How to Make a Shamrock Shake

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Shamrock shakes are just the thing to whip up when you want something cold and minty. 

The best thing about this recipe is you don't have to wait for McDonald's to put it on their seasonal menu.  Since it's typically only available for 4 to 6 weeks at certain locations in the United States, Canada and Ireland, having this recipe can satisfy your shamrock shake cravings any day of the year.

Ingredients

What ingredients are in a McDonald's shamrock shake?

• Soft serve vanilla ice cream
• Shamrock shake syrup from McDonald's (with dyes and flavorings)
• Whipped cream
• Maraschino cherry

What are the ingredients in a copycat one?

• Vanilla ice cream
• Fresh mint leaves
• Mint Oreo cookie filling
• Whole milk
• Vanilla extract
• Green food coloring
• Half a banana (optional: for extra sweetness)

Questions

What does this milkshake taste like?

This shake tastes cold, creamy, and minty.  This recipe makes a thick shake, so if you like it thinner just add a bit more milk, or wait for the shake to melt a bit.

What are the calories for this drink?

One large glass, has 773 calories with 39.5 g of fat.  Okay, we all know milkshakes are a treat, so if you are counting calories have a smaller serving size.  Thanks to the fresh mint the vitamin A is quite high. For additional nutritional information, scroll past the recipe card.

How long can a shake last before it's unsafe to drink?

If it is above 40 degrees F for more than two hours, it might be wise to discard any leftovers.  Milkshakes melt fast, so the texture of the drink will change if it's not consumed quickly. 

If you know you won't be able to finish it, store it in the freezer if you're at home, or pour it into an insulated travel mug and place it in a cooler that has an ice pack or two if you're running errands around town.

What is the best way to clean a blender?

When you make this recipe, you'll be using a blender, so it's a good idea to know how to clean it.

• Pour in hot tap water and add some dish soap.  Be careful not to overfill!
• Put the lid on and blend, keeping your hand on the lid to prevent overflow.  The spinning cleans the blades and sides.
• Rinse with hot water and air dry.

Why This Recipe Works

I just love a thick, creamy shake!  Don't you?  And it's so easy to achieve.

• Use good-quality vanilla ice cream, plus whole milk, and you will have a winner every time.
• This shamrock shake recipe has double the mint, so that makes it twice as good.  The first dose is from the mint Oreos, and the second is from the mint leaves.
• You can customize the toppings: whipped cream, chocolate sauce, mini chocolate chips, crushed Oreos, green sprinkles, and a maraschino cherry.

How to Make

Gather all the ingredients for the milkshake and the garnishes.

• Start by stacking, rolling, and slicing the mint leaves on a cutting board.  Finish by chopping the mint a bit smaller. 
• Next, remove the mint filling from the Oreo cookies, and break them up into smaller pieces.  Reserve the cookie part for another use, like a topping, or just eat them.
• Put the ice cream in the blender.  Place the mint Oreo cookie filling on top.  Pour in ½ cup of whole milk. 
• If you want, add ½ of a banana.  It makes the shake naturally sweeter.  I left it out of the picture because I accidentally used the last banana up earlier that day.

Add the vanilla extract, a couple of drops of green food coloring, and the chopped mint leaves.

Put the lid on and blend until the desired thickness and color.  Add the extra ¼ cup of whole milk if the shake is too thick.

Pour the shake into two tall milkshake glasses.  Place the whipped cream in a piping bag and pip a big swirl on top.

Drizzle on the chocolate sauce, and add a maraschino cherry with a stem.

If desired, sprinkle on some mini chocolate chips or crushed Oreo bits and serve immediately or place in the freezer for up to 30 minutes.

Variations

• No vanilla ice cream?  Try mint chocolate chip or cookies and cream.
• Don't have fresh mint?  Swap it out with 1 teaspoon mint extract.
• Don't want the whipped cream?  Top with chopped Oreo cookies.
• Want to rim the glasses?  Use marshmallow fluff and green sprinkles.
• Want a fancier look?  Drizzle chocolate sauce in the glass.  Freeze to set the sauce, then pour in the shake.

Pro Tips

• Use high quality ice cream and whole milk for the richest tasting shakes.
• Chill the glasses ahead of time so the shakes stay thicker and colder longer.
• Want it thicker?  Use a little less milk.
• Entertaining?  Make a milkshake bar and put out bowls with different toppings for the guests to use.
• Need to make this ahead?  Place in the freezer for up to 30 minutes.
• Don't add the Oreo cookie to the milkshake, only the green filling, or it will look brownish and not green.

Recommended Tools

• Ice Cream Scoop: you'll be able to easily scoop your ice cream with this tool.
• Vitamix Blender: this is our favorite blender for its powerful motor and easy cleaning.
• Mint Oreos: this is the secret ingredient to this copycat shamrock shake.  Delicious!
• Handheld Mixer: this affordable gadget helps you whip cream quickly without a stand mixer.
• Piping Bag with Tips: these reusable silicone bags are eco-friendly and easy to clean.

Other St. Patrick's Day Desserts

• Grasshopper Pie
• Non Alcoholic Irish Coffee

The pleasure of a 5-star review would be greatly appreciated.

Recipe

How to Make a Shamrock Shake

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★★★★★

5 from 1 reviews

• Author: Brooke
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Total Time: 15 minutes
• Yield: 2 servings 1x

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Description

How to make a shamrock shake is an easy recipe that is perfect for kids.  This homemade version of McDonald’s famous St. Patrick’s Day shake is a no bake dessert full of fresh mint, Oreo cookies and vanilla ice cream.  This simple, tasty DIY shake is made for two and is so refreshing in the spring or a hot summer’s day.

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Ingredients

For the Milkshake

• 8 scoops vanilla ice cream
• 10 mint Oreo cookies, filling only
• ¾ cup whole milk
• ½ fresh or frozen banana (optional)
• ¼ teaspoon vanilla
• 6 large mint leaves, minced
• green gel food coloring

For the Garnish

• 1 cup heavy whipping cream (236 ml)
• 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
• drizzle of chocolate syrup
• sprinkle of mini chocolate chips (optional)
• 2 maraschino cherries with a stem

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Instructions

Making the Milkshake

1. Wash and pat dry the fresh mint.  Stack the leaves, roll them up, and slice into ribbons; then mince into smaller pieces.
2. Remove the filling from 10 Oreo cookies, and break the filling into smaller pieces.  (Keep the Oreo cookies for another use or break them up into small pieces to use as a topping.)
3. Put 8 scoops of vanilla ice cream, the Oreo filling, and ½ cup whole milk in the blender. Slice up half a banana and put it on top of the Oreos.  (This step is optional; it makes the shake naturally sweeter.)  Add the vanilla, chopped mint leaves, and the green food coloring.  Blend until the desired color and thickness.  If needed, add the extra ¼ cup of milk.
4. Pour the milkshake into two tall glasses.

Garnishing the Milkshake

1. Pour the cream and sugar into a bowl and whip to stiff peaks with an electric mixer.  Put the whipped cream in a piping bag fitted with a star tip.  Pipe the whipped cream slowly in concentric circles on top of the shake.
2. Top with the chocolate syrup, mini chocolate chips, and a maraschino cherry.  Serve immediately or put in the freezer for a few minutes so it doesn't melt.

Notes

• If you want the shakes stay thicker and colder longer, chill the glasses ahead of time in the freezer.
• Use a little less milk for a thicker shake.
• Increase your topping options.  Try mini chocolate chips, chocolate syrup, cherries with a stem, whipped cream, green or chocolate sprinkles, or crushed Oreos.
• The milkshakes can be placed in the freezer for up to 30 minutes if you want to make this ahead.
• Only add the green filling to the shake as the Oreo cookie will give the shake a brownish tint.

• Category: Beverage
• Method: Blender
• Cuisine: American

Keywords: St. Patrick's Day, milkshakes

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This post was originally published on March 1, 2018.