Shamrock Shake Recipe
This Shamrock Shake Recipe is creamy, smooth and perfectly minty, made with vanilla ice cream, whole milk and a hint of peppermint for that classic green shake flavor. It's rich without being heavy and has that nostalgic minty sweetness everyone loves.
This is the kind of treat you make when Shamrock Shake season hits or when St. Patrick's Day celebrations roll around. It's quick enough for a weeknight dessert and fun enough to feel special for kids and adults alike.
If minty flavor is your vibe, you have to try our Peppermint Mocha or Grasshopper Pie without Alcohol.
Jump to:
Ingredients
You only need a handful of simple ingredients to make this minty shake.
See the recipe card below for the exact quantities of each ingredient.
- Vanilla Ice Cream: Creates the creamy base and classic milkshake texture.
- Whole Milk: Helps thin the shake just enough for sipping while keeping it rich; any type of milk will work well.
- Peppermint Extract: Adds that signature minty flavor, just a little goes a long way.
- Green Food Coloring: Gives the shake its bright green color without affecting taste.
Nothing fancy here, just grab your blender and a few measuring cups for this copycat shamrock shake recipe.
Variations
- Dairy-Free Option: Use almond milk, oat milk or coconut milk with dairy-free vanilla ice cream.
- Chocolate Twist: Drizzle chocolate syrup into the blender or on top before serving.
- Protein Version: Blend with a scoop of vanilla protein powder for a shamrock protein shake.
How to Make a Shamrock Shake
You will love how easy is it to make these homemade shamrock shakes.
To the base of a blender add vanilla ice cream, whole milk, peppermint extract and food coloring.
Blend until smooth (add more milk for a thinner consistency) and pour into two glasses.
If desired, top with whipped cream and a maraschino cherry.
Hint: Start with less extract and add more to taste, peppermint can be strong.
Recipe Tips
- Blended: Blend just until smooth to keep the texture thick and creamy.
- Glass: Serve in chilled glasses to keep the shake cold longer.
- Peppermint Control:
- Color: Gel food coloring gives a brighter green with fewer drops.
- Refrigerator: Store any leftover milkshake in an airtight container for up to 24 hours; stir or re-blend before serving. Add another scoop of ice cream to thicken it back up again.
Readers love blending up our Strawberry Milkshake with Coconut Milk for another creamy, feel-good drink.
More Drinks
Serving Suggestions
- St. Patrick's Day Desserts: Chocolate Mint Brownies, Mint Truffles, Baileys Vanilla Mint Shake, Baileys Truffles or Pistachio Pudding Cookies.
Recipe FAQs
Absolutely, the green dye does not alter the flavor at all. If you want a natural green color, you can put some matcha powder in, but it will change the flavor slightly.
It's light and refreshing. Add more peppermint extract slowly if you prefer a stronger mint taste.
More Recipes
Ready to get cooking? Save time by having a grocery list automatically generate for you by clicking the "Add to Shopping List" below.
Shamrock Shake Recipe
Equipment
- Blender
- Measuring Cups
Ingredients
- 3 cups vanilla ice cream
- 1 cup whole milk or more as desired
- ½ teaspoon peppermint extract
- 10 drops green food coloring
Instructions
- To the base of a blender add vanilla ice cream, whole milk, peppermint extract and food coloring.
- Blend until smooth (add more milk for a thinner consistency) and pour into two glasses.
- If desired, top with whipped cream and a maraschino cherry.
Notes
- Blended: Blend just until smooth to keep the texture thick and creamy.
- Glass: Serve in chilled glasses to keep the shake cold longer.
- Peppermint Control: Start with less extract and add more to taste, peppermint can be strong.
- Color: Gel food coloring gives a brighter green with fewer drops.
- Refrigerator: Store any leftover milkshake in an airtight container for up to 24 hours; stir or re-blend before serving. Add another scoop of ice cream to thicken it back up again.
Nutrition
Tried this recipe? Leave a star rating and comment below, I'd love to hear how it turned out for you!
These were so refreshing and yummy! The perfect St. Patrick's Day treat!
So glad you like them, very refreshing- you will have to make them in the summer too!
Okay this sounds amazing! I’ll be making this soon, the mint flavor and creamy texture sound perfect.
This is such a good one, my kiddo asks for it a lot!
The ice cream in this shake makes it very refreshing. The peppermint adds a great flavour. Great to make for Saint Patrick’s Day.
We love the green element for St Patrick’s Day too- though it is wonderful year round! Thanks for the review, Joanne.
Love Kids Friendly drinks like this! My daughter would go crazy for the color!
My little guy loves it, so I am sure she will too! Enjoy.
This was so easy and so fun to make! I ended up using a little bit of matcha for the green color because I was out of food coloring and it worked perfectly 🙂
That is awesome to hear, and a lovely sub! Happy you enjoyed it.
Loved this simple recipe! They were a hit at our house! Thank you!
So happy to hear. Glad you enjoyed them!
I cannot believe how easy this was to make! It is so delicious.
Such a simple one for sure! So happy you loved it!
We are having a St. Patrick's Day party and this will be a great drink to serve to the kids!
They will love it, my little guys does!
I'm saving this for St Paddy's day for sure!!! I can't wait.
It is a good one for sure!
We love how simple this is to make. I love peppermint and think it is a great amount of flavor!