Shamrock Shake Recipe - Three Kids and a Fish (2024)

A thick, creamy, minty Shamrock Shake just like McDonalad’s! Make it at home any time of day!

Every year at this time we eagerly anticipate the McDonald’s shamrock shake! We find ourselves craving them and we anticipate our next trip to get one! It’s this thick, creamy, slightly minty shake that has us going through the McDonald’s drive thru again and again!

While being snowed in we decided to create our own sweet, minty shamrock shake! After a couple of tweaks we perfected this ice cream amazingness! This shamrock shake is one milkshake worth getting brain freeze for!Now that we have created our own shamrock shake we can save a little money and we can enjoy these sweet shakes whenever we get a craving for one!

Shamrock Shake Recipe

Prep time: 5 mins

Total time: 5 mins

Serves: 2 shakes

Ingredients

3 cups of vanilla ice cream
1 1/4 cups whole milk
1 teaspoon peppermint extract
5 drops of green food coloring
sprinkles-optional
For the whipped cream:
1 cup of heavy cream
2 Tablespoons granulated sugar

Instructions

In a blender put the ice cream, milk, peppermint extract, and green food coloring.
Blend until smooth.
In a large bowl whip together the heavy cream and sugar until thick whipped cream forms.
Place shake mixture in a chilled mug, top with whipped cream and sprinkles.
Enjoy!

Notes

Makes 2-16 ounce shakes[br]For a lower fat options use low fat milk and ice cream. The shake will be a little thinner.[br]For an all natural option leave out the food coloring.

{Shamrock Shake Straw Toppers}

{St.Patrick’s Day Recipes}

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Comments

Grammie says
February 18, 2015 at 12:19 am
Man, those look so yummy! My husband would love that peanut butter ripple. Very tempting.
- CathyM says
  February 21, 2015 at 5:34 pm
  🙂 I can not get enough of the pb chocolate combo although this shamrock shake come pretty close! Thanks so much for checking this recipe out!
~Seth and Nancy~ says
February 18, 2015 at 1:54 am
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love the festive sprinkles! very cute
- CathyM says
  February 21, 2015 at 5:35 pm
  Hey there friend, hope that you are great! Thanks for saying hello! Miss you! 🙂
Elisa B says
February 18, 2015 at 2:47 am
Oh yummm! The shamrock shake looks so amazing!!!!!
- CathyM says
  February 21, 2015 at 5:36 pm
  Thanks my sweet friend! Maybe a recipe for our next GNO! 🙂
Christine from So Domestically Challenged says
February 18, 2015 at 5:19 am
Ooh! This would certainly make my shamrock shakeaholic super excited! Thanks so much!
- CathyM says
  February 21, 2015 at 5:37 pm
  Yes, I agree! Imagine a shamrock shake anytime!! My kids are loving it! 🙂 Thanks so much Christine for stopping by!
Natalie McNamara says
February 18, 2015 at 6:01 pm
My kid swill love these. In Australia we have never had a shamrock shake, not so lucky here.
- CathyM says
  February 21, 2015 at 5:38 pm
  Hi Natalie! Oh my goodness, sounds like it's time to introduce Australia to this sweet minty shake! 🙂 I think it would be a big hit! Thanks for checking out this milkshake!
Maren Hall Arnold says
February 18, 2015 at 6:08 pm
Yum! I first had a Shamrock milkshake on a roadtrip in Florida. This at home version looks delicious and your photos are beautiful!
- CathyM says
  February 21, 2015 at 5:40 pm
  Thanks so much Maren for checking out the homemade version! My first shamrock shake was brought to me by a friend who insisted my life wasn't going to be the same after a sip,he was right! 🙂
Diana Hansen says
February 19, 2015 at 2:54 am
Oh yes! YUM!
- CathyM says
  February 21, 2015 at 5:40 pm
  Thanks Diana for taking the time to check this shake out! 🙂
Ileana @ Illy Who says
February 19, 2015 at 5:44 am
I'm so excited for this recipe!!! Pinning it and trying it as soon as I pick up some peppermint extract.
- CathyM says
  February 21, 2015 at 5:41 pm
  Whoo Hoo, thanks so much Liena for stopping by and pinning! This is one milkshake worth getting excited for! 🙂
  See Also
  Easy 3 Ingredient Dinner Recipes - Delicious Meals Fast!
elaine @cookinandcraftin.com says
February 20, 2015 at 12:22 am
Yummy Yummy!! I would love for you to share them On My 2 Favorite Things on Thursday – Link Party, it's going on now!! I would love to have you!!
http://www.cookinandcraftin.com/my-2-favorite-things-on-thursday-link-party7/
- CathyM says
  February 21, 2015 at 5:42 pm
  Thanks so much Elaine for stopping over and checking out this recipe! I'll stop right over, thanks so much for the invitation!
Teri says
February 21, 2015 at 2:48 am
I love, love, love these milkshakes! Your recipe looks amazing and I can't wait to have one! Love the sprinkles! I would love if you would share this at "Celebrate It!" blog party! It's all about how we celebrate the everyday moments of life! I hope you will stop by!
http://thefreshmancook.blogspot.com/2015/02/celebrate-it-blog-party_19.html
- CathyM says
  February 21, 2015 at 5:47 pm
  Thank so much Teri for your sweet words! I can't wait to make this milkshake again later today! Thanks so much for the invitation to be apart of your party, I'll be right over! 🙂
Jennie @ Little Girl Designs says
February 21, 2015 at 2:15 pm
I love this–this shake brought back so many memories of sitting in the McDonald's drivethru…:) Would you mind if I included this post in a St. Patrick's Day roundup? I would use one picture for a collage and then show that same picture in the article with a direct link back to you. (Sorry to ask this in your comments section; I couldn't find your email! :/) You can let me know at jennie (at) littlegirldesigns (dot) com. Thanks so much, Cathy!
- CathyM says
  February 21, 2015 at 5:50 pm
  Hi Jennie! Yes, same here tons of memories at the McDonald's drive thru :-), good times! I would love for you to include this in a St. Patrick's Day Roundup! Thank for asking! I'll email you now just in case you don't see my reply here! 🙂
2justByou says
February 22, 2015 at 6:05 am
My kids would LOVE this shake! Pinning. =0)
- CathyM says
  February 23, 2015 at 2:38 am
  Yes, it is a great shake! Thank you so much for stopping by and for pinning, I really appreciate it! 🙂
Susan@Organized31 says
February 23, 2015 at 5:46 pm
My husband introduced my kids to the joy of shamrock shakes. Now I can pull off a cool mom trick by whipping them up at thome. Thanks for sharing at the This Is How We Roll Link Party on Organized 31.
- CathyM says
  February 28, 2015 at 4:10 am
  Thanks so much Susan for checking out this recipe! I agree, this is a cool Mom trick! 🙂
Miz Helen says
February 23, 2015 at 6:01 pm
A great shake for the season! Hope you are having a great week and thanks so much for sharing your post with Full Plate Thursday.
Come Back Soon!
Miz Helen
- CathyM says
  February 28, 2015 at 4:11 am
  Thanks so much Miz Helen for stopping by and checking out this shake! Have a great weekend! 🙂
Kimberly Lewis says
February 23, 2015 at 7:55 pm
Hello cute lady! I’m stopping by to let you know that Cassie has chosen your post as her favorite for our party tonight at 7 pm., and will be featured! Woo Hoo! We hope to see you tonight. Happy Monday! Lou Lou Girls
- CathyM says
  February 28, 2015 at 4:12 am
  Hey there Kim! Thanks so much for stopping over to check out this shake! Have a great weekend!
Brittany Bush says
February 24, 2015 at 2:27 am
I must be the only one who's never had a McDonald's Shamrock Shake! But now I can just make one at home! Thanks for the recipe & for linking up at the #HomeMattersParty – we hope to see you again next week 🙂
- CathyM says
  February 28, 2015 at 4:13 am
  Thanks Brittany for stopping by to check out this shake! OOOH, you absolutely have to try one! If you like vanilla with a touch of mint then this is the shake for you! 🙂
Jennifer Dawn Oliver Shelton says
February 25, 2015 at 4:25 pm
This looks so yummy and festive! Thanks for sharing!
- CathyM says
  February 28, 2015 at 4:14 am
  Thanks so much Jennifer! Green is my favorite color and I love all the festive things for the month of March! The more green the better! 🙂
elaine @cookinandcraftin.com says
February 26, 2015 at 2:34 am
Super yummy!! Thanks for sharing on My 2 Favorite Things on Thursday!! Hope you come back tomorrow and share some more stuff!! Pinned!!
http://www.cookinandcraftin.com/my-2-favorite-things-on-thursday-link-party8/
- CathyM says
  February 28, 2015 at 4:15 am
  Thanks so much Elaine for taking the time to check out this shake!
Stacy says
February 22, 2016 at 2:23 pm
Hi! I just came across this post on Facebook and can’t wait to try it. I just went and bought the peppermint extract, however, I read some reviews on other sites that people were saying the peppermint is too strong and not the right flavor, and that you really need Creme De Menthe- have you heard this? Do you think the shake with the peppermint is close to the right taste? Just curious what your experience is with this.
Thank you so much!!!
- Stacy says
  February 22, 2016 at 2:40 pm
  Oops, I mean I found your site on Pinterest not Facebook. 🙂
  - CathyM says
    February 22, 2016 at 3:49 pm
    🙂 Yay!!
- CathyM says
  February 22, 2016 at 3:49 pm
  Hi Stacy!! 🙂 Thanks so much for taking the time to stop over and check out this Shamrock Shake recipe!! This is one of our absolute favorites!! I have not heard that! I do agree that peppermint can be quite strong in comparison to Creme De Menthe. I find the peppermint easy to use & find in the store, and it’s not overly expensive! To be on the safe side start with a little peppermint extract and then work your way up until you find the ‘just right for you’ flavor!! I do think that the peppermint gives it just the right taste and it saves us from having to go to the drive through! 🙂 Best Wishes to you in trying out this recipe! I would love to hear how it works out for you! 🙂
Janet Fazio says
March 2, 2016 at 2:03 pm
I haven’t had a Shamrock Shake in years. I can’t imagine they are as good as I remember, but your version sounds fabulous.
- CathyM says
  March 2, 2016 at 7:31 pm
  Thanks Janet! Oh they are so good! I love green and milkshakes! 🙂

Shamrock Shake Recipe - Three Kids and a Fish (2024)

FAQs

What are the ingredients in the Shamrock Shake? ›

What's in the classic Shamrock Shake? According to the McDonald's website, the Shamrock shake consists of three parts: vanilla reduced fat ice cream, Shamrock Shake syrup, and whipped light cream.

See Details ›

What is the secret code for the Shamrock Shake? ›

According to the fast food chain, the secret ingredient in the Shamrock Shake is #cbf2ac, which is the hex code that gives the treat its minty green color.

Get More Info Here ›

How unhealthy is a Shamrock Shake? ›

But now, as at least a somewhat more responsible adult, it's hard to enjoy the treat knowing just how unhealthy it really is. In a small Shamrock Shake from McDonald's, there are 500 calories, 14 grams of fat, 82 grams of carbs and 63 grams of sugar. That's just a small.

Did the Shamrock Shake recipe change? ›

Initially, the shake was lemon/lime flavored with vanilla ice cream, lemon/lime sherbet, and vanilla syrup. By 1973, the shake was merely a green colored vanilla shake, eliminating the lemon/lime sherbet. It is now mint flavored.

What was the original Shamrock Shake? ›

To give you a little backstory, the Shamrock Shake was initially introduced in 1970, and it was originally called the "St. Patrick's Day Shake." It consisted of a vanilla milkshake, blended with lemon-lime sherbet, and TBH, it sounded a little nasty.

Read The Full Story ›

What is the green stuff in Shamrock Shake? ›

The only thing making this concoction — a “smooth and creamy mint-flavored shake,” according to McDonald's — green is the combination of two artificial food dyes known as Yellow 5 and Blue 1.

Get More Info Here ›

Are shamrock shakes just vanilla? ›

The shake, made from vanilla soft serve and minty syrup, first debuted at U.S. McDonald's locations in 1970.

See Details ›

Is Shamrock Shake vanilla? ›

What is the Shamrock Shake and Oreo Shamrock McFlurry? Introduced in 1970, the Shamrock Shake is made with vanilla soft-serve ice cream, artificially flavored minty green syrup and whipped topping (about $3-$4 depending on size).

Was Shamrock Shake always minty? ›

But, according to Vox, the Shamrock Shake wasn't always the minty, creamy concoction so many know and love today. There are accounts of the shake using lemon-lime sherbet, having a plain vanilla flavor accompanied by green food coloring and finally, becoming the mint-flavored drink we know today in 1983."

Learn More Now ›

What is a fun fact about Shamrock Shake? ›

As the story goes, Rosen debuted his Shamrock Shake at a location in Enfield, Connecticut, before sharing the idea with other local franchises. Upon its national debut in 1970, it was “an instant success,” according to McDonald's. Its sales are even credited with funding the very first Ronald McDonald House in 1974.

Read On ›

What is the green milkshake at McDonald's? ›

That drink debuted in February 2020 in honor of the Shamrock Shake's 50th anniversary. Introduced in 1970, the Shamrock Shake is made with vanilla soft-serve ice cream, artificially flavored minty green syrup and whipped topping (about $3-$4 depending on size).

Get More Info Here ›

Did McDonald's change their shake recipe? ›

In the past, McDonald's milkshakes were made with real ice cream, which gave them a creamy texture and rich flavor. However, in recent years, McDonald's has shifted to using a pre-made mix to make their milkshakes.

What is the Shamrock Shake flavor 2024? ›

Smooth vanilla soft serve, fluorescent mint syrup, a fluffy swirl of sweet whipped cream... That's right folks — McDonald's iconic Shamrock Shake is back for the season.

Get More Info ›

What flavor is grimace shake? ›

The Grimace Shake was a berry-flavored milkshake sold at McDonald's restaurants in the United States from June 12 to July 9, 2023. The Grimace shake celebrated the 52nd birthday of Grimace, the purple milkshake-loving character from McDonaldland.

Why does my Shamrock Shake taste like lime? ›

Initially, when it was introduced in 1970, it was a lemon/lime-flavored shake made with vanilla ice cream, lemon/lime sherbet, and vanilla syrup [1]. However, by 1973, the shake had transitioned into a green-colored vanilla shake, eliminating the lemon/lime sherbet [1].

Show Me More ›

What flavor is the Shamrock Shake supposed to be? ›

(NEXSTAR) – Being one of the few green things on the McDonald's menu, it's always a notable event when the Shamrock Shake makes its annual appearance. The shake, made from vanilla soft serve and minty syrup, first debuted at U.S. McDonald's locations in 1970.

Learn More Now ›

Are Shamrock shakes made with dairy? ›

Shamrock shake season is here! While traditional versions of this green, mint-flavored shake contain dairy milk from sensitive mother cows, the 10 spots listed below serve copycats of the sweet treat without exploiting animals.

Are Shamrock shakes just vanilla? ›

The shake, made from vanilla soft serve and minty syrup, first debuted at U.S. McDonald's locations in 1970.

View Details ›

Why does the Shamrock Shake taste different? ›

It's a vanilla shake with mint syrup mixed in, making it taste like a minty vanilla shake. This is what happens when you use vanilla as a base — we learned this the hard way with Wendy's strawberry and peppermint Frosty releases.