I drink your (avocado) milkshake.

I vaguely remember eating my first avocado. I was grade-school age, standing in the kitchen, next to the fridge, and my dad had presented me with a bowl of something creamy, sweet and refreshing. It was richer than any ice cream I'd ever had, with a mild buttery taste that lingered on my tongue. It was a smashed avocado, mixed with milk, sugar and ice.

avocados

I grew up associating avocado with a dessert, and nothing else. When I discovered avocado in guacamole, sandwiches, sushi and salads, and learned that it wasn't "normal" to combine sugar with avocado, I put the memory of that dessert in the back of my mind to become just that: a memory.

Turns out, in many places around the world, the Philippines included, avocado is an ingredient in more sweet dishes than savory. No one ever thinks to throw an avocado into a blender with ice cream and milk. Which is a shame, because if you love avocado, you should be loving it in all forms.

Today, I'm here to bring avocado desserts back into my life, and to introduce it to yours, in the form of a milkshake.

avocado milkshake

It's easy. Throw a small handful of ice, a half a scoop of vanilla ice cream, milk, a teaspoon of sugar and a ripe avocado into a blender, and blend. There you have it. The flavor is subtle -- not too overpowering, but there. The after taste is the best part, with a creamy avocado taste lingering on the tongue, just like that first time.

This shake is even better when enjoyed on a hot, humid day, with your feet propped up, and nothing to worry about except spoiling your dinner.

avocado milkshake

Avocado Milkshake (adapted from Allrecipes.com)
This is a very loose recipe, and should be adapted to your tastes. I even thought that the final product was a little to vanilla-y for me, so next time, I might skip the ice cream altogether. It won't be as thick, but I'm willing to take that risk. Plain yogurt might also make a good substitute.

4-5 cubes of ice
1/2 cup of milk
1/2 scoop of vanilla ice cream (about 1/4 cup)
1 teaspoon sugar
1 ripe avocado, pitted and sliced

Throw everything into a blender. Blend until it reaches desired consistency. Pour into a glass, take outside and enjoy on a hot summer day. Makes 1 (small) milkshake. Drink it up!

Comments

  1. This sounds really refreshing-I've never had avocado sweet:)

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  2. You know how much I love avocados, for me they are always part of the "kingdom" of savory food. Avocado as a dessert must be so good, because its nutty taste, it's creamy and sweet as good desserts must be. But I think I'll wait a little bit to try your avocado milkshake, I have to get rid of the coriander, onion, garlic and so : )

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  3. um, yum. I love the sound of this!

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  4. Yeahhhh! Avocado with ice, sugar, and milk is the ISH. Haha, but aside from my throwback to my childhood (my dad ate avocado the same way), I love the idea of avocado in a shake, because what is a shake if not a decadent dessert? So let's get our omega-3s on. I'm making this shake as soon as I find avocados deserving enough.

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  5. A Vietnamese avocado shake is just avocado, ice cubes, and condensed milk. Sugar if needed. Put into blender.

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  6. this sounds amazingly good. love that last photo!

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  7. my introduction to avocado has been in the savory side, i know it's got a sweetness to it that goes well in dessert, i've made an avocado chocolate mousse!!, and yet i can't see it as a dessert ingredient...it's hot summertime, i think i will attempt to add it to a smoothie sometime soon... you're right, i need to love it in all forms... (that line partially shamed me, btw! as much as i adore me some avocado, i need to embrace everything about it!)

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  8. It brings back so many memories. My mom used to make it with crushed ice, sugar,condensed milk or just milk, and mashed avocado. It was so good and haven't had it since I was little. I will have to try it again. It wasn't until later on in life I started eating avocados in savory dishes.

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  9. Holly - You should try it!

    190.arch - I do love how much you love avocados! Well, if you ever find yourself with nothing but avocado and some milk, you know what to do. :)

    Shanna - I think you'd really love the milkshake!

    Stephanie - Oh yeah, that's another thing -- avocado milkshakes are healthy! :)

    Wandering Chopsticks - I've seen recipes with condensed milk, too. I bet that makes it even more decadent!

    KMS - thank you! I want another one right now. :)

    Lan - haha, don't feel bad. Avocado chocolate mousse sounds awesome! Definitely try the milkshake.

    Nightingale - I ordered an avocado smoothie at a Thai place once and was immediately taken back to childhood. Yes, brings back memories for sure!

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  10. What a cool way to serve avocado. I might need to sneak these into someone's diet (people in my house claim not to like avocado, but i think they just haven't had enough exposure).

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  11. It's a shame that sweetened avocado is not more mainstream! I've never had it sweet, but the way you explained it seems very normal and now I must try it.

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  12. Dana - Do it! You could even add some chocolate -- no one can refuse chocolate. :)

    Nicole - You should definitely try it -- doesn't taste weird at all!

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  13. An avocado milkshake?!?! That sounds amazing!! I made avocado popsicles the other day that were just lovely, but this sounds even better. I'm out of avocados, but as soon as I get more (um..like tomorrow) I am making this!

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  14. everytime i'm in the philippines, i drink these every single chance i get. they're amazing!!! sugar and avocados may sound strange to those of us used to our avocado in guac, but it's amazing in a shake.

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  15. Alejandra - Avocado popsicles?!? Genius. Hope you try the milkshake and love it!

    julochka - I hope to have an avocado milkshake in the Philippines one day, too. :)

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  16. I just tried this, and I much prefer avocado's halved and covered with soy sauce

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