Rich Date Shake

Palm Springs Date Shake

Palm Springs Date Shake

Total: 15 minutes | Serves: 2 Servings
The first time I ordered a Palm Springs Date Shake, I braced myself for something aggressively sweet—a sticky, syrupy smoothie, maybe. What arrived was completely different: thick, cold, and quietly rich, with a faint nutty edge I couldn’t place. The counter guy finally pointed to the tahini. Tahini in a date shake? That tiny revelation changed how I thought about this desert classic. This version recreates that moment. Creamy vanilla ice cream gets whirled with six soft Medjool dates, a heaping spoonful of tahini, and a good pinch of salt to keep everything balanced. The cinnamon is optional but lovely, adding a subtle warmth that makes the shake feel like a Palm Springs morning. I’ve made this Palm Springs Date Shake countless times since, and every sip still takes me back to that first delicious surprise. It’s not complicated—just a blender, a few ingredients, and a shake that tastes like somewhere specific.

Palm Springs Date Shake

Ingredients

  • Six Medjool dates, pits removed, weighing approximately 3 ounces
  • Vanilla ice cream, roughly half a pint, equivalent to one cup
  • A heaping tablespoon of tahini
  • One quarter teaspoon of Diamond Crystal or Morton kosher salt, with additional to taste
  • A small amount of ground cinnamon

Instructions

Step 1

Start by dropping the 6 pitted Medjool dates into a small bowl—they'll weigh about 3 ounces total. Pour ½ cup of hot (but not boiling) water over them, making sure they're fully submerged. Let them soak for 10 minutes, and you'll know they're ready when they've plumped up and feel soft and squishy when you give one a gentle pinch.

Step 2

Start by pulsing the 8 ice cubes in your blender (a high-speed one works best) just until they're broken into smaller pieces, not fully crushed. Add the soaked Medjool dates, 1 tablespoon of the date soaking liquid, 1 cup vanilla ice cream, a heaping tablespoon of tahini, ¼ teaspoon kosher salt (Diamond Crystal or Morton will be perfect), and a pinch of ground cinnamon. Blend on low, then gradually work up to high, pouring in more soaking liquid a tablespoon at a time if the mixture seems stuck, until the shake is completely smooth and gloss y. Taste it and add a tiny pinch more salt if you feel it needs a lift, then pour into two glasses and serve right away.

Nutrition Information

calories: 420 kcal
fat: 24g
carbs: 54g
protein: 6g
fiber: 6g

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My Tip

When blending the dates, add the date soaking liquid tablespoonful by tablespoonful to achieve a smooth consistency. This helps prevent an icy texture in your Palm Springs Date Shake.

Leftovers

Store leftovers in a glass jar with a tight-fitting lid to keep the shake fresh. Reheat by stirring gently over low heat, as microwaving can separate the mixture.

Make It Your Own

Try swapping the vanilla ice cream for coconut ice cream to add a creamy tropical twist.

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