Shamrock Shake

This copycat Shamrock Shake recipe makes it easy to sip a cool and creamy sweet treat any time of the year. It is so simple to recreate the famous minty milkshake at home using 4 ingredients for a fraction of the McDonald’s price.

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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 (McDonald’s 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 all year long, 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 to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, spring lunch drink, or boozy beverage for an adults-only party.

Shamrock Shake 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 extract)
• 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 Chocolate Shamrock Shake 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 a sprig of mint. Or, mix in crushed Oreos and make an Oreo Shamrock McFlurry copycat!
• 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.

1. 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.
2. Blend until smooth.
   Pro Tip: Add additional mint extract and/or more drops of green food coloring until desired taste and color has been achieved.
   
3. Pour the shake into glasses, top with whipped cream, sprinkles, and a cherry. 
4. Serve chilled and enjoy!
   

How to Store Shamrock Shakes

To Store: A Shamrock Shake is best served immediately after making it because it will melt quickly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Other Easy Milkshake Recipes

• Oreo Milkshake
• Orange Creamsicle Milkshake
• Cookie Dough Milkshake

5 from 1 vote

Copycat Shamrock Shake

Author — Jennifer Fishkind

Serves — 2

This copycat Shamrock Shake recipe makes it easy to sip a cool and creamy sweet treat any time of the year. It is so simple to recreate the famous minty milkshake at home using 4 ingredients for a fraction of the McDonald’s price.

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Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Total Time 5 minutes mins

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• ▢ 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.

Jenn’s Notes

Storage:

A Shamrock Shake is best served immediately after making it because it will melt quickly.

Tips:

• 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 Info

Calories: 469kcal | Carbohydrates: 51g | Protein: 10g | Fat: 25g | Saturated Fat: 15g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7g | Cholesterol: 96mg | Sodium: 198mg | Potassium: 516mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 47g | Vitamin A: 982IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 357mg | Iron: 1mg

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