No need to hit the drive-thru to enjoy a festive Shamrock Shake! This easy copycat recipe gives you the vibrant green mint milkshake that you crave, but without the wait in line. Plus, you can make it any time of year with just a few simple ingredients and a blender.
I’m a big fan of making milkshakes at home, especially during the hot summer months when I’m craving ice cream but don’t want to pay for someone else to make it. I probably make 1-2 milkshakes a week during peak summer season! And if you’re here reading this, you probably can’t resist shamrock shakes around St. Patrick’s Day too. As someone who’s developed over 60 dessert recipes for this website and has been making desserts for more than 30 years, I’ve learned what works and what doesn’t when it comes to homemade treats.
I’ve made my own Shamrock Shake at home dozens of times over the years, testing and tweaking the recipe to get that signature mint flavor and vibrant green color just right. What I’ve discovered through all this testing is that homemade actually tastes better than the original. You can control the mint level, adjust the thickness to your liking, and make it whenever the craving hits rather than waiting for McDonald’s limited seasonal release. Plus, when you make it yourself, you know exactly what’s going into your shake, and it’s much more cost-effective if you want to enjoy more than one.
Why You Will Love this Copycat Shamrock Shake Recipe
No need to wait for it. You don’t have to wait for this seasonal, limited-edition shake to be released. You don’t have to worry about missing it (I’ve gone to get one a day too late before and it was very disappointing). And you don’t have to wait in line either! Win-win-win.
- It’s SO easy. Like, throw all your ingredients in the blender, blend, and go. That’s it!
- You can adjust it to your liking. Want it thicker? Add more ice cream. Want it easier to sip? Add more milk. Want it minty-er? You can do that too!
- More cost effective. Depending on where you live and what size you get, a single shamrock shake costs nearly $5. If you want to enjoy this more than once, or have a family of shamrock shake lovers, making them at home is the more economical choice.
What is a Shamrock Shake?
A shamrock shake is a seasonal milkshake served at McDonald’s fast food restaurant. This vibrant green, mint flavored, St. Patrick’s day treat has been on the menu since the 1970s.
Shamrock Shake Ingredients
- Vanilla ice cream. This is the base of our shake. A good quality ice cream that you enjoy on it’s own will give you the best homemade milkshake.
- Whole milk. Whole milk will give you the creamiest texture. However, you can make this with skim or 2% milk too if that’s what you have.
- Mint extract. Mint extract, NOT peppermint extract, is what you need to get that classic ‘shamrock’ flavor. Check your store’s baking aisle for this item, or buy a bottle online.
- Green food coloring. This is what actually makes your shake green. You can use liquid food coloring (you’ll need 10-15 drops) or gel food coloring (you’ll need 3-4 drops as it’s more concentrated). You can also find these in your store’s baking aisle or online.
- Whipped cream for topping. You can’t beat a hearty serving of whipped cream on top! Use your favorite squirt whipped cream from a can, make homemade, or even used frozen whipped topping.
- Maraschino cherry for topping. Makes it fancy, duh.
- Optional (but fun): green sprinkles for topping. Just for an extra dash o’ luck and fun.
See the recipe card at the bottom of the page for measurements and recipe directions.
Mint Extract Tip
Mint extract is REALLY strong. So start with a small amount (we recommend ½ teaspoon in the recipe), and add more if desired. It can become overpowering really easily if too much is used.
How to Make a Shamrock Shake
Add the ice cream, milk, mint extract, and food coloring to a blender.
Cap tightly and blend until creamy and smooth.
Pour into a serving glass.
Top with whipped cream, a maraschino cherry, and festive sprinkles if desired. Enjoy!
Adjusting the Consistency
If you’d like your milkshake to be a little thicker, add another scoop of ice cream.
If you’d like your milkshake a little thinner, add another splash of milk.
Shamrock Milkshake Variations
- Make it into an Oreo Shamrock McFlurry! Drop 5-6 regular Oreo cookies into that blender and enjoy! Reduce the amount of milk used by ¼ cup.
- Add chocolate. You can either drizzle some chocolate syrup inside the glass (my preferred method) or add a little chocolate syrup to your ingredients before you blend (dulls the bright green color a bit though).
- Use mint syrup instead of mint extract. If you happen to have mint syrup on hand, or you found it easier at your store, you can use it to flavor your milkshake! Torani mint syrup or Monin mint syrup would both be great choices. Start with 1-2 Tablespoons of mint syrup (as it’s not as concentrated as the extract), taste, and adjust to your liking.
- Make it boozy. A shot of creme de menthe will add to the mint flavor and color (you can likely reduce the amount of food coloring used). You could also try a vanilla vodka, marshmallow vodka, or a little Irish cream. If this is your jam, you’ve got to try our frozen mudslides too!
Shamrock Shakes FAQs
It tastes like a mint milkshake! Similar to a mint chocolate chip flavored ice cream, not like a candy cane / peppermint kind of mint.
No! They have very different flavors (for mint, think the green mint chocolate chip ice cream flavor vs. peppermint which is the more pink or red candy cane flavor).
You can… however, a homemade shamrock shake is best when served immediately after blending. When you freeze a milkshake, the texture changes and it just isn’t as nice of an experience. Since it only takes a few minutes to make, I would recommend blending it up when you want one vs. making it ahead and freezing.
Love This Recipe? Try One of These Easy Dessert Recipes Next!
DIY Shamrock Shake Recipe
Equipment
- High-Quality Blender
Ingredients
- 2 Cups vanilla ice cream
- 1 Cup whole milk (2% or skim works too, it's just not as creamy)
- ½ teaspoon mint extract (NOT peppermint extract)
- green food coloring (about 10 drops of liquid food coloring, and about 3 drops gel food coloring)
- optional toppings: whipped cream, maraschino cherry, festive sprinkles
Instructions
- Add all ingredients to the basin of a blender, cap tightly, and blend until creamy and smooth.2 Cups vanilla ice cream1 Cup whole milk½ teaspoon mint extractgreen food coloring
- Pour into a serving glass and top with whipped cream, a maraschino cherry, and sprinkles if desired.
- Sip and enjoy! 🍀
Notes
- Make it into an Oreo Shamrock McFlurry! Reduce the amount of milk used by ¼ Cup and add 5-6 regular Oreo cookies into that blender with the rest of the ingredients, blend, and enjoy!
- Add chocolate. Either drizzle chocolate syrup inside your glass (my preferred method) or add a little chocolate syrup to your ingredients before you blend (dulls the bright green color though).
- Use mint syrup instead of mint extract. If preferred, use 1-2 Tablespoons of mint syrup (like Torani mint syrup or Monin mint syrup) in place of the mint extract. Taste after blending and adjust to your liking.
- Make it boozy. A shot of creme de menthe will add to the mint flavor and color (you can likely reduce the amount of food coloring used). You could also try a vanilla vodka, marshmallow vodka, or a little Irish cream.
David says
Accidentally drank a whole pitcher of this… “on accident”
Meredith says
This “accident” sounds delicious 😉
Meredith says
Better than the one from McDonald’s!