You don't have to wait until St. Patrick's Day to prepare a mint milkshake, popularly known as a Shamrock Shake; you can make one at home any time of year!
Milkshakes will bring everybody to your yard! Bring out the mint flavoring and green coloring to make that vanilla shake even better. Or make them all day long on St. Patrick's Day to carry around for your something green, so you don't get pinched.
After we got these milkshakes years ago, we were sad they were only once a year, so I wanted to figure out how to make them anytime. One time we got it and there was almost no mint flavor and barely green at all. The next time was very minty and green. Ours has plenty of mint flavor and you can add more or less green coloring, depending on your desired color. Give it a try and let us know how you like it!
Try some of our other favorites, such as Spiked Hot Cocoa, Crock Pot Hot Chocolate, Crockpot Mulled Wine, or Spiked Hot Cider.
Jump to:
What do I need to make a Shamrock Shake at home?
- vanilla ice cream
- whole milk
- mint extract (not peppermint)
- green food coloring
- whipped cream
- maraschino cherries
- green sanding sugar
FAQs
A Shamrock Shake is a popular mint-flavored milkshake that is typically available at McDonald's during the St. Patrick's Day season. It is known for its distinctive green color and creamy, minty flavor.
Yes, you can make a Shamrock Shake without a blender by allowing the ice cream to soften slightly and whisking it together with the milk, mint extract, and food coloring until smooth. However, a blender will provide a smoother and creamier texture.
For a thicker shake: Add more ice cream and less milk.
For a thinner shake: Add more milk and less ice cream.
Yes, you can make a Shamrock Shake without food coloring. The shake will be white but will still have the same delicious mint flavor.
Top Tips
- To keep the flavor correct, you need to use Mint Extract and not Peppermint Extract. Peppermint is going to cause more of a candy cane flavor and not a Shamrock Shake.
- Use classic vanilla and not French vanilla or vanilla bean.
- You'll need a few more drops of food coloring if you want a darker shade of green. Gel food coloring is more concentrated and works great. For every 10 drops of food coloring, you only need 2-3 drops of food gel.
- Experiment with the ice cream-to-milk ratio to get the perfect thickness for your shake. If you like it thicker, add more ice cream, or more milk to thin it down.
How to make Shamrock Shakes
- In a blender, add ice cream, milk, mint extract, and green food coloring.
- Blend until smooth, then pour into glasses and top with whipped cream.
- If desired, add sanding sugar, maraschino cherries, and a straw. Drink and enjoy!
Homemade Shamrock Shake Recipe
Ingredients
- 3 cups vanilla ice cream
- 1 cup whole milk
- ¼ teaspoon mint extract (not peppermint)
- 4-6 drops green food coloring
- whipped cream
- maraschino cherries
- green sanding sugar
Instructions
- In a blender, add ice cream, milk, mint extract, and green food coloring.
- Blend until smooth, then pour into glasses and top with whipped cream.
- If desired, add sanding sugar, maraschino cherries, and a straw. Drink and enjoy!
Leave a Reply