Six local spots to try the craziest milkshakes you’ve ever seen

We all know the joys of a cold, creamy shake on a hot summer day. Some of us though, haven’t yet become acquainted with the otherworldly experience that is the monster shake. It is fantasy made real in an often gravity-defying configuration of brownies, cookies, lollipops, and more. It is a sight that commands attention. It is not for the faint of heart. And whether you’re looking to meet this confectionery feat alone or with a friend (or two), we commend you for raising your spoon to the challenge.

Sugar Rush Columbus

While this Reynoldsburg bakery features cakes that are truly whimsical, you won’t want to miss their milkshakes. Their mini and extreme sizes are both decked out with a cupcake topper. The mini features a sugar cookie, while the extreme features a mashed-up cookie. Shake flavors include vanilla, chocolate, strawberry, cookies and cream, and peanut butter. 

Shake No. Ei8ht

Shake No. Ei8ht may serve coffees and a variety of sweets such as French crêpes and waffle sticks, but like their name suggests, the main event is their handcrafted milkshake. And folks, it’s a doozy. You can choose from a variety of flavors, including s’mores, chocolate mint, cookie dough, chocolate brownie, strawberry, peanut butter, and more. Toppers range from cookies to brownies to marshmallows and graham crackers, and the rims of the glasses come decked out in everything from sprinkles to peanuts and pretzels. 

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Ivan Kane’s Forty Deuce Cafe & Club

Forty Deuce may be known for its gourmet burgers and burlesque shows, but if you visit the Easton spot, you won’t want to pass up the Skyscraper Shakes. Last fall, the cafe began partnering with Sugar Rush Columbus, featuring the business’ brownies, cake, and cookies in some of their shakes. A Sugar Rush peanut butter buckeye fudge brownie is among the toppers on The Buckeye shake, while The Bridge and Tunnel comes topped with a Sugar Rush gourmet confetti cake slice (in addition to whipped cream, a cherry, and a sparkler). 

Libby Lou’s Fun Factory

A visit to Libby Lou’s is like walking into a dreamworld, and their extreme shakes shock the senses. You won’t find anything basic here. There are plenty of cake, brownie, and cookie toppers, but Libby Lou’s isn’t called a fun factory for nothing. The Cotton Candy Wonderland comes with a full cone of cotton candy, while the Sweet Cherry Pie is topped with, what else? An entire cherry strudel. 

J’s Sweet Treats and Wedding Cakes

Each Luxe Shake at J’s Sweet Treats comes topped with a cupcake, but beyond that, it’s a roll of the dice. Depending upon what’s in stock that day, you could also get mini candy bars, or even M&Ms. Ice cream flavors also vary based on season, but flavors include vanilla, chocolate, black cherry, mint chocolate chip, and cookies and cream. 

The Yard Milkshake Bar

This Alabama-based chain recently opened its first Ohio location in the Short North. The menu features a plethora of specialty shakes, topped with cupcakes, brownies, cinnamon buns, doughnuts, and even a sugar unicorn horn. The spot’s exclusive Columbus shake, The Buckeye, features brownie batter and honey roasted peanut butter ice cream topped with whipped cream, sprinkles, and two homemade buckeyes. O-H? I-O!

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