McDonald's Shamrock Shake is one of my all-time favorite St. Patrick's Day desserts! Thanks to this copycat recipe, you can now enjoy this popular holiday treat all year long!
In this green milkshake recipe, vanilla ice cream, milk, and mint are blended together to creamy perfection. While mostly consumed in March, this refreshing minty shake is the perfect treat for those hot summer months when you need to cool off fast.
Garnish with whipped cream, green sanding sugar, sprinkles, or whichever fun toppings you'd like. If you're a chocolate lover like me, drizzle some chocolate syrup on top for extra yumminess.
My kids go absolutely wild for this minty shamrock shake! I can honestly say that this recipe has been kid-tested and received a 100% approval rating!
Looking for more fun, kid-friendly St. Patrick's Day treats? Be sure to try my Green Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies and Lucky Charms Cereal Bars. They are so much fun to make...and eat!
Why You'll Love It
It’s just not St. Patrick’s Day at our house without making these homemade shamrock shakes. Since the nearest McDonald’s is 30 minutes away, this recipe is the next best thing. Here are a few reasons why you’ll love this minty treat as much as we do:
- Festive green color
- Rich and creamy
- Refreshing mint flavor
- Quick and easy to make
- Can be enjoyed all year long
- Kid-tested and 100% approved
Ingredients
This recipe uses simple ingredients you probably already have on hand or can easily find at your local grocery store. (For measurements, please scroll down to the recipe card below.)
- Ice cream - For the best flavor and texture, use full-fat ice cream. Yogurt and sherbet are not recommended.
- Milk - Whole milk gives this milkshake a richer flavor and creamier consistency than low-fat and fat-free varieties do.
- Mint extract - Try to use mint extract instead of peppermint extract to better match the flavor of Mickey D's iconic minty shake.
- Vanilla extract - Since imitation extract tends to leave a chemical aftertaste in your mouth, it's best to use "pure" vanilla extract.
- Green food coloring - For liquid food coloring, use 6 to 8 drops; for gel-based, use only 1 to 2 drops.
- Toppings - It's so fun to add garnishes to a dish and you can really go all out here. I used whipped cream and green sanding sugar but you can also use sprinkles, chocolate syrup, and even add a cherry on top!
How to Make a Shamrock Shake
Here are the steps and process images for how to make this recipe. (More detailed instructions are in the recipe card below.)
Start out by adding vanilla ice cream, whole milk, mint extract, vanilla extract, and green food coloring to a blender.
Blend until smooth and creamy.
Pour the milkshake mixture into 2 glasses.
Top with whipped cream and green sanding sugar. Serve right away and enjoy!
Variations
- Thinner - Add extra milk, one tablespoon at a time, until the milkshake is thin enough for your liking.
- Thicker - Add extra ice cream, a quarter cup at a time, until your desired thickness is reached.
Storage
Place any leftover milkshake mixture into a freezer bag and store it in the freezer for up to 3 months. When ready to drink, let it thaw in the refrigerator for 20 to 30 minutes before serving.
For best results, reblend the mixture until it's as smooth and creamy as the day you first made it.
Tips and Tricks
- For the richest flavor and creamiest texture, use full-fat milk and ice cream. Low-fat varieties will work too, but the results will not be as good.
- To best match the flavor of McDonald’s shamrock shake, try to use mint extract instead of peppermint extract.
- Not all food coloring concentration is the same. Be sure to check what type of food coloring (liquid or gel) you will be using, and refer to the recipe card below for any adjustments you may need to make.
- Freeze your serving glasses for 15 minutes before pouring the milkshake mixture inside. This will prevent it from melting as quickly.
Other Recipes You'll Love!
- Homemade Whipped Cream - this easy recipe only uses 3 simple ingredients you probably already have on hand. It’s so rich and creamy and is the perfect topping for pies, fresh fruit, and hot chocolate - yum!
- St. Patrick's Day Cookies - oatmeal cookies with green chocolate chunks
- Lucky Charms Cereal Bars - colorful marshmallow treats that are so easy to make
- Chocolate Sandwich Cookie Pops - heart-shaped sugar cookies filled with raspberry buttercream and dipped in chocolate
- Heart Shaped Linzer Cookies - filled with strawberry jam and topped with powdered sugar
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Be sure to check out my how-to video in the recipe card below!
Shamrock Shake
Recommended Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 cups vanilla ice cream
- 1 cup whole milk
- ½ teaspoon pure mint extract (not peppermint extract)
- ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 6-8 drops green food coloring (If using gel-based food coloring, only use 1-2 drops.)
- whipped cream topping
- green sanding sugar
Instructions
- In a blender, add ice cream, milk, mint extract, vanilla extract, and green food coloring.
- Blend until smooth and creamy.
- Pour the milkshake mixture into 2 glasses.
- Top with whipped cream and green sanding sugar.
- Serve right away and enjoy!
Notes
- Try to use mint extract instead of peppermint extract to better match the flavor of McDonald's iconic Shamrock Shake.
- Chill your glasses in the freezer for 15 minutes before using them. This will keep the milkshake colder for longer and delay it from melting.
VIDEO
Nutrition
*Nutritional facts are calculated by third party sources and are not always accurate. If you are on a special diet, we highly recommend you calculate these values personally.
Christi
My kids absolutely LOVE these shamrock shakes! They taste just like the ones from McDonald’s. I’m so glad I can make them anytime of the year now and not have to wait for St. Patrick’s Day.
Ranch Style Kitchen
Thank you so much for sharing! I’m so glad your kids like them!