2025-08-29T18:38:46Z
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Over the summer season, I undertook a rather indulgent yet demanding challenge: I tasted and carefully evaluated every single milkshake currently available on Shake Shack’s menu. As a lifelong devotee of milkshakes, I approached the task with genuine enthusiasm, though I recognized from the outset that sampling ten distinct varieties in such a concentrated period would require determination—and perhaps a tolerance for sugar overload. At present, the lineup features four intriguing limited-time flavors, among them Dubai Chocolate Pistachio and Banana Pudding, in addition to perennial staples like vanilla and chocolate. Each shake, true to Shake Shack’s model, is created from a base of dense frozen custard, a richer and creamier alternative to standard ice cream.

Though I ultimately expected consistency, I quickly learned that the differences among flavors could be stark. My final choice as the ultimate victor—the flavor that reigned supreme above all others—was cookies and cream, a classic combination that remains my long-standing personal favorite. Nevertheless, I must admit that I would gladly revisit nearly all of these shakes again, even the ones that did not achieve top placement in my ranking.

Beginning at the very bottom, in last place, was the strawberry shake. At my nearby New York Shake Shack, it retails for $6.49 and arrives in the standard 16-ounce size, with a significant calorie count of 690. Its ingredients, according to the company website, consist of vanilla custard blended with what is described as “real strawberry.” Unfortunately, I found myself repelled almost upon opening the lid. The aroma was so intense and perfumed that it reminded me less of fresh fruit and more of an artificially fragranced candle. I concede that my own preference plays a role here, as I would never willingly order a strawberry shake under ordinary circumstances. Nonetheless, the exaggerated scent disrupted the experience before I even took a sip. On the positive side, this shake proved to be among the thickest in consistency, an appealing trait, yet the taste struck me as excessively sweet—so much so that I could scarcely drink more than two sips before feeling as though I were courting a new cavity.

Occupying ninth place was another special edition flavor: the Campfire S’mores shake. This variety, priced at $6.99 with a staggering 1,090 calories, is crafted with vanilla custard infused with graham-cracker crumbs and embedded chunks of chocolate combined with toasted marshmallow fudge. It is crowned with whipped cream and additional s’mores crumbles to enhance the effect. On paper, it sounded like it could replicate the nostalgic sensation of roasting marshmallows over a fire. In practice, however, I found myself disappointed. Much of the heavier mix-ins simply gravitated to the bottom of the cup, making the drinking experience rather unpleasant. Texturally, the graham-cracker pieces punctuated what otherwise tasted like a fairly standard vanilla shake, while the crucial flavors of chocolate and marshmallow never made themselves known in any significant way. Considering the additional cost and caloric burden, I cannot consider this option worthwhile.

The Dubai Chocolate Pistachio shake followed closely in eighth place. At an eye-catching price of $9.99 and carrying a caloric load just over 1,080, this shake clearly positions itself as a premium option. Its inspiration originates from a viral chocolate bar in which pistachio cream and delicate strings of pastry are encased in dark chocolate. Shake Shack translates this into pistachio custard mixed with shredded phyllo pastry, topped with crushed pistachios and kataifi, and enclosed partly within a cold dark-chocolate shell. While I appreciated the distinctive pistachio custard—delicious in its own right—the rest of the presentation faltered. The phyllo pieces, intended as a nod to Middle Eastern confectionery texture, registered to me as intrusive, almost as though shreds of paper had been folded inadvertently into the shake. Moreover, the chocolate shell, frozen solid, refused to blend with the pistachio base, leaving the signature chocolate flavor absent. For nearly ten dollars, the drink simply fell short. Nevertheless, I would strongly advocate for pistachio to remain a standalone option, unencumbered by unnecessary add-ins.

Ranked in seventh place was the dual-flavored vanilla-and-chocolate shake. Costing $6.49 and weighing in at 770 calories, it consists simply of vanilla custard and chocolate custard swirled together. One might expect balance. Unfortunately, the chocolate flavor overpowered every subtle vanilla undertone, leaving an impression of diluted chocolate rather than harmonious combination. Its flavor profile struck me as watered down, a disappointment given that blending two classics should theoretically enhance both.

Just above it in sixth place stood the straightforward chocolate shake, priced identically at $6.49 and containing 750 calories. Reviewing this option highlighted an intriguing paradox: while I consider myself an ardent lover of chocolate ice cream, I failed to find this shake impressive. Though it was undeniably rich at first sip, it seemed to carry an artificial aftertaste that quickly grew unpleasant, causing me to lose interest after only a few mouthfuls. That said, I still preferred it to some of the more experimental flavors since, as I reminded myself, a subpar serving of chocolate still surpasses the absence of it altogether.

Fifth place went to the limited-edition Banana Pudding shake, priced at $6.99 and with a notably high caloric count of 1,010. Composed of banana custard blended with authentic banana and complemented by crushed vanilla wafer cookies both inside and as a crumble topping, this flavor immediately evoked the dessert made famous by New York’s Magnolia Bakery. Personally, I have positive associations with banana pudding, so I found the shake delicious—its banana taste authentic and satisfying rather than chemically imitated. The cookie crumble added both flavor and nostalgia without compromising texture. However, the distinctive banana scent was so strong that it slightly detracted from the overall enjoyment, relegating it to a middle ranking. I must also caution that banana, as a flavor profile, tends to polarize audiences; admirers adore it while detractors avoid it entirely.

In the fourth spot, quite fittingly, sat the vanilla shake itself. At $6.49 and 680 calories, this traditional offering proved to be the creamiest of all, both in texture and consistency. Its appeal lay in its smooth, unfussy simplicity: no overpowering scent, no unpleasant residue. The flavor was mildly sweet, refreshing in moderation, and the sole shake that felt as though it could genuinely quench thirst rather than induce sugar fatigue. Still, with a flavor as subtle as vanilla, expectations must be tempered—it is reliable but hardly breathtaking, which explains its middle-of-the-road position.

My third-place choice went to a more elaborate seasonal option, the Oreo Cookie Funnel Cake shake. Priced at $6.99 with an extraordinary 1,140 calories—the most caloric shake of them all—it features vanilla custard spun with crushed Oreo cookies and funnel-cake pieces, topped with whipped cream and further Oreo crumbles. Incredibly, the end product tasted remarkably like the fried confection one typically finds at a summer fairground. The delicate crunch and lingering sugary aftertaste transported me to carnival nights and childhood fairs, powdered sugar lingering on my fingertips. While the Oreo flavor itself was not as prominent throughout the blended custard, the topping partially redeemed that omission. Overall, it earned high marks for its uncanny replication of funnel cake flavor.

In second place was the black-and-white shake. This variant, priced at $6.49 with 770 calories, pairs vanilla custard with ribbons of rich chocolate fudge sauce. What differentiates it from the earlier vanilla-and-chocolate mixture is the balance: the chocolate gently enhances the vanilla without suffocating it. The result reminded me vividly of a hot fudge sundae—decadent but harmonious. I initially assumed that a black-and-white shake was synonymous with blending chocolate and vanilla custards, but this arrangement actually produced a far more appealing result, one I found superior in almost every respect.

Finally, taking an unquestionable first place, was the cookies-and-cream shake. At $6.49 and 850 calories, this perennial favorite relies on vanilla custard embedded with chocolate cookie crumbles. While my personal bias may incline me toward ordering cookies and cream almost by instinct, I must emphasize that this particular version validated my loyalty. Its consistency was exemplary: creamy without being overly heavy, appropriately sweet without excess, and featuring cookie bits that enriched rather than hindered the texture. The taste resembled a perfectly blended Oreo, delivering exactly what enthusiasts of this flavor expect. Among all ten shakes sampled, it retained both the comfort of familiarity and the satisfaction of excellence, securing its place as my undeniable number one.

In conclusion, while Shake Shack presented a spectrum of options ranging from experimental limited editions to time-tested classics, my ranking reaffirmed a simple truth: sometimes the most enduring flavors triumph. I would happily revisit any of the upper-tier selections, but cookies and cream remains unmatched in both nostalgia and flavor.

Sourse: https://www.businessinsider.com/every-shake-at-shake-shack-ranked