Calling Black Tap Craft Burgers & Beer's behemoth drinks "milkshakes" almost doesn't seem right, especially when you take in the M&M-encrusted, caramel sauce-dripping wonder that is the Sweet N' Salty.
It's like the best of a convenience store checkout line was swept from the aisle, Supermarket Sweep-style, and piled on top of a chocolate milkshake. Sure, it's a dessert, but—if estimates are true that they're up to 1,600 calories apop, according to the New York Post—it could double as a meal. For two.
A blend of chocolate frosting and peanut butter helps hold all of the M&Ms, but there's a trick to getting Black Tap's signature tower of whipped cream—and for holding the straws, Sugar Daddies and Pretzel rods in place: A whipped cream bridge.
"We call it the 'Tower of Power,' because without it, the lollipops and other treats we put in our shakes would slide to the side," says owner and chef Joe Isidori.
Once the cup has been filled with a milkshake, a chef carefully draws a line of whipped cream around the inner rim of the glass, then fills it in. With that base layer built—almost like the foundation of a building—you can now swirl whipped cream on top, just like this:
Though the drink will start to melt pretty quickly—it is made largely out of ice cream and whipped topping, after all—this ensures the Sweet N' Salty makes it to your table (and ensures the requisite Instagram photo shoot) relatively in tact.
Check out the video above to see exactly what goes into the Sweet N' Salty, and for even more milkshake porn, watch Black Tap's Brittany Stark make Zendaya's favorite shake, the Sour Power.
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