Skip the Drive-Thru w/ Our Copycat McDonald’s Shamrock Shake Recipe
Enjoy this McDonald’s Shamrock Shake recipe without ever having to leave your house!
Looking for a delicious St. Patrick’s Day dessert?
Then you’ve gotta try this easy DIY McDonald’s Shamrock Shake recipe! This shake is now available at McDonald’s, but why not make it yourself? Grab your favorite vanilla ice cream and some mint extract and let’s whip up a fast milkshake using your blender!
This copycat McDonald’s mint shake is just as great, in our opinion, as the popular drive-thru version and you can affordably make them at home for the entire family!
Easy Copycat McDonald's Shamrock Shake Recipe
yield: 2 SERVINGS
prep time: 10 MINUTES
total time: 10 MINUTES
Creamy mint shake that is perfect for a yummy treat on St. Patrick's Day.
Ingredients
- 2 cups vanilla ice cream (about 4 scoops)
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/4 teaspoon mint extract (or to taste)
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3-4 drops green food coloring *optional
- Optional topping idea: whipped cream & green sprinkles
Directions
1
Using a kitchen blender on medium speed, blend together the ice cream, milk, vanilla extract, mint extract, and food coloring, until smooth.
2
Pour mint shake into cups and top with whipped cream and sprinkles. Enjoy!
Hip tips for making this copycat McDonald’s Shamrock Shake recipe:
- Start with only a couple of drops of peppermint extract, because it’s powerful stuff! I’d use 1/4 teaspoon or less according to taste. If you prefer pure mint, that is fine to use as well.
- If you’re eating low-carb, make sure to check out our Keto McDonald’s Shamrock shake on Hip2Keto.com. With just 3.1g net carbs per serving, this copycat is a creamy, minty, and indulgent treat that the whole family can enjoy!
- To make things extra festive, consider picking up some green food coloring, shamrock sprinkles, and some fun green and white straws!
- Curious about my stainless steel ice cream scoop? It’s no longer sold on Amazon, but here is a similar heavy-duty ergonomic ice cream scoop like ours.
- In the mood for a cocktail? Make this a boozy copycat Shamrock Shake for those 21+ by adding a shot of vanilla vodka and Crème de menthe.
- You can even add some Lucky Charms Marshmallows for an extra festive touch!
This creamy, homemade McDonald’s Shamrock Shake is perfection!
Homemade McDonald’s mint shakes are the best. I loved making this copycat Shamrock Shake recipe at home with my kids! It has actually turned into a fun tradition for us over the years, and my kids ask about making this McDonald’s Shamrock Shake recipe every year.
With this recipe, you don’t need to wait for springtime to enjoy the minty goodness of a Shamrock Shake. You can make this McDonald’s mint shake any time of year!
With a little tweaking, this copycat McDonald’s Shamrock Shake recipe would be perfect for the holiday season too. Consider swapping out the green food coloring for red, or skip it altogether and mix in crushed candy cane pieces or finely chopped chocolate chips for a fun seasonal twist.
Enjoy!
Want another festive idea? Try these cute and easy Shamrock Pretzels!
Looks delicious! I love that it’s simple to make. The only thing I need to get is the mint extract.
That’s a blender you mixed the ingredients in, right?
Looks like my ninja blender!
Yes, that is a Ninja blender.
Yum and super cute presentation! Where can I find the green striped straws? Thank you!
Thanks! Straws and cups from the cooking store Sur La Table but I’ve noticed most craft stores carrying them.
Thank you! 🙂
I saw them in the dollar bins at Target! They had a huge variety here in Delaware! Good luck! They really make the drink look so authentic!!
Love shamrock shakes! Am I the only one that thinks there is a hint of lime flavor in them though?
Yes Jessy. There is a hint of lime. I’ve been making my own Shamrock Shakes for years and everyone always says how close they are to Mc D’s. I don’t like how they changed the way they make them (with whipped cream and the flavoring isn’t fully mixed in and the cherry on top)…Like the old saying goes, don’t fix what isn’t broken. Anyway, I mix up a sugar syrup made from Lime Kool-Aid, sugar and a bit of water and add that into the shake ingredients. Gives it that nice green coloring too! 🙂
Mrs Howard, do you put this into vanilla ice cream?
That looks so pretty! I love making a version of the shamrock shake with fresh mint and shaved chocolate.
No one’s up in arms about this taking money out of McDonald’s pockets? 😉
I’m sure not and I work there!
They’re always out of the specialty shakes in my area, so I have a feeling it doesn’t matter much.
I have made a couple of your recipes and loved them! My husband raved about your sweet and sour chicken -he told me to make sure I saved that recipe!
That’s so nice Deb. Thanks!
Mint Toriani syrup works well too!!
I just made these and they taste just like a shamrock shake. Thanks Lina for posting this recipe. Me and my husband was just talking the other day about getting a shamrock shake from mcdonalds and now I can make them a home for a lot less. thanks again
Oh yay! Thanks for sharing 🙂
I just made them too and my two kids are lovin them…. Thanks!
That looks good! My son has been craving a Shamrock shake! Thanks!
Not trying to be picky but there’s a difference between mint extract and peppermint extract. The recipe lists mint, but the “hip tips” says peppermint. A true shamrock shake is made with mint. While the peppermint will taste good too, it’s more of a candy cane flavor.
Ok sure- I’d use your preference 👍 thanks!
I would prefer mint extract but unfortunately it’s hard to find in the stores. Looks like I’ll be using peppermint! Hate the lime version from McDonald’s.
Can’t wait to try this and the ice cream scoop. I’ve ordered the gorilla cutting boards and the drying rack for my sink that you posted and we ❤️them! Especially the drying rack. Use it everyday, the quality and function are great!!!! Keep up the great posts👏
Oh that’s fun to hear! Thanks so much ❤️
I’ll have to try these. Something about McDonalds ice cream always makes me so sick but I used to love the Shamrock shakes when I was young!
Those glasses are adorable! Where are they from?
They were originally from a grocery store named Fry’s. You can buy a similar set here.
Need to know where those glasses came from, too! Love!
Arbys Andes Mint shake is way better than McDonald’s green shake. Go try it if you haven’t.
Nice! My kids actually had that shake last week and of course – loved! 🙂
YES! Totally agree.
Can’t wait to try this
These are soooooo good!!! We do a little party where the Leprechaun comes, colors the toilet water green, makes a mess and leaves a few goodies:) We also hide plastic gold coins in cauldrons with green colored shaving cream and they dig for treasure. This is a perfect way to finish the day! They’re super easy to make and everyone loves them. I actually bought a Ninja blender just to make these! Now it’s a tradition. Thanks for all the great posts!!!! Keep them coming 🥰
Our leprechaun leaves “Magically Delicious” bars for breakfast 😀. Basically they’re rice crispy bars but with Lucky Charms cereal instead of the rice cereal.
That’s a great idea!
YUMMY! Yes we have that idea here too! https://hip2save-com-develop.go-vip.co/recipes/lucky-charms-marshmallow-treats-only-3-ingredients-fun-for-st-patricks-day/
Well that sounds like so much FUN!!!
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Made this tonight. Made it with frozen yogurt, and topped it with mini chocolate chips and whipped cream. Yum!!
Oh yay! Sounds delish!
In the boozy version, does the vanilla vodka and cream De menthe take the place of the vanilla and mint extract?
Oh great question! I have not personally tried it yet. If it was me, I would add the cream de menthe and see if it needed more mint extract or not, and add accordingly. It’s hard to subtract mint taste, so I would start with the booze first.
The McDonalds by me has a broken shake machine so I need this copycat recipe. Thanks!!
Oh sure! We hope you enjoy this yummy shake!
If I want to add lime, how much would I add?
Hi Kay!🥰 Maybe use lime extract or a few tablespoons of lime juice to taste – and leave out mint. Let us know how it turns out for you if you decide to try it!