This homemade shamrock shake is easy and creamy for St. Patrick’s Day! Just blend ice cream, milk and mint for this seasonal McDonald’s copycat recipe.
McDonald’s Copycat Shamrock Shake Recipe
We all know once we see the green minty milkshake at our local McDonald’s that St. Patrick’s Day must be around the corner! Since it’s only available starting in February until March 17th, it has become a yearly tradition that fans look forward to.
I know that tasty frozen dessert is delicious, but I’m not inclined to stand in line at for one or shell out the money it costs for something I can make better (and without high fructose corn syrup) at home.
Making a thick, creamy, and rich homemade shamrock shake has become one of my favorite treats to recreate this time of year! Other fun St. Patrick’s Day treats I make include chocolate mint brownies and pistachio and chocolate leprechaun cookies!
Homemade Shamrock Shake Ingredients
This simple copycat version is made with 5 ingredients. One of them is optional and the other is a topping, so it really couldn’t be easier!
- Vanilla ice cream or mint chocolate chip ice cream
- Milk – I use whole milk for a thicker creamier texture.
- Mint extract – Use mint extract, not peppermint extract, otherwise, your drink will taste less like a shamrock shake and more like candy canes.
- Green food coloring (optional) – Both gel and liquid food coloring can be used. Green is more concentrated and has a more vibrant color, so you’ll need less. Liquid food coloring is cheaper to buy, but to get the same depth of color you’ll need to use more. It’s up to you!
- Top it off with homemade whipped cream, a cherry and sprinkles.
How to Make a Shamrock Shake
- Combine the ice cream, mint extract, milk, and food coloring in a blender. Start with a few drops of green at first.
- Blend everything then decide if you need to add more drops of green food coloring.
- Do a little taste test. Add more mint if you like.
- Pour into a tall glass or two, garnish with whipped cream, green sprinkles, and a maraschino cherry on top!
Fun Variations
- Skip the milk and make a shamrock sundae. Scoop some mint chocolate chip ice cream into a bowl, top with whipped cream infused with mint extract, green sprinkles, and a cherry.
- You could also make an Oreo milkshake with mint Oreo cookies! Use less milk to make it into an Oreo shamrock Mcflurry.
- Use chocolate ice cream and chocolate syrup for a chocolate flavor variation of this shamrock shake at home.
More festive St. Patrick’s Day recipes include this rainbow fruit platter, pistachio bread and rainbow jello.
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Homemade Shamrock Shake
Ingredients
- 3-4 cups vanilla ice cream , or mint chocolate chip ice cream
- ½ cup milk , more if needed
- ¼ teaspoon mint extract , not peppermint
- green food coloring , optional
- whipped cream
For serving: maraschino cherry, green sprinkles (optional)
Instructions
- Blend. Combine 3-4 cups ice cream, 1/2 cup milk, 1/4 teaspoon mint and the food coloring in a blender. Blend until smooth. Add more milk or food coloring if needed. Taste and add more mint if desired.
- Pour into 2 glasses and top with whipped cream, a cherry and sprinkles if desired.
Nutrition
Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.
Did you make this recipe? Don’t forget to give it a star rating below!
Categorized as: 5 Ingredients Or Less, American, Beverages, Desserts, Frozen Desserts, Gluten-Free, Kid-Friendly, No-Bake, Nut-Free, Vegetarian
Jamielyn Nye is the founder and recipe creator at I Heart Naptime. She is the author of the I Heart Naptime Cookbook and shares easy family-friendly recipes and desserts for every occasion.
What a fun shake to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with! My kids are always excited to make it! They are super delicious!
this is the perfect timing for me to find this recipe, its amazing! thank you for sharing!
You are so welcome, Susie!
Sooo yummy! This shake is amazing!
Love Thin Mints! Thanks for sharing this recipe!
This looks absolutely delicious! Thin Mint Cookies and I have a bad relationship. I eat the box way to quickly!
The mint and chocolate combo is my weakness…which always leads to me buying far too many boxes of Thin Mints. This shake is brilliant!
I love the mint chocolate combo too, such a yummy treat! Thanks for stopping by! :)
This looks delicious! I bet it blows the pants off of McDonalds shamrock shake!
Drew loooves Shamrock Shakes. I bet he’d go nuts for this Thin Mint one! Yum.
This mint milkshake is totally mouthwatering! Can’t wait to try it!
It’s so easy and delicious! I hope you give it a try! :)