Milkshake is a popular treat in cafes and ice cream shops.
They serve the best banana milkshake at the local ice cream shop.
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Malt
Malt adds a nutty, toasty dimension to the traditional milkshake.
The malted barley in the malt gives it a unique, toasty undertone.
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Nov 17, 2023
Milkshake
A milkshake is a creamy beverage made by blending milk with ice cream and flavorings.
She ordered a chocolate milkshake at the diner.
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Nov 17, 2023
Malt
A malt is a milkshake with the addition of malted milk powder for a unique flavor.
He prefers a chocolate malt over a regular milkshake for its distinctive taste.
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Nov 17, 2023
Milkshake
A beverage that is made of milk, ice cream, and often flavoring and is blended or whipped until foamy. Also called shake; also called regionally cabinet, frappe, velvet.
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Oct 19, 2023
Malt
Malt refers to both the malted milkshake and the malted milk powder used in it.
She added extra malt to her shake for a stronger malt flavor.
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Nov 17, 2023
Milkshake
New England A beverage made of milk and flavored syrup, whipped until foamy.
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Oct 19, 2023
Malt
Grain, usually barley, that has been allowed to sprout, used chiefly in brewing and distilling.
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Oct 19, 2023
Milkshake
A thick beverage consisting of milk and ice cream mixed together, often with fruit, chocolate, or other flavoring.
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Oct 19, 2023
Milkshake
A thin beverage, similar to the above, but with no ice cream or significantly less of it.
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Oct 19, 2023
Milkshake
A beverage consisting of fruit juice, water, and some milk, as served in Southeast Asia.
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Milkshake
Accidental emulsion of oil and water in an engine.
This milkshake under the oil cap, or on the dipstick, indicates a blown head gasket.
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Oct 19, 2023
Milkshake
An alkaline supplement administered to a horse to improve its racing performance.
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Milkshake
To administer an alkaline supplement to (a horse) to improve its racing performance.
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Malt
Malted grain sprouted grain (usually barley), used in brewing and otherwise.
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Milkshake
To throw a milkshake at (a person).
A politician was milkshaked during the protest.
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Oct 19, 2023
Milkshake
A frothy drink of milk and flavoring and sometimes fruit or ice cream, shaken together or blended in a blender.
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Oct 19, 2023
Milkshake
Frothy drink of milk and flavoring and sometimes fruit or ice cream
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Oct 19, 2023
Milkshake
Milkshake is often served with whipped cream and a cherry on top.
She always looks forward to the whipped cream topping on her milkshake.
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Nov 17, 2023
Malt
(transitive) To convert a cereal grain into malt by causing it to sprout (by soaking in water) and then halting germination (by drying with hot air) in order to develop enzymes that can break down starches and proteins in the grain.
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Oct 19, 2023
Malt
Barley or other grain, steeped in water and dried in a kiln, thus forcing germination until the saccharine principle has been evolved. It is used in brewing and in the distillation of whisky.
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Oct 19, 2023
Malt
A lager of high alcohol content; by law it is considered too alcoholic to be sold as lager or beer
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Oct 19, 2023
Malt
A cereal grain that is kiln-dried after having been germinated by soaking in water; used especially in brewing and distilling
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Oct 19, 2023
Repeatedly Asked Queries
Are milkshakes healthy?
Milkshakes can be high in calories and sugar, so they're generally considered a treat rather than a healthy option.
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Nov 20, 2023
What are the basic ingredients of a milkshake?
A basic milkshake includes milk, ice cream, and flavorings like syrup or fruit.
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Nov 20, 2023
What makes a malt different from a regular milkshake?
A malt includes malted milk powder, which gives it a distinctive flavor and texture.
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Nov 20, 2023
What is malted milk powder?
Malted milk powder is a mixture of malted barley, wheat flour, and milk, dried and powdered.
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Nov 20, 2023
Can vegans enjoy milkshakes and malts?
Yes, there are vegan versions of milkshakes and malts made with plant-based milk and ice cream.
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Nov 20, 2023
Is a milkshake a dessert or a drink?
A milkshake can be both, often served as a drinkable dessert.
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Nov 20, 2023
What is the origin of milkshakes?
Milkshakes originated in the United States in the early 20th century.
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Nov 20, 2023
Can you make a milkshake without ice cream?
Yes, it's possible to make a milkshake using milk, ice, and flavorings without ice cream, but it won't be as creamy.
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Nov 20, 2023
How do you make a malt thicker?
To make a malt thicker, you can add more ice cream or use less milk in the blend.
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Nov 20, 2023
Are malts only available in chocolate flavor?
No, malts can be made in various flavors, though chocolate is a classic choice.
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Nov 20, 2023
Can you add toppings to a malt?
Yes, malts can be topped with whipped cream, cherries, or other toppings just like milkshakes.
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Nov 20, 2023
How many flavors of milkshake are there?
There are countless milkshake flavors, limited only by the available ice cream flavors and mix-ins.
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Nov 20, 2023
Can milkshakes be part of a diet plan?
Due to their high calorie content, milkshakes are generally not recommended for diet plans.
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Nov 20, 2023
What is the best way to blend a milkshake?
The best way to blend a milkshake is to use a blender, combining the ice cream, milk, and flavorings until smooth.
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Nov 20, 2023
Can lactose-intolerant individuals drink malts?
Lactose-intolerant individuals should avoid traditional malts, but lactose-free versions can be made.
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Nov 20, 2023
Can you make a milkshake or malt without a blender?
It's challenging but possible; you'd need to whisk vigorously to blend the ingredients well.
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Nov 20, 2023
Are milkshakes and malts children-friendly?
Yes, both are popular treats for children, though consumption should be moderated due to sugar content.
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Nov 20, 2023
How do you serve a milkshake?
Milkshakes are typically served in a tall glass with a straw and sometimes a long spoon.
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Nov 20, 2023
Is there a difference in preparation between milkshakes and malts?
The preparation is similar, but malts include the additional step of adding malted milk powder.
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Nov 20, 2023
What is the nutritional value of a malt?
Malts are similar to milkshakes in nutritional value, high in calories and sugar.
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Nov 20, 2023
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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