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A shake from HalfSmoke
A shake from HalfSmoke
Elena Besser/Official

Where to Find Boozy Milkshakes in D.C.

Just try not to get an ice cream headache in the process

by Meredith Bethune Updated
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A shake from HalfSmoke
| Elena Besser/Official
by Meredith Bethune Updated

At first glance, it can be tough locating boozy milkshakes on the menu. Is it a cocktail? Is it a dessert? But the trend is still gaining traction around town. It's been around for a few years now, but even more options have been popping up on local menus the past year or so. The "modern" diner trend is alive and well in D.C., and fancy shakes with a shot of booze are the perfect additions to their menus.

Although there's nothing at all wrong with mixing some chocolate ice cream with Kahlua, most of these restaurants are getting pretty creative with their shakes. Find flavors like mango, chocolate covered banana, and even pineapple coconut rum. These fruity flavors are particularly satisfying during these hot summer months. There's even a place for vegans to indulge in boozy milkshakes thanks to recent arrival Fare Well. And non-drinkers can usually order theirs without the alcohol.

Here are some standout options for spiked milkshakes in D.C. It looks like the treat isn't just for kids anymore.

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Bobby's Burger Palace

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Drinkers with a sweet tooth can count on celebrity chef Bobby Flay to mix some unique spiked milkshakes. The D.C. location of his burger chain makes them in flavors like vanilla caramel bourbon, pineapple coconut rum, mocha Kahlua vodka.

2121 K St NW, Washington, D.C. 20037
(202) 974-6260
(202) 974-6260
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Burger Tap & Shake (Multiple Locations)

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Both the Foggy Bottom and Tenleytown locations serve a boozy milkshake interpretation of s'mores. The Bad Cubmaster is made with Smirnoff marshmallow-flavored vodka, chocolate liqueur, graham crackers, and vanilla ice cream.

2200 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20052
(202) 587-6258
(202) 587-6258
Official

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Del Frisco's Grille

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The adult milkshake cocktail here has Nocello Walnut Liquer, Creme de Cacao, chocolate liquer, and vanilla ice cream as its components.

1201 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20004
(202) 450-4686
(202) 450-4686
Official

Also featured in:

Fare Well

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Vegans can now get in on the boozy milkshake trend with the dairy-free treats at this plant-based diner. Made with coconut ice cream, they come in flavors like s'mores, Neapolitan, cookie dough, and lemon ginger.

406 H St NE, Washington, D.C. 20002
(202) 299-9700
(202) 299-9700
R. Lopez

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HalfSmoke

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All the shakes at this new fast-casual restaurant can be ordered with or without alcohol (spike it with bourbon or marshmallow vodka). Shakes have hip hop-inspired names and ingredients like Fruity Pebbles cereal, vanilla frosting, and Rice Krispy treats.

651 Florida Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20001
(202) 518-3181
(202) 518-3181
Elena Besser/Official

Also featured in:

Satellite Room

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Grab a boozy shake named after a sitcom character at Satellite Room. The menu has six to choose from. The "Lucy Ricardo" is made with chocolate ice cream and Johnny Walker while tthe "Latka Gravas" is made with espresso, hazelnut, and cognac. Saved By the Bell fans will opt for the "A.C. Slater" with avocado and tequila.

2047 9th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20001
(202) 506-2496
(202) 506-2496
Facebook

Also featured in:

Silver

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Sip a spiked milkshake in an Art Deco-like setting at this updated diner. They'll happily add booze to flavors like Chunky Monkey, Heath Bar, coffee bean, Oreo, and peppermint patty for an additional cost.

7150 Woodmont Ave, Bethesda, MD, 20815
R. Lopez

Tasty Burger

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This Boston burger chain recently opened a location in Shaw complete with their boozy milkshakes in flavors like the Grasshopper, the Monk (Melleti & green chartreuse), and White Russian.

2108 8th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20001
(202) 768-9292
(202) 768-9292
Facebook

Ted's Bulletin

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This kid-friendly local chain also has a special treat just for adults. Choose from an array of spiked milkshake flavors like Irish caramel coffee, grasshopper, White Russian, Key lime pie, and toasted coconut.

505 8th St SE, Washington, D.C. 20003
(202) 544-8337
(202) 544-8337
Facebook

Also featured in:

The Hamilton

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The sprawling bar, restaurant, and performance space in the basement of the downtown hotel has a huge selection of milkshakes with alcohol. Find mango with rum, red velvet with Tito's Vodka, chocolate covered banana with creme de cacao, and more.

600 14th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20005
(202) 787-1000
(202) 787-1000
Official

Also featured in:

Trio Restaurant

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This historic Dupont Circle restaurant was one of the first in D.C. to start the boozy milkshake trend. Head here vanilla or chocolate milkshakes spiked with Frangelico, Bailey's, or Grand Marnier.

Washington, D.C.
Facebook

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Bobby's Burger Palace

2121 K St NW, Washington, D.C. 20037

Drinkers with a sweet tooth can count on celebrity chef Bobby Flay to mix some unique spiked milkshakes. The D.C. location of his burger chain makes them in flavors like vanilla caramel bourbon, pineapple coconut rum, mocha Kahlua vodka.

2121 K St NW, Washington, D.C. 20037
(202) 974-6260
(202) 974-6260
Facebook

Burger Tap & Shake (Multiple Locations)

2200 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20052

Both the Foggy Bottom and Tenleytown locations serve a boozy milkshake interpretation of s'mores. The Bad Cubmaster is made with Smirnoff marshmallow-flavored vodka, chocolate liqueur, graham crackers, and vanilla ice cream.

2200 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20052
(202) 587-6258
(202) 587-6258
Official

Del Frisco's Grille

1201 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20004

The adult milkshake cocktail here has Nocello Walnut Liquer, Creme de Cacao, chocolate liquer, and vanilla ice cream as its components.

1201 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20004
(202) 450-4686
(202) 450-4686
Official

Fare Well

406 H St NE, Washington, D.C. 20002

Vegans can now get in on the boozy milkshake trend with the dairy-free treats at this plant-based diner. Made with coconut ice cream, they come in flavors like s'mores, Neapolitan, cookie dough, and lemon ginger.

406 H St NE, Washington, D.C. 20002
(202) 299-9700
(202) 299-9700
R. Lopez

HalfSmoke

651 Florida Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20001

All the shakes at this new fast-casual restaurant can be ordered with or without alcohol (spike it with bourbon or marshmallow vodka). Shakes have hip hop-inspired names and ingredients like Fruity Pebbles cereal, vanilla frosting, and Rice Krispy treats.

651 Florida Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20001
(202) 518-3181
(202) 518-3181
Elena Besser/Official

Satellite Room

2047 9th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20001

Grab a boozy shake named after a sitcom character at Satellite Room. The menu has six to choose from. The "Lucy Ricardo" is made with chocolate ice cream and Johnny Walker while tthe "Latka Gravas" is made with espresso, hazelnut, and cognac. Saved By the Bell fans will opt for the "A.C. Slater" with avocado and tequila.

2047 9th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20001
(202) 506-2496
(202) 506-2496
Facebook

Silver

7150 Woodmont Ave, Bethesda, MD, 20815

Sip a spiked milkshake in an Art Deco-like setting at this updated diner. They'll happily add booze to flavors like Chunky Monkey, Heath Bar, coffee bean, Oreo, and peppermint patty for an additional cost.

7150 Woodmont Ave, Bethesda, MD, 20815
R. Lopez

Tasty Burger

2108 8th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20001

This Boston burger chain recently opened a location in Shaw complete with their boozy milkshakes in flavors like the Grasshopper, the Monk (Melleti & green chartreuse), and White Russian.

2108 8th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20001
(202) 768-9292
(202) 768-9292
Facebook

Ted's Bulletin

505 8th St SE, Washington, D.C. 20003

This kid-friendly local chain also has a special treat just for adults. Choose from an array of spiked milkshake flavors like Irish caramel coffee, grasshopper, White Russian, Key lime pie, and toasted coconut.

505 8th St SE, Washington, D.C. 20003
(202) 544-8337
(202) 544-8337
Facebook

The Hamilton

600 14th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20005

The sprawling bar, restaurant, and performance space in the basement of the downtown hotel has a huge selection of milkshakes with alcohol. Find mango with rum, red velvet with Tito's Vodka, chocolate covered banana with creme de cacao, and more.

600 14th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20005
(202) 787-1000
(202) 787-1000
Official

Trio Restaurant

Washington, D.C.

This historic Dupont Circle restaurant was one of the first in D.C. to start the boozy milkshake trend. Head here vanilla or chocolate milkshakes spiked with Frangelico, Bailey's, or Grand Marnier.

Washington, D.C.
Facebook

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