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Originally Posted On: https://backyardtaco.com/blog/ice-cream-cones-and-shakes/

Backyard Taco Shakes and Ice Cream Cones

Summer is just around the corner, and no matter where you are, one thing is certain: it is going to be hot. Sure, they say Arizona is a dry heat, so it’s not so bad – but we know that simply isn’t true. As temperatures rise, look no further than Backyard Taco, where we have just the answer you’re looking for: the one and only milkshake.

Let’s face it – there aren’t many people who hate milkshakes. With refreshing ingredients, including milk and ice cream, they are cool and creamy and taste great as a dessert or as a drink. In fact, just the mention of the word milkshake probably has you craving one right now. But before you decide to make your way to your favorite burger joint, hear us out. Backyard Taco is now offering milkshakes, but not just as another dessert on our menu. Instead, we think you’ll enjoy this as the perfect drink or dessert to complement your favorite menu items!

Ok, we understand that your local burger spot may have the perfectly made french fries that are just crispy enough for scooping up some of that frozen goodness. However, before you decide to stick to your comfort zone, let us help you appreciate the perfect pairing of a good milkshake with Mexican food.

Beat the Heat with Ice Cream… and Tacos!

Mexican cuisine lovers have come to know and expect a certain level of spiciness. Whether it is your first experience or you’re burning for more, the regular use of jalapeno, serrano, poblano, chipotle, habanero, and any number of other peppers that are synonymous with Mexican food is a clear cultural identifier. These chiles are responsible for the smoky, spicy, and even sweet flavors you expect with a variety of Mexican dishes.

While some enjoy the lingering sensation left in their mouth from these chilies or a combination of them, others love the taste but then search for ways to tame those activated nerves so they don’t feel like they are breathing fire. No matter how much heat you enjoy, at some point, you’ll be reaching for that glass of water to help cool things down. What you may not know, however, is that water may not be the best option when trying to put the fire out.

Spice lovers and milk producers have a not-so-secret trick they have been keeping from the world: spice needs milk. Chiles boast a chemical compound called capsaicin, which is what causes the burning sensations that we may feel while enjoying spicy foods. However, when food containing capsaicin is accompanied by a cow’s milk-based beverage, there is a significant benefit: you can better tolerate whatever level of spice you may have chosen.

Cow’s milk has a protein called casein that provides somewhat of a cooling sensation to calm even the hottest of chiles. It helps to counteract the oils that leave you feeling as if you could breathe fire. While we aren’t here to take you back to high school chemistry, the simple explanation is that the casein in the milk washes away the capsaicin protein, providing a cooling sensation. When the milk is cold, it can feel even more relieving as the oils wash away, and the heat succumbs to the coolness.

So, while you might enjoy that stack of fries with your milkshake, it seems that frosty, smooth blend of ice cream and milk is screaming to be paired with Mexican food. It’s a natural fit that may take you from one comfort zone to the next.

Mexico Is a Chocolate Lovers Dream

If you are familiar with Mexican cuisine, you know that chocolate is a common ingredient. While it isn’t quite the same as the Hershey’s bar you pick up in the grocery store or the syrup you might put on your sundae, Mexican chocolate still comes from the same source – the cacao plant. This is the starting point for most chocolate in the world. How it is used regionally makes all the difference.

Mexican food has its roots in the early Americas, beginning with the Aztecs and the Mayans. Chocolate is no different. In fact, it was the Aztec culture that ultimately introduced chocolate to the world.

Chocolatiers in Mexico are known for combining ground-up cacao beans with authentic Mexican flavors such as chiles. This flavor combination is another result of the Aztec culture in that they would froth the chocolate into a liquid, combine it with spices. and enjoy this tasty beverage.

Like other chocolates, Mexican chocolate can be used to make classics such as hot chocolate, chocolate bars, or any number of other delicious bites. Perhaps one of the more well-known uses of chocolate in Mexican cuisine is mole sauces. This savory sauce can be found on a variety of authentic Mexican dishes that each create a different eating experience.

Now imagine that delicious mole, Mexican dessert, or any other Mexican flavor paired beautifully with a chocolate milkshake (or vanilla, or any of the other flavors you love). Whether you are looking for the yin to your food yang or simply need something to act as the exclamation point on what has been a delicious experience, pairing the right milkshake with the right food can give you an entirely new experience with Mexican food.

If you still aren’t convinced, remember that the Aztecs not only introduced the world to chocolate, but they also introduced us to other ways of manipulating that flavor. While you’ve just heard about combining chocolate with spices, it’s interesting to note that the Aztecs would also combine it with vanilla or honey to create variations of drinking chocolate. Some argue this is one of the earliest forms of what would eventually become a milkshake.

Why Milkshakes? They Are Just So Dang Good

There isn’t much comparison when it comes to a delicious milkshake. Dare we say it? It could just be one of the greatest desserts, drinks, or treats (or whatever other classification you want to give them) on the planet. Let’s face it: milkshakes have a little something for everyone.

Here are just a few reasons why we love milkshakes so much:

• There are flavors available for everyone. From chocolate to vanilla and a multitude of options in between, you won’t have to worry about pleasing the whole family. Everyone can find something they are sure to love.
• You can enjoy a milkshake on your own terms. Whether you want to enjoy it as a drink with your meal or just want to grab a spoon and enjoy it as a dessert, the power is in your hands.
• Like a taco, milkshakes are the perfect single-handed food. Tacos provide convenience in that they can travel well when ordered to go – no utensils required. Compliment that taco with a milkshake and you can use both hands to enjoy two of our favorite things.
• One of the best parts of a milkshake is that there is no race to finish it before it melts. Milkshakes, like wine, arguably get better with time. When the ice cream melts and becomes a slurpable liquid with the milk, the sweet treat only gets better.
• Unlike some other desserts, milkshakes allow you to avoid the mess. Comfortably contained in a cup that is the right size for your favorite flavor, you certainly won’t have to worry about dripping or crumbs. Just grab a straw and enjoy.

These are just a few of the reasons we love a good milkshake in the heat of the summer. Whether you’re craving a shake or just a good old ice cream cone, we have you covered. Our family can’t wait to share these new additions with you.

Tacos and Ice Cream: A Match Made in Heaven

We know that when you think of enjoying time in the backyard with your family, there is no doubt that you should go to treats that keep your family memories alive. For many people, specific memories are triggered by tastes, smells, and sounds. No matter what life throws our way, the time we spend with our friends and family enjoying cookouts, starry nights, and games can quickly come back with one small sensory detail.

At Backyard Taco, we believe in recreating these memories while building new ones. Our journey began with the sense of family, spending time in the backyard together. Because of this, we are so happy to introduce our customers in Queen Creek, Chandler, Mesa East (Signal Butte Rd.), Mesa South (Stapley & 60), and now Gilbert to our delicious milkshakes. When you stop into these locations, you will find us taking Mexcellence to a new level as we help you get sweet and spicy during your next meal with our hand-spun milkshakes and towering ice cream cones.

You may still not be convinced that milkshakes and Mexican food go hand in hand, but the only way to know for sure is to try one for yourself. Stop into one of our five locations offering milkshakes today and see for yourself how awesome our milkshakes really are. We shared with you why they are our favorite, and we can’t wait to hear why they are yours.

See ya soon amigos!