Summer screams for cold, refreshing beverages. The milkshake could very well be the King (or Queen) of that category. The blended drink, which often features ice cream, milk, or both, is cooling comfort in a cup. Learn about my favorite Los Angeles milkshakes, which appear in alphabetical order.

UPDATES SINCE JUNE 9, 2014
Additions: HiHo Cheeseburger, Mizlala
Subtractions: 25 Degrees (CLOSED), BLD (Closed), G&B Coffee Shake (N/A), MILK (Closed), Pono Burger (CLOSED), Short Order (Closed), Three Twins Ice Cream (Closed), Top Round (Closed)

The Counter Shake – LAX + Santa Monica ↓

Jeff Weinstein’s custom burger empire, which extends from L.A. to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, carries some kooky Adult Shakes with vanilla ice cream, including a Mimosa Shake with sparkling wine and orange juice; a Chocolate Cherry Pinot Noir Shake with pinot noir, chocolate syrup and cherries; and Sweet Peach with Riesling and peach nectar. However, focus on shakes that fall closer to classic: Birthday Cake, Caramel Apple Crumble and my personal preference, Banana Split Shake with vanilla ice cream, strawberries, banana, caramel, chocolate syrup, and whipped cream. Since The Counter prides itself on customization, you can also build your own shake or malt

HiHo Cheeseburger Valrhona Chocolate Shake – Calabasas, Los Angeles, Marina del Rey, Pasadena, Santa Monica + Studio City ↓

Mateo’s Ice Cream & Fruit Bars Bomba – Culver City, Lawndale, Los Angeles, Pico-Union + West Los Angeles ↓

The Mateo family’s fruit-fueled empire is now give locations strong, with the Culver City branch conveniently located above the Ballona Creek bike path. The colorful establishment touts plenty of fresh fruit, cartoon paletas and wall-mounted menus. Invest in the ice cream-free licuado that Mateo calls the Bomba, a milkshake with whole milk, mamey, banana, papaya, strawberry, coconut, walnuts, honey, granola and raisins, all blended to form a nourishing pink beverage.

Mizlala Halva Cinnamon Shake – Hollywood, Sherman Oaks + West Adams ↓

The Oinkster Ube Milkshake – Eagle Rock ↓

This burger-centric A-Frame from chef Andre Guerrero and his sons Fred and Max crafts an ube shake made with Fosselman’s taro ice cream, ube (purple yam) paste, and whipped cream. This particular shake is a hat tip to their Filipino heritage, though The Oinkster also sells vanilla, chocolate or strawberry substitutes.

Sweet Rose Creamery Milkshake – Santa Monica ↓

This small batch ice cream shop from pastry chef Shiho Yoshikawa, Josh Loeb and Zoe Nathan Loeb has branches at the Brentwood Country Mart, near Santa Monica High High School, and in Mid-City. Blackboard menus change to reflect the seasons. Their milkshake is available with a choice of flavors. If the season is right, I’d suggest a basil shake with three scoops of herb flecked basil ice cream, Clover milk, and optional whipped cream cap.

Tierra Mia Coffee Frappe – 19 L.A. County Locations ↓

The hard charging specialty coffee chain from community-minded owner Ulysses Romero has developed several Latin-influenced specialty beverages since opening in 2008, some of them ice blended. Don’t call them frappuccinos. However, Frappe is how many Bostonians refer to milkshakes. Tierra Mia’s ice-blended drinks are available in flavors like Mocha, Chocolate Mexicano, Caramelo, and perhaps best of all, Rice & Beans. Baristas blend a horchata frappe base with coffee beans, chocolate syrup and whole milk. Expect a dusting of cinnamon and, if you like, whipped cream.