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- I ordered milkshakes from Dairy Queen, Carvel, and Baskin-Robbins. There was a clear winner in terms of flavor and value. (businessinsider.com)
A Taste Test of Strawberry Milkshakes from Dairy Queen, Carvel, and Baskin-Robbins
As a dedicated chocolate fan, I don’t often stray from my favorite flavor. But on a sweltering summer day, a strawberry milkshake can be just the refreshing treat needed to cool down.
To find the best version of this classic delight, I sampled strawberry milkshakes from three well-known frozen dessert chains: Dairy Queen, Carvel, and Baskin-Robbins. I evaluated each on taste, texture, price, and overall value.
Dairy Queen: The Classic, but a Bit Thin
Dairy Queen, with its roots dating back to 1940 in Illinois and over 7,800 locations worldwide, is famous for its Blizzards. For this test, I ordered a small strawberry milkshake priced at $5.39-the most affordable of the three.
Their shake blends vanilla soft-serve ice cream with milk and strawberry topping. While it delivered a familiar berry flavor, the milkshake was thinner than I prefer, with a vanilla-heavy taste that overshadowed the strawberries.
It was creamy but lacked the thickness I like in a milkshake. On the plus side, Dairy Queen was the only spot to ask if I wanted whipped cream on top, a nice touch.
Despite this, I’ll probably stick to my usual chocolate Blizzard on future visits.
Carvel: The Creamy Winner with a Burst of Strawberry
Carvel’s story began in 1934 after an ice cream truck breakdown led to the creation of its iconic soft-serve. Today, Carvel operates 375 U.S. locations, mostly in New York.
I chose a small strawberry milkshake for $5.99. This shake stood out with its thick texture and vivid strawberry flavor.
Unlike Dairy Queen’s, Carvel’s shake included small frozen strawberry pieces that were just the right size to sip through a straw or scoop with a spoon. The creamy vanilla base was subtle, allowing the bright strawberry notes to shine through.
This milkshake felt indulgent and satisfying-definitely worth the price and my top pick.
Baskin-Robbins: Simple, Refreshing, and Ice Cream-Forward
Baskin-Robbins originated in 1945 in California and boasts a rotating selection of 1,400 flavors, with more than 2,400 U.S. locations. Their small strawberry milkshake cost $6.29, the priciest of the three.
Using scoops of their strawberry ice cream blended with milk and simple syrup, the shake was the simplest in composition-no extra strawberry topping added. It had a homemade feel, with a few strawberry pieces incorporated in the ice cream, though most were blended smooth.
This shake was the thinnest and most milky, delivering a refreshing but less dense experience. I appreciated the strong strawberry ice cream flavor that didn’t compete with vanilla.
It’s a good choice if you want a lighter, thirst-quenching treat.
Conclusion
Carvel’s strawberry milkshake was my clear favorite, thanks to its thick texture, pronounced strawberry taste, and the fun surprise of frozen berry bits. I enjoyed the versatility of starting with a spoon and then switching to a straw as the shake softened.
For those who prefer thinner shakes that are easy to drink right away, Baskin-Robbins offers a tasty alternative. Dairy Queen’s milkshake, while classic, didn’t quite meet my expectations for a satisfying strawberry shake.
Ultimately, if you’re seeking a rich and flavorful strawberry milkshake this summer, Carvel is the place to go.