National Chocolate Milkshake Day, observed annually on September 18, is a specific food holiday dedicated to the classic chocolate beverage. While the primary search focus was on freebies for this specific date in 2018, the provided source materials indicate that the majority of publicly documented free samples, promotional offers, and brand giveaways during that period were concentrated around broader summer holidays and National Ice Cream Day in July. However, the source data does contain a specific recipe reveal for National Chocolate Milkshake Day and various ice cream and milkshake promotions that occurred during the summer months of 2018. This article details the available information regarding chocolate milkshake-related content and the broader landscape of free food promotions available to U.S. consumers during that timeframe.
National Chocolate Milkshake Day Content and Recipes
The primary source of information regarding National Chocolate Milkshake Day in 2018 focuses on content marketing rather than direct free product giveaways. According to Source [6], R&B singer Kelis released the recipe for her famous "Milkshake" song in honor of the holiday. The ingredients provided include Baileys, ginger beer, chocolate ice cream, candied ginger, cayenne pepper, and ginger-infused whipped cream. This content serves as a creative engagement piece rather than a traditional retail freebie or sample program.
Summer 2018 Milkshake and Ice Cream Promotions
While specific freebies for National Chocolate Milkshake Day in 2018 were not widely documented in the provided sources, the materials detail several milkshake and ice cream promotions that occurred during the summer season. These offers provide context for the types of freebies typically available around food holidays.
Wayback Burgers Free Shake Day
Wayback Burgers offered a significant milkshake promotion on June 21, 2018, which coincided with the first day of summer and National Selfie Day. According to Source [2], the chain provided a free 12-ounce black and white milkshake to every guest at participating locations. The promotion, known as "Free Shake Day," required no purchase and was available from 10:30 a.m. until close while supplies lasted. The company prepared for the event by stocking 3,400 gallons of ice cream and 30,000 cups, lids, and straws.
White Castle and Milkshake Factory
During the summer solstice period in June 2018, White Castle offered a buy-one-get-one (BOGO) deal on milkshakes. Source [1] indicates that customers could redeem a free small shake using the promo code SUMMER after 8:00 p.m. between June 20 and June 22. Additionally, Milkshake Factory celebrated National Vanilla Milkshake Day on June 20 with a BOGO deal on vanilla milkshakes available all day long.
Baskin-Robbins Summer Offers
Baskin-Robbins provided various ice cream promotions during the summer of 2018. Source [1] notes that the chain offered $1.99 scoops for rewards members to celebrate the end of the school year, valid on June 20 and June 23 through 27. Source [4] and [5] further detail that on National Ice Cream Day (July 15, 2018), Baskin-Robbins offered BOGO cone deals, BOGO 99-cent sundaes, and $2 off medium milkshakes via their mobile app. On July 31, 2018, the chain offered regular and kid-sized scoops for $1.50 as part of their "Celebrate 31" promotion.
Broader National Ice Cream Day 2018 Freebies
National Ice Cream Day, which falls in July, historically generates more widespread freebie activity than the September chocolate milkshake holiday. The provided sources document several offers available on July 15, 2018.
Retail and Grocery Freebies
- PetSmart: Offered a free 4-ounce serving of dog-safe ice cream at stores with PetsHotel facilities on the weekend of July 14-15, 2018, while supplies lasted (Source [4]).
- Sam’s Club: Provided free samples of the ICEE float from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on July 14 and 15, 2018. No membership was required to sample the float in the Sam's Club Café (Source [4]).
- Whole Foods Market: Offered two pints of Ben & Jerry’s or Talenti ice cream for $6 through July 15, 2018, with Prime members receiving an additional 10% discount (Source [4]).
Restaurant and Chain Promotions
- Carvel: Offered a buy-one-get-one-free deal on soft serve in a cone or cup of any size on July 15, 2018 (Source [5]).
- Cumberland Farms: Provided $1 off any Ultimate Scoops Ice Cream flavor. Customers had to text the word "SCOOPS" to 64827 starting at 8:00 a.m. on July 15, 2018, to receive the coupon (Source [5]).
- Coolhaus: Offered 25% off everything in their online store using promo code "ICECREAMYAY" on July 15, 2018. Additionally, they ran a social media campaign giving away free ice cream vouchers daily throughout July 2018 to randomly selected commenters (Source [5]).
- Godiva: Provided 50% off a second soft-serve cup, cone, or parfait on July 15, 2018 (Source [4]).
- Arby's: Introduced Coke Floats for $1 (16-ounce) through July 31, 2018, to celebrate their switch to Coca-Cola products (Source [4]).
Other Summer Freebies and Promotions
The source materials also list several non-ice cream related freebies and promotions that occurred during the summer of 2018, offering broader context for consumer deal-seeking.
Edible Arrangements
In celebration of National Smoothie Day on June 21, 2018, certain Edible Arrangements locations offered a free smoothie between June 16 and June 21. Source [1] advises checking the company website for participating locations, as not all stores serve smoothies.
Cava and Potbelly
On the first day of summer (June 20, 2018), Cava offered rewards members a free order of pita chips (classic or Hot Harissa flavors) with no purchase necessary. Potbelly offered a BOGO deal on June 20, though the specific product is not detailed in the source (Source [1]).
Kung Fu Tea
Kung Fu Tea offered a free drink (up to $4 value) to new app users who downloaded the chain's app, valid through the end of July 2018 (Source [4]).
National Chocolate Ice Cream Day
While distinct from National Chocolate Milkshake Day, National Chocolate Ice Cream Day on June 7 is noted in the source materials. Source [3] references the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension service and various news outlets covering the holiday. However, specific freebies or promotions for this date in 2018 are not detailed in the provided chunks.
Conclusion
While National Chocolate Milkshake Day in 2018 did not feature widespread documented freebies comparable to the major National Ice Cream Day promotions in July, the holiday was acknowledged through content marketing, such as the celebrity recipe release by Kelis. Consumers seeking free milkshakes and ice cream during the summer of 2018 had access to significant promotions from chains like Wayback Burgers, Baskin-Robbins, White Castle, and Carvel. The sources indicate that freebies were more abundant around the summer solstice and National Ice Cream Day, with offers ranging from free pet-safe ice cream at PetSmart to discounted pints at Whole Foods and free samples at Sam's Club. For consumers tracking food holidays, the summer months of June and July historically offer a higher density of free sample opportunities and promotional deals than the September chocolate milkshake holiday.