McDonald’s Shamrock shake is the ultimate refreshing treat, instantly transporting most of us to a St. Patrick’s Day celebration! Regardless of whether it is St.Patrick’s Day, you can enjoy this minty treat at home with this simple McDonald’s Shamrock Shake recipe!
Although McDonald’s has a few evergreen flavors for milkshakes, its Shamrock shake has become a tradition across the United States on St.Patrick’s Day! Many of you may not know this, but the Shamrock shake has been around since the 1970s’! I know I was shocked, too!
Over the past fifty-odd years, many people have looked forward to enjoying this minty vanilla goodness every year, all for the love of the shake and, well, also for a bit of nostalgia. But, sadly, the Shamrock shake has always been a limited-time offering at the chain despite its popularity and high sales volume.
But, lucky for you, that’s what this recipe and I are here for! So what if you don’t get this shake at McDonald’s all year round? With simple ingredients, you can make this creamy goodness right at home!
Equipments Required
- Blender: Ensure your blender is powerful enough to blend ice and deliver a perfectly creamy, smooth milkshake.
- Tall Glass: A tall glass is sufficient to serve a single portion of this decadent milkshake.
- Measuring Cups and Spoons: These tools are optional for this recipe. However, having them handy will help you get the exact measurements for all the ingredients.
- Ice Cream Scoop: Ice cream is an essential part of this milkshake, and it is best to use the same scoop to get the measurements right.
McDonald’s Shamrock Shake Ingredients & Substitutions
Note: The ingredients below are enough to make either one large portion of Shamrock shake or two medium-sized portions.
- 4 Scoops of Vanilla Bean Ice Cream: I would say try going for a vanilla ice cream with a consistency similar to the soft serve you get at McDonald’s. Because soft serve is much airier, an ice cream with a similar texture will yield a lighter milkshake.
- ½ Cup Whole Milk: Alternatively, you can use half and half of the same quantity if you want a more luscious and creamy milkshake.
- ¼ Teaspoon Peppermint Extract: For the sharp, minty flavor that McDonald’s Shamrock shake is known for.
- 6 Drops of Green Food Coloring: You can use liquid or gel food coloring for this, whatever you have at hand.
- 2 Tablespoons Whipped Cream: Do not use sweetened whipped cream, as it may make the milkshake a bit too sweet. This is just to garnish the milkshake.
- 2 Maraschino Cherries: For garnish
Preparation And Cooking Time
| Preparation Time | Cooking Time | Total Time |
|---|---|---|
| 5 Minutes | – | 5 Minutes |
How To Make McDonald’s Shamrock Shake At Home
Step 1
In a blender, add the scooped vanilla ice cream.
Step 2
Follow that by adding peppermint extract and whole milk.
Step 3
Now, add the green food coloring and blend the milkshake.
Step 4
Once it reaches a smooth consistency, top the milkshake with whipped cream and maraschino cherries, and you’re done!
McDonald’s Shamrock Shake Recipe Video
Expert Tips That I Recommend
- If you are unsure about the potency of your food coloring, I suggest adding half the amount mentioned in the recipe first, then adding more if needed.
- I am a fan of mint and chocolate, so I often add chocolate sauce to recipes for the ultimate flavor.
- Blend the milkshake for only a few seconds, as this may ruin the consistency.
- If blending hard ice cream is difficult, you can soften it by leaving it in the refrigerator for a few minutes. But ensure your ice cream does not melt.
- If your ice cream is melting too fast because you live in a hot environment like me, I often add some ice to the milkshake while blending to stabilize the texture.
- For a smoother consistency, opt for a high-speed blender.
FAQs About McDonald’s Shamrock Shake
Nutritional Information Per Serving
Unfortunately, McDonald’s Shamrock Shake is not a very healthy milkshake. It is made with high-fat ingredients, resulting in too many calories and a lot of saturated fat and sugar.
| Calories | 649 kcal |
| Carbohydrates | 66 g |
| Protein | 11 g |
| Fat | 38 g |
| Saturated Fat | 23 g |
| Cholesterol | 145 mg |
| Sodium | 236 mg |
| Potassium | 604 mg |
| Fiber | 1 g |
| Sugar | 56 g |
| Vitamin A | 1385 IU |
| Vitamin C | 1.6 mg |
| Calcium | 401 mg |
| Iron | 0.2 mg |
This shake can be enjoyed by those on a gluten-free or vegetarian diet. However, it can not be consumed by those with certain dietary restrictions, such as vegans, keto, and low-calorie diets.
Recipe Variations For Different Diets
- Vegan Diet: The ice cream and milk will be an issue for vegans, along with the whipped cream on top. So, when I make this milkshake for a vegan, I switch the ice cream to a plant-based ice cream and use plant-based milk. Almond and cashew milk are the best options to use in place of whole milk for their creamy texture. You can skip the whipped cream or use plant-based whipped cream instead.
- Dairy-Free Diet: Like vegans, people on a dairy-free diet can use a non-dairy ice cream and plant-based milk instead of whole milk for this recipe.
- Low-Calorie Diet: Firstly, use skimmed milk instead of whole milk and light whipped cream instead of regular. Lastly, I recommend low-fat, sugar-free ice cream to save on the extra fat and sugar content.
- Keto Diet: You can still try the same by switching some ingredients, such as using keto-friendly ice cream and keto-friendly milk, like almond or coconut milk.
How To Store This Shamrock Shake
- In The Refrigerator: Transfer the milkshake to an airtight container or jar, then refrigerate for up to 3 days.
- In The Freezer: To store your milkshake longer or simply enjoy it frozen, transfer it to an airtight container and freeze it for up to 2 months!
What To Serve With This Recipe
Shamrock shake is an indulgent beverage you can enjoy on its own! However, since this beverage is a classic from McDonald’s, you can enjoy it with other classic McDonald’s offerings, like crispy French Fries or Chicken Nuggets.
I love my Shamrock shake with a Chicken Sandwich or even a Snack Wrap like the ones you get at McDonald’s. If you prefer beef, enjoy a hearty Homemade Quarter Pounder with this shamrock shake, as the combination is flawless!
Printable Version
McDonald’s Shamrock Shake Copycat Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 Scoops Vanilla Bean Ice Cream
- ½ Cup Whole Milk
- ¼ Teaspoon Peppermint Extract
- 6 Drops Green Food Coloring liquid
- 2 Tablespoons Whipped Cream
- 2 Maraschino Cherries for garnish
Equipment
- Blender
- Tall glass
- Measuring cups
- Measuring Spoons
- Ice-cream scoop
Instructions
- In a blender, add the scooped vanilla ice cream.
- Follow that by adding peppermint extract and whole milk.
- Now, add the green food coloring and blend the milkshake.
- Once it reaches a smooth consistency, top the milkshake with whipped cream and Maraschino cherries, and you are done!
Video
Notes
- If you are unsure about the potency of your food coloring, I suggest adding half the amount mentioned in the recipe first, then adding more if needed.
- I am a fan of mint and chocolate, so I often add chocolate sauce to recipes for the ultimate flavor.
- Blend the milkshake for only a few seconds, as this may ruin the consistency.
- If blending hard ice cream is difficult, you can soften it by leaving it in the refrigerator for a few minutes. But ensure your ice cream does not melt.
- If your ice cream is melting too fast because you live in a hot environment like me, I often add some ice to the milkshake while blending to stabilize the texture.
- For a smoother consistency, opt for a high-speed blender.
Nutrition
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Conclusion
This simple recipe, made with even simpler ingredients, is also very adaptable to different diets, which is a huge plus.
So, regardless of your dietary restrictions, with just a few tweaks to the ingredients, you can easily enjoy this milkshake.
Also, let me know how the recipe turned out for you in the comments below! You just got a reason to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day any day of the year!
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