Homemade Shamrock Shake
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Skip the drive-through and make your own Shamrock Shake at home. This easy recipe captures everything you love about the seasonal classic with just a handful of ingredients. If you’re looking for an everyday version, my Shamrock smoothie is here for that, too.
MY FORMER MARCH RITUAL MADE AT HOME
For years while I worked outside of my home, the Shamrock Shake was a March ritual for me. There was a McDonald’s right on my way home from work, and while I wasn’t exactly a regular, the second those shakes hit the menu, I made it a point to stop in a handful of times before they disappeared for another year. It was one of those small, seasonal things I genuinely looked forward to.
When I left my job to work for myself full time, eating out became pretty much a thing of the past. Not by any strict rule, it just happened naturally. When you’re home all day and your kitchen is already stocked with baking ingredients, it’s almost always easier (and more fun) to make whatever you’re craving from scratch (enter things like Starbucks egg bites and pumpkin cream cold brew with cold foam). So when the first self-employed March rolled around and that minty craving hit, I started making my own.
Turns out, it’s incredibly simple to do this at home. We’re talking a few ingredients, a blender, and about 5-10 minutes of your time.
THE RECIPE SPEAKS FOR ITSELF
To be perfectly honest, this post is really just a place to land when you want to recreate the shake at home and need a quick reference for ingredients and amounts, because even the simplest recipes are easier when someone’s already written it down.
No shame in following a recipe for something with four ingredients. I do it, too!
If you’re looking for something a little more flexible for everyday life, my Shamrock smoothie has been on the site since 2015 and gets a lot of love every March from people who want that same minty, creamy fix in a version that fits more easily into their regular routine.
But here? We’re going all in on the shake. Don’t forget some homemade whipped cream, the iconic maraschino cherry, and some festive sprinkles or mini chocolate chips to top it off!
Homemade Shamrock Shake Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup (132g) vanilla ice cream1
- ⅓ cup (80mL) whole milk2
- 3 to 4 drops green food coloring
- ⅕ teaspoon peppermint extract
Instructions
- Set your ice cream out to soften for about 5-10 minutes so it's easier to scoop and blend.
- Once soft enough, add the ice cream to a blender followed by the whole milk, green food coloring, and peppermint extract.1 cup (132g) vanilla ice cream1, ⅓ cup (80mL) whole milk2, 3 to 4 drops green food coloring, ⅕ teaspoon peppermint extract
- Blend the shake on low until the ice cream and milk start to come together, then increase the speed to high and blend until smooth. If necessary, stop the blender to scrape down the sides or break up any chunks of ice cream.
- Taste the shake and add more milk or ice cream to achieve the consistency you like. If you think it needs more peppermint flavor add one drop at a time as a little goes a long way.
- Top your shake with homemade whipped cream3, a cherry, sprinkles, chocolate, or whatever you prefer. Enjoy immediately. Store leftovers covered tightly in the freezer up to 2 months. Allow to thaw for 20-30 minutes in the refrigerator before enjoying.
Notes
- Vanilla ice cream: be sure you’re using high quality ice cream for the best flavor and texture. You can use any non-dairy ice cream you like in place of dairy ice cream.
- Whole milk: this will give you the best texture and flavor, but any fat content of milk is fine. You can also use a non-dairy milk if you prefer.
- Topping: I like to top my Shamrock Shake with homemade whipped cream and a maraschino cherry for authenticity. Feel free to omit or go wild with your own toppings! Mini chocolate chips, chocolate shavings, and seasonal sprinkles are also recommended.
Nutrition Disclosure
All nutritional values are approximate and provided to the reader as a courtesy. Changing ingredients and/or quantities will alter the estimated nutritional calculations.