Bring the sweet taste of vanilla and mint home with this sweet, creamy copycat recipe of McDonald’s Shamrock Shake. Using a few simple ingredients, you can make your own better than any restaurant ice cream milkshake treat in less than five minutes.
Learn how to make a delicious homemade shamrock shake with real mint. It’s the perfect treat for St. Patrick’s Day or any time of the year! Enjoy this scrumptious delight with an authentic minty flavor and creamy texture for your St. Patrick’s celebration.
Enjoy this tasty ice cream treat with other St. Patrick’s Day Recipes, like colcannon, Irish soda bread, Irish stew, and corned beef and cabbage.
What is a Shamrock Shake?
A Shamrock Shake is a seasonal green mint shake, first introduced by McDonald’s in 1970 to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. Learn how to make your own just as delicious copycat version.
Shamrock Shake Ingredients
- Vanilla Ice Cream – or chocolate for a change of pace
- Whole Milk
- Mint Extract – not peppermint extract
- Toppings – whipped cream, cherries, mini chocolate chips, sprinkles
How to make a Shamrock Shake
Start by mixing the ice cream, milk, mint extract, and green food coloring in a blender just until smooth. Then, pour the mixture into shake glasses and garnish with whipped cream, cherries, oreo cookie pieces, or green sprinkles.
Recipe Tips
- Green food coloring or green gel food coloring is optional. However, without the green color, the shake will be the color of vanilla ice cream with mint flavor.
- Use mint extract, as peppermint can be overpowering in this recipe.
- For a smoother, creamier shake, use whole milk.
- Blend just until combined.
- If the shake is too thick, add more milk in small increments until desired consistency.
- If the shake is too thin, add ice cream in small increments until it reaches the desired consistency.
- For a boozy alcohol shake, add a little whiskey, crème de menthe, Irish cream, or vanilla vodka.
Shamrock Shake variations
- Mint Chocolate Chip Shamrock Shake – use chocolate chip mint ice cream instead of vanilla. Cut the mint extract down to 1/4 teaspoon.
- Boozy Shamrock Shake – add 2 ounces crème de menthe and 1-ounce vanilla vodka
- Chocolate Shamrock Shake – use chocolate ice cream instead of vanilla and drizzle the inside of the glass with a bit of chocolate syrup. Omit the green food coloring.
- Add-ins- crushed Oreo cookies, mini chocolate chips, or Girl Scout Thin Mint cookies.
The difference between mint and peppermint extract
Mint and peppermint are not the same flavors, especially in extract. Peppermint extract is made from pure peppermint oil. Mint extract is made with a combination of culinary mint plants, giving it a milder mint flavor. When a recipe calls for mint extract, it is best not to substitute peppermint extract.
When do Shamrock Shakes come out?
McDonald’s shamrock shakes come out about the beginning of the 4th week in February and are available through St. Patrick’s Day, March 17th.
More St. Patrick’s Day Recipes
Copycat Shamrock Shake Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 cups vanilla ice cream
- 3/4 – 1 cup whole milk
- ½ teaspoon mint extract
- 8-10 drops green food coloring
- Whipped cream cherries, and sprinkles
Instructions
- Mix the ice cream, 3/4 cup milk, mint extract, and green food coloring in a blender just until smooth. For a thinner consistency, add 1/4 cup more milk.
- Pour into glasses and garnish with whipped cream, cherries, and sprinkles.
Notes
- Green food coloring or green gel food coloring is optional. However, without the green color, the shake will be the color of vanilla ice cream with mint flavor.
- Use mint extract, as peppermint can be overpowering in this recipe.
- For a smoother, creamier shake, use whole milk.
- Blend just until combined.
- If the shake is too thick, add a little more milk in very small increments until desired consistency.
- If the shake is too thin, add a little ice cream in small increments until desired consistency.
- For a boozy alcohol shake, add a little whiskey, crème de menthe, Irish cream, or vanilla vodka.
Nutrition
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Fransic verso
Great shake recipe. Even better than Mcdonalds I love it and I will make it again!
Ntensibe Edgar
Ooohhhh….this is a new shake. Can I substitute the whole milk with something else?
Beth Pierce
You can use 2% milk, almond milk, cashew milk, or even soy milk.
Neely Moldovan
I remember when I was in high school I had friends who were OBSESSED with it but I have never had one. I bet I could make this one though!
Julie
I always loved the McDonald’s Shamrock shake, and now I’m so excited to have this copycat recipe! I love your variations, especially how to make it boozy!
Stephanie
Oooh, this is delicious as-is, but I bet adding a splash of creme de menthe or Irish Cream would take it to another level!
Beth Pierce
So true! Boozy shamrock shake!
Colleen
Oh, this is awesome! I don’t need to go Macas just to buy this treat. I can make it in the comfort of my home.
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Colleen! Enjoy!
Yolanda
Wow this is actually a great dessert idea for St. Patrick’s Day. It’s looks really delicious. Can’t wait to give this recipe a try for the kiddos.
Debbie
I’m not a big McDonalds fan – I can say I only go in March. For the Shamrock Shake. I’m so excited to find this copycat Shamrock Shake recipe to make at home! This is perfect!
Whitney Stewart
I haven’t had a good shamrock shake in SO LONG! Thanks so much for sharing! I’ll be making this very soon!
Alice Mola
Such an easy recipe to make at home and can even save you some money instead of going out and ordering! I have tons of food coloring at home right now since easter is around the corner so this is perfect!
Stephanie
Absolutely delicious shake! Creamy, minty and perfect for St Patricks day!
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Stephanie! I am so glad that you enjoyed it!
Juliane
Looks delishhh 🙌
Catalina
This shake is so festive and so easy to make! My family loved it! Thanks for the great recipe.
speedy70
Lo mangerei ora a colazione, molto invitante e goloso!!!
Erin | Dinners,Dishes and Dessert
I need to try this ASAp, it looks so good!
Beth Pierce
Thank you! Enjoy!!
Erik
So fun and tasty! Perfect for this time of year!