Shamrock Shake

The Shamrock Shake is a delightful and refreshing dessert beverage known for its distinct mint flavor and festive pale green color. Made by blending vanilla ice cream with milk and mint extract, it achieves a perfectly thick and smooth consistency. Often topped with whipped cream and a cherry, it's a nostalgic treat that captures the cheerful spirit of spring and St. Patrick's Day.
Shamrock Shake

Preparation

Preparation time: 5 minutes

Preparation time
Difficulty

Drink Classification

The Shamrock Shake is a classic milkshake, placing it firmly in the category of dessert drinks. It is a sweet, blended beverage served cold, perfect as a treat or after a meal.

Serving

Serve this non-alcoholic milkshake very cold in a tall, chilled milkshake glass to maintain its thick consistency. It's a substantial dessert drink perfect for satisfying a sweet tooth.
Serving size
Approximately 400 ml / 13.5 oz
Alcohol content
0% ABV
Alcohol strength
Serving temperature
Cold
Glass type
Milkshake Glass
Glass treatment
Chilled

Backstory

The Shamrock Shake was first introduced by McDonald's in 1970 to celebrate St. Patrick's Day. Originally a lemon-lime sherbet shake, it evolved into its now-famous mint flavor in the early 1980s. Its seasonal availability created a cult following, making it one of the most anticipated fast-food items each year.
Origin
United States, 1970

Shamrock Shake

The Shamrock Shake is its universally recognized name, but it can be generically described as a Mint Milkshake. Due to its strong association with the March holiday, it's also frequently called a St. Patrick's Day Shake.
Original name
Shamrock Shake
Alternative names
  • Mint Milkshake
  • St. Patrick's Day Shake

Characteristics overview

This shake boasts a pronounced sweet and creamy flavor, dominated by refreshing mint and vanilla aromas. Its texture is thick and smooth, with a cool, clean aftertaste that makes it a perfect springtime treat.
Flavor
Minty, Sweet, Creamy, Vanilla
Aroma
Mint, Vanilla, Sweet Cream
Taste balance
Sweet
Aftertaste
Clean, Cool, Refreshing, Minty
Fizziness
None
Color appearance
Pale Green, Opaque, Creamy
Texture
Thick, Smooth, Creamy
Seasonality
Refreshing, Springtime, Festive

Flavor intensity & Experience

The flavor profile is intensely sweet and creamy, with a prominent mint taste. As a non-alcoholic and non-carbonated beverage, its richness is its main characteristic.
Sweetness
Saltiness
Sourness
Bitterness
Spiciness
Fruitiness
Creaminess
Carbonation

Ingredients

You'll need vanilla ice cream and whole milk as the base, with mint extract for flavor and a drop of green food coloring for the iconic color. Optional garnishes include whipped cream and a maraschino cherry.
  • Vanilla Ice Cream3 large scoops (about 1 1/2 cups)
    A good quality, full-fat vanilla ice cream works best for a creamy texture.
  • Whole Milk120 ml / 4 oz
    Use less milk for a thicker shake, more for a thinner one.
  • Mint Extract1/4 teaspoon
    Be careful not to add too much, as it can be overpowering. Peppermint extract can also be used.
  • Green Food Coloring1-2 drops(optional)
    purely for achieving the classic green look. Adjust to your desired shade.
  • Whipped CreamFor topping(optional)
    Canned or freshly whipped cream works well.
  • Maraschino Cherry1(optional)
    The classic final touch for a milkshake.

Ice type

  • None

Mixing equipments

The only essential piece of equipment for this recipe is a blender to ensure the milkshake is perfectly smooth and creamy.
  • Blender for combining and blending all ingredients until smooth.

Instructions

Simply combine the ice cream, milk, mint extract, and food coloring in a blender and blend until smooth. Pour into a glass and garnish with whipped cream and a cherry before serving immediately.
1. Place the vanilla ice cream, whole milk, mint extract, and green food coloring into the blender jar.
2. Secure the lid and blend on high speed for 30-60 seconds, or until the mixture is completely smooth and creamy.
3. Pour the blended milkshake into a chilled milkshake glass.
4. Top with a generous swirl of whipped cream and place a maraschino cherry on top.
5. Serve immediately with a straw and a long spoon.

Garnishing

The classic garnish for a Shamrock Shake is a generous topping of whipped cream and a bright red maraschino cherry for a pop of color.
  • Whipped cream: Generously swirl a mound of whipped cream on top of the shake.
  • Maraschino cherry: Place a single maraschino cherry on top of the whipped cream.

Dietary Information

This milkshake is vegetarian, caffeine-free, and nut-free, but it contains dairy and may contain soy depending on the ice cream used. Vegan and dairy-free versions can be made with plant-based alternatives.
✕ Contains alcohol
✓ Caffeine-free
✕ Dairy-free
✓ Egg-free
✕ Soy-free
✓ Nut-free
✓ Gluten-free
✕ Vegan-friendly
✓ Vegetarian-friendly

Nutrition information

This is an indulgent dessert drink, high in calories, carbohydrates, and sugar due to the ice cream and milk content. It should be enjoyed as an occasional treat.
Calories
Averagely 500-600 kcal / 2092-2510 kJ
Calories level
Carbohydrates
Averagely 70-80 g
Carbohydrate level
Sugar
Averagely 60-70 g
Sugar level

Occasions

This milkshake is the quintessential treat for St. Patrick's Day but is also perfect as a general dessert or a refreshing drink on a warm day. It's a festive choice for parties and celebrations, especially for those who enjoy sweet, minty flavors.
  • Dessert
  • St. Patrick's Day
  • Celebration
  • Summer Treat

Pairing suggestions

The sweet and minty flavor of the Shamrock Shake pairs wonderfully with salty foods like french fries or pretzels, which help cut through the richness. It also serves as a perfect dessert after a savory meal like a burger, or alongside other sweets like chocolate cookies.
  • Salty french fries
  • A classic burger
  • Chocolate chip cookies

Shamrock Shake: The Creamy Mint Delight

The Shamrock Shake is a globally recognized, non-alcoholic milkshake celebrated for its creamy texture and refreshing mint flavor. Its festive green hue makes it a symbol of St. Patrick's Day, but its simple and delicious recipe is a delight year-round. Easy to prepare at home with just a blender, it combines vanilla ice cream, milk, and mint extract into a rich, indulgent treat that is beloved by all ages.