Copycat Shamrock Shake Recipe

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Make a homemade Shamrock Shake – this is a copycat recipe full of vanilla ice cream and mint flavor. Making them at home means you can have them all year long – this is such an easy recipe!

green shake in a clear glass topped with whipped cream and a cherry.

What is the Flavor of a Shamrock Shake?
Shamrock Shake Ingredients
How to Make a Shamrock Shake at Home
Copycat Shamrock Shake Recipe Recipe

What is the Flavor of a Shamrock Shake?

It can be hard to put your finger on what the flavor of a shamrock shake is, but its really quite simple – mint and vanilla! This seasonal favorite is a highly coveted all-American delicacy for many, but few end up making the trip to McDonald’s to snag one of their own before St. Paddy’s Day comes and goes.

If you’re craving a shamrock shake but lamenting that it isn’t in season (or maybe it is, and you can’t be bothered to trek to the drive-thru), you’ve got the luck of the Irish – this copycat shamrock shake recipe tastes just like the real deal!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Just 4 ingredients
Change it up to your liking
Add alcohol to make a boozy shake recipe!

Shamrock Shake Ingredients

Ice cream – Traditionally you’d use vanilla ice cream, but you could also use chocolate or mint chip ice cream. Use any brand you like.
Milk – You can make homemade milkshakes with regular milk, nonfat, or any nondairy milk.
Peppermint extract – This gives that telltale mint flavor – skip the mint extract and grab peppermint.
Food coloring – green food coloring makes this perfect for St. Patrick’s Day!

How to Make a Shamrock Shake at Home

Decorate your glass: If you want to make your milkshake snazzy, pour a bit of honey onto a plate (a spot as large as the rim of your glass) and a bit of green sugar onto a second plate. Dip the rim of your glass into the honey, fully covering it, and then dip the rim into the sugar. Then, set your glass to the side.
Blend: Blend ice cream, milk, peppermint extract, and food coloring thoroughly in a blender until completely smooth.
Pour: Pour the milkshake into your prepared glasses. Finally, top it off with some whipped cream and a cherry.

Expert Tips

To avoid an overpowering flavor, you’ll want to do some taste tests while adding the peppermint extract. We’re going for a light and creamy flavor, not Altoid!
Just like the peppermint extract, don’t go too wild with the food coloring. Try just a couple of drops at first, then add more as needed.
Try using other flavor ice cream instead!
Use any kind of milk, regular or nondairy.
Add some vanilla vodka, whipped vodka, or Baileys Irish Cream to make a boozy shamrock shake!

FAQs

Can I use gel food coloring instead of regular food coloring?

I prefer to use regular food coloring, but gel works too. Just know that it will take more gel food coloring to get the desired color!

Can I make this shamrock shake dairy-free?

Yes! To make this recipe dairy-free, throw a 3.4 oz box of vanilla pudding mix, 2 cups of unsweetened almond milk, 2 to 3 cups of ice, ½ teaspoon of peppermint extract, and 3 drops of food coloring into a blender. Simple!