Shamrock Shake Recipe
This post may contain affiliate links. Please check our privacy and disclosure policy.
Shamrock Shake Recipe is a copycat of the McDonald’s favorite, made with creamy vanilla ice cream, mint extract, milk, and green food coloring, perfect for St. Patrick’s Day!
Milkshakes are the perfect treat when you’re craving something sweet! For more great ideas, check out these coffee drinks, Salted Caramel Frappuccino Milkshake and Chocolate Chip Mocha Breakfast Smoothie!
This copycat shamrock shake is one of my favorite copycat recipes because you can easily make the homemade version using simple ingredients with almost no prep time, and you know that it will be 100% gluten free every time. Top your minty milkshake with green sugar or sprinkles, and whipped cream to get into the holiday spirit!
The best part about this copycat version Shamrock Shake is that you’ll have it all year round when the craving hits, even though the original shake is a limited time treat!
Ingredients You’ll Need
Classic Vanilla Ice Cream. Pick a really creamy vanilla ice cream for this recipe. It’s the base of the milkshake, so the flavor and texture will make a big difference. French Vanilla ice cream will also work.
If you want a lighter version, you can still use low fat ice cream.
Milk. Full fat milk is the go-to for milkshakes, because we’re going for indulgence. But you can get away with 2% milk, too. If you want it really indulgent, use light cream or heavy cream.
Mint Extract. You need plain mint extract for this recipe, not “peppermint”. Peppermint extract is not the same flavor profile as regular mint extract.
And remember, when it comes to mint, a little bit goes a long way! We’re starting with 1/4 teaspoon mint extract, then add as-needed a little at a time.
Green Food Coloring. I use regular liquid food coloring. It will take about 6-8 drops to reach a nice bright green color. You can use as much or as little as you’d like to get to a good green color.
If you have gel food coloring, you’ll need a lot less than the green liquid food coloring.
Cocoa Powder. This is just for the flavor. The original McDonald’s Shamrock Shake has some underlying cocoa notes in the flavor, so I added just enough to give that flavor, but not enough to change the color from the mint green.
Toppings. Top this shake with whipped cream, gold or green sprinkles, and maraschino cherries.
How to Make This Shamrock Shake Recipe
- Place all ingredients into a blender. Blend ice cream mixture until everything is combined and smooth. Add more green food coloring as needed to achieve the desired color.
- Pour green shake into two tall glasses and top with whipped cream and a cherry.
Frequently Asked Questions
The McDonald’s version of a Shamrock Shake is basically their vanilla milkshake with a green mint syrup added to it. To make this at home, we took a vanilla milkshake base and added green food coloring and mint extract to make mint milkshakes.
Yes you can! Just swap out the ice cream for a dairy-free vanilla ice cream, and swap the milk with a dairy-free alternative. Canned coconut milk will give you the thickest texture, but almond milk and soy milk will also work. You can adjust how much ice cream you add to get to a thicker texture, too. Top with a vegan whipped cream.
More St. Patrick’s Day Recipes
- Hot Reuben Dip
- Potato Cheese Soup
- Instant Pot Cabbage
- Instant Pot Corned Beef
- Air Fryer Cabbage Steaks
Storage
These Shamrock Shakes are best when made and consumed immediately.
If you want to make these ahead of time, blend everything together and pour into an ice cube tray. Freeze until ready to drink, then just add a small amount of milk and the milkshake ice cubes to the blender when making the shake.
Recipe Variations
- If you don’t like to use food dyes, you can just leave it out. The flavor will be the same!
- You can use this base recipe for any holiday! Try peppermint extract (a very small amount, it’s strong!) with some chocolate syrup in a vanilla milkshake, topped with crushed candy canes for Christmas.
- Add a tablespoon or two of chocolate syrup for a chocolate mint shake! You won’t get as much green coloring with the chocolate, though. You can also use chocolate ice cream (or your favorite ice cream) and a handful of chocolate chips. Try using this chocolate homemade ice cream!
- This is an indulgent treat, but you can lighten it up by using 2% milk and low sugar or low fat vanilla ice cream. It won’t be as thick but it will still be a minty treat!
- Add a few tablespoons of semi-sweet chocolate chips for mint chocolate chip milkshakes! Then add a drizzle of chocolate syrup and green decorating sugar on top.
- Add a splash of your favorite spirits to make this an adult beverage, topped with fresh mint sprigs.
Cooking Tips
- If your minty shake is too thin, add more vanilla bean ice cream and blend again. If it’s too thick, add additional milk and blend, until the consistency is right.
- Use a spoon to try the milkshake flavor before pouring into the glasses. Adjust the amount of mint extract as-needed before serving.
- Mint can be a strong flavoring. Add a little bit at a time for a light mint flavor, and adjust as-needed.
If you loved this recipe, be sure to leave a 5 Star review below, and tag me with a photo of your finished recipe on Instagram @Jacqui_DishingDelish!
Shamrock Shake Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cups vanilla ice cream
- 1/3 cup whole milk
- 6 drops green food coloring
- 1/4 teaspoon mint extract
- 1/4 teaspoon unsweetened cocoa powder
- whipped cream, sprinkles, maraschino cherries, for topping
Equipment
- 1 Blender
Instructions
- Place all ingredients into a blender. Blend until everything is combined and smooth. Add more green food coloring as-needed to achieve the desired color.
- Pour into two tall glasses and add toppings.
Notes
- If your minty shake is too thin, add more vanilla bean ice cream and blend again. If it’s too thick, add additional milk and blend, until the consistency is right.
- Use a spoon to try the milkshake flavor before pouring into the glasses. Adjust the amount of mint extract as-needed before serving.
- Mint can be a strong flavoring. Add a little bit at a time for a light mint flavor, and adjust as-needed.
Nutrition
We are a participant in both the RewardStyle and Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, which are affiliate advertising programs designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com and through RewardStyle.
