Shamrock Shake Recipe (2024)

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ThisCopycat McDonald’s Shamrock Shake Recipeis better than the original! Only 4 simple ingredients and no need to leave the house to enjoy this amazing mint milkshake that we all love so much!

This mint-flavored milkshake is the perfect St. Patrick’s Day dessert to make for the whole family! ThisCopy Cat Shamrock Shakerecipe, with the perfect minty shamrock shake taste, is one the whole family will love.

Shamrock Shake Recipe (1)

Shamrock Shake Recipe

If during Shamrock Shake season you are one of those visiting often to get the much loved milkshake then you are going to love this copy cat shamrock shake recipe.

Shamrock shakes are an iconic McDonald’s shake that is always a hit when they release it aroundSt. Patrick’s Day.Seriously, everyone I know heads to McDonald’s to get one, little do most people know it is like the easiest recipe ever to make at home!

The McDonald’s option is only available for a limited time of year starting in late February each year through the month of March. I wish they would keep it longer, but since they don’t a McDonald’s shamrock shake copycat recipe was a must to come up with.

Since it is one of my favorite milkshakes, I tend to want to enjoy this minty shake in the middle of summer and that is not an option when it is only available for a short time of the year.

This great mint milkshake recipe is so simple to make and only has a handful of ingredients. Vanilla ice cream, milk, mint extract, and green food coloring (if you want it). No need to wait until St. Patrick’s Day to enjoy this mint milkshake, you can enjoy it anytime you want to at home!

With only 4 ingredients including ice cream, mint extract, and whipped cream you can enjoy this minty milkshake treat all year long!

St. Patrick’s Day Recipes

While most people will make this sweet treat for a fun celebration of st. patrick’s day treat I thought it would be best to also share with you some of our favorite St. Patrick’s Day recipes. You all know that I am a big fan of celebrating the holidays and of course St. Patrick’s Day is one of them.

For St. Patrick’s Day, our normal menu consists of corned beef and cabbage or Bangers and Mash, Irish Soda bread and a St. Patrick’s Day dessert. If you are looking for more St. Patrick’s Day recipes, be sure to check out a few of our favorites!

  • Lucky Leprechaun Poop
  • St. Patrick’s Day Marshmallow Pops
  • St.Patrick’s Chocolate Covered Pretzels
  • Lucky Charms Cupcakes
  • St. Patrick’s Day Pasta
  • Andes Mint Cupcakes
  • Mint Meringue Cookies
  • Andes Mint Cookies
Shamrock Shake Recipe (2)

What is the Shamrock Shake?

The Shamrock Shake is a limited-time seasonal milkshake that is typically offered at McDonald’s restaurants around St. Patrick’s Day. The flavor of the Shamrock Shake is primarily a creamy, vanilla-mint flavor, with a green coloring that is reminiscent of the Saint Patrick’s Day holiday. The shake is made with vanilla ice cream, a mint extract, and green food coloring.

Is this Recipe Similar to the One at McDonald’s?

This copy cat recipe is as close as you are going to get to the one found on the mcdonald’s menus. It took a lot of testing to get it done, but we have created this great substitute to the fast food version that we could. Honestly, after having other people try it out they have agreed that this is the best copy cat recipe they have made.

This homemade version has the perfect vibrant green color, creamy texture, and perfect minty vanilla flavor that I personally think is even better than the original. If you want to keep it simple you can, but I like to get a little bit fancy by adding some whipped cream, green sprinkles, and maraschino cherries on top.

Tips for Making this Recipe

Whipped cream. When you are making these easy homemade milkshakes they taste amazing with whipped cream. You can use homemade whipped cream and a whipped cream dispenser or store bought whipped cream, whichever you prefer.

Use Mint Extract. When it comes to the mint extract, you have to be sure you are using mint extract and not peppermint extract if you want a full mint flavor. While they sound like they could be the same flavor, they are not and it is important to use mint extract to get the perfect Copy Cat Shamrock Shake flavor.

Make it fancy. You can use as much or as little green food coloring as you want to, use 4 drops of the liquid food coloring if you want your mint shake to be a light green and 6 drop of food coloring if you want it to be a dark green. If you want to skip the food coloring all together you can without missing any flavors.

Use whole milk. If you want the creamiest milkshake consistency, using whole milk is best. You can use skim milk or 2% if that is what you have on hand but it will be thinner than if you are using whole milk.

Use Gel Food coloring. You can use liquid food coloring, however I find it best to use gel food coloring.

Shamrock Shake Recipe (4)

How much Food Coloring do I need?

If you are using liquid food coloring then you will want to use 8-10 drops of green food coloring to get the bright green color. If you are using food coloring gel then you will want to use 3-4 drop of food coloring.

Do I need to use food dyes?

No. If you are not a fan of food coloring, you can leave that out and still have the amazing mint flavors you love, but my kids love the green coloring so we use food coloring to make it green. If you want to make this milkshake extra fancy grab some green strawssome 4 leaf clover sprinkles and some green sugar crystal sprinkles.

Can I use Peppermint Extract Instead of Mint?

There is a difference between the flavors of peppermint and mint, for this recipe you want to use plain mint extract so you get the minty flavor of the traditional Shamrock shake from McDonald’s.

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Variations of this Recipe

Chocolate Mint Shake. Add a tablespoon of chocolate syrup into the milkshake mixture before blending in the blender. Then add a little bit of chocolate syrup to your glass as a drizzle before pouring the mint milkshake mixture into the tall glass.

Mint Milkshake for Christmas. You already have the perfect green color, add a few pieces of candy cane into the blender before mixing and also add some crushed candy cane pieces on top. You can also use peppermint extract instead of the mint extract for a peppermint flavor.

Make it Boozy. If you want to make it a boozy milkshake add a shot of Baileys Irish Cream or vanilla vodka before mixing it in the blender.

Change up the Ice cream. I use vanilla ice cream but you can also use vanilla bean ice cream with this recipe.

Shamrock Shake Recipe (6)

Shamrock Shake Recipe Ingredients

  • vanilla ice cream.You can use any brand of vanilla ice cream, vanilla bean ice cream, natural vanilla ice cream and old fashioned vanilla ice cream will all work with this McDonald’s Shamrock Shake recipe.
  • whole milk.
  • mint extract.
  • green food coloring. You do not have to use food coloring, but if you are wanting the iconic shamrock shake color then you will want to.
  • Whipped cream, for topping.I prefer to use homemade whipped cream, but store bought will work just fine too.
  • 4 leaf clover sprinklesandgreen sugar crystal sprinkles.While these are optional I like adding them when I make this St. Patrick’s Day milkshake for dessert to make it look even more festive.
  • maraschino cherries.

How to Make a Shamrock Shake

Place the vanilla ice cream, milk, mint extract, and food coloring in a blender. Blend all of the ingredients until smooth using the pulse button.

Shamrock Shake Recipe (7)

Pour the milkshake mixture into 2 tall glasses. Top with a cherry, whipped cream, and sprinkles if desired, and enjoy.

Recipe FAQ

Can I make this recipe dairy free?

If you want to make a dairy-free shamrock shake you can use this recipe but you will need to make substitutions for the ice cream and the milk. Use a nondairy milk such as almond milk, coconut milk, soy milk, or oat milk. You will also want to use dairy-free vanilla ice cream.

What Ingredients are in the McDonald’s Shamrock Shake?

If ordering at McDonald’s the recipe includes vanilla soft serve, shamrock shake syrup and whipped cream. This homemade shamrock shake recipe uses ingredients you can purchase in the store to enjoy the same tasty treat at home.

Milkshake Recipes

  • Oreo Milkshake
  • Caramel Milkshake
  • Chocolate Banana Milkshake
  • Mint Chocolate Cookie Milkshake

Shamrock Shake Recipe (8)

Shamrock shake recipe

Created by Lauren

3.54 from 52 votes

Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Servings 2

Print Recipe Pin Recipe Rate Recipe

This Shamrock shake recipe is a copy cat of the well loved McDonald’s shamrock shake. No need to wait until St. Patrick’s Day to enjoy this mint milkshake, you can enjoy it anytime you want to at home! With only 5 ingredients including ice cream, mint extract, and whipped cream you can enjoy this minty milkshake all year long!

Ingredients

  • 2 cups vanilla ice cream
  • 1/2 cup whole milk
  • 4 to 6 drops mint extract
  • 2 to 3 drops green food coloring
  • Whipped cream for topping (optional)

Instructions

  • Place the vanilla ice cream, milk, mint extract, and food coloring in the blender.

  • Blend all of the ingredients until smooth.

  • Serve immediately, topped with whipped cream and a cherry.

Calories: 310kcal | Carbohydrates: 34g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Cholesterol: 64mg | Sodium: 132mg | Potassium: 343mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 31g | Vitamin A: 655IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 238mg | Iron: 1mg

Mint Milkshake, Shamrock Shake, Shamrock Shake Recipe

beverage, Dessert

Video

Shamrock Shake Recipe (9)

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Shamrock Shake Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is the Shamrock Shake made of? ›

The ingredients for this beloved milkshake are simple and few. You'll need vanilla ice cream (go for a high-quality pint for the best flavor), milk, peppermint extract, and green food coloring. You can use any kind of milk you have on hand, or even use an equal amount of cream for a richer shake if you like.

Why is the Shamrock Shake green? ›

The Shamrock Shake was created in 1967 by a Connecticut McDonald's owner and operator, and it debuted three years later nationwide. It started out as a lemon-lime flavored milkshake, but in 1973, the fast-food stop decided to make it a vanilla milkshake with a mint flavor and green coloring.

Why does McDonald's have shamrock shakes? ›

The Shamrock Shake was created in 1967 by Hal Rosen, a Connecticut McDonald's Owner/Operator who made the delicious, mint shake in celebration of St. Patrick's Day. It later debuted in select locations across the U.S. in 1970 and was an instant success.

What's in the shamrock McFlurry? ›

This minty ice cream treat starts out like your favorite minty green milkshake, but here we add crushed Oreo cookies to take an ordinary minty shake over the top. The Oreo Shamrock McFlurry is a twist on McDonald's widely popular Shamrock Shake and includes crushed Oreo cookie pieces.

Why is the Shamrock Shake so unhealthy? ›

In a small Shamrock Shake from McDonald's, there are 500 calories, 14 grams of fat, 82 grams of carbs and 63 grams of sugar. That's just a small. The large has 800 calories and 103 grams of sugar. But fear not, fellow sweet tooth sufferers: Here's a healthier version that you can make at home!

What is the Shamrock Shake flavor 2024? ›

Smooth vanilla soft serve, fluorescent mint syrup, a fluffy swirl of sweet whipped cream... That's right folks — McDonald's iconic Shamrock Shake is back for the season.

Is Shamrock Shake just vanilla? ›

Initially, the shake was lemon/lime flavored with vanilla ice cream, lemon/lime sherbet, and vanilla syrup. By 1973, the shake was merely a green colored vanilla shake, eliminating the lemon/lime sherbet. It is now mint flavored.

What do the 3 clovers stand for in the shamrock? ›

While trying to convert the Irish into Christians, St. Patrick used the shamrock to explain the holy trinity with each leaf representing the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The three leaves of a shamrock are also said to stand for faith, hope and love. A fourth leaf is where we get the luck from.

Why is it called a shamrock? ›

The shamrock is a type of clover, although botanists and the public are divided on which species of clover exactly is a shamrock. None of these species are unique to Ireland - they all grow across Europe. The word shamrock derives from the Irish seamróg, which is a diminutive of seamair óg meaning "young clover".

How much money is a Shamrock Shake? ›

The shamrock shake price range between the three sizes cost between $4.19 and $4.69. The oreo shamrock mcflurry cost $4.89. The price of the shamrock shake makes it very much worth the purchase considering it is only available for a couple of months during the shamrock shake season.

Will Grimace Shake come back in 2024? ›

Is the Grimace Shake Back for 2024? In an official press release from May 13, McDonald's confirmed that for the second summer in a row, the Grimace Shake is, indeed, returning. "The rumours are true," the post begins.

What flavor is the Grimace Shake? ›

The Grimace Shake is a purple, berry-flavored milkshake. It is a combination of vanilla soft serve and berry flavors. The company did not disclose which flavoring had been used, and consumers reported that they tasted other flavors like Fruity Pebbles or bubblegum.

What is a grandma McFlurry? ›

The fast food chain said the new flavor is inspired by lifelong memories of grandma. The McFlurry is sweet (just like grandma) and has candy pieces (just like she had in her purse). The dessert has a base of vanilla soft serve ice cream and is topped with butterscotch syrup and butterscotch candy crumbles.

What's the difference between a Shamrock Shake and a Shamrock McFlurry? ›

A dollop of whipped cream tops off the treat. The Shamrock Shake is so popular that in 2020, McDonald's answered the demand with a version of the shake called the Oreo Shamrock McFlurry. As the name suggests, crushed Oreo cookies are blended into the traditional Shamrock Shake base in that dessert.

What is the spoon that comes with a McFlurry? ›

Restaurants across the country are transitioning to a reusable spindle that's swapped out and cleaned after each McFlurry is made. Once the mixing magic is complete, your McFlurry will be served with a smaller black spoon that uses less plastic (the same one that comes with our Sundaes).

Is the Shamrock Shake actually mint? ›

(NEXSTAR) – Being one of the few green things on the McDonald's menu, it's always a notable event when the Shamrock Shake makes its annual appearance. The shake, made from vanilla soft serve and minty syrup, first debuted at U.S. McDonald's locations in 1970.

Is the Shamrock Shake coffee? ›

It is the perfect blend of coffee, chocolate, and mint and something I just had to have. One sip and I realized I must create my own McDonalds Copycat Shamrock Mocha Recipe.

Does Shamrock Shake have dairy? ›

Shamrock shake season is here! While traditional versions of this green, mint-flavored shake contain dairy milk from sensitive mother cows, the 10 spots listed below serve copycats of the sweet treat without exploiting animals.

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