Easy Lemon Milkshake

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5 minutes

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Easy Lemon Milkshake

This Easy Lemon Milkshake is sweet, creamy, and bursting with bright lemony flavor that tastes like sunshine in a glass. Made with real lemon juice and rich vanilla ice cream, it’s the perfect frozen treat for hot summer days!

A tall glass of creamy lemon milkshake topped with whipped cream and lemon zest, with a yellow-striped straw and lemon slices around the base.
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Homemade Lemon Milkshake Recipe

If you’re anything like me, just the mention of a lemon milkshake is enough to make your mouth water. There’s something so refreshing about the tangy sweetness of freshly squeezed lemons blended into a creamy, frosty milkshake. And this one’s got a twist: cream cheese. It gives it a rich, cheesecake-y flavor that makes every sip feel a little extra.

It’s crazy easy to make, only takes a few ingredients, and tastes like a treat from an old-school soda shop. If you’re craving something sweet, tangy, and totally refreshing, this lemon milkshake is about to be your new favorite.

Want more mouthwatering milkshake recipes for summer? My Creamsicle Milkshake has been one of my top recipes for years. Craving chocolate instead? You absolutely can’t go wrong with this decadent Oreo Milkshake!

A glass filled with swirled whipped cream, topped with scattered lemon zest, photographed from above on a light background.

Why We Love This Recipe

  • Delicious flavors: Zesty lemon, vanilla, and a touch of cream cheese come together for the perfect sweet and tangy blend.
  • Fresh, simple ingredients: Made with fresh lemon juice, vanilla ice cream and cream cheese
  • Better than take-out: Tastes similar to Chick-fil-a Frosted Lemonade shake, only better and made right at home.

Ingredients

Top-down view of ingredients for a lemon dessert: lemon juice, milk, vanilla extract, lemon extract, cream cheese, and vanilla bean ice cream, with lemon slices and measuring spoons.
  • Vanilla bean ice cream: Gives this lemon shake it’s creamy base
  • Lemon Juice: Freshly squeezed is key here for the best citrusy flavor
  • Whole milk: Adds creaminess and helps everything blend smoothly
  • Cream cheese (softened to room temperature): Adds a cheesecake flavored twist
  • Lemon extract: Optional but adds a stronger lemon punch if you really love citrus
  • Vanilla extract: Rounds out the sharpness of the lemon

How To Make An Easy Lemon Milkshake

Step 1. Add all of the ingredients to your blender.

Step 2. Blend for about 30 seconds, or until well blended.

A blender with scoops of vanilla ice cream, surrounded by lemon slices, a white bowl, a measuring spoon, and two small pitchers on a marble surface.
Top view of a blender containing a creamy liquid, surrounded by lemon slices, a measuring spoon, a small bowl, and two pitchers on a white surface.

Step 3. Pour into 2 tall glasses.

Step 4. Top with whipped cream and lemon zest, and enjoy!

A blender is pouring a creamy lemon milkshake into a tall glass, with lemon slices and another empty glass visible nearby on a white countertop.
Two tall glasses of lemon milkshake topped with whipped cream and lemon zest, with lemon slices and a blender in the background.

Tips And Tricks

Before you blend, here are a few easy tips to make sure your milkshake turns out just right.

  • Pop your milkshake glasses in the freezer ahead of time to keep your shake colder longer.
  • Microwave your lemon for 10-15 seconds before juicing to help it release more juice. You can also roll it on the counter with a little pressure to loosen it up before cutting.
  • Adjust the tartness to taste. If your lemons are really sour, you can add a little more ice cream or use less lemon juice.
Close-up of a creamy lemon milkshake topped with whipped cream, lemon zest, and a yellow striped straw.

Variations and Substitutions

This milkshake is delicious as is, but sometimes I like to switch it up a little.

  • Lemon sorbet: For a lighter, fruitier twist, you can use lemon sorbet instead of ice cream.
  • Crushed graham crackers: Give it a lemon cheesecake flavor with a crunchy graham cracker topping.
  • Lemon curd: If you really love lemons, you can boost the flavor by adding a spoonful of lemon curd.
  • Boozy version: A little limoncello or vanilla vodka turns this into a fun, grown-up treat.
  • Coconut milk: Give it a tropical twist by swapping the regular milk with coconut milk.
A glass of lemon milkshake topped with whipped cream and lemon zest, served with a yellow and white striped straw.

FAQs

Can I use bottled lemon juice?

Fresh lemon juice is best but you can use bottled juice if that is all you have. Keep in mind, bottled is more acidic and can taste a bit harsh.

How can I thicken this?

Add more ice cream or blend in a handful of ice cubes.

What if it is too tangy for my preference?

Try omitting the lemon extract and using less juice. You can also add more ice cream if needed.

A glass filled with a creamy, whipped white drink topped with lemon zest, with a yellow-striped straw and lemon slices in the background.
A tall glass of lemon milkshake topped with whipped cream and lemon zest, surrounded by lemon slices on a white surface.
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Lemon Milkshake


Course Desserts & Sweets
Cuisine American
Prep Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
Sweet, creamy, and bursting with lemony flavor, this easy lemon milkshake is the ultimate frozen treat for summer.

Equipment

Ingredients
 

For The Milkshake

  • 3 cups vanilla bean ice cream
  • 1/2 cup lemon juice
  • 1/2 cup whole milk
  • 2 ounces cream cheese softened
  • 1/2 teaspoon lemon extract
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

For The Garnish

  • Whipped cream
  • Lemon zest

Instructions

  • Add all of the ingredients to your blender.
    3 cups vanilla bean ice cream, 1/2 cup lemon juice, 1/2 cup whole milk, 2 ounces cream cheese, 1/2 teaspoon lemon extract, 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Blend for about 30 seconds, or until well blended.
  • Pour into 2 tall glasses.
  • Top with whipped cream and lemon zest, and enjoy!
    Whipped cream, Lemon zest

Notes

  • It’s best to use fresh lemon juice but you can use bottled juice if that is all you have. Just keep in mind that bottled is more acidic and can taste a bit harsh.
  • For a thicker shake, just add more ice cream or a handful of ice.

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 562kcal | Carbohydrates: 55g | Protein: 11g | Fat: 34g | Saturated Fat: 20g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 9g | Cholesterol: 123mg | Sodium: 271mg | Potassium: 587mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 48g | Vitamin A: 1317IU | Vitamin C: 25mg | Calcium: 360mg | Iron: 0.3mg
The nutrition information provided is an estimate and can vary based on cooking methods and ingredients used.

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    About Lisa O’Driscoll

    Lisa O’Driscoll is a lifestyle and parenting expert, cookbook author, and the creative force behind Fun Money Mom, a popular blog she’s Lisa O’Driscoll is a lifestyle and parenting expert, cookbook author, and the creative force behind Fun Money Mom, a popular blog she’s run since 2014. She’s the author of the children’s cookbook Roll It, Slice It, Mash It, Dice It, designed to get kids excited about cooking. With multiple TV appearances under her belt, she loves sharing her expertise on family-friendly recipes, creative DIYs, and party planning and is always on a mission to inspire and entertain!

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