Sometimes the call of an ice-cold, creamy thick milkshake is too much for me to bare. My knees buckle, and I give into twenty minutes of pleasure… forgetting about the rash and unbearable stomach cramping that is to follow.
What’s worse is when it has booze in it. I am then completely powerless, as I’m sure we all are. But let’s just put diets on hold until January and give in to a little temptation.
Alchemist
Although they will probably come after me with a pitchfork for reducing their drinks down to something as feeble as a ‘boozy shake’, the Alchemist certainly have some serious contenders for my list. Honourable mentions would be the White chocolate and Raspberry, the Mango Shake, and my personal favourite, the Going Menthol (it tastes like toothpaste…but in a good way.)
The Alchemist, 1 New York St, Manchester M1 4HD
www.thealchemist.uk.com/
Yard and Coop
It is almost a crime to chow down on some fried chicken without something milky, delicious, and highly calorific. Yard and Coop are masters at posh fast food- perfectly executed every time. The boozy milkshakes are a revelation to boot. There are three to choose from- pina colada, cookies and cream or the after eight, but they are also not averse to throwing a little of your favourite poison into something from the more extensive virgin milkshake menu.
Yard and Coop, 37 Edge St, Manchester M4 1HW
www.yardandcoop.com/
Byron Burger
Just like the burgers at this total fast food mecca, the shakes here are simple but perfectly formed. There are seven classic flavours to choose from, and these are with and without booze. Upgrade it to a hard shake with an additional shot of bourbon, spiced rum or Baileys. Try Reece’s peanut butter cup with a shot of whiskey, or vanilla with spiced rum- I promise you will never look back.
Byron Burger, 1 Piccadilly, Manchester M1 1RG
www.byronhamburgers.com/
Almost Famous
As you can imagine, the shakes here are just as crazy as the burgers. Virgin ones see the likes of cookies and cream, chocolate fudge and strawberry dreamcake, while the boozy ones always keep you on your toes. They change every week, but the alumni contain such wonders as Koko Kanu, Creme de Cacao, condensed milk, bounty, cookie and pretzel dust- all with fantastically punny names like ‘Make America Shake Again’- my personal favourite. Oh yeah, and they are topped with all kinds of sugary goodness, I’m talking pretzels, Oreos and even jam doughnuts.
Almost Famous, 00-102 High St, Manchester M4 1HP
www.almostfamousburgers.com/
Brewski Bar
This Canadian inspired, beer-centric bar in Chorlton have brought us Mancunians such delicacies as Poutine, pizzas the size of tables, and one of the best fry-ups I’ve ever had. Their drinks menu is extensive and worldly with a fabulous selection of beers, cocktails and spirits. The hard shakes are pretty mind-blowing too. I always go for the Mallow Hal- Oreos, marshmallows, bourbon and vanilla ice cream. I still have dreams about it now.
Brewski Bar, 537-539 Wilbraham Rd, Manchester M21 0UE
www.brewskibar.co.uk/
Black Milk
Alright, so they don’t have any booze in them, but what they do have is enough sugar to have you feeling dizzy on your way back to the office. The toppings are what your wildest dreams are made of. Think party rings, lucky charms, marshmallows, doughnuts, whole slabs of cheesecake and enough whipped cream to sink a battleship. Oh, and there’s two for £10 on Mondays so take your best buddy and eat yourself into a dairy-induced coma.
Black Milk NQ, 88 Oldham St, Manchester M4 1LF
www.blackmilkcereal.com/
Font Bar
We all remember Font Bar. You know that place where you could get £2.50 cocktails at any time of the week before a messy student night out. But the truth is, the cocktails are cracking, and if you don’t believe me, go and try the Biscoff & bourbon shake… it’s creamy, biscuity and boozy. What more could you ever need?
7-9 New Wakefield St, Manchester M1 5NP
www.thefontbar.wordpress.com/
