Skip the McDonald’s drive-thru and make a copycat shamrock shake for a minty treat with just a handful of ingredients!
Holly’s Shamrock Shake Highlights
- Flavor: This homemade shamrock shake recipe has all the creamy and minty flavors of the McDonald’s original.
- Prep note: Chill the blender jar and glasses to keep the shakes extra chilly and thick!
- Recommended tools: A standard countertop blender is best for making quick work of this recipe, but a stick blender or even a hand mixer will do the job,
- Swaps: Make a boozy shamrock shake using a shot of crème de menthe, Bailey’s Irish Cream, Irish whiskey, or peppermint-flavored vodka.
Ingredients For A Shamrock Shake
- Ice Cream: The best shakes are made with full-fat ice cream for the richest flavor but you can use frozen yogurt for a lighter version.
- Milk: Use any kind of milk including non-dairy.
- Mint: Peppermint extract is made from pure peppermint. Mint extract is a combination of both spearmint and peppermint. Either will do, but full peppermint extract will provide the ultimate ‘refresh-mint’ flavor!
- Food Coloring: Green food coloring is optional but makes it festive.
Easy Variations
- Mint chocolate ice cream is a tasty twist instead of regular vanilla ice cream, and means you can save on buying green food coloring.
- Chocolate ice cream with peppermint extract (but no coloring!) is a delicious flavor combo. If you go this route, add the shamrock effect on top with green-colored whipped topping.
How to Make a Shamrock Shake
- Place all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth.
- Pour into glasses and top with optional whipped cream, a maraschino cherry, a drizzle of chocolate sauce and green sprinkles.
Freeze leftover shamrock shakes in popsicle molds for a refreshing treat or in ice cube trays and pop one or two out for a smoothie or in a cup of hot chocolate.
More Minty Favorites
Did you enjoy these Shamrock Shakes? Be sure to leave a rating and a comment below!
Shamrock Shake
Refreshing shamrock shakes are rich and creamy for the perfect St. Patrick's Day celebration.
Ingredients
- 4 cups vanilla ice cream
- ¼ cup milk
- ½ teaspoon peppermint extract or more to taste
- green food coloring
- toppings optional whipped cream, maraschino cherries, or sprinkles for garnish
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth.
- Garnish as desired and serve immediately.
Notes
- For a lighter version, use vanilla frozen yogurt and swap the liquid for fat-free milk, and omit the whipped cream.
- Nutritional content in the recipe notes does not include optional toppings.
- Spike this favorite with a splash of crème de menthe, Baileys, or vodka for a boozy treat!
- Leftovers can be frozen in ice cube trays for shamrock pops or re-blending later.
Nutrition Information
Calories: 562 | Carbohydrates: 64g | Protein: 10g | Fat: 29g | Saturated Fat: 18g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 8g | Cholesterol: 118mg | Sodium: 223mg | Potassium: 574mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 58g | Vitamin A: 1169IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 375mg | Iron: 0.2mg
Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.
Course Beverage, Dessert, Drink, Drinks, Party Food
Cuisine American, Irish© SpendWithPennies.com. Content and photographs are copyright protected. Sharing of this recipe is both encouraged and appreciated. Copying and/or pasting full recipes to any social media is strictly prohibited. Please view my photo use policy here.
Thank you for this recipe! Peppermint extract wasn’t quite right to me. I swapped it for mint extract, which has both peppermint and spearmint in it – goes with the green and tastes just right!