McDonald’s Shamrock Shake + Video

Our McDonald’s Shamrock Shake copycat recipe makes a perfectly creamy mint shake topped with homemade whipped cream and sprinkles for the best ever green dessert for St. Patrick’s Day! 

 

They’re only seasonally available at McDonald’s, but now with this easy recipe you can have one anytime. Simple and so delicious you may never have to buy one again!

We love copycat recipes! Especially frozen drinks like TGI Fridays Kahlua Mudslide, Patriotic Freakshake, and the Cafe Du Monde Frozen Cafe Au Lait (best coffee drink on the planet!)

McDonald’s Shamrock Shake

Every February for the last 20 years, Chad says: “Guess what is out?  Shamrock shakes at McDonald’s!!!”

Wearing the excited smile of a 6-year-old that just got his first bike, we head to the drive-thru and he orders the classic mint shake.

This ritual has occurred ever since I have known him. But over the last couple of years, the McDonald’s shamrock shake has not been as impressive as it used to be.

Who knows why? Maybe the formula has changed, or maybe our taste buds are changing.

Whatever the reason – I decided to make a copycat version, and I honestly think it tastes even better than the classic McDonald’s milkshake!!

Shamrock Shake Ingredients

With good quality ingredients, you can make a shake that will put McD’s to shame!!! 

• Vanilla ice cream – Don’t skimp on the quality! The key making to a good milkshake requires real vanilla ice cream, made with full fat dairy products.
  
  I use homemade vanilla bean ice cream to give the shamrock shake its creamy consistency.
  
• Whole milk – You can substitute 2% milk if that is all you have, but I don’t recommend using fat free.
  
• Mint extract – You want to be sure to use mint extract. Peppermint extract is pure peppermint, which has a higher menthol content.
  
  Mint extract is a combination of peppermint and spearmint, so the flavor is completely different.

This creamy and dreamy McDonald’s shamrock shake is amazingly thick and oh, so delicious!!! 

Recipe Tips

1. Food color – You can use gel food coloring (my fav) if you have it, or liquid drops will work just fine.
   
2. Add the milk slowly as you blend the milkshake. This way, you can create the exact consistency that you like!!
   
3. Use high quality ingredients. For a creamy and thick McDonald’s shamrock shake, use the richest ice cream you can buy.
   
   Remember, the creamier the ice cream, the creamier the shake.

Supplies for Making a McDonald’s Shamrock Shake

• Blender – You can use any blender, but I absolutely love this one! I use it for ice cream, smoothies, soups, my tomato sauce and naturally this milk shake.
  
• Green Food Coloring – Either gel or liquid.
  
• Mint Extract – Remember, peppermint is for red/pink treats – it has the flavor of candy canes.
  
  Mint is for green desserts like mint chocolate chip cookie dough dip, and drinks like mojitos.

Enjoy!
With love, from our simple kitchen to yours. 

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Other Recipes Inspired by McDonalds

McDonald’s Shamrock Shake + Video

Donna Elick

Our McDonald’s Shamrock Shake copycat recipe makes a creamy mint shake with whipped cream and sprinkles. An easy green dessert in minutes!

5 stars from 4 reviews

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Tried this recipe?Please comment and review!

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Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Total Time 5 minutes mins

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Method Blender

Servings 4

Equipment

• blender
• green sprinkles
• green food coloring

Ingredients

 

1x2x3x

• ▢ 6 cups vanilla ice cream
• ▢ 1 1/2 cups whole milk
• ▢ 1 1/2 teaspoons pure mint extract, or to taste
• ▢ 15 drops green food coloring
• ▢ 1 cup heavy whipping cream
• ▢ 1 tablespoon powdered sugar
• ▢ green sprinkles, for garnish

Instructions

 

• Put ice cream and milk in a blender with half of the green food coloring and mint extract. Blend well, then add additional flavor and color as desired. (15 drops of food coloring and 1 1/2 teaspoons mint extract was perfect for us.)
• Pour 1 cup of heavy whipping cream into a tall bowl and use an electric mixer with a whisk attachment to whip until soft peaks begin to form. Add 1 tablespoon powdered sugar and whip until stiff peaks form.
• Divide the milkshake into 4 glasses, topping each with 1/4 of the whipped cream. Garnish with sprinkles and a straw, serve and enjoy!

Video

Nutrition

Serving: 16ounces | Calories: 679cal | Carbohydrates: 55g | Protein: 12g | Fat: 46g | Saturated Fat: 29g | Cholesterol: 165mg | Sodium: 209mg | Sugar: 50g | Fiber: 1g | Calcium: 405mg | Iron: 1mg

All nutritional information is based on third party calculations and is only an estimate. Each recipe’s nutritional value will vary depending on the ingredients used, measuring methods, and portion sizes.

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Originally published March 2013, updated and republished February 2020

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