No need to wait in the drive-thru when you can make this shamrock shake recipe right at home!
This copycat shamrock shake recipe tastes exactly like the fast-food version! Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day any time of the year with this DIY version. Using wholesome ingredients like ice cream, rich cream, and peppermint flavoring, this creamy beverage is hard to resist.

Best Homemade Shake
- Creamy, cool, with a minty flavor, a shamrock shake is distinct in its color and its flavor! Plus it signals the celebration of St. Patrick’s Day!!
- Even those not from an Irish heritage can enjoy this festive treat! Make it homemade with fresh and real ingredients, and for a lot less “green” from the wallet!
- With simple ingredients like a scoop of ice cream, milk, and peppermint flavoring, this tasty copycat recipe can be ready to enjoy in minutes!

Shamrock Shake Ingredients
Have blender, will shake!
Dairy – The classic recipe starts with vanilla ice cream, cream (or milk), plus whipped cream for the topping.
Food Coloring – The real star of this shake recipe is the green food coloring! Make each shake as light or bright as desired!
Flavoring – Mint or peppermint extract gives a shamrock shake its distinctive creamy and minty flavor! We tested and compared multiple extracts, and found the best flavor match is to use peppermint & mint extract (it’s an all-in-one extract).

Variations
- Make a mint-chocolate shamrock shake with chocolate ice cream instead of vanilla. Add some chocolate syrup to the blender for extra chocolate flavor.
- Add a squirt of whipped cream and a cherry on top for a deliciously creamy treat that’s like no other. As a party-ready beverage, serve with some fun M & M Cookies!
- Create a flurry shamrock shake with mix ins such as cookie pieces, broken up Twix bars, or chopped caramels.
- Make an Oreo shamrock shake with crushed Oreo cookies mixed into each cup and garnish the whipped cream with extra crushed cookies.
- Not fond of Guinness beer on St. Patty’s Day? Make a grown-up boozy shamrock shake! Or add a little bit (or a lot) of homemade Bailey’s Irish Cream or rum. Irish eyes will definitely be a smilin’ with this tasty treat! OR, try one of our favorites, the Irish Flag Shooter!

How to Make a Shamrock Shake
Copycat Shamrock Shakes are as easy as 1, 2, 3!
- In a blender (or bullet blender for individual servings), layer ice cream, cream (or milk), mint extract, and green food coloring.
- Blend until smooth and pour immediately into glasses.
- Garnish with whipped cream and a maraschino cherry if desired. Serve immediately.

Tips and Tricks
- To really get that rich, creamy flavor, use full-fat ice cream and real cream instead of milk. Calories should not be counted when celebrating the luck o’ the Irish!
- Mint or peppermint extract can be used interchangeably, but real peppermint extract is preferred. Mint extract is a blend of spearmint and peppermint, and is not as sweet.
- Make some homemade no churn ice cream if desired and use in this recipe!

Leftovers
Leftover shamrock shakes can be made into shamrock sundaes!
- Make a base by whipping heavy cream until it is stiff and then fold in the leftover shake. Cover and freeze.
- Serve with whipped cream, chocolate sauce, a sprinkle of nuts, and a maraschino cherry!
Other Tasty Drinks!

Copycat Shamrock Shake
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups ice cream
- ⅓ cup cream or milk
- ½ teaspoon peppermint & mint extract or ½ teaspoon mint extract, or ¼ teaspoon peppermint extract
- 10 drops green food coloring or to your preference, optional
- whipped cream optional, for garnish
- maraschino cherries optional, for garnish
Instructions
- In a blender or bullet blender, add ice cream, cream, extract, and food coloring. Mix about 30 seconds, until smooth.
- Pour into glass and garnish as desired.
Notes
- Use full-fat ice cream and real cream for a rich and thick shake.
- Real peppermint & mint extract is preferred over imitation extract, but both will do the trick if that’s what you have on hand!
Nutrition Information
Nutrition information does not include optional ingredients or garnish and is an estimate. It may change based on actual ingredients and cooking methods used.
©Our Zesty Life. Content and photographs are copyright protected. Sharing of this recipe is both encouraged and appreciated. Copying and/or pasting full recipes to any social media is strictly prohibited.
Like our recipes?
Follow us on Pinterest!

REPIN this Copycat Shamrock Shake recipe!






I can’t wait to make this again on St Pat’s!
Hi, it’s my first visit oof this website, awesome.