Name: Shamrock Shake
Prep time: 10 min
Total time: 10 min
Ingredients: 2 cups vanilla ice cream; 1.25 cups milk; 0.25 teaspoon mint extract, or more to taste; 9 drops green food coloring; 2 tablespoons chocolate syrup, or to taste; 2 tablespoons whipped cream, or to taste; 0.5 teaspoon green decorator sugar, or to taste

Shamrock Shake

4.8

(56)

47 Reviews

20 Photos

This creamy Shamrock Shake is a blend of vanilla ice cream, milk, mint extract, and green food coloring for a fun St. Patrick's Day treat. This recipe has become a tradition in our house. The kids love it, and so do I!

Submitted by Julie Kimball Fitzgerald

Updated on March 13, 2025

Tested by

Allrecipes Test Kitchen

Two mint chocolate milkshakes with whipped cream and green sprinkles.

Prep Time:

10 mins

Total Time:

10 mins

Servings:

Yield:

2 shakes

Jump to Nutrition Facts

Enjoy a minty St Patrick's Day favorite all year long with this copycat Shamrock Shake recipe!

What Is a Shamrock Shake?

The Shamrock Shake is a creamy seasonal milkshake that is famously sold at McDonald's during March to celebrate St. Patrick's Day. Introduced in 1970, the shake originally had a lemon-lime flavor. It is still vibrant green, but it is mint-flavored these days.

Shamrock Shake Ingredients

These are the six simple ingredients you'll need to make this top-rated copycat Shamrock shake recipe:

Ice cream and milk: Like many milkshakes, this Shamrock Shake starts with vanilla ice cream and milk.
Mint extract: Mint extract gives the shake its signature minty freshness. It packs a powerful punch, so use the extract sparingly.
Food coloring: About nine drops of green food coloring will dye your milkshake a gorgeous emerald hue.
Chocolate syrup: Drizzle chocolate syrup inside the glass for an impressive presentation.
Whipped cream: Top the Shamrock Shake with store-bought or homemade whipped cream.
Decorating sugar: A sprinkle of green decorating sugar is the perfect finishing touch.

How to Make Shamrock Shakes

Making a Shamrock Shake at home is as easy as 1-2-3. You'll find the full, step-by-step recipe below — but here's a brief overview of what you can expect.

Blend the ice cream, milk, extract, and food coloring in a blender.
Drizzle inside of the glass with chocolate syrup.
Pour the shake into the glass, then top with whipped cream and sugar.

Allrecipes Community Tips and Praise

"This is perfect with my homemade ice cream and I intend on making it for many upcoming events," says Ian Miller. "I found that if I use my homemade mint ice cream, it was one of the most delicious desserts I've ever consumed."

"Yummy! Tastes amazing and easy ingredients," raves Ken Mc. "Add heavy cream if you want. Feed the whole family for the price of one at McDonald’s!!"

"This was fantastic!" says DeeMomMom. "I made it exactly like the recipe with Haagen-Dazs vanilla ice cream and it was a big hit with the whole family! We will be making these at home from now on!!

Editorial contributions by Corey Williams

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Ingredients

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Original recipe (1X) yields 2 servings

2 cups vanilla ice cream
1 ¼ cups milk
¼ teaspoon mint extract, or more to taste
9 drops green food coloring
2 tablespoons chocolate syrup, or to taste
2 tablespoons whipped cream, or to taste
½ teaspoon green decorator sugar, or to taste

Directions

Gather the ingredients.

Morgan Glaze / Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall / Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle
Blend ice cream, milk, mint extract, and food coloring together in a blender until smooth.

Morgan Glaze / Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall / Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle
Drizzle chocolate syrup around the inside of 2 tall glasses; pour shake into the glasses. Top with whipped cream and green sugar.

Morgan Glaze / Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall / Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle
Enjoy!

Morgan Glaze / Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall / Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle

129 home cooks made it!

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

412	Calories
19g	Fat
53g	Carbs
10g	Protein

Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 2
Calories 412
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 19g	24%
Saturated Fat 12g	59%
Cholesterol 70mg	23%
Sodium 183mg	8%
Total Carbohydrate 53g	19%
Dietary Fiber 1g	5%
Total Sugars 45g
Protein 10g	20%
Vitamin C 1mg	1%
Calcium 350mg	27%
Iron 1mg	3%
Potassium 534mg	11%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.