Taste the Red & White Nice Shake at Toothsome Chocolate Emporium, a seasonal milkshake with peppermint bark and candy cane sprinkles.
Universal CityWalk’s Toothsome Chocolate Emporium and Savory Feast Kitchen has unwrapped its newest seasonal milkshake, the Red & White Nice Shake. So, after years of holiday shake averageness, we approached this one with the emotional preparedness of someone about to assemble IKEA furniture without instructions.
Shockingly… It’s actually good. For $19, you get a peppermint-mocha milkshake bedazzled with candy cane sprinkles, peppermint bark snowflakes, and a whole candy cane dramatically shoved into the top like it’s trying to escape the cup entirely. Before we get to the tasting chaos, let’s assemble the cast.
Toothsome Chocolate Emporium: Where Desserts Go to Be Dramatic
If a steampunk inventor and Willy Wonka started a chocolate-powered factory together, it would look exactly like Toothsome Chocolate Emporium and Savory Feast Kitchen. So, Professor Doctor Penelope Tibeaux-Tinker Toothsome should be proud.
Located in Universal CityWalk Orlando, Toothsome is famous for:
- towering smokestacks puffing out “dessert energy,”
- elaborate sundaes and shakes that require structural engineering,
- and photo-ready desserts that make your camera work harder than your stomach.
They release specialty milkshakes every season, and historically, the holiday ones are:
- Gorgeous
- Extremely photogenic
- And sometimes taste like they were designed by someone who misunderstood the assignment
So, imagine our surprise when this year’s festive shake didn’t taste like peppermint regret.
Holidays at Universal Orlando: The Grand Finale of Festive Chaos
The holiday season at Universal Orlando is a glittery, sugary, slightly chaotic wonderland featuring:
- Grinchmas at Islands of Adventure, where the Grinch roasts guests more than theme-park food prices do
- The Holiday Parade Featuring Macy’s, packed with giant balloons and performers who have unlocked supernatural stamina
- The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, decorated like Charles Dickens took a vacation and discovered butterbeer
- Seasonal treats everywhere, some incredible, some… bold choices
It’s the theme park resort’s most festive season, which is exactly why Toothsome always brings out the holiday shakes. And this year? They finally delivered something worthy of the season.
The Red & White Nice Shake: Much Nicer Than Expected
The official description reads:
“Mocha and peppermint shake that’s made with candy cane sprinkles, peppermint bark snowflakes, and a candy cane.”
Our description:
“Wait… why is this actually good?”
The mocha is light, just enough to whisper “I’m here” without overwhelming anyone. Additionally, the peppermint tastes festive rather than toothpaste-y. Even the “I don’t like mocha” people in our group suddenly became believers. The peppermint bark snowflakes are delicious, even if you must peel them off the cup like you’re uncovering ancient peppermint artifacts. Worth it.
Red & White Nice Shake: Why It Still Doesn’t Make Our Best Holiday Food List
Delicious? Yes.
Top holiday treat? Not quite.
Here’s why:
1. The $19 Price Tag
This isn’t a milkshake.
This is a financial commitment.
For $19, it should sing carols or at least come with a small commemorative ornament. Still, considering you can share a cheaper and larger Toothsome sundae with friends, this solo shake becomes harder to justify.
2. The Wrapped Candy Cane Situation
The shake includes a wrapped candy cane jammed into the whipped topping. Unwrapping a candy cane with hands already covered in sticky sprinkles is an experience we can only describe as:
Holiday Fear Factor. We love festive chaos, but this takes it to a new level.
3. Red Dye
The Red & White Nice Shake uses a significant amount of red dye. We love the look. However, it gets all over your straw and any napkin you use to clean things up. Just be prepared!
Red & White Nice Shake: A Yuletide Plot Twist
Despite the price and sticky candy cane obstacle course, the Red & White Nice Shake is genuinely tasty — possibly the best holiday shake Toothsome has released in years. It may not top our list of Universal Orlando holiday eats, but we would absolutely order it again.
While we still think most guests will prefer the Snickerdoodle Crepe, the Red & White Nice Shake makes a solid choice among all the holiday food at Universal Orlando Resort. Even if it requires a napkin strategy meeting.
For more theme park dining reviews, visit MSM News every weekday at noon Eastern Time. As always, eat like you mean it!
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