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This favorite frosty Shamrock Shake recipe features 4 simple ingredients that quickly blend together to create a copycat version of the classic minty milkshake.
With its creamy texture and green-colored hue, there’s no need to wait for McDonald’s to release the date of the limited-edition seasonal shake when you can easily make your own sweet treat at home all year!
Easy Shamrock Shake (Copycat)
This copycat version of McDonald’s iconic Shamrock Shake tastes just like the original one that’s offered only a limited time each year, but why limit this indulgence to an annual release date when you can recreate the recipe easily at home without the wait?
At its core, the Golden Arches’ seasonal drink consists of vanilla ice cream blended with its signature “Shamrock syrup” and finished with a whipped topping and cherry.
My recipe captures the same creamy texture and bright green color, with a balanced mint taste, but I’ve simplified the ingredient list to 4 quality ingredients by skipping the syrup (which is basically corn syrup and a bunch of artificial flavors and colors) and flavoring my milkshake simply with mint extract and use green food coloring.
For more sweet, fun-to-eat copycat recipes (no travel required!), try my Copycat Disney Churros, DoubleTree Chocolate Chip Cookies, Starbucks S’Mores Bars, and Starbucks Pumpkin Scones.
Why We Love This Shamrock Shake Recipe
- Quick and easy to make in only 5 minutes.
- Only uses 4 ingredients plus optional garnishes.
- You can enjoy a minty milkshake anytime during the year, at a fraction of the cost of what you’d pay at McDonald’s.
- Cool and creamy sweet treat that tastes just like the restaurant recipe!
- Fun to make and sip with kids.
- Perfect St. Patrick’s Day dessert, spring lunch drink, or boozy beverage for an adults-only party.
Ingredients
- Vanilla ice cream
- Whole milk: I recommend using whole milk in this shake to achieve the creamiest result. You can use other types of milk, but the shakes may be a little thinner.
- Mint extract (NOT peppermint)
- Green food coloring
- Whipped cream
- Sprinkles of your choice
- Maraschino cherries for topping
Substitutions and Additions
- Make It Chocolate Mint: For a chocolate mint flavor, you can add a drizzle of chocolate syrup to the mix. Or, use chocolate ice cream instead of vanilla, and skip the green food coloring to create a milkshake that will remind you of Girl Scout Thin Mints.
- Skinny Shamrock Shake: For a “lighter” milkshake, you can use vanilla Greek-style yogurt or vanilla frozen yogurt instead of ice cream.
- Boozy Beverage: In the spirit of St. Patrick’s Day, try adding a bit of booze to the blender. Bourbon, vodka, whiskey, or Irish Cream would taste great. Creme de Menthe would make your milkshake extra minty too!
- Tasty Toppings: You can top your shake with cookie crumbs (like Girl Scout Thin Mint cookies or Grasshopper cookies), green sprinkles, or sprig of mint.
- Vegan Version: To make a vegan Shamrock Shake, use non-dairy vanilla ice cream, non-dairy milk (I like coconut milk), and non-dairy whipped topping.
- Thicker shake: If you like a very thick shake, you can use heavy cream instead of milk.
Recommended Tools
- Blender
- Serving glasses
SEE FULL PRINTABLE RECIPE CARD BELOW
How to Make a Homemade Shamrock Shake
This Shamrock Shake recipe is an easy-to-make copy of McDonald’s minty milkshake. In a matter of minutes, you can create your own delicious dessert drink at home by simply blending ice cream, milk, food coloring, and mint to a smooth and creamy consistency.
- Add the ice cream, milk, mint extract, and green food coloring to a blender.
Pro-Tip: Start with ½ teaspoon mint extract. If you desire more (like me!), increase by ¼ teaspoon until the desired taste has been achieved. I prefer to use an all-natural food coloring in this recipe. Of course, you don’t have to use any food coloring at all since it won’t affect the flavor. - Blend until smooth.
Pro Tip: Add additional mint extract and/or more food coloring until desired taste and color has been achieved.
- Pour the shake into glasses, top with whipped cream, sprinkles, and a cherry.
- Serve chilled and enjoy!
Storage Tips
To Store: A Shamrock Shake is best served immediately after making it because it will melt quickly.
Frequently Asked Questions
A McDonald’s Shamrock Shake is made with vanilla soft serve ice cream, whipped light cream, and “Shamrock Shake syrup,” according to McDonald’s. The soft serve and whipped cream are both made with lots of milk, cream, and sugar, and some preservatives.
The Shamrock Shake usually stays available for around four or five weeks. It’s always introduced in mid-February, then it stays on the menu until just after St Patrick’s day in March.
Other Easy Milkshake Recipes
Copycat Shamrock Shake
Ingredients
- 3 cups vanilla ice cream
- ¾ cup very cold whole milk
- ½-1 tsp mint extract depending on your preference (NOT peppermint)
- Green food coloring
- Whipped cream
- Sprinkles of your choice
- Maraschino cherries for topping
Instructions
- Place the ice cream, milk, mint extract, and green food coloring in a blender.
- Blend until smooth. Add additional mint extract and/or more food coloring until desired taste and color has been achieved.
- Pour the shake into glasses, top with whipped cream, sprinkles, and a cherry.
- Serve chilled.
Notes
- I recommend using whole milk in this shake to achieve the creamiest result. You can use other types of milk, but the shakes may be a little thinner.
- If you like a very thick shake, you can use heavy cream instead of milk.
- Start with ½ teaspoon mint extract. If you desire more (like me!), increase by ¼ teaspoon until the desired taste has been achieved.
- I prefer to use an all-natural food coloring in this recipe. Of course, you don’t have to use any food coloring at all since it won’t affect the flavor.
Nutrition
Nutrition Disclosure
Nutrition information is an estimate. Please utilize your own brand information to double check against our estimates.
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