Shamrock Shake Recipe (2024)

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

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

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.

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.

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 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.

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