Who says iced coffee has to do all the heavy lifting? July 26 is National Coffee Milkshake Day, and in the multifamily world, that’s your cue to scoop, blend and caffeinate your way into residents’ good graces. It’s summer, it’s hot, and your coffee amenity deserves a moment.
National Coffee Milkshake Day is the perfect excuse to lure residents out of their air-conditioned caves and spark some conversations.
Why you’ll love this day (and your residents will, too)
Hot afternoons + caffeine cravings = guaranteed traffic to any lobby serving frosty java shakes. It’s the ultimate “surprise-and-delight” moment: low cost, high Instagram potential and zero need for barista-level skills (especially if SipWithMe is handling the brewing).
A little history, a whole latte fun
Milkshakes have been cooling people down since the 1880s, though back then, a “milkshake” was more whiskey-laced eggnog than soda-fountain treat. By the early 1900s, bartenders swapped booze for ice cream and syrups, creating the frosty, family-friendly classic that turned pharmacies into teen hangouts.
In the Jazz Age and Great Depression, malt shops made milkshakes the ultimate affordable luxury. Thick, creamy and pure comfort in a glass. Then came 1940s Rhode Island, where a soda jerk poured coffee syrup into a vanilla shake and birthed the “coffee cabinet.” Locals loved the creamy caffeinated combo, and it spread through New England like wildfire.
Post-war America kept the shake’s momentum rolling. In the 1950s, sharing a single straw became cinematic shorthand for young love. By the ’90s, the Frappuccino craze sealed the coffee-and-ice-cream union as a summer must-have.
Today, coffee milkshakes are everywhere — from retro diners to craft cafés. Modern machines make it ridiculously easy: push a button, pull a shot, blend it with ice cream, and you get that frosty bliss in seconds.
How to host a coffee milkshake bash
Need a low-lift, high-buzz way to celebrate National Coffee Milkshake Day? A coffee event is easy to set up, easy to run and a guaranteed hit.
DIY Milkshake Bar
Transform your lobby into a pop-up creamery. Set out blenders, tubs of vanilla ice cream, a carafe of chilled SipWithMe espresso shots and toppings that would make Willy Wonka proud — caramel drizzle, crushed Oreos, toasted marshmallows, even graham crackers to rim glasses. Post a quick recipe card (“two scoops, one shot, blend until frosty”) and let residents create signature shakes.
Pro Tip: Set your coffee machine to extra-strong so every mash-up packs the perfect caffeine punch. Provide ice, cups, stirrers, and signage with mix-and-match ideas to inspire creativity. Branded cups or sleeves make great photo ops for your social feed.
Sip and Paint
Combine the energizing power of a coffee milkshake with the calm of creativity. Set up a painting or coloring station with mini canvases, coloring pages (bonus points if you use PrintWithMe) and art supplies. Invite residents to craft their own artwork while sipping their personalized coffee milkshake creations. This format works well indoors or outdoors and is perfect for winding down after work or encouraging a little weekend fun.
S’mores & Shakes Night
Pair gooey s’mores with campfire-inspired coffee milkshakes. Pre-blend a chocolate-heavy base using espresso or coffee cooled over ice, lay out skewers and marshmallows, and stock a drizzle station with fudge and caramel. Let residents roast, blend and sip under the stars for a healthy dose of summer nostalgia.
Milkshake Flight Tasting
For the indecisive crowd, serve mini flights of four flavors: classic coffee, peppermint mocha, pumpkin spice latte and cinnamon maple.
Poolside “Buzz-Off” Hour
Blend big batches ahead — one fully leaded, one decaf — then serve them poolside in iced carafes. Add umbrella straws, cue a chill playlist, and you’ve got an instant happy-hour alternative that keeps residents cool and chatty.
Each idea is fast to set up, light on budget and heavy on feel-good vibes — proof you don’t need a barista to craft a standout summer event.
The coffee matters (even in a milkshake)
Weak coffee = sad shakes. With SipWithMe, you get consistently great-tasting coffee. Every shot you pull is ground-to-order and barista-grade — rich, balanced, never bitter — so your shakes start with flavor fireworks, not sad brown water.
Already pouring SipWithMe? You’re 90% of the way there. Pull a strong shot of espresso, then either flash-chill it in the freezer for a few minutes if you’re in a hurry or let it cool in the fridge while you set out toppings if you’re feeling patient.
If your property already rocks SipWithMe, celebrating National Coffee Milkshake Day is a no brainer. If not, consider this your sign to join the cool crowd and serve residents a coffee shake they won’t stop talking about.
Coffee & connection
Looking for more ways to celebrate coffee all year long? Our Coffee Holiday Calendar highlights all the dates worth celebrating:
- National Gourmet Coffee Day
- National Latte Day
- National Coffee Cake Day
- National Frappe Day
- National Coffee Ice Cream Day
- National Hot Chocolate Day
- National Cappuccino Day
- National Cold Brew Day
- National Espresso Martini Day
- National Mocha Day
- National Café au Lait Day
- National Irish Coffee Day
- National Gingerbread Latte Day
- National Peppermint Latte Day
- National Espresso Day
- National Coffee Day
- National Coffee Break Day
📩 [Download the free calendar here]
And if you’re ready to go all-in on community coffee moments, check out our free e-book, Brew Better Communities, packed with event inspo and expert tips to help you make the most of every sip.
Download “Brew Better Communities” here →
Coffee holidays like National Coffee Milkshake Day are the perfect excuse to gather your residents, create great memories and spotlight the amenities that make your community stand out. ☕🍦
If your coffee setup could use a jolt, we’re here to help. Let’s talk!
