Amarula Milkshake

Name: Amarula Milkshake
Prep time: 5 min
Total time: 5 min
Yield: 2 people
Cuisine: South African
Ingredients: 400 g vanilla ice cream; 120 ml full-cream milk, fridge-cold; 120 ml Amarula Original Cream Liqueur, chilled; 10 g milk chocolate, finely grated (optional)

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5 min totalPrep: 5 min Serves 2 people Drink

This Amarula Milkshake recipe is a quick, adults-only treat for a hot South African Christmas. Vanilla ice cream gives it a thick, creamy base, while Amarula adds its distinctive marula flavour without needing any extra syrup or sugar. Serve it in chilled glasses after lunch, when a cold dessert sounds more inviting than another slice of pudding.

The trick is to start with very cold ingredients and blend only until smooth. Too much blending warms the mixture and thins it out, so have your glasses and chocolate garnish ready before you begin. This recipe makes two generous servings; for a smaller finish to Christmas lunch, divide it between four little glasses and serve straight away.

Ingredients

Servings2

For the milkshakes

400 g vanilla ice cream
120 ml full-cream milk, fridge-cold
120 ml Amarula Original Cream Liqueur, chilled

To serve

10 g milk chocolate, finely grated (optional)

Instructions

1
Chill two serving glasses in the fridge while you gather the ingredients. Grate the chocolate now, if using.
2
Pour the cold milk and Amarula into a blender jug.
3
Add the vanilla ice cream. If it is too hard to scoop, leave the tub on the counter for a minute or two, just until scoopable rather than melted.
4
Blend briefly, about 10–20 seconds, until smooth and thick. Stop the blender and scrape down the jug if any ice cream remains stuck to the sides.
5
Check the consistency. If it is too thick to pour, add another 15 ml cold milk and pulse briefly; avoid prolonged blending.
6
Divide between the chilled glasses, sprinkle with the grated chocolate if using, and serve immediately.

Nutrition (per serving)

Calories: 650 kcal
Carbohydrates: 62 g
Protein: 9 g
Fat: 33 g
Saturated fat: 21 g
Sugar: 58 g
Fibre: 0 g
Sodium: 190 mg
Cholesterol: 115 mg

Estimated values based on the ingredients used.

Notes

Christmas tips

Keep the milk and Amarula in the fridge and the ice cream in the freezer until you are ready to blend; a hot kitchen softens everything quickly.
For a smaller Christmas dessert, divide the batch between four small glasses rather than two large ones.
Set out your glasses and grate the chocolate ahead of time, but blend each batch just before serving for the best texture.
This milkshake contains alcohol and is for adults only. Label it clearly at a festive drinks station and keep it separate from children's drinks.

Frequently asked questions

Can I make it without a blender?

Yes. Let the ice cream soften slightly, then whisk it in a large bowl with the milk and Amarula until smooth. It may be a little less airy, but it will still taste good.

Can I make an alcohol-free version?

For a separate vanilla milkshake, leave out the Amarula and start with 60 ml extra milk, adding more only if needed. It will not have the same marula flavour. Use clean equipment when preparing drinks for anyone avoiding alcohol.

How do I make the milkshake thicker?

Blend in another small scoop of vanilla ice cream. Avoid adding ice cubes, which dilute the flavour as they melt. If the ice cream has become very soft, return it to the freezer before making the next batch.

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