Shamrock Shake

The classic, tasty, mint-flavored green shake with a creamy and smooth finish makes a delicious milkshake. A flavorful milkshake packed with flavor; this shake is a savory seasonal drink to enjoy for St. Patrick’s Day. The Shamrock Shake is a bold, yet soft-textured milkshake that makes a great treat for Green Day! 

Green Drinks for St. Patrick’s Day  

Various types of green dishes are made and prepared for St. Patrick’s Day. From fresh, naturally green dishes to colorful and bright, flavorful green desserts to vibrant, savory, green-colored drinks. Green drinks are quite popular for St. Patrick’s Day, such as green cocktails, beer, and non-alcoholic green drinks like minty limeade. Green milkshakes are commonly made during this season. Green-dyed mint-flavored creamy milkshake is a popular and common shake made by many people in the states. 

McDonald's Shamrock Shake 

The Shamrock Shake is a seasonal milkshake that is sold at McDonald’s for a limited time. Typically, the shake is available throughout the month of March in celebration of St. Patrick’s Day. The Shamrock Shake is a popular copycat recipe recreated by many food bloggers during this time of the year. McDonald’s classic Shamrock Shake is a mint milkshake generally made with vanilla soft serve ice cream and green mint syrup and topped with whipped cream.

Variations of Shamrock Shake 

McDonald’s also includes, for a limited time, the Oreo Shamrock Shake; this includes crushed Oreo cookies. Variations of the milkshake can include mint-flavored chocolate shamrock, a boozy alcoholic version of the shamrock shake, or a fruity shamrock protein shake.

Different ingredients such as banana, peppermint extract, vanilla extract, and gel food coloring can be used for a shamrock shake. For garnish, chocolate syrup, sprinkles, and cherries can also be used.

Shamrock Shake 

For this copycat shamrock shake recipe, I made this milkshake with vanilla bean ice cream, oat plant-based milk, mint extract, and green food coloring, then topped it with whipped cream topping. The vanilla bean ice cream provides a stronger vanilla flavor to this shake. I opted for dairy-free milk and used oat milk that helps give the milkshake a mild flavor and creamy texture. Mint extract provides the milkshake its bold mint flavor. Other people use peppermint and other extracts, but it's best to opt for mint extract, as this gives the shake its strong, bold flavor. The green food coloring gives it its green hue. Like McDonald’s shake, I topped this shake with whipped cream topping. This is an optional topping that can be added or not.

Shamrock Shake Ingredients 

Ice Cream: (Vanilla Bean Ice Cream) The base ingredient for a shamrock milkshake. Sweet vanilla-flavored ice cream with a rich and creamy texture and vanilla bean seeds. Alternative: any type of vanilla ice cream. 

Milk: (Oat Plant-Based Milk) Mild and lightly sweet oat milk flavor that is smooth and lightly creamy. Alternative: whole, skim, or any other type of non-dairy milk.  

Mint Extract: A bold, refreshing, cool mint flavor that adds a burst of minty flavor to this milkshake. Alternative: peppermint extract.  

Food Coloring: (Green Food Coloring) An essential ingredient that adds the green color to this milkshake. Alternative: mint-flavored green syrup. 

Whipped Cream Topping: This topping adds a nice, airy, and light yet sweet and creamy texture. 

Shamrock Shake Instructions 

1. In a blender, add the ice cream, milk, mint extract, and drops of green food coloring. 
2. Blend until smooth. 

Add a whipped cream topping. (Optional topping) 

Storage 

A Shamrock Shake is best consumed when freshly made. The milkshake may become less thick in consistency. It is also recommended to not store Shamrock Shake with toppings, including whipped cream. The taste and texture may change, which may result in a less satisfying milkshake to enjoy. However, the shake can still be stored in the refrigerator. Store the Shamrock Shake in an airtight container. The shake can also be stored in the freezer for longer storage. Store the Shamrock Shake in an airtight container, freezer-safe container, or freezer bag. 

Thoughts 

The Shamrock Shake is a flavorful and savory milkshake to enjoy. The burst of the mint flavor and the blend of the creamy ice cream and milk is a tasty combination. This shake is a great milkshake that can be ordered at McDonald's or made at home with the desired ingredients. I opted to use common Shamrock milkshake ingredients that are commonly used to make this shake. The combination of vanilla bean ice cream, oat milk, and mint extract topped with whipped cream topping is a filling and delightful milkshake to savor for Saint Patrick’s Day. 

Recipe 

Ingredients 

• 5 cups vanilla bean ice cream 
  
• 2 cups oat milk 
  
• 1 teaspoon mint extract 
  
• 15 drops green food coloring 
  
• Whipped cream topping 

Instructions 

Blender. In a blender, add the ice cream, milk, mint extract, and drops of green food coloring. Blend until smooth.  

Topping. Pour the Shamrock Shake into a cup. Add the whipped cream topping.