Easy Homemade Shamrock Shake Recipe

This homemade shamrock shake recipe is super easy to make, and needs only 5 simple ingredients! This minty milkshake is great for St. Patrick’s Day and is the perfect copycat version, of the classic shamrock shake from you know where!

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I think most of us are aware of when that time of year starts, and it is once again officially shamrock shake season. For anyone who doesn’t know, a shamrock shake is a popular green minty shake, topped with whipped cream and a maraschino cherry, made famous by McDonald’s restaurants nationwide. Shamrock shakes usually hit the McDonalt’s menus around late February, and last through the month of March, or until supplies run out.

These shakes come out just in time for St. Patrick’s Day, and in my opinion, they are the perfect drink for the holiday! Personally, I’ve always enjoyed a good mint shake, and not just in March, but any time of the year.

This is one of the big reasons I decided to set out on this venture of creating a copycat shamrock shake recipe. This easy recipe makes it so you can enjoy a shamrock shake whenever you want, not just for a limited time!

Another reason I decided to make this from-scratch shamrock recipe is because I wanted something that would be a little better for me than the typical fast food version.

My easy homemade shamrock shake recipe couldn’t be simpler to make, you don’t need any special ingredients, and not only is it a little better for you, but it also tastes way better than anything you’ll get at a fast-food restaurant.

How to make homemade shamrock shakes

Ingredients ​

• vanilla ice cream
• whipped cream, homemade or store-bought
• pure peppermint extract
• whole milk, to thin if needed. You can also use skim milk, 1% or 2% milk, soy milk, and even coconut milk for this recipe!
• ​green food coloring

Toppings

• whipped cream, homemade or store-bought
• green sprinkles, you can use any kind of green sprinkles you like, it’s especially fun to use shamrock-shaped ones!
• ​maraschino cherries

Directions

*Skip the next step if using store-bought whipped cream. You can use cool whip, or whipped cream from a spray can.

To make homemade whipped cream, simply combine, 1 cup heavy cream, 2 tbsps powdered sugar, and 3 tsp vanilla extract in a large bowl. Beat using an electric mixer at high speed until stiff peaks form.

In an upright blender, combine the ice cream, whipped cream, and a splash of milk. Blend until smooth and creamy. Add more milk if needed, until you have reached a thick and creamy texture. Keep in mind you want it to be thin enough to drink with a straw, but not overly liquidy.

Add the peppermint extract, 1/4 tsp at a time, blend just long enough to mix in the extract, taste, and adjust as needed until you reach your desired amount of mint flavor.

Then add the green food coloring a few drops at a time, until you reach your desired shade of green. Try to work quickly when adding the extract and food coloring to avoid your shake melting!

Pour into a large glass or two small glasses. Top with whipped cream, green sprinkles, and a maraschino cherry.

Enjoy!

Recipe Notes

Any leftover shake can be stored in the fridge for 1 day. But I wouldn’t recommend storing this shake or making it ahead of time, as it will melt and start to separate. Shamrock shakes are best made and served immediately.

You can skip the whipped cream in this recipe if you like, but I personally like to add it as I feel it creates a more soft-serve ice cream texture!

You can also garnish this shake with fresh mint leaves!

If you like you can use green mint syrup in place of the plain mint extract, just be sure to use a real syrup and not one that uses corn syrup for a base! You can also skip the food coloring if you opt to use mint syrup!

Shamrock Shake variations

​If you are looking to make your mint-flavored milkshake, even more fun and flavorful, check one of the ideas below!

Create your own Oreo Shamrock Mcflurry, by adding crushed Oreo cookies to the shake, simply blend or stir the crushed cookies into your shake and enjoy!

Make it a chocolate mint shake, also known as Shamrock Chocolate Chip frappé! Simply use chocolate milk in place of the whole milk, and add a few chocolate chips to your blender. Serve topped with whipped cream, a drizzle of chocolate syrup, and of course a cherry on top!

Create a boozy milkshake by adding a splash of Baily’s Irish cream, or better yet crème de menthe ( a sweet, mint-flavored alcoholic beverage, that comes in both a colorless and a vibrant green version!) to your shake, add a few tablespoons at a time until you reach your desired flavor. Top and enjoy! Just be sure not to serve this boozy version to the kids!