Copycat Shamrock Shake

By
Leah Maroney
Leah Maroney
Leah Maroney
A recipe developer and food photographer, Leah Maroney is an ardent home cook and food blogger who has written over 300 recipes for The Spruce Eats.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Updated on 01/26/23
shamrock shake

 Leah Maroney

Prep: 5 mins
Cook: 0 mins
Total: 5 mins
Serving: 1 to 2 servings
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
337 Calories
18g Fat
38g Carbs
7g Protein
Show Full Nutrition Label Hide Full Nutrition Label
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 1 to 2
Amount per serving
Calories 337
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 18g 23%
Saturated Fat 11g 53%
Cholesterol 66mg 22%
Sodium 132mg 6%
Total Carbohydrate 38g 14%
Dietary Fiber 1g 4%
Total Sugars 34g
Protein 7g
Vitamin C 1mg 5%
Calcium 243mg 19%
Iron 0mg 1%
Potassium 358mg 8%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

You don't have to wait until March rolls around to enjoy McDonald's beloved Shamrock Shake. With only five ingredients, this minty milkshake is easy to throw together any time you're craving an indulgent treat. All that's needed is a little ice cream, milk, green food coloring, and mint extract. Give it a quick whirl in your blender, then top it all off with some whipped cream and a cherry.

This is a simple and easy recipe to make with kids and it's a fun and delicious way to celebrate St. Patrick's Day as a family. Have your helpers measure and dump everything into the blender and then turn it on—with some supervision, of course. Have fun decorating the whipped cream topping with different sprinkles and do a little holiday crafting while you're at it. Make it as green as you like and start sipping!

Ingredients

  • 2 cups vanilla ice cream

  • 1/2 cup whole milk

  • 1/4 teaspoon peppermint extract

  • 1 teaspoon green food coloring, added a bit at a time as needed

  • Whipped cream, for garnish

  • Maraschino cherries, for garnish

  • Green sprinkles, for garnish

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    shamrock shake
     Leah Maroney

  2. In a blender, combine the ice cream, milk, green food coloring, and peppermint extract.

    shamrock shake
     Leah Maroney

  3. Blend until completely combined and thick. If it is too thick, add in a little more milk. Make it as thick and thin as you like it and add more food coloring if you want it to be greener.

    shamrock shake
     Leah Maroney

  4. Pour the milkshake into a tall glass.

    shamrock shake
     Leah Maroney

  5. Top the milkshake with the whipped cream, cherry, and add a few sprinkles if you wish.

Tips

  • Using a gel food coloring not only creates a nice rich hue, but you don't have to use as much as regular food coloring. You only need 2 to 3 drops of gel food coloring instead of closer to 10 if you use regular green food coloring.
  • Use a natural peppermint extract for the best flavor. Make sure to use peppermint extract, not extracts labeled "mint." Those will have more of a spearmint flavor.

Variations

  • Make this milkshake dairy-free with a alternatives like soy, almond, or coconut milk and a dairy-free ice cream. It won't be as creamy as the original, but it will still be delicious.
  • You can also replace the ice cream with a mint ice cream. You won't need to add in any mint extract, but you will need to add in a little more green coloring to give it a vibrant hue.