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This creamy Pistachio Milkshake is an easy treat you can blend up in just 5 minutes! Vanilla bean ice cream, whole milk, and pistachio pudding mix create a thick, rich shake with plenty of pistachio flavor. A tiny pinch of cardamom adds an optional layer of warmth that makes this simple milkshake taste extra special.
Top it with whipped cream and chopped pistachios for an easy dessert that looks every bit as good as it tastes.
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- ❤️ Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- What is a Pistachio Milkshake?
- Key Ingredients
- Ingredients & Substitutions
- Variations
- Tips for Best Results
- FAQs
- Storage
- Quick Steps
- Make Ahead
- What to serve with a Pistachio Milkshake
- If You Enjoyed Pistachio Milkshake
- 📌 Save This Recipe
- Pistachio Milkshake Recipe
- 🍽️ Other Recipes You May Enjoy
❤️ Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Ready in 5 minutes. Add everything to the blender, blend until smooth, and serve.
- Only four milkshake ingredients. You don’t need fresh pistachios or homemade pistachio paste to flavor the shake.
- Thick and creamy. Pistachio instant pudding mix helps create an extra-thick texture.
- Easy to customize. Add your favorite toppings or adjust the amount of milk to get the consistency you prefer.
- No special blender required. A high-speed blender works great, but a regular blender can handle this recipe too.
What is a Pistachio Milkshake?
A Pistachio Milkshake is a creamy frozen drink flavored with pistachio. In this easy version, vanilla bean ice cream provides the creamy base while pistachio instant pudding mix adds the pistachio flavor and helps thicken the shake.
A small pinch of cardamom is optional, but it complements the pistachio flavor and adds a little extra depth.
Key Ingredients
NOTE: This section highlights ingredients used in the recipe. Find the full printable recipe in the recipe card below.
Vanilla bean ice cream: This creates the rich, creamy base of the milkshake. Vanilla bean ice cream was used when testing the recipe.
Whole milk: Milk thins the ice cream enough to blend while keeping the shake creamy. This recipe uses more milk than some milkshake recipes because the pudding mix thickens the mixture.
Pistachio instant pudding mix: This is the key ingredient for both pistachio flavor and the extra-thick texture. It also gives the milkshake a noticeable pudding flavor.
Cardamom: Just a pinch adds subtle warmth and depth. It’s completely optional.
Whipped cream and chopped pistachios: These simple garnishes make the finished milkshake feel a little more special while adding creamy and crunchy textures.
Ingredients & Substitutions
NOTE: This section suggests substitutions. Find the full printable recipe in the recipe card below.
- Vanilla bean ice cream: French vanilla will also work well. Pistachio ice cream can be used if you’d like an even stronger pistachio flavor.
- Whole milk: Whole milk makes the milkshake rich and creamy, but you can use 2% milk, 1% milk, skim milk, almond milk, oat milk, soy milk, or another milk you enjoy. Lower-fat and plant-based milks may make the shake slightly less rich, but the pudding mix will still help thicken it. If needed, adjust with a little extra milk until the shake reaches your preferred consistency.
- Pistachio instant pudding mix: There isn’t a direct substitute recommended for this recipe. The pudding mix provides the pistachio flavor and affects the consistency. Omitting it would require changing the amounts of the other ingredients.
- Cardamom: This is optional and can simply be omitted. No replacement is necessary.
- Chopped pistachios: These are optional and can be omitted or replaced with another topping you enjoy.
- Whipped cream: This is also optional. Skip it or use your favorite whipped topping.
Variations
- Extra pistachio: Try pistachio ice cream in place of vanilla bean ice cream for an even stronger pistachio flavor.
- French vanilla: French vanilla ice cream will work well in place of vanilla bean.
- Chocolate pistachio: Drizzle chocolate syrup inside the glass or over the whipped cream.
- Cherry on top: Add a maraschino cherry for a classic milkshake-shop finish.
- Party shake: Add sprinkles along with the whipped cream and chopped pistachios.
- Skip the cardamom: Leave it out if you prefer a straightforward pistachio flavor.
Tips for Best Results
- Don’t reduce the milk. Pistachio pudding mix thickens the milkshake considerably, so this recipe needs more milk than many traditional milkshakes.
- Add more milk if needed. If your shake becomes too thick, blend in a little additional milk until it reaches your preferred consistency.
- Serve it right away. The pudding mix continues to thicken the shake as it sits.
- Blend until completely smooth. About 30-45 seconds should be enough, depending on your blender.
- Have your toppings ready. Since the shake is best served immediately, prepare the whipped cream, chopped pistachios, and any other toppings before blending.
FAQs
For this particular recipe, yes. The pistachio instant pudding mix provides the primary pistachio flavor and helps create the milkshake’s texture. Leaving it out would require changing the recipe rather than making a simple substitution.
If you wanted to make a milkshake without pudding mix, you would need to use something such as pistachio ice cream and reduce the amount of milk. That would essentially be a different recipe.
Absolutely. You don’t need a high-speed blender for this recipe. All of the ingredients are soft and should blend easily in a standard blender. Simply blend until the mixture is completely smooth.
Absolutely! Pistachio ice cream works well in place of vanilla bean ice cream and gives the milkshake even more pistachio flavor. Simply swap it in using the same amount.
The instant pudding mix continues absorbing liquid and thickening the milkshake. That’s why this recipe contains a full cup of milk and why it’s best enjoyed right after blending.
If your milkshake gets too thick, add a little more milk and blend again.
No. Cardamom is completely optional. It adds a subtle layer of warm flavor that works nicely with pistachio, but you can leave it out without making any other changes.
Storage
This milkshake is designed to be enjoyed as soon as it’s made. Because it contains instant pudding mix, it will continue to thicken as it sits.
If it becomes thicker than you’d like while you’re serving it, add a little more milk and blend again until it reaches the desired consistency.
Quick Steps
NOTE: This section includes a step-by-step guide. Find the full printable recipe in the recipe card below.
- Add the ingredients. Place the ice cream, milk, pistachio instant pudding mix, and cardamom in a blender.
- Blend. Blend for 30-45 seconds, or until completely smooth.
- Serve immediately. Pour into glasses and garnish with whipped cream and chopped pistachios.
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Make Ahead
This Pistachio Milkshake is not a good make-ahead recipe. The pistachio pudding mix continues thickening the shake as it sits, which changes the texture.
For the best consistency, measure your ingredients and prepare your toppings ahead of time, then blend the milkshake immediately before serving.
What to serve with a Pistachio Milkshake
This Pistachio Milkshake is rich enough to enjoy as dessert all by itself. If you’re serving it for a party or dessert night, pair it with cookies, brownies, or a simple slice of cake.
You can also turn it into more of an ice cream shop experience by setting out toppings and letting everyone decorate their own milkshake.
If You Enjoyed Pistachio Milkshake
If you’re on a pistachio kick, my Pistachio Cookies are another easy way to enjoy that sweet, nutty flavor. They’re a great option when you want something you can grab instead of sip.
For another cool pistachio dessert, try this No Bake Pistachio Cream Pie. It’s especially nice when you want an easy dessert without turning on the oven.
My Pistachio Lasagna Lush is another creamy pistachio favorite. With its cool layers, it’s perfect for warmer weather, potlucks, or anytime you’re craving a chilled dessert.
If you love the convenience of pudding mix desserts, don’t miss this Pistachio Bundt Cake. It’s another delicious way to turn pistachio flavor into an easy sweet treat.
For something snackable, try my Pistachio Muddy Buddies. They’re sweet, crunchy, and perfect when you want pistachio flavor without making a full dessert.
If you’re in the mood for another homemade frozen treat, this Peanut Butter Ice Cream is worth adding to your list. It’s rich and creamy and makes a fun alternative to a milkshake.
For another quick drink you can whip up in the blender, try this Vanilla Frappe. It’s a great choice when you’re craving something cold and creamy with a different flavor.
📌 Save This Recipe
Keep this Pistachio Milkshake recipe handy when you need a quick dessert or sweet afternoon treat. It takes only a few minutes to make and uses simple ingredients you can easily keep on hand.
It’s especially fun when you’re craving something a little different from the usual chocolate or vanilla shake.
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Pistachio Milkshake
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Equipment
Ingredients
- 3 cups vanilla bean ice cream
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1 box pistachio instant pudding mix, (3.4 ounces)
- pinch of ground cardamom
For garnish:
- whipped cream
- chopped pistachios
Instructions
- Add the vanilla bean ice cream, whole milk, pistachio instant pudding mix, and cardamom to a blender.3 cups vanilla bean ice cream, 1 cup whole milk, 1 box pistachio instant pudding mix, pinch of ground cardamom
- Blend for 30-45 seconds, or until smooth.
- Pour into glasses.
- Garnish with whipped cream and chopped pistachios. Serve immediately.whipped cream, chopped pistachios
Notes
🥡 Storage
- This milkshake is best enjoyed immediately. The pudding mix continues to thicken the mixture as it sits, so storing it is not recommended.
♨️ Reheating
- Not applicable for this recipe.
❄️ Freezing
- Freezing the prepared milkshake is not recommended because the texture may change after freezing and thawing.
💡 Tips for Best Results
- Do not reduce the amount of milk. The pudding mix requires more liquid than you might expect in a typical milkshake.
- If the milkshake is too thick, add additional milk a little at a time and blend again.
- Prepare your garnishes before making the shake so you can serve it immediately.
- Blend for 30-45 seconds or until completely smooth.
🍳 Alternate Cooking Methods
- There are no alternate cooking methods needed for this recipe. A standard blender or high-speed blender will both work.
♻️ Leftovers
- Leftovers aren’t recommended because the pudding mix will continue thickening the milkshake. For the best texture, make and enjoy it immediately.
📝 Notes
- Cardamom is optional but adds extra depth of flavor.
- Try toppings such as whipped cream, chopped pistachios, a maraschino cherry, chocolate syrup, or sprinkles.
- The pistachio pudding mix gives the shake both its pistachio flavor and a noticeable pudding flavor.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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