Cake balls were awesome and the Cronut was fun, but now it's all about the milkshake.
Extravagant milkshakes have taken over the world. A trend that Australia popularized in Summer 2015 has spread worldwide and, happily for lactose-lovers, shows no sign of slowing down.
Ali and Daryl Zweben of Unbuttoning Pants tell Mashable they believe the popularity of the shakes is due to social media and shock value. Whereas traditional milkshakes became popular because of taste, these became popular because it's impossible to ignore a 3-foot-tall milkshake dressed in cereal, whipped cream and an entire piece of chocolate cake.
These dairy behemoths overflowing with everything from doughnuts to pancakes in proportions seem obscene, at first.
Then you take a taste and realize that there is no such thing as a milkshake with too many Oreos.
A photo posted by Pâtissez (@patissez) on Jan 3, 2016 at 1:34am PST
Patissez, an Australian Cafe, became a social media sensation in July 2015 when its overstuffed milkshakes hit Instagram. The overstuffed milkshakes have since become a signature of the eatery and their name, "Freakshakes," has been copyrighted.
Dulce de leche, brownies, marshmallows and chocolate mousse are just a few of the ingredients guaranteed to make sure your pants don't fit by the end of lunch. With an ever-rotating menu of choices like the Muddy Pat, Sneaky Nutz and Gaytime, everyone can find a way to elevate his or her blood sugar.
A photo posted by Foodcraftespresso&bakery (@foodcraftespresso) on Jan 6, 2016 at 2:22pm PST
The next big Instagram obsession was the Tella Ball Shake from another Australian spot, Foodcraft espresso and bakery. This milkshake has a Nutella-filled donut hole atop a Nutella milkshake, with a straw shoved through the whole thing for your eating and drinking pleasure. Understandably, the world went insane.
Tella ball shake is the true definition of love!!!— Azri Anwar (@AzriAnwar) August 7, 2015
From there, the opulent milkshake has taken off in delicious ways. From Bali to Boston, there are ways to get your monthly intake of sugar in just one glass.
A photo posted by The Great British Cupcakery (@gbcupcakery) on Dec 10, 2015 at 5:30am PST
A photo posted by Boston Burger Company (@bostonburger_co) on Jan 8, 2016 at 2:25pm PST
A photo posted by @karlina_excel on Jan 1, 2016 at 5:49am PST
A photo posted by Deshania Pillay (@deshania) on Dec 3, 2015 at 8:01am PST
A photo posted by Bryan (@_crumble__) on Nov 7, 2015 at 4:49pm PST
A photo posted by Black Tap (@blacktapnyc) on Nov 15, 2015 at 4:19pm PST
Your healthy eating resolutions can always start next week.