Milkshakes are about as American as apple pie, and every state has their own mouth-watering options. Read on for our pick of the best of them, from towering freakshakes heavy with toppings to deliciously understated chocolate and vanilla options. 

"Kolossal Milkshakes" are the order of the day at K&J's Elegant Pastries, a bright dessert shop whose pastel pink décor is as delightfully sugary as its sweets. The gigantic shakes are works of art, piled high with biscuits, chocolate, fruit, and even entire chunks of cake. A favorite is Cotton Candy, a rainbow milkshake doused in whipped cream and finished with cotton candy, a swirling lollipop, and a bright cupcake.

Laid-back Snow City Cafe gets the basics just right – the vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry milkshakes all come recommended. But the Fat Elvis, on the menu for limited periods only, is something extra special. The King of Rock 'n' Roll was known for his love of peanut butter sandwiches, and Snow City have whipped his go-to snack into an indulgent shake. It's made with vanilla ice cream and peanut butter, plus lashings of chocolate sauce and a sprig of candied bacon.

If ever there was a shake made for Instagram, this is it. This Show Stopper Shake is the work of ZuZu, the trendy restaurant attached to Hotel Valley Ho. The shakes on offer change regularly, but the pretty-as-a-picture Lemon Drop option is always a crowdpleaser. Lemon sorbet and vanilla ice cream is whizzed up and topped with whipped cream, lemony sugar sticks, and Sour Skittles, plus a mini lemon meringue pie and a madeleine.

The Purple Cow Restaurant is a kitsch diner-style joint with multiple locations around the Little Rock area. Everything is purple here, from the restaurant's name to its booths and bar seats, and, of course, its signature milkshake. This bright and beautiful concoction is made from vanilla ice cream, and it's a perennial favorite.

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Milkshakes aren't just for kids, and this stiff creation is most certainly a grown-up drink. The delicious Dublin Honey is made with Guinness stout and caramelized honey ice cream, cut through with decadent Valrhona chocolate syrup, and finished with a glug of Graham's tawny port. It's served at San Francisco's Ice Cream Bar, a 1930s-inspired soda fountain that whisks sweet-toothed diners back into the past.

Another spot known for its boozy shakes, Denver's Milkbox Ice Creamery takes over a charming corner of Union Station, the Mile High City's "living room". You can't go wrong with the Strawberry Sunrise, packed with tequila and strawberry sorbet; Coffee & Cream, with Bailey’s Irish cream and coffee; or the Rum-Drenched Churro, a combination of spiced rum and tasty cinnamon churro.  

As its name suggests, this joint in Connecticut focuses on a comfort food triple threat: burgers, fries, and shakes, and it does all of them brilliantly well. When it comes to milkshakes, the flavor choices are classic – think strawberry, salted caramel, and, our favorite, chocolate. The latter is a thick, indulgent, topping-free treat that'll kick those sweet cravings to the curb.

Another place that gets the basics just right is Dairy Palace in New Castle. This family-operated spot has got time on its side, since it started doling out ice cream and shakes back in 1956. Decades later and it's still just as loved; regulars rave about the classic Vanilla-Chocolate combo milkshake. Delicious!

Bocas House, on the outskirts of Miami, serves Latin American-inspired dishes from ceviche to steak, but it's the head-turning milkshakes that really steal the show. Its photo-worthy creations are heavy on the toppings – think cookies, rainbow sprinkles, salted caramel, and more. The fan favorite is the Tres Leches Milkshake (pictured second from the left): vanilla ice-cream is blitzed and topped with marquesa cake, plus a wafer cone filled with yet more ice cream.

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You'll have to go off-menu to get the best milkshake in the Hostess City of the South. Leopold's Ice Cream is a Savannah institution, known for its smartly-uniformed waitstaff and its inviting neon sign, and no shake on the menu will disappoint. However, die-hard chocolate-lovers should ask for theirs Savannah Dan-style. It's a sweet explosion made with chocolate ice cream and chocolate syrup.

There's an impressive list of milkshakes on offer at Kono's on Oahu's North Shore. This laid-back joint (also known for its burritos) whizzes up milkshakes with everything from coconut cream to key lime. The stand-out is Kono's signature Mud Pie. It's made with top-notch vanilla ice cream, coffee, Oreos, and a drizzle of caramel. So tasty. 

This down-to-earth fast food spot is a self-professed purveyor of "Idaho's best milkshakes", and punters are spoiled for choice by the lengthy flavor list. Its USP is the indulgent Boston Shake, a milkshake with an ice cream sundae piled on top. It's delicious in any variety, but the Reese's is a solid option. This one's got rainbow sprinkles too... 

Edzo's Burger Shop in Evanston, just North of Chicago, is a fail-safe stop for a classic burger and shake combo. There's little fuss and few frills when it comes to their hand-dipped shakes, but the results are still super delicious. There are rotating specials, but a top pick is the Bananas Foster, made with bananas, caramel, vanilla ice cream, and whipped cream, and finished with a cherry.

The Extreme Shakes at Just Cream Ice Cream Boutique – a cute and colorful ice cream parlor in Fort Wayne – are as eye-catching as they are delicious. The flavors rotate, but if you're a chocoholic, ask for the Brownie Sundae. The towering vanilla milkshake is weighed down by hot fudge and caramel, vanilla ice cream, and whipped cream, with moreish brownie bites to boot.

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From the tongue-in-cheek names for its menu items to the zombie-themed artwork, everything this fast food joint does is loud, proud, and fun. That includes the milkshakes, which are creative, colorful, and crowned with all manner of curious toppings. The menu highlight is the Zombie Unicorn, which is blended with vanilla ice cream and marshmallow cream, and scattered with Fruity Pebbles.

Milkfloat's scratch-made milkshakes change with the seasons, but its mouth-watering caramel options are a customer favorite. From Caramel Butter Pecan shakes to this good-looking Salted Caramel Pretzel treat, the bakery's syrupy offerings are well worth the sugar rush – and price. 

If you're looking for a great milkshake, a hot chicken shop might not be the first place that springs to mind. But at Royals Hot Chicken, you'll find the best shakes in Kentucky. Royals keeps things pretty simple, with chocolate, crowd-favorite vanilla, and a swirl of the two. Want to kick your vanilla shake up a gear? Spend an extra dollar and ask for it blended with a deep-fried apple pie.

Much like its dreamy, pastel-accented decor, all of the desserts at Aqua S are as pretty as can be. In fact, the brand says its mission is to transform soft serve into "a picture-perfect work of art". But it's not a case of style over substance here, especially when it comes to the Sea Salt Cloud Shake (pictured left). It's a blend of the shop's signature sea salt soft serve, topped with bright Pop Rocks and sprinkles.

Po' boys – classic NOLA sandwiches – are the mainstay of this trendy Portland spot, but its milkshakes come highly praised too. There are oodles of tempting flavors, from Vanilla Custard and Salted Caramel to Mexican "Hot" Chocolate, but loyal fans rave about the Key Lime Pie. The creamy milkshake is the Floridian classic distilled, and it's a refreshing, citrussy accompaniment to the joint's killer sandwiches.

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Baltimore's Broadway Diner has celebrity fans including Guy Fieri of Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives fame, and its classic diner fodder is well worth the hype. The milkshakes here are simple but oh-so-good. Thick and rich, with a generous dollop of cream on the top, they're made to order with three generous scoops of ice cream. Plump for the chocolate and you can't go wrong. Vanilla, strawberry, and Oreo flavors are also available. 

If spiked milkshakes are your thing, then Rosebud American Kitchen & Bar is bound to be a winner. You can try all the milkshakes – from classic vanilla to chocolate – lifted with a shot of Evan Williams bourbon. For an extra buzz, opt for coffee flavor. It's blended with ice cream made by local artisans.

Mudgie's Deli is a favorite in the Detroit area and it keeps punters happy with its sandwiches and soups. Those with a sweet tooth will know Mudgie's makes a mean milkshake too: a classic vanilla shake, made with local Calder Dairy ice cream, is the way to go. It's pictured here cut through with hot fudge. 

Trendy Milkjam, an ice cream parlor in the Twin Cities, has a whole roster of creative milkshakes. The best one of all is the Salted Caramel Crunch. It's made with the joint's signature Milkjam ice cream – a blend of caramelized goats' milk, cows' milk, and sweetened condensed milk – and finished with salted caramel sauce, caramelized Rice Krispies, and a swirl of caramel whip. Other milkshakes available (with cute names) include Hot Girl Summer and Remix. 

Milkshakes don't come much more decadent than this. The teetering Peanut Butter Brownie Bliss is the brainchild of The Yard Milkshake Bar, a mini-chain known for its eye-popping sweet creations. Blended brownie batter ice cream is poured into a peanut butter-dipped mason jar and crowned with cream, fudge, chocolate, and peanut butter drizzle – plus an entire brownie.

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Ted Drewes' famous Concrete shakes are so thick that staff still flip them upside down, just to prove just how deliciously dense they are. There are plenty of mouthwatering combos, but summer camp-inspired S'mores is a sure bet. It's a blend of chocolate, marshmallow, and graham crackers, generously finished with toppings.

Norm's Soda Fountain has been a Flathead Valley tradition since 1938, so it's perfectly practised at mixing up mouth-watering shakes. The motto here is "Eat Dessert First", and that's very tempting indeed when you see the list of shakes and malts on offer. Plump for a Huckleberry shake: this sweet lilac creation is whizzed up with Montana's signature fruit.

This family-run joint prides itself on keeping things local, and on making each and every milkshake by hand and to order. The classic Chocolate shake is the king of the menu: it's whipped up with vanilla ice cream, doused in chocolate sauce, and completed with a swirl of whipped cream.

All the "CrazyShakes" at Black Tap were made for the camera. This quirky spot at Sin City's Venetian Resort is an offshoot of the popular New York City SoHo shop – and there's no better place for such elaborate creations than Vegas. All the options are glorious and gravity-defying, but the Cakeshake is the best of all. It's made with cake-batter ice cream and topped with an entire hunk of Funfetti cake, plus sprinkles, whipped cream, and a cherry.

This modern joint in Portsmouth has a winning selection of "adult milkshakes" to complement its popular burgers and brunches. Many come with high praise but the crowd favorite is the chocolatey Oreo Lift. It's a delightful blend of espresso vodka and crushed Oreos. We also recommend the Thin Mint, with mint liqueur, rum, brownie, and chocolate. 

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The crazy offerings at Coney Waffle have a reputation that reaches far beyond New Jersey, where there are five outposts of the funky dessert shop. The Side Show Shakes are enormous and gloriously over the top, finished with everything from mini ice cream cones to cotton candy and entire bars of chocolate. They're a popular choice for sharing (though we won't judge if you want one all to yourself).

Despite the name, it's not all about cookies at this fun spot in New Mexico's biggest city. The milkshakes more than match up to the fresh-baked cookies the joint is famous for. Opt for classic Chocolate, blended with thick chocolate ice cream, and finished with toppings like whipped cream, sea salt caramel, or coffee, if you fancy.

"Burgers, Shakes and Good Times, The Harlem Way" – that's what's promised at this diner-style spot right in the middle of Harlem, New York City. Its signature shake, The Harlem Shake, is what keeps punters pouring back. The organic red velvet flavor is made with ice cream from Blue Marble, a Brooklyn-founded parlor and vendor.

Want your milkshake to serve as a wake-up call? Head to Asheville haunt The Hop and order a Jitterbug. It's made with PennyCup Coffee Co. cold brew (a local staple) and, after a brief hiatus, it's been back on the menu by popular demand since 2020. Get it with whipped cream and lashings of hot fudge sauce. 

There's no place like a diner to sip a first-rate milkshake, and Kroll's in Fargo gets them just right. Thick, hand-scooped ice cream is whizzed up and presented "the old-fashioned way": in a tin. You can't go far wrong with any menu option, but the Brownie-Oreo is a blissful combo. Add 50 cents and you can make it a malt.

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This nostalgic ice cream parlor gives all the retro feels while delivering the most amazing sweet treats you’ve ever tasted, including its signature shakes. The site has been serving up Cincinnatians with mouth-watering shakes in traditional flavors for years, with locals raving about the decadent Chocolate and Strawberry concoctions. 

Can't decide between a sundae and a shake? S&B's Over-the-Tops – deliciously thick and elaborate shakes – fall somewhere in between. Customers can't get enough of the Space Cake, a bold and bright chocolate-peanut butter creation that's finished with cosmic brownies, chocolate frosting, and M&M's.

There are shakes, and then there are "Quakes", described as "next-level milkshakes" and offered at this cheerful Portland shop. Each one sees tasty soft serve decadently finished with creative toppings and sauces, and the house favorite is Crater Lake (named for the natural wonder in southwest Oregon). It's made with vanilla soft serve and decorated with cookies-and-cream crumble, Andes Chocolate Mints, and chocolate flakes. It's capped off with a fortune cookie hiding a trivia question too.

Located in historic Reading Terminal Market, Bassetts was established back in 1861 and is said to be the oldest ice cream company in the country. It's no wonder, then, that the spot – now with fifth-generation owners – whizzes up the best milkshakes around (all made with Bassetts' own ice cream, of course). Stick with a classic Chocolate shake, finished with a generous dollop of whipped cream. 

Don't let the name put you off. There's nothing "awful awful" about the shakes at Rhode Island's Newport Creamery. The sweet treats – made with ice milk, ice cream, and syrup – have been something of a New England tradition ever since they were dreamt up back in the 1940s. There are creative flavors aplenty, but stick with a classic Strawberry (or Vanilla, or Chocolate) for a delicious taste of the past.

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An Oreo milkshake is always a good idea, and this one from Charleston Creamery – a friendly, modern parlor just west of Charleston – is done particularly well. "Twice the Oreo goodness" is promised, and it's pictured here with a drizzle of caramel for good measure. Other flavors include Banana Pudding, Espresso and Mint Choc Chip. 

Phillips Avenue Diner is a Sioux Falls staple, and, along with the kitsch, old-school décor and the stellar diner grub, the milkshakes pull in the punters. The retro setting calls for a retro dessert, so opt for classic Strawberry. It's served in standard fashion: with whipped cream and a cherry on top. We love the Butterscotch flavored shake too. 

The Grilled Cheeserie has garnered attention from big-name TV shows like Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives – and while tasty cheese toasties are its namesake, the restaurant does a tip-top milkshake too. There's an inviting list to choose from (including specials and vegan options), but the Peanut Butter Cup comes out on top. It features chocolate ice cream, peanut butter, and salted caramel, all finished off with chocolate sprinkles and Peanut Butter Cup crumbles.

With locations in Spring, Magnolia, and College Station, this popular shake bar delivers the goods, and was awarded the title of Best Milkshake in Texas by USA Today. Fan favorites range from Cookie Monster, with cookies, cream, ice cream, chocolate syrup, and an Oreo on top, to Birthday Cake, with cake-flavored ice cream, chocolate icing, chocolate cake chunks, and sprinkles. The shakes are delicious and filling. 

If you like your shakes extra thick, this small southwestern chain is the place for you. It's got a history dating back to the 1960s and has served shakes from the very beginning, so its super-thick creations are expertly blended. A signature is the Reese's Shake, a delectable blend of vanilla ice cream, peanut butter, and chocolate.

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Where better to savor a creamy shake than the home of Ben & Jerry's itself? You can get the brand's famous ice cream blended into a shake at the famous Waterbury scoop shop. Choose from familiar flavors like Cookie Dough and Fudge Brownie – but Half Baked, a blend of the two, is the best of them all.

Holy Cow, a gourmet burger spot in Alexandria's Del Ray neighborhood, serves up all the classics, from Chocolate! Chocolate! to Very Vanilla – but its seasonal "Shake of the Moment" is always something special. A recurring favorite is the Samoas Girl Scout Cookie flavor. It sees vanilla ice cream mixed up with Samoas cookies and drizzled with caramel and chocolate sauce.

A name like Hot Cakes is guaranteed to draw in the crowds – and, happily, the molten desserts and milkshakes here sell just like hot cakes. The Boozy Milkshakes are the hot tickets here and, of those, the Drunken Sailor is the tastiest of all. It's a moreish mix of whiskey and peanut butter caramel.

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Food has been served from this spot on Fairmont Ave since before the 1950s, but it's in more recent decades that The Poky Dot has turned into the whimsical diner it is today, with a jukebox and brightly-colored booths. It's the food, in particular the over-the-top sweet treats, that people keep coming back for. The Specialty Milkshakes are a little more expensive than your average drink, but people soon realize why – they're huge behemoths of shakes, piled high with everything from doughnuts and whipped cream to s'mores, chocolate bars, and more.

This Milwaukee area mainstay promises "burger and custard heaven" and, happily, it delivers on milkshake heaven too. The joint has been dishing out sweet treats since the 1950s, and although the seasonal shakes are imaginative, regulars swear by the staples. Try a classic Chocolate in regular or thick.

This small chain, with a location in Jackson, proudly announces that "milkshakes aren't just for kids". Its "Adult Shakes" are menu hits, and the Mudslide is as boozy as it is beautiful. The vanilla shake is spiked with Baileys Irish Cream and Kahlúa coffee liqueur.

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