Overview
#MilkshakeDuck (also called “freakshakes”) documents the over-the-top milkshake trend featuring extreme toppings—donuts, brownies, candy, cookies—stacked on giant shakes. The hashtag represents peak Instagram excess and the “more is more” aesthetic of mid-2010s food trends.
Australian Origins
The trend originated in Australian cafes around 2015, with Patissez in Canberra credited for popularizing “freakshakes.” The towering creations—milkshakes topped with entire desserts—were designed for Instagram, with height and excess prioritized over drinkability.
#MilkshakeDuck exploded as cafes worldwide competed to create the most outrageous shakes. The hashtag documented increasingly absurd creations, sparking debates about food waste, diabetes fears, and whether Instagram-ability had gone too far.
Cultural Backlash
The trend peaked in 2016-2017 and faced backlash as critics called it emblematic of excess, waste, and style over substance. It represents the point where Instagram food trends became self-aware parodies, with the hashtag documenting both celebration and criticism.