As summer returns, so do the appeal of cold indulgences! Whether you’re coming back from the pool, spending the day at the park, shuffling kids to activities, or running errands, nothing hits the spot like an icy cold dessert on a hot day. That’s why, from ice cream cones to popsicles to milkshakes, summer desserts are often big on the chill factor. This year, why not take those sweet indulgences up a notch by making a milkshake that’s an elevated version of the classic? Your kids won’t soon forget a special sweet such as this!

Get the best of sweet and salty flavors in a single beverage with a salted caramel and chocolate pretzel milkshake: It’s the kind of warm-weather refreshment that feels luxurious but is super simple to whip up at home by yourself. Keep reading to learn how to make one for you and your kids this season, and make this summer’s snacks a little more special.

Why Salty and Sweet Are Such a Great Combo

Gourmet caramel apples, chocolate-covered pretzels, or caramel corn: what do these age-old combinations all have in common? Each one brings together two of the most popular tastes of all time: salty and sweet. When paired with something sugary, salt heightens the sweet pleasure and brings out a food’s flavor. It’s as true for salted chocolate chip cookies as it is for a salted milkshake. If your kids already crave peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, there’s a good chance they’ll beg for second helpings of this, too.

Recipes such as this milkshake satisfy the sweet tooth, while also giving you a more interesting, complex taste sensation. You don’t have to visit an ice cream shop or fancy restaurant to experience it, either. With as few as three ingredients, you can indulge in an amazing sweet-salty milkshake any summer day you please.

Ingredients You Need for This Milkshake

Making a salted caramel and chocolate pretzel milkshake starts with two ingredients you may already keep on hand: milk and vanilla ice cream. Beyond that, all you need is a long chocolate- and caramel-covered pretzel stick.

When you’re ready to make the milkshake, here are the ingredients to gather. The following proportions make enough for one serving; to serve your whole family, multiply by the number of people who will have a shake.

• 1/2 cup of your preferred milk or milk alternative
• 2 scoops of vanilla ice cream
• 1  large chocolate- and caramel-dipped pretzel

In addition to the three ingredients listed above, you can dress up your drinks further with various optional extras: A generous dollop of whipped cream using Nangman‘s cream chargers and caramel syrup, for example, can give your shake that restaurant feel. You could also add a few chocolate- and caramel-covered pretzels to the top, or crumble them all over for a pretty finishing touch.

How to Mix Up the Milkshake

As long as you have a blender, creating a killer homemade milkshake only takes a few minutes. To create yours, combine milk, vanilla ice cream, and a pretzel together in the blender, and blend until fully pulverized. Pour the finished mixture into a large glass, and top with garnishes as desired. Anyone who enjoys a good, salty, crunchy pretzel can appreciate the appeal this snack adds to a sweet milkshake. Using a chocolate- and caramel-topped version makes it even better! At the end of a long, hot day, reward yourself and your little ones with this perfectly delicious recipe, or make a bunch of them to wow family and friends for backyard barbecues and other gatherings this season. One thing’s for sure, any summer day gets a little sweeter (and saltier!) with one of these incredible cool-down drinks.