National Coffee Milkshake Day
July 26
About National Coffee Milkshake Day
National Coffee Milkshake Day falls on Sunday, 26 July 2026. The day celebrates the irresistible combination of cold coffee and creamy ice cream, blended into one indulgent drink. It is an unofficial American food holiday that gives coffee lovers and dessert fans alike an excuse to whip up a thick, frosty treat at home or order one from their favourite diner or coffee shop.
How to Celebrate National Coffee Milkshake Day
The whole point of this day is to enjoy a glass of cold, blended coffee goodness, so here are plenty of ways to get involved.
- Make a classic coffee milkshake at home – All you need are three simple ingredients: coffee ice cream (or vanilla), cold coffee, and a splash of milk. Blend for around 30 to 60 seconds until thick and smooth, then pour into a chilled glass.
- Use proper cold coffee – Always use cooled coffee, never hot, or your shake will turn watery. Leftover cold brew, chilled espresso, or fridge-cold filter coffee all work beautifully. For the strongest kick, use fresh espresso that has been left to cool.
- Try a mocha version – Add a spoonful of chocolate syrup or shave a little chocolate into the blender for a coffee shake with a chocolatey twist. It is one of the easiest variations to master.
- Go big on the toppings – Crown your milkshake with whipped cream, a biscotti, chocolate-covered coffee beans, or extra chocolate shavings. A drizzle of caramel or chocolate syrup around the inside of the glass adds a cafe-style finish.
- Visit a local diner or coffee shop – Support a small independent cafe and order their take on a coffee milkshake. Many soda fountains and diners across the United States still serve them as a menu staple.
- Host a milkshake bar – Set out bowls of toppings, syrups, and different ice cream flavours, then let friends and family build their own creations. It makes for a fun, low-effort summer gathering.
- Experiment with flavours – Add a pinch of cinnamon, a dash of vanilla, a spoonful of hazelnut spread, or even a scoop of malt powder to put your own spin on the classic.
- Share your creation online – Snap a photo of your finished milkshake and post it to inspire others to take part. A frothy coffee shake topped with cream is made for a good food photo.
What is National Coffee Milkshake Day?
National Coffee Milkshake Day is an annual food holiday dedicated to the coffee milkshake, a cold drink made by blending coffee with ice cream and milk. It celebrates a treat that sits happily between a dessert and a pick-me-up, offering the caffeine hit of a coffee with the indulgence of a thick shake. The day is mostly observed in the United States, where coffee milkshakes have long been a soda fountain and diner favourite, and it appeals to anyone who loves coffee, ice cream, or both at once.
When is National Coffee Milkshake Day?
National Coffee Milkshake Day is celebrated every year on 26 July. In 2026 it falls on a Sunday, making it an ideal lazy summer day to blend up a frosty treat. The date is fixed and does not change from year to year, so you can mark it in your calendar for the same day each summer.
The History of National Coffee Milkshake Day
The story of the coffee milkshake begins with the milkshake itself. The word “milkshake” first appeared in print in 1885, but back then it described a very different drink. Early milkshakes were alcoholic concoctions made with eggs and whisky, closer to eggnog than to the sweet treats we know today. Over the following decades the term shifted away from those “hard” drinks and came to describe the wholesome blended drinks flavoured with vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry syrups that grew popular around the turn of the 20th century.
The coffee milkshake developed alongside this evolution. In the 1930s, combining coffee ice cream with soda became a fashionable treat, and this fusion marked an early step towards the modern coffee milkshake. Before the Second World War, Delekta’s pharmacy in Warren, Rhode Island, served its own version of a coffee milkshake, later adding ice cream to its coffee drinks. Rhode Island has particularly deep ties to coffee-flavoured dairy, as coffee milk, made from sweetened coffee syrup mixed with milk, originated among Italian immigrants in the state in the early 20th century and remains its official state drink.
By the 1950s, the coffee milkshake had become a firm favourite. Soda fountains and diners across the United States offered them as a staple menu item, and the drink cemented its place in American food culture. National Coffee Milkshake Day grew out of this affection, joining the long list of unofficial food holidays that give people a reason to enjoy a beloved dish. As with many such days, its exact origin is not formally documented, but it is now widely observed on 26 July each year. If you enjoy these blended celebrations, you might also like World Milk Day, which honours the dairy that gives every milkshake its creamy base.
Fun Facts About Coffee Milkshakes
- The word “milkshake” originally described alcoholic drinks made with eggs and whisky when it first appeared in 1885.
- Coffee milk, the inspiration behind the coffee milkshake, is the official state drink of Rhode Island.
- The world record for the largest coffee milkshake was set in 2017 and measured an enormous 2,000 gallons.
- That record-breaking shake required over 500 gallons of coffee, 1,200 gallons of ice cream, and 250 pounds of sprinkles to make.
- A classic coffee milkshake needs just three ingredients: ice cream, cold coffee, and milk.
- Using fresh, cooled espresso instead of regular coffee gives the most intense flavour and the biggest caffeine boost.
Why National Coffee Milkshake Day Matters
Food holidays like this one do more than give us an excuse to indulge. They keep culinary traditions alive, celebrate the small pleasures that bring people together, and support the diners, cafes, and ice cream parlours that make these treats. A coffee milkshake is a simple joy, the kind of cold, creamy drink that turns an ordinary summer afternoon into something a little more special. National Coffee Milkshake Day is a reminder to slow down, treat yourself, and share a glass with the people you love. For another sweet summer celebration, take a look at National Ice Cube Day, which falls earlier in July.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is National Coffee Milkshake Day?
It is an annual food holiday celebrating the coffee milkshake, a cold drink made by blending coffee with ice cream and milk. It is mostly observed in the United States and gives coffee and dessert lovers a reason to enjoy a frosty, caffeinated treat.
When is National Coffee Milkshake Day in 2026?
National Coffee Milkshake Day is on Sunday, 26 July 2026. The date is fixed and is celebrated on 26 July every year.
How do you make a coffee milkshake?
Blend coffee ice cream (or vanilla), cold coffee, and a splash of milk for around 30 to 60 seconds until thick and creamy. Always use cold coffee rather than hot, and finish with whipped cream, chocolate shavings, or a drizzle of syrup if you like.
Spread the Word
Join the celebration and share your best coffee milkshake photos on social media with #NationalCoffeeMilkshakeDay and #CoffeeMilkshakeDay2026. Tag your friends and challenge them to blend up a glass of their own!
Related Awareness Days
- National Almond Buttercrunch Day – Another American food holiday celebrating a sweet, indulgent treat.
- National Ice Cube Day – A July celebration of the humble ice cube that keeps every cold drink refreshing.
- World Milk Day – A global day honouring milk, the dairy foundation of any good milkshake.
Links
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