Get those bellies ready: Today is the day we honor two of the most delicious and satisfying summer drinks. June 20th is both National Ice Cream Soda Day and National Vanilla Milkshake Day! Now that the rainstormy weather has come and gone, getting a shake or float is the perfect way to celebrate the beginning of summer. See below for our recommendations on the tastiest spots for floats and shakes!
Best soda fountain shops in NYC
1. Davey’s Ice Cream
Treat to get: Soda Float with Virgil’s Soda and any scoop of ice cream. Various locations (daveysicecream.com). $7.35
2. Morgenstern's Finest Ice Cream
Treat to get: These floats are made with two dips of any ice cream flavor in your choice of housemade soda. 2 Rivington St, New York, NY (212-209-7684, morgensternsnyc.com). $8
3. Brooklyn Farmacy & Soda Fountain
Treat to get: Our money’s on the Pink Poodle (hibiscus soda with vanilla ice cream), but with 16 different floats all made with soda made in-house and all-natural ice cream from Adirondack Creamery, you’ll want to come back and try them all. 513 Henry St, Brooklyn, NY (brooklynfarmacyandsodafountain.com). $8
4. Lexington Candy Shop
Treat to get: Ice cream fountain selections include frosted and malted floats and ice cream sodas using five different soda flavors and the perfect-for-summer Fresh Creamsicle Freeze.
1226 Lexington Ave, New York, NY (212-288-0057, lexingtoncandyshop.net). $8.25
5. Dichter Pharmacy
Treat to get: Soda floats are super cheap at this Inwood locale and come in classic and malted varieties.
4953 Broadway, New York, NY (212-569-1230, dicterpharmacy.com). $5
6. Eddie’s Sweet Shop
Treat to get: Ice Cream Soda with your choice of any of 10 sodas and 18 housemade ice creams topped with real whipped cream. 105-29 Metropolitan Ave #1, Forest Hills, NY (718-520-8514, places.singleplatform.com/eddies-sweet-shop). $5.50 for one scoop of ice cream, $6.50 for two scoops
Best milkshake shops in NYC
1. Black Tap
Treat to get: This spot is notorious for its literal over-the-top Crazy Milkshakes, but a little restraint via a classic vanilla milkshake is good every once in a while. Various locations (blacktapnyc.com). $7
2. Buns Bar
Treat to Get: The Killa Vanilla is topped with Viko’s Tres Leches cake. 263 W 19th St, New York, NY (646-370-4321, bunsbar.com). $15
3. Steak ’n Shake
Treat to Get: Specialty shakes and classic shakes, including yummy vanilla, are all hand-dipped into stainless steel containers, mixed with fresh milk and finished off with whipped cream and a cherry on top. 1695 Broadway, New York, NY (212-247-6584, steaknshake.com). $3.99 for a regular-sized classic shake
4. Island Burgers and Shakes
Treat to Get: You can get your fill of vanilla in delicious milkshake or malted shake form. Various locations (islandburgersandshakes.com). $6 for milk shakes, $6.50 for malted shakes
5. Mark
Treat to Get: Not only are classic vanilla milkshakes on the menu, but you’ll also find creative flavors on the list, including the Candied Bacon Shake and a Guinness Shake for the grown-ups. 33 St. Mark’s Place, New York, NY (212-677-3132, stmarksburger.com). $6 for vanilla milkshake, $7 for candied bacon and Guinness milkshakes
6. Big Gay Ice Cream
Treat to Get: If you’re strong enough to resist any of their other flavors, including Nutella, Horchata or Ginger-Curry, you can still dress up your vanilla with $1 and $2 à la carte toppings. Various locations (biggayicecream.com). $6.13
7. Creamline
Treat to Get: Tots can enjoy a vanilla milkshake made with all-natural ingredients from Ronnybrook Farm Dairy while the grown-ups can add liquor to their flavor of choice for a boozy shake. Various locations (creamlinenyc.com). $6.50 for shakes, $11 for Boozy Shakes
8. Mom’s Kitchen & Bar
Treat to Get: These Bigmouth Shakes pack a punch: the Strawberry Shorty features vanilla ice cream, with strawberries and strawberry syrup and toppings include vanilla icing, a slice of strawberry shortcake, crushed Lorna Doone cookies, fresh strawberries and whipped cream. Or just go for something simple with the Rainbow Bright—it “only” has vanilla ice cream with Fruity Pebbles and lollies and berry syrup drizzle and a cupcake and… 33-01 31st Ave, Astoria, NY (718-267-0142, momsastoria.com). $10 for Strawberry Shorty, $11 for Rainbow Bright