Copycat McDonald’s Shamrock Shake

Skip the trip to the Golden Arches and whip up this quick copycat McDonald’s Shamrock Shake recipe in the comfort of your own kitchen.

When this colorful dessert appears on the McDonald’s menu, you know St. Patrick’s Day is right around the corner. Even though the only Irish thing about it is that emerald green hue, it’s a part of the Irish celebration that we look forward to every year. Make this copycat McDonald’s Shamrock Shake recipe on a random Tuesday in March, or add it to the lineup of your favorite green desserts for St. Patrick’s Day.

What’s in a Shamrock Shake?

The McDonald’s Shamrock Shake has always been bright green, but when it was first introduced in 1970, the flavor varied depending on where you bought one. It could have been mint, vanilla or even lemon-lime! The current Shamrock Shake is made with McDonald’s vanilla soft serve ice cream and minty “Shamrock Shake syrup.” It’s traditionally topped with whipped cream and a cherry, and this copycat McDonald’s Shamrock Shake is garnished the same way.

How to Make a Copycat McDonald’s Shamrock Shake

To make a McDonald’s Shamrock Shake at home, simply blend the ingredients together, taste it, and add more ice cream or peppermint extract as desired. Pour your homemade Shamrock Shake into a glass and serve it with whipped cream. It’s the perfect kid-friendly St. Patrick’s Day recipe.

Ingredients

• Vanilla ice cream: Since ice cream is the essence of this shake, it’s worth using the good stuff. Choose creamy, full-fat varieties made with real vanilla beans. Our Test Kitchen’s recommended vanilla ice cream brands include Trader Joe’s rich French vanilla and Blue Bunny’s nostalgically sweet vanilla bean.
• Milk: Milk thins the ice cream to a milkshake consistency. We suggest 2% milk, but feel free to use whole, skim or a nondairy milk alternative instead.
• Peppermint extract: Peppermint extract adds the characteristic minty flavor to this milkshake. It’s strong, so use this extract sparingly.
• Green food coloring (optional): Green food coloring makes the shake look like a true McDonald’s copycat. Without it, the milkshake will still taste great, but it will be white—unless you use green-colored mint ice cream. If you do this, omit the peppermint extract.
• Whipped cream: Buy an aerosol can for ease, or thaw and use frozen whipped topping. I’ll always go the extra mile with homemade whipped cream, though.
• Maraschino cherry: Jars of red maraschino cherries can be found in most stores and are fine as a garnish for this shake if you don’t mind their over-the-top sweetness and overall artificiality. You can also find more natural versions of maraschinos, like Mezzetta brand, which are made with cane sugar and natural colors. Or you can top this shake with sophisticated cocktail cherries, like Luxardo cherries or tarter Fabbri-Amarena cherries.

Directions

Step 1: Add ingredients to the blender

Add the ice cream and milk to a blender. Add the peppermint extract and green food coloring.

Step 2: Blend the shake

Blend the ingredients until they’re smooth.

Editor’s Tip: The color should be a bright shade of green; blend in a bit more food coloring if necessary. Give the mixture a taste to see if it’s minty enough for you. If not, add another drop or two of peppermint extract.

Step 3: Pour and garnish the shake

Pour the milkshake mixture into a tall, chilled glass. Top it off with whipped cream and a cherry. Add a straw and serve it immediately.

Recipe Variations

• Add a little chocolate: Chocolate and mint are always a delicious combination. Try blending a handful of chocolate chips into this milkshake for little bits of chocolate in every sip. Or make a striking presentation by swirling chocolate syrup in the glass before you pour the milkshake.
• Have fun with garnishes: Sprinkle green St. Patrick’s Day–themed sprinkles over the whipped cream. Clover- or rainbow-shaped sprinkles would be so cute! If you love Lucky Charms breakfast cereal, top your shake with marshmallow bits.
• Make it boozy: For a boozy version of this St. Patrick’s Day shake (plus an extra dash of color), omit the peppermint extract and add a splash of green creme de menthe liqueur.

How to Store Copycat McDonald’s Shamrock Shake

While a milkshake is certainly best enjoyed as soon as it’s blended, you can store leftover copycat McDonald’s Shamrock Shake in the freezer for up to one day. Just let the milkshake sit in the refrigerator for 10 minutes or so to soften it back up before finishing it. The texture won’t be quite the same, though, and the whipped cream might deflate.

Can you make a copycat McDonald’s Shamrock Shake ahead of time?

I don’t recommend making a copycat McDonald’s Shamrock Shake ahead of time. Milkshakes are best served as soon as they’re made. They have the perfect textural balance when fresh.

Copycat McDonald’s Shamrock Shake Tips

How can you tell when the milkshake is blended well enough?

Blend the shake just until there are no lumps left. The green coloring should be even throughout, and the milkshake should have a thick, frosty texture. You can stop once or twice during blending and use a rubber spatula to scrape down the sides or break up the ice cream to help the process along.

Can you make a large batch of copycat McDonald’s Shamrock Shake?

Yes, you can absolutely make a large batch of copycat McDonald’s Shamrock Shake. In fact, you can make it as big as your blender will allow. Most blenders can probably handle a quadruple batch of this copycat McDonald’s Shamrock Shake recipe. Just make sure you serve it right away.

What can you serve with a Shamrock Shake?

While we normally love dipping french fries into our milkshakes, the mint flavor of the Shamrock Shake pairs better with other sweet treats. The shake is perfect for dunking Oreos, chocolate wafer cookies or Girl Scout Thin Mints. When served with a slice of chocolate cake or a fudgy brownie, it’s quite an indulgent dessert experience. Or keep the green foods theme going, and serve a creme de menthe cupcake alongside your Shamrock Shake.

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