Cool down with 3 sweet milkshake shops in Palm Springs

Palm Springs temperatures can reach sweat-inducing highs during the summer, but this desert community is well-equipped to offer relief even on the most sweltering of days. In addition to the multitude of swimming pools around town, there are several places that serve up frosty milkshakes, at any time of day.

The artisanal Shop(pe) Ice Cream and Shop offers an ever-changing selection of seasonal gourmet milkshake flavors. The comforting pumpkin spice evokes an idyllic autumn, while the strawberry sorbet tastes like summertime through a straw. Year-round, you’ll likely find the naturally sweet Coachella Valley Date milkshake, which every visitor should try at least once (the region being famous for dates). There are always at least three vegan ice cream flavors on hand.

2. Monster Shakes

At the delightful Monster Shakes, the menu is long and the milkshakes are, well, monstrously large. Kids and kids at heart clamor for the eye-catching Unicorn, a bubblegum–flavored milkshake piled high with strawberry frosting, house-made cotton candy, and Fruity Pebbles. The Coffee Donuccino tops espresso-chip coffee ice cream with chocolate frosting, chocolate straws, sprinkles, and mini crumb doughnuts, while the Birthday Surprise, complete with a cupcake atop a cake-flavored shake, can make any day feel special. 

3. Great Shakes

The options are seemingly endless at Great Shakes. Customer favorites include the Banana Caramel Graham, a dreamy creation that fans of banana cream pie should not miss, and the Almond Joy, a swirled coconut-chocolate-almond ode to the classic candy bar. The fruity Blueberry Hill is a divine drink that blends fresh blueberries, a squeeze of lemon, and lavender into a top-notch creation. These shakes are customizable in size and can be made lactose-free. And, yes, that is a mini frosted doughnut nestled on top, because why shouldn’t your milkshake come with a dessert? 

 Nick Rufca has been a frequent contributor to Westways’ The Dish since 2013.