What can I say about this one? Sometimes the best things in life are the simplest, and a thick and creamy vanilla milkshake is definitely one of those things. The fresh vanilla bean will give you a shake flecked with tiny dark specks of recognizable vanilla, but its true and intense flavor is a quality far greater than cosmetic. Basic but never boring, the vanilla shake can also be doctored up in dozens of ways. I’ve included a couple of my favorite variations below.

　　

Ingredients

Makes one 16-ounce milkshake or two 8-ounce milkshakes

　　1/2 cup whole milk

　　1/2 fresh vanilla bean, split and seeds scraped (reserve the pod for another use)

　　11 ounces premium vanilla ice cream (about 1 3/4 packed cups)

　　

Step 1

Combine the milk and vanilla bean seeds in a blender and blend until combined, about 5 seconds. Add the ice cream and blend until smooth, about 10 seconds.

　　

ADULTS

Step 2

Add 1 ounce (2 tablespoons) bourbon to the blender when you add the milk.

　　

SPICED VANILLA BEAN MILKSHAKE

Step 3

Add 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon and 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg.

　　

VANILLA BEAN-CARAMEL MILKSHAKE

Step 4

Decrease the milk to 1/4 cup and add 1/4 cup Caramel Sauce (page 153).

　　Bobby Flay's Burgers, Fries, and Shakes