Make a creamy homemade shamrock shake recipe that tastes just like a McDonald’s copycat favorite. This easy mint milkshake is perfect for St. Patrick’s Day or anytime you’re craving a festive green treat.

Homemade shamrock shake in a clear glass with whipped cream and sprinkles.

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Jamielyn Nye

McDonald’s Copycat Shamrock Shake Recipe

Creamy vanilla ice cream, cold milk, and cool mint extract come together in this homemade Shamrock Shake that tastes just like the McDonald’s copycat version. It’s thick, frosty, and that signature shade of festive green we all get excited about.

We love making it at home instead of standing in line, and honestly, it’s just as good, if not better. Perfect for St. Patrick’s Day and beyond, this easy mint milkshake comes together in minutes.

Other fun minty treats I make this time of year include chocolate mint brownies and pistachio and chocolate leprechaun cookies!

XO - Jamielyn
Homemade Shamrock Shake in a glass mug with whipped cream, green sprinkles, cherry, and striped straw.

Homemade Shamrock Shake Ingredients

This simple copycat version is made with 5 ingredients. One of them is optional and the other is a topping, so it really couldn’t be easier!

  • Homemade vanilla ice cream or mint chocolate chip ice cream
  • Milk – I use whole milk for a thicker creamier texture.
  • Mint extract – Use mint extract, not peppermint extract, otherwise, your drink will taste less like a shamrock shake and more like candy canes.
  • Green food coloring (optional) – Both gel and liquid food coloring can be used. Green is more concentrated and has a more vibrant color, so you’ll need less. Liquid food coloring is cheaper to buy, but to get the same depth of color you’ll need to use more. It’s up to you!
  • Top it off with homemade whipped cream, a cherry and sprinkles.

How to Make a Shamrock Shake

Blending a shamrock shake in a blender.
  1. Combine the ice cream, mint extract, milk, and food coloring in a blender. Start with a few drops of green at first.
  2. Blend everything then decide if you need to add more drops of green food coloring.
  3. Do a little taste test. Add more mint if you like.
  4. Pour into a tall glass or two, garnish with whipped cream, green sprinkles, and a maraschino cherry on top!

Fun Variations

  • Skip the milk and make a shamrock sundae. Scoop some mint chocolate chip ice cream into a bowl, top with whipped cream infused with mint extract, green sprinkles, and a cherry.
  • You could also make an Oreo milkshake with mint Oreo cookies! Use less milk to make it into an Oreo shamrock Mcflurry.
  • Use chocolate ice cream and chocolate syrup for a chocolate flavor variation of this shamrock shake recipe.
Homemade Shamrock Shake topped with whipped cream, green sprinkles, and a maraschino cherry.

More festive St. Patrick’s Day recipes include this rainbow fruit platter, pistachio bread and rainbow jello.

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Homemade shamrock shake in a clear glass with whipped cream and sprinkles.

Homemade Shamrock Shake

5 from 4 votes
Recipe by: Jamielyn Nye
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
Servings: 2
This homemade Shamrock Shake is thick, creamy, and perfectly minty. Made with vanilla ice cream, milk, and mint extract, it tastes just like the McDonald’s copycat favorite and comes together in minutes.
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Ingredients 

  • 3-4 cups vanilla ice cream , or mint chocolate chip ice cream
  • ½ cup milk , more if needed
  • ¼ teaspoon mint extract , not peppermint
  • green food coloring , optional
  • whipped cream

For serving: maraschino cherry, green sprinkles (optional)

Instructions

  • Blend. Combine 3-4 cups ice cream, 1/2 cup milk, 1/4 teaspoon mint and the food coloring in a blender. Blend until smooth. Add more milk or food coloring if needed. Taste and add more mint if desired.
  • Pour into 2 glasses and top with whipped cream, a cherry and sprinkles if desired.

Last step: Please leave a comment and rating after you make the recipe.

Notes

Adjust milk and ice cream to your desired consistency.
Use mint syrup instead (like Torani). Start with 1-2 Tablespoons and adjust as needed.

Nutrition

Calories: 436kcal, Carbohydrates: 50g, Protein: 9g, Fat: 22g, Saturated Fat: 14g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 6g, Cholesterol: 90mg, Sodium: 184mg, Potassium: 483mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 45g, Vitamin A: 949IU, Vitamin C: 1mg, Calcium: 327mg, Iron: 1mg

Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.