The 5 Best Shakes/Smoothies Around Summit County

Blended drinks can occupy opposite ends of the indulgence spectrum. One might arrive thick with ice cream and whipped cream, while another gets its body from fruit, vegetables, yogurt or other nutrient-rich ingredients. Both have their place in Summit County, whether the goal is dessert after dinner, something refreshing after outdoor recreation or a quick breakfast on the move. Best of Summit readers can find local cafés, juice shops and restaurants serving their own takes on these drinkable treats.

Flip Side

Flip Side pairs its chef-driven burger menu with gourmet shakes, making the drinks a natural counterpart to grass-fed beef burgers, hand-cut triple-cooked fries and other American favorites. The restaurant was created by chefs Shawn Monday and Michael Schwartz, whose concept emphasizes thoughtfully sourced ingredients while keeping the experience rooted in familiar comfort food. Shakes occupy the sweeter side of that equation, offering diners a rich finish to a meal. Flip Side also serves craft beer and other beverages, but its shakes fit particularly well with the restaurant's modern interpretation of the classic burger-and-fries combination.

Abbey's Coffee

Abbey's Coffee operates as a locally owned Frisco café with a beverage menu centered primarily on coffee and espresso drinks. Its broader selection gives customers choices beyond a standard cup of coffee, making the shop a convenient stop for different tastes throughout the day.

Empire Burger

Empire Burger complements its extensive burger menu with hand-spun milkshakes, continuing the familiar pairing of burgers, fries and a cold dessert drink. The restaurant offers classic shake flavors while also giving adults the option of turning a shake into a boozy version with liquor. That indulgent side of the menu sits alongside burgers that can be customized with toppings ranging from applewood-smoked bacon and sautéed mushrooms to Hatch green chiles and guacamole. Hand-cut fries and onion rings complete the traditional burger-shop combination, making a shake an easy addition to the meal rather than a separate dessert stop.

LoLo Juice

LoLo Juice approaches blended drinks from the fruit-and-produce side of the spectrum. The Breckenridge business focuses on fresh juices, smoothies and bowls, creating options suited to breakfast, a midday snack or refueling around an active day in the mountains. Smoothies fit naturally into that health-conscious format, combining ingredients into a portable drink that can provide more substance than juice alone. The shop's broader menu reinforces its focus on fresh, convenient choices rather than treating blended beverages as an afterthought.

Red Buffalo Coffee & Tea

Red Buffalo Coffee & Tea is an independent Silverthorne café whose beverage selection extends well beyond traditional drip coffee. Espresso drinks and tea anchor the menu, while cold and blended choices give customers alternatives when they want something different from a hot cup. The café also offers food and baked goods, making it a stop for breakfast, a snack or a casual break during the day. Its varied drink program reflects the shop's community-oriented coffeehouse format, with options designed for coffee drinkers as well as customers looking for other refreshing beverages.

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