This copycat Shamrock Shake recipe lets you make the famous McDonald's mint milkshake at home using vanilla ice cream, milk, mint extract, and green food coloring. The Shamrock Shake is one of McDonald's most popular seasonal treats and appears every year around March for St. Patrick's Day.
This minty green milkshake blends together in just a few minutes and recreates the creamy mint flavor of the original. Because the Shamrock Shake is only available for a limited time each year, making a homemade version is the perfect way to enjoy this treat anytime.
If you enjoy festive green desserts, these Pistachio Cookies are another fun treat to make for St. Patrick's Day celebrations.
What Is a Shamrock Shake?
A Shamrock Shake is a mint-flavored milkshake made with vanilla ice cream, milk, and mint flavoring. It's a seasonal McDonald's dessert that appears each year around St. Patrick's Day.
The Shamrock Shake is a seasonal milkshake sold by McDonald's each year around St. Patrick's Day. It's known for its bright green color and refreshing mint flavor.
The original version is made with vanilla soft serve, mint flavoring, and is topped with whipped cream and a maraschino cherry.
Because it's only available for a short time each year, many people search for copycat Shamrock Shake recipes so they can make this classic milkshake at home.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
This homemade Shamrock Shake recipe is popular for a few simple reasons:
- Quick to make - This milkshake blends together in just a few minutes.
- Simple ingredients - You only need a handful of ingredients to recreate this minty shake.
- Perfect for St. Patrick's Day - The bright green color makes it a fun and festive dessert.
- Tastes like the original - This recipe recreates the creamy mint flavor of the classic McDonald's shake.
Ingredients For a Shamrock Milkshake
This copycat recipe uses simple ingredients like vanilla ice cream, milk, and mint extract to recreate the classic McDonald's milkshake.
- Vanilla ice cream - The base of the milkshake and what gives it its creamy texture.
- Mint extract - Use mint extract, not peppermint extract, for the classic Shamrock Shake flavor.
- Vanilla extract - Adds a little extra depth of flavor.
- Whole Milk - Helps blend the ice cream into a smooth milkshake consistency.
- Green food coloring - Creates the signature green color.
- Whipped Cream - A classic topping for this milkshake.
- Maraschino cherries - Adds the traditional finishing touch.
See the recipe card below for the full ingredient amounts.
How to Make a Copycat McDonald's Shamrock Shake
- Add the vanilla ice cream, milk, mint extract, and vanilla extract to a blender.
- Add a few drops of green food coloring until the milkshake reaches your desired shade of green.
- Blend until the milkshake is smooth and creamy.
- Pour the milkshake evenly into milkshake glasses.
- Top with whipped cream and garnish with a maraschino cherry.
- Serve immediately and enjoy.
Pro Tip: For the Smoothest Milkshake
For the smoothest milkshake, use a high-powered blender or immersion blender.
Recipe Tips
- Use mint extract, not peppermint extract - Mint extract gives the milkshake the mild flavor used in the original McDonald's version.
- Adjust the thickness - Add more ice cream to make the milkshake thicker or more milk to thin it out.
- Adjust the color gradually - Add green food coloring a few drops at a time until the desired color is reached.
Milkshake Variations
You can easily customize this Shamrock Shake recipe with a few simple additions.
- Oreo Shamrock Shake - Blend crushed Oreo cookies into the milkshake for a cookies-and-cream version.
- Chocolate Shamrock Shake - Add chocolate ice cream for a mint chocolate milkshake.
Dairy-Free Mint Milkshake
To make a dairy-free version of this milkshake:
- Use dairy-free vanilla ice cream such as almond, soy, coconut, or oat milk varieties.
- Replace the milk with almond milk, oat milk, coconut milk, or soy milk.
- Use dairy-free whipped topping.
When Does the Shamrock Shake Come Back?
The Shamrock Shake usually returns to McDonald's menus in late February or early March each year. The minty green milkshake is available for a limited time leading up to St. Patrick's Day before disappearing again until the next year.
Common Questions About The Shamrock Shake
The classic McDonald's version includes vanilla ice cream, milk, mint flavoring, whipped cream, and a maraschino cherry.
This mint milkshake has a creamy vanilla base with a refreshing mint flavor.
RELATED RECIPES
Another easy milkshake recipe is this Strawberry Ice Cream Milkshake, a sweet dessert drink that's perfect for spring.
For more St. Patrick's Day desserts, try these recipes:
- Green Velvet Cupcakes - A bright green dessert perfect for St. Patrick's Day celebrations.
- White Chocolate Chip Green Velvet Cookies - Soft cookies with a festive green color that are great for holiday baking.
📖 Recipe
Copycat McDonald's Shamrock Shake
Ingredients
- 4 cups vanilla ice cream
- 4 cups milk
- 1 teaspoon mint extract - not peppermint
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 8-10 drops green food coloring
- Whipped cream - for serving
- Maraschino cherries - for garnish
Instructions
- Scoop the vanilla ice cream into a blender.
- Pour in the milk.
- Add the mint extract and the vanilla extract.
- Add a few drops of green food coloring.
- Blend in pulses until you reach the desired consistency - Add more food coloring if needed at this point.
- Divide the milkshakes into 4 glasses.
- Top with whipped cream
- Garnish with a maraschino cherry.
- Serve and enjoy!
Notes
- Use mint extract, not peppermint extract, for the classic Shamrock Shake flavor.
- Add more ice cream for a thicker shake or more milk for a thinner consistency.
- Add green food coloring a few drops at a time until the desired color is reached.
Nutrition
Nutritional information is an estimate based on third-party calculations. Actual values may vary due to ingredients, measurements, and serving sizes.
© Mama Needs Cake
Tried this recipe?
Let us know how it was!Dana is an experienced recipe creator who crafts easy and delicious recipes for all levels of home cooks.
Her recipes range from classic comfort foods to healthy and nutritious meals, and she is always on the lookout for new and exciting ways to bring flavor and variety to the table.
