Every year, McDonald’s offers its famous green Shamrock Shake around St. Patrick’s Day. This seasonal treat captivates audiences with its vibrant green color and refreshing minty flavor. Fortunately, this iconic shake is easy to make at home and can be customized to suit your taste.
Indulge in a Delicious Irish Shamrock Shake
As St. Patrick’s Day approaches, there’s no better way to celebrate than with a festive cold treat: the Irish Shamrock Shake! This creamy, minty indulgence is simple to make at home, and here is everything you need to know to whip up this delicious shake.
Ingredients You’ll Need for Shamrock Shake
Here are the ingredients to make Shamrock Shakes:
Vanilla ice cream: Use a premium vanilla ice cream or your favorite brand.
Milk: Use whole milk for this shake.
Vanilla Extract: Use good-quality vanilla.
Mint Extract: Use a “mint” extract instead of a peppermint extract. Tip: If you prefer a more intense mint flavor, add 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon of extra mint extract.
Green Food Coloring: Use gel or liquid food coloring. The green will give the base color to the shake.
Yellow Food Coloring: Add a drop or two of yellow food coloring to balance the blue color from the shake. Alternatively, use a food coloring that has been blended for a brighter green color.
Alcohol (optional): You can make a boozy Shamrock Shake by adding your favorite alcohol. Or add 2 ounces of any of the following: vodka, vanilla vodka, creme de menthe, Irish cream, or mint rum. If using a mint-flavored alcohol, use less mint extract. Taste, and then add more alcohol to suit your preference.
Garnishes: Add garnishes to your finished shake for a pretty presentation. Ideas include maraschino cherries, whipped cream, mint sprigs, or mint cookies.
Blending the Perfect Shamrock Shake
Creating your Shamrock Shake is easy with just a few steps. Add the vanilla ice cream, milk, vanilla extract, and mint extract to your blender.
Getting the Color Right
Add 10 drops of green food coloring and 1 to 2 drops of yellow to achieve that signature vibrant green color. For a slightly different tint, you can use more yellow food coloring. If you prefer a darker green, feel free to add more coloring!
McDonald’s uses Yellow No. 5 and Blue No. 1 to make its iconic green color. You can also use blue and yellow food coloring to create a green color, although using green instead of blue will give you a head start on coloring your shake.
Here is a source for bright green food coloring if you choose to use a premixed dye of green and yellow.
Blending Tips
Once the coloring is added, blend the shake. Here are a few key tips to remember:
- If your shake is too thick, add a little extra milk to reach your desired consistency.
- If you’re using a high-powered blender, blend at low to medium speed for a few seconds to prevent the ice cream from liquefying. For other blenders, blend for about 30 seconds.
Garnishing Your Shamrock Shake
No Shamrock Shake is complete without a delicious garnish, which is part of the fun of making one at home! Once your shake is blended to perfection, pour it into a glass and top with whipped cream and a maraschino cherry. For a fun touch, add a mint cookie alongside the whipped cream or a mint sprig for an extra refreshing aroma! Finally, top it with a colorful straw!
Other Recipes You Might Enjoy
Click on each name or photo to link to the recipe.
How to Make Shamrock Shakes at Home
Equipment
- blender
- 2 straws
Ingredients
- 3 cups premium vanilla ice cream
- 1 ¼ cups whole milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon mint extract
- green food coloring
- yellow food coloring
- whipped cream
- maraschino cherries
- other garnishes (optional) mint sprigs, mint cookies, chocolate mint candy patties
Instructions
- Add the ice cream, milk, vanilla, and mint extract to a blender. Add approximately 10 drops of green food coloring and 1-2 drops of yellow.
- Blend on low to medium until smooth. Serve immediately.
- Garnish with whipped cream and maraschino cherries. Add other garnishes if desired.