When I went to look for the photos of my husband’s and my trip to Southern Styria with his parents, I had to go back to 2013 and I could not believe how much time has gone by and how quickly at that since I had first tasted a cucumber and banana shake. So, maybe you have already tried this; it may even be the main staple on your annual summer menu. I live in Austria, and every time I mention this to one of the locals, they look at me as if I’m asking whether they’d like to try insects for lunch.

But this experience made such an impression on me that, while I was mulling over my favorite summer recipes and which one to choose out of a thousand ideas, this was at the top. The Diplomat’s Wife series is set in Austria so it was wholly relevant. When I think of Austria’s cuisine, tourists come for the Schnitzel, dumplings, cheese and Spätzle and apple strudel. Since most of the country is set up for tourism, too, its restaurants are not really known for “looking over the plate’s rim”, as we say here.

When I discover something innovative or risqué here then, I get very excited. So, when we made a pitstop at a traditional guest house in the heart of white wine country in Southern Styria (Austria’s Tuscany), and this was on the menu, I had to have it. It was beautifully presented, and was one of the most delicious shakes I’d ever had in my life. Still is.

Since then, I’ve recreated it in a number of ways, including combining it with slices of frozen pineapple, or making it into a smoothie with spinach, etc.

Whether you make a smoothie or a real milkshake, these flavorful combinations are really hard to beat! Stay cool!