This Shamrock Shake recipe is a copy of the McDonald’s favorite! It’s a St. Patrick’s Day treat where ice cream, milk and mint are all blended to creamy perfection.
Make the most of your St. Patrick’s Day and enjoy your Shamrock Shake with a slice of Irish soda bread, an Irish mule or some crispy Irish nachos.
St. Patrick’s Day is such a fun holiday, especially when it comes to the food! I always enjoy slow cooker corned beef and cabbage for dinner on this holiday, but I can’t make it through March without stopping at McDonald’s for their iconic Shamrock Shake. These minty milkshakes are actually SO very easy to make at home, and they’re a fun way to celebrate with the kids or have a quick dessert!
McDonald’s has served Shamrock Shakes since the 1970s. McDonald’s makes theirs with vanilla ice cream, whipped cream and their Shamrock Shake syrup. My copycat recipe keeps the ice cream and whipped cream and recreates the syrup with simple ingredients from the grocery store.
At McDonald’s these shakes are a limited time treat. They usually show up in late February and last until March 17. However, with this recipe, there’s no need to wait. Now you can make a mint-flavored milkshake at home all year round!
Table of Contents
Shamrock Shake Ingredients
To make your Shamrock Shake you will need vanilla ice cream, whole milk, mint extract, green food coloring, whipped cream, green sprinkles and maraschino cherries.
How Do You Make A Shamrock Shake?
You can make a Shamrock Shake by placing vanilla ice cream, whole milk, mint extract and green food coloring in a blender. Blend the ingredients together until the milkshake is a smooth and creamy consistency. Pour the milkshake into a glass and top it with whipped cream, sprinkles and maraschino cherries. Serve it to friends and family and enjoy!
Tips For The Perfect Shamrock Shake
- It’s best to use mint extract for this recipe rather than the more common peppermint extract. The extracts actually have two different flavors, and the plain mint extract will get you closer to the taste of the McDonald’s shake.
- Use whole milk in this shake for the creamiest result. You can use other types of milk, but the shakes may be a little thinner.
- I use 10 drops of green food coloring to get a very vibrant green color. If you’re using a gel food coloring rather than the liquid, you’ll need 3-4 drops to achieve the same result. If your green coloring is a little too blue, try adding a couple of drops of yellow food coloring.
- The best way to top a Shamrock Shake is with a swirl of whipped cream, some festive sprinkles and a cherry! If you can find some green straws, that’s even better!
- No whipped cream on hand? Frozen whipped topping will also work well.
Quick Tip
Enjoy your Shamrock Shake immediately for the best flavor and texture.
Recipe FAQs
Shamrock Shakes are mint flavored milkshakes. The flavor comes from vanilla ice cream and mint extract.
Typically Shamrock Shakes become available at McDonald’s in late February and are served until St. Patrick’s Day. However, with this recipe you can enjoy them year round!
The green color in this recipe is from green food coloring. About 10 drops of green liquid food coloring do the trick. You can adjust the color with extra green food coloring or a couple of drops of yellow or blue food coloring.
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Flavor Variations
Although I love the Shamrock Shake, you can customize your shake with these fun ideas!
- Oreo Shamrock McFlurry: You can make your own version of this McDonald’s favorite by adding 5 Oreo cookies to your blender and reducing the milk to two tablespoons.
- Christmas: Make a Christmas version of a Shamrock Shake by substituting peppermint extract for mint extract and topping the drink with crushed candy canes.
- Chocolate: Make a chocolatey version by blending all the ingredients together and and then pour a little chocolate syrup in the blender. Blend it again for about 2 seconds until you get chocolate streaks in the shake. Pour the drink into a glass and drizzle chocolate syrup over the top.
- Alcohol: Give the shake a little kick by adding a shot of Baileys Irish Cream, crème de menthe or vanilla vodka.
On St. Patrick’s Day or any other day, this Shamrock Shake is sure to be a big hit. Skip the drive through menu and make your own cool and creamy copycat Shamrock Shake recipe!
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Shamrock Shake
Ingredients
- 2 cups vanilla ice cream
- 3/4 cup whole milk
- 10 drops green food coloring
- 1/4 teaspoon mint extract
- whipped cream, sprinkles and maraschino cherries for serving
Instructions
- Place the ice cream, milk, food coloring and mint extract in a blender.
- Blend until smooth.
- Pour into two glasses. Top with whipped cream, sprinkles and cherries, then serve.
Notes
- It’s best to use mint extract for this recipe rather than the more common peppermint extract.
- Use whole milk in this shake for the creamiest result.
- I use 10 drops of green food coloring to get a very vibrant green color. If you’re using a gel food coloring rather than the liquid, you’ll need 3-4 drops to achieve the same result. If your green coloring is a little too blue, try adding a couple of drops of yellow food coloring.
Oooh, you had me at creamy perfection. Such a fun way to celebrate and I love how easily the shake comes together.
The combination of vanilla ice cream, milk, and mint extract created a smooth and delicious shake. It’s a perfect treat for St. Patrick’s Day or anytime you’re craving something sweet and minty.
Family is going to love this one. I’m so excited that I can make this delicious shake at home.
Looks delicious! Can’t wait to make this shake with the kiddos on St. Patrick’s Day.
The colour is amazing and I bet it tastes gorgeous.
Made this tonight on a lower fat content. I am doing weight watchers so didn’t want totally destroy my points. I used
1 1/2 cups carb smart breyers vanilla
3/4 cup fat free milk
1/4 tsp mint extract
Food coloring
I also added 1-2 Tablespoons of sugar free vanilla Torani syrup! This was a great addition!!
Thank you for a great recipe!!
This didn’t tastes like Shamrocks. It tastes like mint! I added smooshed up pineapple for some texture. So delicious!
This is absolutely delicious! My kids loved it!
Thank you for the recipe. I often see shamrock shake recipes with peppermint extract. It is not the same flavor.
Absolutely delicious and perfect for St. Paddy’s day!
A very delicious recipe. Thank you for sharing a healthy and refreshing option for snacks. Amazing!
Love the flavor and the color. So delicious. Thanks for sharing.
I made these with the kids last night and they were so fun and delicious! Thanks so much for sharing the recipe!
Absolutely love the flavor and color of this fabulous shamrock shake.
The grandchildren just loved these!
Delicious! Can i make this recipe ahead of time and leave in fridge? If so, how many days in advance? Would love to make for my child’s birthday party!
Since it’s ice cream it would be better to store in the freezer and thaw in the fridge for a few hours before serving!