Shamrock Shake

This copycat McDonald’s St. Patrick’s day milkshake is creamy, decadent and minty. A Shamrock Shake is easy to make and better than the original.

Skip the drive thru line and make your own homemade shamrock shake. You will not be disappointed!

I know I always get excited when this time of year rolls around and our local McDonald’s offers this beloved classic. What I found, though, is that it’s just as simple to make your own exactly the way you like it!

You can make it as thick or thin as you like. Minty as can be or only a hint of mint. Decorate it with the kids and have some fun with it!

What is a Shamrock Shake

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A Shamrock Shake is a vanilla mint flavored milkshake that is colored green! It’s topped traditionally with whipped cream.

If you live in USA, Canada or Ireland, you can visit your local McDonald’s restaurant in February and March and pick up this decadent milkshake. It comes out once year during this time period to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day.

Why You’ll Love This Shamrock Shake Recipe

• Easy and quick to make in less than 5 minutes
• Kid-friendly
• Customize to suit your preferences
• Fun way to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day
• Don’t have to leave your house to grab this sweet treat
• Tastes like the original
• Creamy, minty, cold and sweet

Ingredients

• Vanilla ice cream
• Whole milk – Make sure it’s very cold
• Mint extract – Do NOT use peppermint extract
• Green food coloring
• Whipped cream
• Sprinkles of your choice
• Maraschino cherries

How to Make Shamrock Shakes

Step One: Place ice cream, milk, mint extract, and green food coloring in a blender. 

Step Two: Blend until smooth. Add additional mint extract and/or food coloring until desired taste and color have been achieved.

Step Three: Pour the shake into glasses, top with whipped cream, sprinkles, and a cherry. Serve chilled.

Equipment Needed

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• Blender
• Measuring cups
• Milkshake glasses

What to Serve with Copycat Shamrock Shakes

• Grasshopper Tarts
• Pistachio Cream Bars
• Rainbow Bark
• St. Patrick’s Day Truffle

Variations and Substitutions

• Make it dairy-free by using a nut milk or oat milk and dairy-free ice cream
• Use vanilla frozen yogurt instead of vanilla ice cream
• Make a boozy version by adding 1/4 cup of Bailey’s Irish Cream
• Switch out the milk for half and half for an even more decadent creamy treat
• Use chocolate ice cream instead of vanilla ice cream
• Leave out the mint extract if you aren’t a fan

Storage Instructions

I recommend drinking your Shamrock Shake fresh. You can store it in the fridge for up to a day, but it will get thinner the longer it sits.

Recipe Tips

• If you prefer a very thick shake, use heavy cream instead of milk.
• If you are concerned about the shake being too minty, start with 1/2 teaspoon of mint extract. If you want more increase by 1/4 teaspoon at a time until your desired minty flavor is reached.
• Use stabilized whipped cream (like Cool Whip) if you want the whipped cream to hold its shape longer.

Why Use Mint Extract versus Peppermint Extract

Mint extract is a milder mint flavor than peppermint and will give you more of that classic taste we know and love. Peppermint extract is fine, too, but it will have more of a stronger flavor similar to a candy cane.

Topping Ideas

• Whipped cream – Try homemade Cool Whip.
• Green and white sprinkles
• Maraschino cherries
• Chocolate sauce
• Crushed Oreo cookies
• Mini chocolate chips
• Mint chocolate chips

Milkshake Recipes

• Caramel Coffee Milkshake
• Nutella Coffee Milkshake
• Coconut Coffee Milkshake
• Chocolate Chip Cookie Coffee Milkshake
• Reese’s Coffee Milkshake
• Orange Julius

Make sure to try my Irish Brown Bread and Air Fryer Irish Soda Bread. For more copycat recipes, try Big Mac Sauce, Copycat Arby’s Roast Beef Sandwich, Copycat McDonald’s Sausage Egg McMuffins, Copycat Texas Roadhouse Rolls, Copycat Popeye’s Chicken Sandwich.

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If you make the recipe, rate it on the recipe card below and tag me on Instagram and use #simplystacie. I like sharing the photos on my Instagram stories!