Is it possible for a milkshake to be refined? Yes, and here is the perfect example. To make it, we combine vanilla ice cream with Medjool dates, toasted walnuts, cinnamon, ginger, and a pinch of salt — and then whirl it all up with milk and plenty of ice.

It’s a little bit of heaven: In an age where ultra thick and rich shakes are dominating the fast-food scene, we love this shake’s light, refreshing texture and salty-sweet balance. The gingery warmth of the spices and the caramelly sweet dates are so nice with the vanilla ice cream. And mixing in the toasted nuts, a new one on us, gives the whole thing some nutty depth.

In the test kitchen, one of our chefs was heard to say, with admiration, that date milkshakes taste like the leftover milk from a bowl of Cinnamon Toast Crunch cereal. We’re taking that as a giant compliment and proof that while this milkshake has some grown-up sophistication, it’s also exactly the kind of scrumptious dessert your kids will love.