Molasses Shake

The gingerbread man had a rough night.
He's not feeling like himself.

Have you ever lain awake on a hot summer night, unable to sleep because you keep asking yourself, as you fitfully toss and turn, "What would a milkshake made out of molasses taste like?"  Oh, you haven't?  Me neither.  But just in case this is the sort of deep question that haunts your thoughts in the humid dark, I'm here to bring you all the answers.

Hoo boy.  You can taste the molasses in this one... I won't lie to you.  The lemon juice and zest brighten the taste significantly, but you can identify the heavy molasses flavour, nonetheless. Also, like last week, this is another thin, frothy milkshake.  (Sidebar:  What is it with vintage milkshake recipes and this "frothy" consistency?  Do modern North American palates just desire a thicker, higher viscosity shake than those of 30 - 50 years ago?  Ask your parents, I guess.)

As I was having my first few sips of the Molasses Shake, I had some ideas on how it could be improved.  I started picturing a drink like a deconstructed gingerbread cookie and (as you can see in my photograph) garnished it accordingly, with a cinnamon stick, candied ginger, and a maraschino cherry.  Curious about how far I could take the molasses/gingerbread drink, I actually re-made the drink and blended in some chopped candied ginger, a little cinnamon and a tiny hint of nutmeg.  (Ok... and a splash of rum.)  You know what?  It actually wasn't too bad!  It tastes pretty Christmassy, but it would be just the thing to give to your Great Aunt Margaret at the family Christmas party (with more than one splash of rum) when she starts complaining about how you never wear that awful sweater she gave you last Christmas.  Of course, depending on how many splashes of rum you put in her drink, she may be more likely to tell your significant other the story about how, when you were six years old, you forgot your lines in your school's Christmas pageant and started to sing Old MacDonald Had a Farm in the middle of the nativity scene. 

Anyhow, there you have it... a great idea for a festive winter beverage, presented 5 months early.  Now you can plan ahead!

Molasses Shake

2 tablespoons molasses

2 tablespoons lemon juice

1 teaspoon sugar

1/4 cup grated lemon rind

1 cup milk

1 large scoop vanilla ice cream

Combine ingredients in shaker.  Shake or beat until frothy.  Makes 1 1/2 cups.

This recipe is from the beverage section of the Mary Margaret McBride Encyclopedia of Cooking, published  by Homemakers Research Institute in 1959.