This thick and creamy Shamrock Shake is bursting with a refreshing and delightful mint flavor, making it the perfect drink to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in style! With just a few simple ingredients, like vanilla ice cream, milk, mint extract, and green food coloring, you’ll be sipping on a perfectly green and creamy shake in no time! Feeling fancy? Serve this milkshake with whipped cream and a cherry on top!

What is the Shamrock Shake flavor?

The Shamrock Shake is a green-colored milkshake that’s only available seasonally at select McDonald’s restaurants during March to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in the US, Canada, and Ireland. The shake is mint-flavored and is a popular dessert treat among customers.

Image of the Shamrock Shake in a glass

Make It Yourself!

St. Patrick’s Day is just around the corner, and what better way to celebrate this festive holiday than with a delicious, homemade Shamrock Shake?! Traditionally, this mint-flavored milkshake is a fan-favorite choice at McDonald’s, but you can make your own version at home! With just a few simple ingredients, you can make this tasty treat in the comfort of your own home. Not only is it easy to make, but it’s also a great way to get into the St. Patrick’s Day holiday spirit!

Shamrock Shake Ingredients

Here’s a breakdown of the ingredients used in my Shamrock Shake recipe:

Vanilla ice cream: For an extra burst of flavor, we love using vanilla bean ice cream. There’s no need to splurge on super-expensive ice cream here. We’ll be adding our own ingredients to enhance the flavor.
Whole milk: While any milk will work, we prefer whole milk. We’ve found that it delivers the richest flavor and creamiest texture.
Pure mint extract: Pure mint extract is added to give the Shamrock Shake its signature mint flavor! The amount of extract used will vary depending on personal preference for the intensity of the mint flavor. Also note that different brands vary in intensity. It’s always best to add less and then increase gradually until the mint flavor is perfect for you! Mint flavors vary: peppermint is not the same as pure mint, which is more like spearmint– so read the label carefully.

Ingredients, Continued

Green food coloring: A few drops of green food coloring are added to give the shake its festive green color. While this ingredient is optional, it adds to the visual appeal of the shake.
Salt: Salt may seem like an unlikely ingredient for a milkshake, but you’ll be amazed at what it does! Just a tiny pinch of salt will enhance the flavors of all the other ingredients, helps balance sweetness, and gives the shake a bit of depth.

How To Make A Shamrock Shake (Tips)

Soften the ice cream before blending: Let the vanilla ice cream sit out at room temperature for a few minutes. This will make it easier to scoop into the blender. However, don’t let it soften too long or your shake won’t be thick and creamy!
Chill the glasses before serving: For an extra frosty shake, chill your glasses in the freezer for a few minutes before serving. This will help keep the shake cold.
Use a high-powered blender: A high-powered blender will help you achieve a smooth and creamy consistency. If you don’t have one, you may need to blend the shake for longer or add more milk to achieve the desired consistency.
Don’t over-blend: Over-blending can cause the ice cream to become too soft and watery. To avoid this, blend the shake just until it’s smooth and creamy.

Shamrock Shake Topping Ideas

Toppings are a great way to take your Shamrock Shake to the next level and add some extra flavor and texture. Here are some toppings to try:

Whipped cream: A dollop of whipped cream on top of your Shamrock Shake adds a light and fluffy texture and a creamy taste. Plus, it looks extra special that way! Here’s a guide for how to make your own whipped topping.
Chocolate sauce: A drizzle of chocolate sauce over your shake adds a rich and decadent flavor. You can also sprinkle some chocolate shavings or cocoa powder on top for added chocolatey goodness.
Green sprinkles: Green sprinkles or sanding sugar add a nice festive touch to your Shamrock Shake. You can find green sprinkles at most grocery stores or online.
Crushed cookies: Crushed cookies like Oreos or Thin Mints can add a crunchy texture to your shake. Simply sprinkle some on top before serving for added flavor and texture.

Variations

Some ideas to switch up the classic Shamrock Shake recipe:

Oreo Shamrock Shake: Add 2-4 Mint Oreo cookies (or Thin Mint cookies!) to the blender along with the other ingredients for a tasty twist! The cookies add a delicious chocolatey crunch to the minty shake.
Chocolate mint shake: Drizzle hot fudge sauce along the inside of the serving glass(es). Blend in a few chocolate chips with the other ingredients for added texture then pour into your chocolatey glass.
Healthy Shamrock Shake: Try our Green Smoothie Recipe instead! Add a handful of fresh mint leaves for a minty flavor.
Experiment with toppings: While the traditional whipped cream and cherry topping are delicious, you can also try other toppings such as sprinkles, chocolate chips, or crushed mint cookies for added texture and flavor.

Storage

To get the most out of your Shamrock Shake, enjoy it immediately after making it. This will provide the smooth and creamy consistency that makes it so delicious. If you’re not planning on serving the shake right away, you can store it in the freezer for a short time. Just keep in mind that this affects the texture of the shake, so it’s best to consume it as soon as possible.

More Festive Treats

Leprechaun Bait delicious cereal snack mix!
St. Patrick’s Day Popcorn coated in white chocolate
Lucky Charms Bars gooey no-bake marshmallow bars
St. Patrick’s Day treats with free printables
Mint Brownies with a chocolate ganache topping

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5 from 1 vote

Shamrock Shake

By Chelsea Lords

This creamy and smooth Shamrock Shake is bursting with a refreshing and delightful mint flavor, making it the perfect drink to celebrate St. Patrick's Day in style! With just a few simple ingredients, like vanilla ice cream, milk, mint extract, and green food coloring, you'll be sipping on a perfectly green and creamy shake in no time! Feeling fancy? Serve this milkshake with whipped cream and a cherry on top!

Prep Time: 5

Total Time: 5

Servings: drinks

Equipment

High powered blender

Ingredients

▢ 3 cups vanilla bean ice cream packed. This is about ½ of a 1.4-liter container.
▢ 1 cup milk (we like whole milk)
▢ ½ up to 1 full teaspoon pure mint extract (Note1)
▢ Tiny pinch of salt
▢ Green food coloring, optional (for green coloring)
▢ Optional toppings: whipped cream, green sanding sugar, maraschino cherry

Instructions

COMBINE: In a large blender, combine the vanilla bean ice cream, milk, pure mint extract, a tiny pinch of salt, and a few drops of green food coloring. Blend the ingredients together until the mixture is smooth and creamy. Don't over-blend or it will become too watery! Taste and adjust, adding more mint extract if desired. Divide the shake into glasses. Top with whipped cream, a sprinkle of sanding sugar, and cherry if desired.

Recipe Notes

Note 1: Mint extract: Not all extracts have the same intensity, so you'll want to add slowly and to taste. I recommend starting with 1/2 teaspoon and adding more if you'd like a stronger mint flavor. Be sure to grab a pure not imitation extract. Mint extract is typically right next to vanilla extract at the grocery store! Be sure to check the label and make sure you're getting mint, not peppermint extract. Mint extract has a spearmint flavor, which is decidedly not peppermint!

Note: Blenders come in varying strengths. Using a standard kitchen blender could easily bog down the motor, causing it to burn out. High-powered blenders (like Blendtec® and Vitamix®) can handle the load.

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