I was inspired by a love for delicious desserts to experiment with vibrant flavors this St. Patrick’s Day. Using creamy vanilla ice cream, whole milk, and a hint of mint extract enhanced by green food coloring, I created a refreshing Shamrock Shake Recipe perfect for a fun and festive family treat.

I never thought I’d find a minty treat that can give McDonald’s Shamrock Shake a run for its money, but here we are. I made this copycat recipe using just a handful of ingredients that you likely already have.
You’ll need 2 cups vanilla ice cream, 1/2 cup whole milk and a 1/2 teaspoon of that mint extract that brings out the real minty hit. Adding a couple of drops of green food coloring makes the shake look as epic as it tastes, and a tablespoon of granulated sugar just ties it all together.
I was always curious how to make shamrock shakes at home so I decided to give this a try for St. Patrick’s Day.
It turned out to be the perfect mint milkshake recipe for a fun family dessert. Even if you prefer dairy free versions, this shake is a wild ride of flavors you dont wanna miss.
Enjoy the experiment!
Why I Like this Recipe
I like this recipe because:
1. I love how refreshing and minty it is, which instantly perks me up.
2. I really appreciate that it only takes 5 simple ingredients to make such a cool treat.
3. I enjoy that it has the perfect balance of sweetness and mint flavor that reminds me of fun times.
4. I like that it’s super quick to blend up so I can enjoy it whenever I feel like a treat.
I recently tried making a copycat version of McDonalds Shamrock Shake and i have to say, it turned out even better than the original. Its kinda amazing how with only 5 ingredients, i can whip up a delicious mint milkshake right at home. Its perfect for St. Patricks Day, or really any day i just want something refreshing. The whole process is simple enough and it always leaves me with a smile on my face even if i mess up the measurements a little bit sometimes.
Ingredients

- Vanilla ice cream forms a creamy base, offering sweetness with rich carbohydrates and fats.
- Its smooth texture makes the shake real velvety and so indulgent for a delight treat.
- Whole milk boosts protein and calcium levels while lightening the thick shake consistency.
- Mint extract injects a bright, refreshing flavor that lifts the overall taste profile.
- Green food coloring provides a fun, eye catching hue without altering nutritional benefits.
- Granulated sugar boosts the shake
Ingredient Quantities
- 2 cups vanilla ice cream
- 1/2 cup whole milk
- 1/2 teaspoon mint extract
- 1 to 2 drops green food coloring
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
How to Make this
1. First, gather all of your ingredients so nothing is left behind.
2. Put the 2 cups of vanilla ice cream in your blender.
3. Pour in 1/2 cup of whole milk over the ice cream.
4. Add 1/2 teaspoon of mint extract to give it that refreshing flavor.
5. Sprinkle in 1 tablespoon of granulated sugar for a touch of sweetness.
6. Carefully add 1 to 2 drops of green food coloring until you get the perfect shade.
7. Blend everything together until the mix is completely smooth.
8. Taste it and if you feel like it needs a tad more minty kick, you can add a little extra mint extract next time.
9. Pour your shake into a glass and serve it right away for the best flavor.Equipment Needed
1. Blender – to mix all the ingredients till its completely smooth
2. Measuring cups – to properly measure 2 cups of ice cream and 1/2 cup of milk
3. Measuring spoons – to measure out the mint extract and the sugar
4. Dropper – for adding 1 or 2 drops of green food coloring precisely
5. Serving glass – to pour the shake in and enjoy immediately
6. Spatula – to scrape down any ingredients stuck to the blender jar when neededFAQ
Shamrock Shake Recipe Substitutions and Variations
- For the vanilla ice cream, you can try using frozen yogurt or a vanilla frozen custard if you’re looking for a slightly tangier taste
- If you dont have whole milk, almond milk or even coconut milk works pretty well and adds a subtle twist
- Instead of mint extract, you can use a tiny bit of peppermint extract but use a little less since its generally stronger
- In place of the green food coloring, you might add a pinch of matcha powder or a few drops of spirulina extract for a more natural vibe
- For the granulated sugar, a splash of honey or agave syrup does the trick but remember to cut down a little on the amount since they are sweeter
Pro Tips
1. Try pre-chilling your glass in the fridge for about ten minutes before pouring your shake in—this way it stays colder longer.
2. Start with even less mint extract if you’re unsure about the taste; you can always add a tiny bit more after tasting so you don’t end up with an overpowering flavor.
3. If your blender isn’t that powerful, blend for a bit then stop and stir to help mix things evenly, then blend again until it’s all smooth.
4. Taste your shake before serving; if you feel like it needs more sweetness or a stronger mint kick, don’t be afraid to adjust the sugar or mint extract a little.
Shamrock Shake Recipe
I was inspired by a love for delicious desserts to experiment with vibrant flavors this St. Patrick's Day. Using creamy vanilla ice cream, whole milk, and a hint of mint extract enhanced by green food coloring, I created a refreshing Shamrock Shake Recipe perfect for a fun and festive family treat.
Servings2
servings
Calories477
kcal
Equipment: 1. Blender – to mix all the ingredients till its completely smooth
2. Measuring cups – to properly measure 2 cups of ice cream and 1/2 cup of milk
3. Measuring spoons – to measure out the mint extract and the sugar
4. Dropper – for adding 1 or 2 drops of green food coloring precisely
5. Serving glass – to pour the shake in and enjoy immediately
6. Spatula – to scrape down any ingredients stuck to the blender jar when neededIngredients
-
2 cups vanilla ice cream
-
1/2 cup whole milk
-
1/2 teaspoon mint extract
-
1 to 2 drops green food coloring
-
1 tablespoon granulated sugar
Directions
- First, gather all of your ingredients so nothing is left behind.
- Put the 2 cups of vanilla ice cream in your blender.
- Pour in 1/2 cup of whole milk over the ice cream.
- Add 1/2 teaspoon of mint extract to give it that refreshing flavor.
- Sprinkle in 1 tablespoon of granulated sugar for a touch of sweetness.
- Carefully add 1 to 2 drops of green food coloring until you get the perfect shade.
- Blend everything together until the mix is completely smooth.
- Taste it and if you feel like it needs a tad more minty kick, you can add a little extra mint extract next time.
- Pour your shake into a glass and serve it right away for the best flavor.
Notes
- Below you’ll find my best estimate of this recipe’s nutrition facts. Treat the numbers as a guide rather than a rule—great food should nourish both body and spirit. Figures are approximate, and the website owner assumes no liability for any inaccuracies in this recipe.
Nutrition Facts
- Serving Size: 188g
- Total number of serves: 2
- Calories: 477kcal
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0.25g
- Polyunsaturated: 0.5g
- Monounsaturated: 1g
- Cholesterol: 145mg
- Sodium: 180mg
- Potassium: 400mg
- Carbohydrates: 52g
- Fiber: 0g
- Sugar: 52g
- Protein: 12g
- Vitamin A: 350IU
- Vitamin C: 0.5mg
- Calcium: 300mg
- Iron: 0.25mg









