Red Robin Chocolate Covered Pretzel Shake: A Full Taste Review
If you love the mix of salty and sweet, the Red Robin Chocolate Covered Pretzel Shake was made for you. This thick milkshake blends smooth vanilla soft serve with chocolate, caramel, and crunchy chocolate-dipped pretzel pieces. It then gets topped with whipped cream, more caramel, chocolate syrup, and a few mini pretzels on top. In this guide, I taste test the shake, break down the calories and price, and share a copycat recipe you can make at home.
What Is the Chocolate Covered Pretzel Shake?
This shake sits in Red Robin's gourmet milkshake lineup, right next to classics like chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry. What sets it apart is the pretzel twist. Red Robin blends real vanilla soft serve with rich chocolate and caramel flavoring, then folds in small chocolate-covered pretzel pieces for crunch. The top gets loaded with whipped cream, a caramel drizzle, chocolate syrup, and a few whole mini pretzels for looks and extra bite.
It comes in a tall glass with a straw and a long spoon, since the toppings are thick enough that you will want to scoop some bites. Red Robin also serves a smaller kids' version for younger guests who want a taste without the full-size portion.
Taste Review: How It Actually Tastes
The first sip hits you with cold, creamy vanilla and a wave of chocolate. The base is thick, not watery, so it holds up well while you eat. As you get further into the glass, the caramel starts to show up more, giving it that buttery sweetness that pairs so well with chocolate.
The real star is the pretzel pieces. They stay a little crunchy even after sitting in the shake, so you get small salty pops between sips. That salt cuts through the sweetness and keeps the shake from feeling too heavy. The whipped cream on top adds a light, airy layer before you get to the thicker shake underneath, and the extra caramel and chocolate syrup drizzle make the first few bites feel like dessert on top of dessert.
Our take: If you enjoy salty-sweet snacks like chocolate-covered pretzels from the store, this shake will feel familiar and satisfying. If you prefer plain, simple milkshakes without extra texture, you may find the pretzel bits a bit much.
Price and Calories
Prices can shift a little by location, but here is what to expect as of September 2026:
| Item | Price | Calories |
|---|---|---|
| Chocolate Covered Pretzel Shake (regular) | $7.99 | ~1,230 cal |
| Kids Chocolate Covered Pretzel Shake | $3.99 | ~650 cal |
The regular size runs a bit higher in calories than Red Robin's plainer shakes, mainly because of the chocolate coating on the pretzels plus the extra caramel and chocolate syrup toppings. If you are watching your intake, the kids' size gives you the same flavor in a smaller portion.
Ingredients and Allergens
What's in it
- Vanilla soft serve
- Chocolate flavoring
- Caramel sauce
- Chocolate-dipped pretzel pieces
- Whipped cream
- Mini chocolate-covered pretzels (topping)
Allergen notes
This shake contains milk, wheat, eggs, and soy, and cross-contact with other allergens is possible in the kitchen. It is not gluten-free because of the pretzel pieces, so guests avoiding gluten should pick a different milkshake flavor. If you have a food allergy, always ask staff to check the current ingredient list before ordering, since recipes can change.
Best Burgers and Extras to Pair With It
This shake works best as a finish after a savory meal, since the sweetness balances out a hearty burger. If you want a classic pairing, try it with a Red Robin Gourmet Burger like the Bonzai Burger or a Whiskey River BBQ Burger, where the smoky, savory flavors play well against the sweet shake. If you want something simpler and lighter on the plate, a Tavern Burger is a smart choice, since its plain, straightforward flavor lets the shake stand out as the main event of the meal.
Want to start the meal with a snack first? Check the appetizer menu for shareable starters like onion rings or mozzarella sticks before your entrée arrives. And if this shake has you craving more sweet options, browse the full desserts menu or explore every flavor on the milkshakes menu.
Is It Worth Ordering?
Yes, if you like salty-sweet desserts. The shake stands out from the plain flavors on the menu because of the pretzel crunch, and the portion size is generous enough to share between two people after a full meal. At $7.99, it costs a bit more than the basic chocolate or vanilla shakes, but the extra toppings and mix-ins make it feel worth the difference for a treat.
If you are counting calories closely, this is not the lightest option on the menu, so you may want to split it or pick the kids' size instead. But for an occasional treat, or if you are already ordering a lighter entrée, this shake makes a fun way to end the meal.
Copycat Red Robin Chocolate Covered Pretzel Shake Recipe
Want to make this at home? This copycat version uses simple ingredients you can find at any grocery store, and it takes less than 15 minutes from start to finish.
Ingredients
- 4 cups vanilla ice cream
- 3/4 cup whole milk
- 3 tablespoons chocolate syrup, plus extra for drizzling
- 3 tablespoons caramel sauce, plus extra for drizzling
- 1 cup mini pretzels, roughly chopped
- 1/2 cup chocolate melting wafers or chocolate chips, melted
- Whipped cream, for topping
- A few whole pretzels dipped in chocolate, for garnish
Steps
- Melt the chocolate wafers in a microwave-safe bowl in 20-second bursts, stirring between each, until smooth.
- Dip the whole pretzels for garnish into the melted chocolate, then set them on parchment paper in the fridge to set.
- Dip half of the chopped mini pretzels into the leftover melted chocolate too, and let them set alongside the whole ones.
- In a blender, add the vanilla ice cream, milk, chocolate syrup, and caramel sauce.
- Blend on low speed for 20 to 30 seconds, just until smooth and thick. Do not over-blend, or the shake will turn thin.
- Add the plain chopped pretzels and the chocolate-dipped pretzel pieces into the blender.
- Pulse two or three times, just enough to mix the pretzels in without crushing them too small.
- Drizzle caramel sauce and chocolate syrup around the inside of two tall glasses before pouring in the shake.
- Pour the shake into the glasses, top with whipped cream, another drizzle of caramel and chocolate, and the whole chocolate-dipped pretzels.
- Serve right away with a wide straw and a long spoon.
Tip: For a thicker shake, freeze your blender cup for 10 minutes before you start, and use ice cream straight from the freezer rather than letting it soften first.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does the Red Robin Chocolate Covered Pretzel Shake cost?
The regular size costs about $7.99, and the kids' size costs about $3.99. Prices can vary slightly by location.
How many calories are in the Chocolate Covered Pretzel Shake?
The regular size has about 1,230 calories, and the kids' size has about 650 calories.
Is the Chocolate Covered Pretzel Shake gluten-free?
No, it is not gluten-free because it contains pretzel pieces made with wheat. Guests avoiding gluten should choose a different milkshake flavor.
What allergens does this shake contain?
It contains milk, wheat, eggs, and soy, and cross-contact with other allergens is possible in the kitchen.
Can I order this shake without pretzel pieces?
Red Robin allows some customization on most menu items, so you can ask your server to leave out the pretzel pieces or reduce the toppings if you prefer.
Is this shake good to share?
Yes, the regular size is generous enough that two people can easily share it, especially after a full meal.
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