At most fast-food joints, drinks are an afterthought — a soda fountain and a prayer. At Culver's, the drinks menu is practically a destination of its own. Between the impossibly thick shakes, old-fashioned malts, and the cult-favorite lemon ice coolers, the beverage lineup deserves its own guide. Here's what's on offer and what pairs best with your meal.
Shakes: The Headliners
Culver's shakes are made with their fresh frozen custard, which means they're thicker, richer, and creamier than your average fast-food shake. Seriously thick — the kind that challenges your straw.
Popular flavors include:
- Chocolate: Deep and classic. The benchmark shake.
- Vanilla: Deceptively simple — the custard's richness makes this a standout, not a fallback.
- Strawberry: Made with real strawberry, sweet and nostalgic.
- Rotating flavors: Mint, peanut butter, and seasonal specialties pop up throughout the year. If you see a limited flavor, try it.
The shake is a meal in itself — rich enough that pairing it with a full burger dinner is a commitment. Plan accordingly.
Malts: The Old-School Upgrade
Add malt powder to any shake and you've got a malt — thicker, toastier, with that unmistakable old-fashioned soda-fountain flavor. Malts are the connoisseur's choice: the malted milk powder adds a nutty, caramel-ish depth that plain shakes don't have.
Our recommendation: Chocolate malt is the classic order. Vanilla malt is the sleeper pick — the malt flavor really shines against the clean custard base. If you've never had a real malt, this is the place to convert.
Lemon Ice Coolers: The Cult Favorite
Here's the item people write home about: the lemon ice cooler. Culver's lemon ice is a frozen, slushy lemon dessert — intensely tart, icy, and wildly refreshing. Blended into a cooler (typically with lemon-lime soda or other mixers, depending on the location), it becomes a sweet-tart frozen drink that's unlike anything else in fast food.
Why it works:
- The contrast: After a rich, salty, fried meal, the icy tartness is a palate cleanser and a dessert in one.
- The versatility: It comes in flavors beyond lemon at some locations — raspberry and other fruit variations appear seasonally.
- The nostalgia: It tastes like a county-fair lemonade stand met a snow cone and they became best friends.
If you've never tried one, make it your mission on your next visit.
Sodas, Teas & Other Beverages
The supporting cast is solid:
- Fountain sodas: The usual suspects, poured over plenty of ice. Nothing fancy, nothing wrong.
- Fresh-brewed iced tea: Unsweetened and sweet options, properly brewed. A great middle ground between soda and water.
- Lemonade: Tart, sweet, and made to cut through a heavy meal.
- Root beer: The old-fashioned choice that pairs beautifully with burgers — a float is never a bad idea.
- Milk and bottled water: Available for the kids and the sensible.
This is an independent guide and is not affiliated with Culver's.
What Pairs With What: The Pairing Guide
- ButterBurger + root beer: The classic American pairing. The beer's sassafras sweetness loves a salty burger.
- Crispy chicken sandwich + lemonade: Tart cuts through the fried breading perfectly.
- Fish dinner + lemon ice cooler: The tartness echoes the lemon-and-tartar-sauce notes of the fish plate.
- Cheese curds + iced tea: You need something to cut the richness, and unsweetened tea does the job without adding sugar.
- Salad + raspberry lemon ice: Light meal, light-and-fruity drink. Harmony.
- Anything + chocolate shake: The nuclear option. Rich meal plus rich shake equals glorious excess. Share it if you're smart.
The Shake-vs-Meal Decision
Here's the real talk: a large shake has enough calories and richness to count as a meal. Strategies:
- The full indulgence: Burger + fries + shake. Nobody's judging. This is what the menu is for.
- The split: Get the meal and split a shake with a friend. Best of both worlds.
- The shake-as-dessert: Order a small shake after a lighter meal (salad, grilled chicken). The custard-to-guilt ratio is excellent.
- The mini: Smaller sizes exist for a reason. A small chocolate shake satisfies the craving without the commitment.
Prices and nutrition information may vary by location. Shakes and malts are priced like premium desserts — expect them to cost a few dollars, roughly comparable to a side plus a drink.
Seasonal Specials and Limited-Time Drinks
One of the joys of the drinks menu is its rotating cast. Throughout the year, expect seasonal shake and cooler flavors tied to the calendar — think minty shakes in winter, fruity coolers in summer, and pumpkin-adjacent indulgence in fall. These limited runs are worth trying because they genuinely disappear; the Flavor of the Day board in-store (and the app) is where you'll spot them.
A few strategies for the seasonal drink hunter:
- Ask what's new: Staff usually know the current limited flavors before the signage catches up.
- Try the small size: Limited flavors are fun but unpredictable — a small lets you explore without committing.
- Pair seasonally: A mint shake with a winter comfort meal, a raspberry cooler with a summer fish dinner. Match the vibe.
If a seasonal flavor wins your heart, enjoy it while it lasts — and don't be surprised if it becomes the thing you talk about until it returns next year.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Culver’s have milkshakes?
Yes — and they're exceptional. Made with fresh frozen custard, Culver's shakes are famously thick and come in classic flavors like chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry, plus rotating seasonal options.
What’s the difference between a shake and a malt at Culver’s?
A malt is any shake with malted milk powder blended in. It's thicker and has a distinctive toasty, old-fashioned flavor. You can turn any shake flavor into a malt.
What is lemon ice at Culver’s?
Lemon ice is a frozen, slushy lemon dessert — intensely tart and icy. Served as a cooler blended with soda or in other forms, it's one of the chain's most beloved and unique offerings.
Does Culver’s have diet or sugar-free drink options?
Fountain diet sodas, unsweetened iced tea, and water are typically available. The shakes, malts, and lemon ice are full-sugar treats.
What’s the most popular drink at Culver’s?
The chocolate and vanilla shakes are perennial favorites, but the lemon ice cooler has a devoted cult following all its own.
Can I get a shake with my meal instead of a soda?
Policies vary by location, but many restaurants let you upgrade or substitute. Shakes are usually priced as a premium add-on rather than a straight swap — ask at the counter.
Conclusion
Culver's drinks are a genuine strength of the menu — from the custard-thick shakes and old-fashioned malts to the one-of-a-kind lemon ice coolers. Whether you're pairing a root beer with your ButterBurger or capping the night with a chocolate malt, the beverage menu deserves as much attention as the food.
Thirsty? Check the menu and place your order at Culver's order page for pickup or delivery.
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