McDonald's Shamrock Shake Recipe (2024)

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We are going to learn a fun and easy recipe today that is sure to be a hit with your family. This McDonald’s Shamrock Shake Recipe is so delicious and really simple to make.

McDonald's Shamrock Shake Recipe (1)

Your kids will be thrilled to have this copycat version at home. Make it for just a fraction of the cost of whipping through the drive-thru at a local fast food restaurant.

This shake recipe is so simple and your kids will have a really special treat at home for St. Patrick’s Day. Just make sure you use mint extract to make this Shamrock Milkshake and not peppermint extract.

The mint extract and green food coloring is what gives this recipe all the flavor and festive St. Patty’s Day look.

Table of Contents

  • What is a Shamrock Shake?
  • Ingredients
  • Variation Ideas
  • Directions to Make McDonald’s Shamrock Shake
  • Recipe Tips
  • Serving Suggestions
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Try these other Fun Copycat Recipes
  • More St. Patrick’s Recipes
  • Shamrock Shake Recipe

What is a Shamrock Shake?

A shamrock shake is a shake that is offered by McDonald’s around St Patty’s day. It has been quite popular of the years and it is a fun way to celebrate this holiday.

My daughter loves shamrock shakes but, sadly, they are available only for a limited time so we could only enjoy them toward the end of February through the beginning of March.

However, why should we have to be limited by a timeframe. Now we can make these delicious shamrock shakes at home and you can enjoy this delicious mint shake any time of year.

Ingredients

McDonald's Shamrock Shake Recipe (2)

Scroll to the bottom for the full recipe and ingredients in the recipe card.

Variation Ideas

  • Oreo Shamrock Mcflurry – Add in Oreo Cookies for a delicious variations. We start with adding in 5 but feel to adjust the quantity.
  • Holiday Shake – For a delicious twist on this Shake, you can substitute the extract with peppermint and top with crushed peppermints.
  • Alcohol Shake – If you are looking for an adult drink version, add in baileys, vodka, menthe or whiskey.
  • Additions – This shake is delicious with a variety of additions. If you still want that green color, use spinach or matcha instead of green food coloring. You can also add in frozen banana.
  • Milk – We make this shake whole milk but you can substitute with coconut milk or almond milk. The texture might change some but it will still be delicious.

Directions to Make McDonald’s Shamrock Shake

I promise, this shake recipe is not complicated to make.

  • Step 1 – First add the vanilla ice cream, milk and mint extract to a blender. Then blend well to thoroughly combine the ice cream, milk, mint extract together.
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  • Step 2 – Then add a few drops of green coloring and blend well. This food coloring gives this shake the pretty green color so don’t skip this step.
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  • Step 3 – Next pour the shake into a glass and top with whipped cream and sprinkles. Enjoy!

Recipe Tips

  • Extract – When making this shake it is best to use mint extract instead of peppermint extract.
  • Food Coloring – We added in about 10 drops of green food coloring for that vibrant green color. Feel free to add what you prefer.
  • Blending Ingredients – To achieve the perfect creamy texture, we recommend using a Vitamix blender.
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Serving Suggestions

Shamrock shake is best served in a glass mug topped with whipped cream and a maraschino cherries. We have even topped it with sprinkles for a fun and festive treat.

McDonald's Shamrock Shake Recipe (6)

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I Make Ahead of Time?

Yes, this is the perfect shake to prepare and place in the freezer until ready to enjoy.

What does Shamrock Shake Taste Like?

The combination of vanilla ice cream and mint extract gives it that minty flavor.

Try these other Fun Copycat Recipes

  • Copycat Red Lobster Tartar Sauce
  • Little Caesar’s Crazy Bread Recipe
  • Copycat Panera Recipe Broccoli and Cheese Soup
  • Hot Chocolate Starbucks Copycat Recipe
  • Copycat Starbucks Passion Tea Lemonade

More St. Patrick’s Recipes

If you make this Shamrock Shake Recipe, please leave us a comment or a star review. We love hearing from you.

McDonald's Shamrock Shake Recipe (7)

Review

Pin Print

Shamrock Shake

4.85 from 13 votes

You can make Mcdonald’s Shamrock Shake Recipe at home! We love copycat recipes & this shamrock shake is so easy. This McDonalds milkshake will be a hit.

Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 1 minute min

Total Time 6 minutes mins

Servings 1

Cuisine American

Course Dessert

Calories 390

Author Carrie Barnard

Ingredients

  • 1 cup vanilla ice cream
  • 3/4 cup white milk
  • 1/2 teaspoon mint extract not peppermint
  • green food coloring
  • whipped cream
  • green sprinkles

Instructions

  • Add ice cream, milk and mint extract to blender and blend well.

  • Add food coloring and blend well.

  • Pour into a glass and top with whipped cream and sprinkles.

Recipe Notes

Enjoy this fun copy cat Shamrock Shake. Save money and make one of these at home!

Nutrition Facts

Calories 390kcal, Carbohydrates 40g, Protein 10g, Fat 20g, Saturated Fat 12g, Cholesterol 76mg, Sodium 184mg, Potassium 504mg, Sugar 37g, Vitamin A 850IU, Calcium 376mg

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About the Author

McDonald's Shamrock Shake Recipe (16)

Hi, I’m Carrie. Welcome to Eating on a Dime!

I’m on a mission to help you cook delicious meals without busting your budget. Together we are going to cook real food… for real families!

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McDonald's Shamrock Shake Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What are the ingredients in McDonald's Shamrock Shake? ›

The McDonald's Shamrock Shake is back for a limited time to celebrate the 50th anniversary of its invention. The mint-flavored shake is made up of vanilla ice cream, Shamrock Shake syrup, and whipped cream. A small Shamrock shake packs 460 calories and 63 grams of sugar.

What is the Shamrock Shake secret ingredient? ›

The two ingredients that make this holiday shake special are the mint extract and green food coloring. Make sure your extract says "mint" and not "peppermint". And if you don't care to have shakes that are green like the real ones, you can forego the food coloring.

What is Shamrock Shake syrup made of? ›

Shamrock Shake Syrup: High Fructose Corn Syrup, Corn Syrup, Water, Sugar, Natural Flavor, Xanthan Gum, Citric Acid, Sodium Benzoate (Preservative), Yellow 5, Blue 1.

What flavor mint is Shamrock Shake? ›

Mint extract: Plain mint extract uses spearmint, which is much milder than peppermint. Peppermint extract contains significantly more menthol, which gives it a more intense flavor. Traditional shamrock shakes use plain mint extract, but either will work.

How unhealthy is a Shamrock Shake? ›

Are Shamrock Shakes unhealthy? Yes, Shamrock Shakes are filled with added sugar and fake food coloring. A large Shamrock Shake from McDonald's contains over 100 grams of sugar.

What is the green stuff in Shamrock Shake? ›

Shamrock Shake Ingredients

Mint extract: Mint extract gives the shake its signature minty freshness. It packs a powerful punch, so use the extract sparingly. Food coloring: About nine drops of green food coloring will dye your milkshake a gorgeous emerald hue.

When did they change the Shamrock Shake recipe? ›

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? ›

The Shamrock Shake® was created in 1967 by Hal Rosen, a Connecticut McDonald's Owner and Operator who made the delicious, mint shake in celebration of St. Patrick's Day. It debuted nationally in 1970 and was an instant success across the country.

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.

Do Shamrock shakes from Mcdonald's have chocolate syrup? ›

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). If you are counting calories, a medium Shamrock Shake has 540 calories.

What are the ingredients in Mcdonald's milkshakes? ›

Milkshake Base

Ingredients: EITHER: Skimmed MILK, Sugar, Cream (MILK), Whey Powder (MILK), Glucose Syrup, Stabilisers (Guar Gum, Carrageenan, Carob Gum).

Why do Shamrock shakes taste different? ›

Quick recap of the Shamrock Shake

It was first introduced as a green shake flavored with mint syrup. It went through a journey of being lemon-lime flavored, to no flavor, to its current state of mint-flavored. It made the most sense to match the drink's color to mint.

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.

What flavor is Grimace Shake? ›

The Grimace Shake is a purple, berry-flavored milkshake. It is a combination of vanilla soft serve and berry flavors. The flavor was not disclosed by the company. Many also reported that they tasted other flavors like Fruity Pebbles or bubblegum.

What are the ingredients in McDonald's milkshakes? ›

Milkshake Base

Ingredients: EITHER: Skimmed MILK, Sugar, Cream (MILK), Whey Powder (MILK), Glucose Syrup, Stabilisers (Guar Gum, Carrageenan, Carob Gum).

Is the Shamrock Shake mint or vanilla? ›

It's Shamrock Shake time. The seasonal green mint-flavored milkshake is making its return to McDonalds restaurants across the country, including Indiana. Returning, as well, is an Oreo Shamrock McFlurry. And there's a charity component to the offering at some locations.

Is Shamrock Shake mint or pistachio? ›

The Shamrock Shake is a seasonal green mint flavored milkshake dessert sold at some McDonald's restaurants during March to celebrate St. Patrick's Day in the US, Canada and Ireland.

Does Shamrock Shake taste like mint ice cream? ›

You wait for them all year, and they always live up to my expectations. They also have some with Oreo in them and it tastes exactly like mint chocolate ice cream. It's so good! In my opinion I think the Shamrock Shake lives up to all of the hype.

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