Shamrock Shake
This homemade shamrock shake is cool, creamy, and tastes just like the fast-food favorite. It only requires 4 simple ingredients and is ready in minutes. Serve with Irish Nachos, and Reuben dip for the ultimate St. Patty's Day feast.
This copycat Shamrock Shake is so creamy and delicious. It is one of my favorite treats to make on St. Patrick's Day!
It's also perfect for when your minty shake craving strikes in the off-season! Now, you can whip up a shamrock shake any day of the year!
Why I Love This Recipe
- Rich and Creamy: This is a thick and rich milkshake you'll crave over and over again.
- Easy: This recipe is ready in just a few minutes.
- Ready Anytime: Unlike Mcdonald's, this recipe isn't limited edition. You can make it all year long whenever the craving strikes.
History
This milkshake has been a part of American celebrations for many years. The milkshake itself was created in Philadelphia in 1851. Aman named Robert Green came up with a recipe that was made out of ice cream, milk, and flavored syrups. He added one spoonful of liqueur to help the flavor-to-ice-cream mixture ratio.
One hundred years later, Harry Baker invented the Shamrock Shake by adding green food coloring to Green’s original recipe. Harry ran a rooftop soda shop in Chicago and wanted to capture the spirit of Ireland during St. Patrick’s Day.
It has graced Mcdonald's menus since the 2000s.
Ingredient Notes/Shopping Tips
- Peppermint vs. Mint Extract: Both are potent, but peppermint extract tastes like pure, strong peppermint whereas the taste of mint extract is more nuanced with hints of spearmint. I like using mint extract in this recipe.
- Milk: For best results use whole milk.
- Ice Cream: Use Premium Ice Cream in this recipe. Now is not the time to skimp on frozen dairy dessert. I used Breyer's Vanilla Bean.
- Food Coloring: Use liquid or gel food coloring. Gel will give you a brighter color with less product used.
How To Make a Shamrock Shake
Fun Variations
- Add Alcohol: Boozy milkshakes are amazing. Baileys, Creme de Cacao, or Creme de Menthe would all be good options. These options are almost like a frozen grasshopper pie!
- Mix up the Ice Cream: Chocolate or even mint chocolate chip would be yummy.
- Add-Ins: Stir in chocolate chips, Oreos, or even peppermint patties.
Tips
- Add the milk slowly and mix until you reach your desired consistency.
- Too thin? Add a little more ice cream
- Too thick? Add more milk
- No blender? No problem? Shake softened ice cream in a mason jar for 2-3 minutes ror a similar treat.
More Festive Drinks To Try
📖 Recipe
Shamrock Shake
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Ingredients
- 3 Cups Vanilla Ice Cream
- 1 ¾ Cups Whole Milk
- 1 Teaspoon Peppermint Extract
- Green Food Coloring
- Whipped Cream and Cherry if desired
Instructions
- Blend the first 3 ingredients in a blender until thick and smooth. You can also shake softened ice cream in a mason jar.
- Garnish with whipped cream and a cherry.
Notes
- Peppermint vs. Mint Extract: Both are potent, but peppermint extract tastes like pure, strong peppermint whereas the taste of mint extract is more nuanced with hints of spearmint. I like using mint extract in this recipe.
- Milk: For best results use whole milk.
- Ice Cream: Use Premium Ice Cream in this recipe. Now is not the time to skimp on frozen dairy dessert. I used Breyer's Vanilla Bean.
- Food Coloring: Use liquid or gel food coloring. Gel will give you a brighter color with less product used.
- Add the milk slowly and mix until you reach your desired consistency.
- Too thin? Add a little more ice cream
- Too thick? Add more milk
- No blender? No problem? Shake softened ice cream in a mason jar for 2-3 minutes for a similar treat.
Nutrition
This is such an amazing shake! My kids loved it!
Seriously, so much better than hitting the drive through! Plus, the color is so fun. 🙂
I know for sure this Shamrock Shake would be a huge hit in my house!
I just made this last night, and it was amazing! It tastes even better than the one from McDonald's. No more waiting for St. Patrick's Day!
We just made these. I would recommend using a full teaspoon of extract as they weren’t very minty. I like that they have less sugar than McDonald’s shakes which are so sweet I don’t like them. This one is closer to the shamrock shakes I remember as a kid before McDonalds poisoned them with too much sugar and corn syrup.
Thanks for sharing your tip about extra mint extract Nate!
Recipe sounds good. This website, however, will never be on my computer again. It's so ad heavy that it is practically freezing my computer. Seems like it could be ad/malware to me. Be careful here.
Hi there,
Sorry you had that experience. My website is scanned 24/7 for malware. I try to maintain a good balance of content/advertising.
I hope you'll visit again sometime! 🙂
That Shamrock shake looks so perfect for St Patty's Day. Mmmmmm!
Hi! Stopping by from Mom Bloggers Club. Great blog!
Have a nice day!
Thanks so much Veronica!
This looks amazing, I need to try this right meow!
Thanks so much Karly xo
This looks amazing and I love that I can make it with or without a blender!!!
Thanks Betsy! I've never bothered to buy a new one since my old one literally blew up lol!
I'm in love with mint this time of year. And can you believe it, I've never had a shamrock shake? But, I think I can make my own and see no reason for a trip to town now 🙂
I am in love with mint all year long! I cannot believe it Mallory, you need to try one pronto girl! 🙂