By Lola Mangia
A date shake a must if you're traveling to Palm Springs, California! October is the national date month. SQUAD magazine was on a mission to find the best date shake for bachelorettes and Ladies who love to leisure, in the Coachella Valley.
Date Shake Lore and Its Popularity In Palm Springs
The date shake is a beloved treat originating in Southern California, particularly in the Coachella Valley, known for its date palms. While it's hard to pinpoint a single inventor, the date shake gained popularity in the 1930s, with many attributing its rise to a combination of local date growers and entrepreneurs who sought to promote the delicious Medjool dates grown in the region.
One notable establishment that helped popularize the date shake is Shields Date Garden, which opened in the 1920s. They became famous for their date shakes, combining creamy ice cream with blended dates to create a refreshing, sweet beverage that has become a signature treat of the area. Today, date shakes are in many restaurants and stands throughout the Coachella Valley, celebrated for their unique flavor and health benefits.
SQUAD Magazine’s Top 5 Date Shakes
#5 Date Shake Virgin: Palm Springs Fudge and Chocolates
If you've never tried a date shake before and feel shy about committing, head over to Palm Springs Fudge and Chocolates at 211 South Palm Canyon Drive. This spot is perfect for date-shake newbies! Their shake combines creamy vanilla ice cream with fresh dates in an old-school milkshake mixer.The result? A smooth, lightly sweetened date shake that's ideal for first timers! They also offer a large assortment of fudge, candies, and date candies that will satisfy your sweet tooth.
#4 The OG: Shields Date Garden
If you're staying in Palm Springs and up for an adventure like Thelma and Louise, why not take a short road trip to Indio for a movie about "dates mating"? And remember to stop by Shields Date Garden for the ultimate date shake as the original OG of date shakes, it's perfectly creamy. Rich vanilla ice cream is blended with freshly blended Medjool dates for a smooth, simple, sweet treat that's just the right amount of indulgence—not overly sugary.
The flavor balance is delightful, letting the natural sweetness of the dates shine through beautifully. Plus, the atmosphere at Shields Date Garden enhances the experience even further. Surrounded by gorgeous date palms, the garden creates a charming backdrop that transforms your shake into a mini getaway. Shields Date Garden is located at 80225 US Highway 111, Indio.
#3 Chic and Unique: Great Shakes
As soon as you step into Great Shakes, you're enveloped in a retro vibe that's both nostalgic and inviting. The walls are adorned with charming pictures of the famous Rat Pack.
The menu boasts an impressive variety of shakes, ranging from classic flavors like chocolate and vanilla to standout options like their renowned date shake. We loved it so much that we awarded it the SQUAD Chic and Unique Award and our #3 favorite date shake in the Coachella Valley!
This date shake combines creamy vanilla ice cream with fresh dates, resulting in a decadent, smooth treat that feels indulgent—especially when topped with whipped cream, half a date and a miniature iced donut. You can also get your date shake with bananas, walnuts, and nondairy. Great Shakes also offers seasonal specials and a range of fun toppings, allowing you to customize your shake with extras like sprinkles or a drizzle of chocolate sauce. Each shake is genuinely a work of art! Great Shakes is located at 160 South Palm Canyon Drive.
#2 Whimsical & Charming: Lappert's Super Premium Ice Cream
The date shake at Lappert's is a delightful concoction of rich, creamy vanilla ice cream and sweet, luscious Medjool dates swirled with a whimsical syrup that adds a playful charm to your sipping experience. The texture is incredibly smooth, making each sip feel indulgent and refreshing. The sweetness is perfectly balanced—just enough to enhance the natural flavor of the dates without being overwhelming. It's a fun treat that tantalizes your taste buds! The Lapert Date Shake wins our #2 SQUAD favorite spot.Lappert's is located at 130 North Palm Canyon Drive.
#1 Contemporary & Cutting Edge: Dragon Lili Boba Bar
Dragon Lili Boba Bar sounds like a mystical tea shop where wizards concoct potions, but it's a magical boba haven right in the heart of downtown Palm Springs. And it's no surprise that the Dragon Lili Date Shake is SQUAD Magazine's NUMBER ONE favorite date shake in Palm Springs for so many reasons!
First, we adore the Dragon Lili brand, which features a contemporary anime girl with wings and purple hair lovingly cradling her pet baby dragon's head in the palm of her hand. You know your taste buds are in for an enchanting experience from the branding alone.
The Dragon Lili Date Shake is crafted with frozen black tea, cream, and crushed dates. The best part? You get to choose how sweet you want it to be! We opted for 25% sweetness and went with coconut milk—no boba. The smooth, light texture was delightful. There's just something magical about the combination of black tea, coconut milk and dates that makes this date shake hit different and is irresistible. The shake even comes with an authentic boba-sealed cap on top of your cup, complete with your name on the side for that extra personal touch!
Plus, you can customize your date shake with various flavors like black sesame, banana, lavender, honeydew, horchata, Oreo, matcha, and more. This isn't your average date shake—a unique, flavorful adventure that will leave you spellbound! With a delightful array of date shake combinations, Dragon Lili Boba Bar will have you returning for more. You might even want to don some cosplay attire to add an extra touch of magic to your date shake experience. Dragon Lili Boba Bar is located at 166 N. Palm Canyon Drive.
About the Author: Lola Mangia
Lola Mangia is a passionate foodie with an insatiable love for coffee and fashion. With her keen eye for culinary trends and stylish flair, she explores the vibrant intersection of gourmet delights and chic aesthetics. When she’s not sipping artisanal brews or curating her next outfit, you can find her documenting her delicious adventures on social media, inspiring others to savor life in style. Checkout her blog Notoriouslysinglegirl.
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