Make this easy homemade shamrock shake recipe this St. Patrick’s Day! A fun & frosty milkshake treat with a refreshing minty flavor.

Shamrock shake in a tall glass with whipped cream and a cherry on top.

Oh, my gosh, I am so happy right now.

It is March 11th and gorgeous. This never happens!

I used to always look forward to March because you know how that saying goes: “March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb.” It would always give me hope, that when I was desperately sick of winter I could look forward to the end of March because it would be warm and soft.

But the last few years it hasn’t been like that, so I was losing faith in the saying!

Until now. We aren’t even at mid-March yet but Spring seems to have already arrived. It’s glorious!

You know what else is great about March? St. Patrick’s Day.

I always get way into St. Patrick’s Day, partly because I’m Irish but also just because there are so many fun things you can do around this holiday. Like this authentic Irish soda bread, this Guinness chocolate cheesecake, or this Irish coffee creme brulee.

And how about the McDonald’s shamrock shake?

I mean, I know it’s kinda cheesy but I always look forward to it every year. It just makes March feel a little more special.

And with this shamrock shake recipe, you don’t even have to wait until March. You can enjoy that classic creamy, sweet and minty taste all year ’round, with just 4 simple ingredients!

What a great way to treat yourself. And so much fun to enjoy with kids or grandkids!

McDonald's shamrock shake copycat recipe prepared and served in a tall glass, with a text overlay above reading "Homemade Shamrock Shake."

WHAT IS A SHAMROCK SHAKE?

The shamrock shake is a seasonal treat that can be found at McDonald’s restaurants right around St. Patrick’s Day.

It’s a vanilla milkshake, spiked with cool mint and topped with whipped cream and a cherry.

The minty green color and wintry mint flavor are something that so many people look forward to all year long.

HOW TO MAKE A SHAMROCK SHAKE AT HOME

This is a really easy recipe that whips up in 5 minutes or less, with just a few simple ingredients.

Start by placing vanilla ice cream in a blender. You can use this no-churn ice cream recipe, this old-fashioned vanilla ice cream, or just grab some pre-made from the store.

To that, add a little milk, a splash of peppermint extract, and a drop of green food coloring.

Blend it all up until combined, then pour it into a tall glass.

Top it with sweetened whipped cream and a bright red maraschino cherry. Ta-dah! That’s all there is to it.

Shamrock shake recipe prepared and served in a glass with whipped cream, with a green plaid napkin in the background.

ARE SHAMROCK SHAKES VEGAN?

For the shamrock shake you see here, I used regular dairy milk and ice cream, but if you’re looking for a vegan or dairy-free option, you can just swap out for your favorite dairy-free ice cream and milk substitutes.

This recipe is, however, gluten-free and it’s also egg-free.

SHAMROCK SHAKE VARIATIONS

If you’re looking to jazz up your shamrock shake, here are a few fun ideas for things you can add in, to take it to the next level:

Shamrock shake served with whipped cream, a cherry, and a red striped straw.

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Shamrock shake in a tall glass with whipped cream and a cherry on top.
5 stars (3 ratings)

Shamrock Shake Recipe

Servings: 1 large serving
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
Make this easy homemade shamrock shake recipe this St. Patrick's Day! A fun & frosty milkshake treat with a refreshing minty flavor.

Ingredients

Instructions
 

  • Place the ice cream, milk, peppermint extract, and food coloring in a blender and mix until smooth.
  • Transfer the shamrock shake to a serving glass and garnish with sweetened whipped cream and a maraschino cherry, if desired.

Notes

Find the serving glasses I used here: Imperial Pint Glass.
Calories: 900kcal, Carbohydrates: 100g, Protein: 18g, Fat: 48g, Saturated Fat: 29g, Cholesterol: 186mg, Sodium: 369mg, Potassium: 949mg, Fiber: 3g, Sugar: 90g, Vitamin A: 1865IU, Vitamin C: 2mg, Calcium: 645mg, Iron: 1mg
Cuisine: American
Course: Dessert, Drinks, Snack
Tried this recipe?Mention @bakingamoment on Instagram or tag #bakingamoment.
Homemade Shamrock Shake

Homemade Shamrock Shake

Homemade Shamrock Shake

Author

  • Allie

    Allie is the creator and owner of Baking a Moment. She has been developing, photographing, videographing, and writing and sharing recipes here since 2012.