Cocktail Column – Three boozy fall milkshakes inspired by Ice Cream Social

By EMILIA MICHALKIEWICZ

Staff Photographer

This year is definitely not what anyone was expecting. Even though students are able to go back to campus and classes are still happening, this school year is going to be a lot different from normal. As a senior, I am sad to miss out on a lot of traditions that we get to do each year ⁠—  from Devil Goat Day to weekly bingo, there are so many fun events that make each year at UMW great. I know our school will do its best to make this a fun year despite the challenges we are facing, but it will not quite be the same. This feeling gave me an idea for a way to help upperclassmen relive some of their favorite traditions and introduce them to incoming students: cocktails inspired by UMW traditions. This column will feature a few cocktails and other treats inspired by campus traditions, from Big Ash Bonfire to bingo and Ice Cream Social.

The first cocktail is actually a three-in-one, three boozy fall milkshake flavors. These three milkshakes are inspired by the annual Ice Cream Social at Brompton for incoming students. I remember my Ice Cream Social like it was yesterday, although it was three years ago. It was so much fun, it helped me get to know my roommate and now best friend better, and I got to meet President Paino and get a picture with him. The best part about Ice Cream Social was, of course, the ice cream! And these of course cannot be normal, boring sundaes. No, they are kiddie pools piled high with various flavors and toppings. What better way to say goodbye to summer and hello to the school year than enjoying tons of ice cream with your new friends. Although the actual Ice Cream Social is not the most COVID-19 friendly, I hope these milkshakes give you a fun, safe way to keep that same tradition.

Recipe:

These recipes all follow the same basic recipe. Add scoops of ice cream, milk, alcohol and any additional ingredients to a blender and blend. Three to four scoops of ice cream makes one milkshake. The amount of milk you need depends on how thin or thick you like your milkshakes. I used one ounce of alcohol in the chocolate and apple pie milkshakes and one and a half an ounce in the pumpkin cheesecake milkshake. You can adjust these amounts to taste or leave them out for a regular milkshake. As always, drink responsibly if you choose to add alcohol.

Pumpkin Cheesecake:

For the pumpkin cheesecake milkshake you need pumpkin cheesecake ice cream (available in most grocery stores during fall season), milk, and pumpkin spice cream liqueur. Blend these together and top with some whipped cream and pumpkin pie spice and you have the perfect fall treat. 

Caramel Apple Pie:

For the apple pie milkshake, combine apple crisp ice cream (any seasonal apple ice cream will do), a swirl of caramel syrup, milk and an ounce of caramel vodka in a blender to create an ice cream treat that tastes just like a slice of apple pie. Top with some whipped cream, caramel sauce and a pinch of ground cinnamon to make it extra delicious. 

Chocolate with Irish Cream:

Of course, chocolate lovers cannot be forgotten. To make this creamy, boozy chocolate milkshake, blend your favorite chocolate ice cream, a generous swirl of chocolate syrup, milk and an ounce of any cream liqueur you like together. Add a swirl of chocolate syrup in the glass and some whipped cream and chocolate syrup on top to make it even more sweet.