Cool, Creamy, Minty, Refreshing! This homemade shamrock shake recipe is naturally green, and has only 3 ingredients and no preservatives! You're 5 minutes away from a delicious St. Patricks Day treat!
It's that time of year again, the short season when those delicious minty green shakes are available from McDonald's.
Did you know there are 54 ingredients in McDonalds Shamrock Shake? Yes, 54!
Let's just take 5 minutes, and make a much better for you option that's also much less expensive and won't require you to drive anywhere.
I've got 4 kids, half of them are teenagers, but all of them eat like teenagers. I'm all about saving money.
But I also don't want to sacrifice taste. So I was thrilled when I tested this recipe and everyone loved it! No green dye here folks, it's naturally green!
How is it green without food coloring?
Let me just assure you, it's not spinach or kale. This seems to be the "go-to" for making green smoothies. But not here.
It's fresh mint! So it's still sweet and very refreshing. If you didn't know, mint has some great benefits.
- It can help with tummy troubles, nausea, headaches
- It's anti-inflammatory
- It's immune-boosting
So let's break out the Mojito's! For all the nerdy details, you can read more about the health benefits of mint.
What does it taste like?
The two main flavors are vanilla and mint. Mint as in fresh mint, spearmint, not peppermint.
I love to garnish mine with some shaved dark chocolate. The chocolate mint combo is a popular favorite too, and if you like that you'll love this homemade chocolate pudding.
Ingredients
- Vanilla Ice Cream- I recommend an all-natural vanilla bean ice cream. Hudsonville ice cream makes a great one, no artificial ingredients or high fructose corn syrup.
- Mint Extract- Make sure you use mint extract and not peppermint extract. The true flavor of a shamrock shake copycat is mint. Peppermint is stronger and has more of a spicy tone.
Instructions
Place ice cream, extract and mint leaves in a blender Blend on high until all is combined 
Pour into a glass and garnish
Notes about the recipe
- For a thinner shake, add some milk. Start with ¼ cup.
- If you don't have a high speed blender, like a Vitamix, it can take a couple of minutes to really blend up the leaves, don't worry, it will get there!
- If you don't have mint extract, you can use peppermint, but use half the amount.
- For more subtle mint, leave the extract out completely.
Garnishing ideas
- Whipped cream- personally, I'm a big fan of this! I recommend buying heavy whipping cream and whipping it yourself. Here's how to do it with a stand mixer. You can also use a hand mixer.
- Chocolate Syrup- Drizzle with homemade chocolate syrup, or you can use your favorite brand. PRO-TIP- drizzle some chocolate sauce on the sides of the glass before pouring the shake into it.
- Fruit- Top it with a cherry, or to keep with the 'natural/dye-free theme, use a strawberry slice
- Shaved Chocolate- Use a Microplane to sprinkle shaved chocolate on top.
- mini chocolate chips
- fresh mint leaf
Be sure to check out my collection of St. Patricks Day recipes. For more sweets, check out my dessert page.
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Naturally Green Shamrock Shake
Equipment
- Vitamix or blender
Ingredients
- 3 cups natural vanilla ice cream
- 1 cup milk more or less depending on how thick you like it
- 1 cup Fresh mint leaves stems removed, loosley packed
- ½ tsp pure mint extract
- real whipped cream and homemade chocolate syrup for topping.
Instructions
- Place ice cream, milk, mint leaves, and mint extract into a high-speed blender.
- Blend until smooth.
- Pour into a glass and garnish with any of the following: whipped cream, shaved chocolate, chocolate syrup, strawberries
Video
Notes
- Add more or less milk, depending on the thickness you like
- If you don't have a high speed blender, like a vitamix, it can take a couple of minutes to really blend up the leaves, don't worry, it will get there!
- If you don't have mint extract, you can use peppermint, but use half the amount.
- For more subtle mint, leave the extract out completely.
- Makes 2 large shakes, to fill milk shake glasses, or, several smaller shakes. (about 4 cups total depending on the amount of milk
Nutrition
Update Notes: This post was originally published on March 3 of 2016, but was republished with better information, some new photos, step by step instructions, and tips in February of 2020.
Shamrock shake Looks so healthier and tasty. I love everything with mint in it.
Hey Chellie, Your being featured this week! Hope to see you at this week's party. Thanks for sharing at the Inspiration Spotlight Party. Pinned & shared.
Your shamrock shake sounds so yummy. I'll have to make this for my daughter. 😉
It looks delicious. 😀 I love everything with mint in it.
Thank you for linking up to last week's Tasty Tuesday linky. I have been your recipe to the Tasty Tuesday Pinterest board. I hope you'll join us again this week.
I've never had a shamrock shake, they don't do them in the UK. But this one looks too good not to try!
They probably don't do them in the UK because of all the junk in them! haha! The all natural version is so much better. 🙂
54 ingredients is just outrageous! Thanks for this beautiful and healthier alternative.
This looks delicious, and I love that there isn't added food coloring! I've actually never had a shamrock shake from McDonalds, so I should probably make this homemade version and get started on making up for lost time 😉
Thank you! If you like the whole chocolate mint combo, you'll love it. 🙂
Definitely going to try this- my kids love, love shamrock shakes. Had no idea mcDs had so many chemicals, I mean, ingredients, in it! 😉
I know, crazy! Another idea if you don't want to do the fresh greens, is to just use mint extract and a little food coloring. not quite as natural, but still better for you. 🙂