Ever found yourself staring at a burger restaurant’s menu, trying to decide between a milkshake or a malt to wash down your meal? This quintessentially American ordeal is nothing new. Let’s dive into what makes each option special (and which is the ideal complement to any burger).
What Is a Malt Compared to a Shake?
A milkshake is a sweetened and cold beverage. It’s simply made by blending milk, ice cream, and different flavors into a drink. A malt (or malted milkshake) starts with the same base but adds malted milk powder. This mixture contains malted barley, wheat flour, and evaporated whole milk.
Back in the 1880s, milkshakes were first served as a health tonic with eggs and whiskey. By the 1920s, they became the treat we know today, thanks to electric blenders. Malts became a go-to in the 1950s during the hype of soda fountains and diners. But which is a better burger companion?
The Difference Between Malt vs. Shake
Both options make great burger companions, but they bring different qualities to your meal. It’s up to you which one you prefer, but we can help you decide based on a few factors.
Texture and Consistency
A classic milkshake delivers a smooth, velvety consistency that glides across your palate. It’s silky and light enough to sip through a straw while maintaining its creamy richness. Malts, with the addition of malted milk powder, offer a slightly thicker texture. That extra density gives malts a satisfying weight for some.
When you’re taking big bites of a juicy burger, the texture difference matters. Milkshakes offer a clean, refreshing break between bites, while malts provide a more substantial experience that mirrors the heftiness of your burger.
Flavor Harmony
Milkshakes provide the perfect sweet twist to savory burgers. Their sweetness acts as a palate cleanser, letting the complex flavors of any burger shine through without competition. For burgers with bold, spicy, or complex toppings, a simple milkshake often works best.
Malts bring slightly nutty and toasted notes to the meal. This adds another flavor dimension that can enhance certain burger types, especially those with smoky or grilled elements.
Temperature Effects
Both malts and shakes deliver a refreshing cold contrast to hot-off-the-grill burgers. This temperature difference is part of what makes the burger-shake combo so satisfying. The cold creaminess cools your mouth after each warm, savory bite, creating a perfect back-and-forth that enhances the dining experience.
This temperature play also serves a practical purpose. The coldness, much like the flavor blend, acts as a palate-cleansing reset. This lets you enjoy the full taste of each new bite as if it were your first.
Burger Pairings With Premier Shakes
Finding your perfect burger-and-shake combination can take your meal from decent to delightful.
Vanilla Milkshake
- Bacon Burger with Cheese: Vanilla’s smoothness balances the savory bacon and cheese
- Swiss Burger: The subtle sweetness enhances the earthy mushrooms and Swiss cheese
- Burger with Cheese: This classic combo is great for those who love traditional flavors
Chocolate Milkshake
- Blue Burger: The rich chocolate creates an intriguing contrast with tangy blue cheese
- Philly Burger: Chocolate’s depth matches the hearty grilled onions, mushrooms, and peppers
- Triple Burger with Cheese: Only a bold chocolate shake can match this impressive burger
Strawberry Milkshake
- Hawaiian Burger: The fruity notes of strawberry complement the sweet pineapple and teriyaki sauce
- Buffalo Chicken: Strawberry’s sweetness cools down the bite of buffalo sauce
- Smash Burger: The bright berry flavor elevates this classic burger
Banana Milkshake
- Texas Burger: The creamy banana offers a surprising but delicious contrast
- Jack Burger: The subtle banana flavor won’t overwhelm the flavorful pepper jack
- Chipotle Burger: The banana’s sweetness balances the smoky chipotle heat
Avocado Milkshake
- Ranch Burger: Double the avocado goodness with this creamy pairing
- Mexicali Burger: The cool avocado shake tempers the spicy jalapeños
- Swiss Burger: The buttery avocado complements the nutty Swiss cheese and enhances the mushrooms’ earthy flavor
Try Your Own Pairing With Milkshakes at Black Burger
At Black Burger, we celebrate the tradition of burgers, fries, and a good shake. Each cool beverage is made with the same attention to quality as our famous burgers.
So, next time you visit us in New York, why not experiment with your perfect burger-milkshake pairing? You can even mix it up with a banana shake and burger salad if you want to try something new. Quench your thirst and curb your burger cravings at Black Burger, where quality and taste go hand-in-hand.
FAQs
What is the difference between a malt and a milkshake?
The main malt/milkshake difference is that a malt includes malted milk powder, while a regular milkshake does not. That extra ingredient gives a malt a slightly deeper, toastier flavor. At Black Burger, both can pair well with burgers, depending on whether you want a more classic shake or a richer malted drink.
How is a malt different than a milkshake in taste?
The biggest difference is flavor. A malt has a slightly nutty, toasted taste from the malted milk powder, while a milkshake is usually sweeter and more straightforward. This makes the choice between shake and malt more about personal taste than one being better than the other.
Is a chocolate shake or malt better with a burger?
A chocolate shake vs malt comes down to the kind of burger pairing you want. A chocolate shake is smoother and sweeter, while a chocolate malt has a richer, more old-school flavor. At Black Burger, both work well with burgers, especially if you want to balance savory beef with a cool, creamy drink.
What does malted mean in a shake?
If a shake is described as malted, it means it includes malted milk powder. This ingredient adds a distinct flavor that makes the drink taste more layered than a regular shake. For people comparing a malt shake vs milkshake, that malted note is the main thing that sets them apart.
What is the difference between a vanilla shake and a vanilla malt?
When comparing a vanilla shake vs vanilla malt, the vanilla shake tastes creamier and sweeter, while the vanilla malt has a more complex, slightly toasted flavor. Both can pair nicely with burgers, but a vanilla malt often feels more nostalgic and a little bolder in taste.
Where can I get a burger, shake, or malt in New York City?
If you are looking for a burger, shake, or malt in New York City, Black Burger is a great spot to enjoy classic burger pairings in one place. Whether you prefer a regular milkshake or want to try a malt with your burger, Black Burger in NYC offers a satisfying classic combo.
