If you love the classic minty shake that shows up every March, this Easy Homemade Shamrock Shake Copycat lets you enjoy that creamy, cool flavor anytime—right from your own kitchen. Made with simple ingredients like vanilla ice cream, milk, and peppermint extract, this minty milkshake is smooth, nostalgic, and totally customizable. Best of all, it comes together in just minutes, making it perfect for a quick dessert or a fun family treat.
Why You’ll Love This Homemade Shamrock Shake Copycat
- Fast & easy: Ready in about 5 minutes with a blender
- Creamy texture: A mix of ice cream, milk, and cream makes it ultra-smooth
- Custom mint level: Control the peppermint to suit your taste
- Family-friendly: No drive-thru, no alcohol, just classic flavor
- Festive & fun: That signature green color makes it extra special
Ingredients You’ll Need
You only need a handful of pantry and freezer staples to make this homemade Shamrock Shake copycat.
- 3 cups high-quality vanilla ice cream
- ¾ cup whole milk
- ¼ cup heavy cream
- 1½ teaspoons pure peppermint extract (adjust to taste)
- ¼ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 6–8 drops green food coloring
- Whipped cream, for topping
- Maraschino cherries, for garnish
How to Make a Homemade Shamrock Shake Copycat (Step-by-Step)
Step 1: Add the base ingredients
Place the vanilla ice cream, whole milk, and heavy cream into a blender. This combination creates that thick, creamy milkshake texture everyone loves.
Step 2: Blend until smooth
Blend on medium speed until the mixture is completely smooth and creamy, with no ice cream chunks remaining.
Step 3: Add flavor and color
Add the peppermint extract, vanilla extract, and green food coloring. Blend again briefly until the color is evenly mixed. Start with less peppermint if you prefer a milder mint flavor.
Step 4: Taste and adjust
Give the shake a quick taste. Add an extra splash of milk to thin it out or a bit more ice cream if you want it thicker.
Step 5: Serve and garnish
Pour into tall glasses, top generously with whipped cream, and finish with a maraschino cherry. Serve immediately for best texture.
Tips & Variations
- Milder mint: Use 1 teaspoon peppermint extract, then increase gradually
- Extra thick shake: Reduce the milk slightly or add more ice cream
- Dairy-free option: Use dairy-free vanilla ice cream with almond or oat milk
- No food coloring: Skip it for a natural pale mint color
- Kid-friendly topping bar: Add sprinkles or mini chocolate chips
Serving Ideas & Storage
This homemade Shamrock Shake copycat is best enjoyed right away while it’s cold and creamy. Serve it as:
- A festive dessert after dinner
- A fun St. Patrick’s Day treat
- A special weekend milkshake for kids
Milkshakes don’t store well once blended, so it’s best to make only what you plan to drink immediately.
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Easy Homemade Shamrock Shake Copycat Recipe
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Skip the drive-thru and make a Shamrock Shake at home! Creamy vanilla ice cream, mint, and green food coloring blend into perfection. A minty milkshake idea topped with whipped cream and a cherry. It’s the iconic taste of March in your own kitchen, and you can control the mintiness to your liking—fun and nostalgic for kids and adults alike.
Ingredients
3 cups high-quality vanilla ice cream
3/4 cup whole milk
1/4 cup heavy cream
1 1/2 tsp pure peppermint extract (adjust to taste)
1/4 tsp pure vanilla extract
6–8 drops green food coloring
Whipped cream, for topping
Maraschino cherries, for garnish
Instructions
1. Add vanilla ice cream, whole milk, and heavy cream to a blender.
2. Blend until smooth and creamy.
3. Add peppermint extract, vanilla extract, and green food coloring.
4. Blend briefly until color and flavor are evenly mixed.
5. Taste and adjust: add a splash of milk to thin, or more ice cream to thicken.
6. Pour into glasses.
7. Top with whipped cream and a maraschino cherry.
8. Serve immediately.
Notes
Mint control tip: Start with 1 tsp peppermint extract if you want a milder mint flavor, then add more gradually.
No food coloring? You can skip it—the shake will still taste great.
Dairy-free option: Use dairy-free vanilla ice cream and almond or oat milk.
Best served fresh: Milkshakes don’t store well after blending, so enjoy right away.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Blender
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 shake
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 34g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 26g
- Saturated Fat: 16g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
Nutrition Facts (Per Serving – Approximate)
| Calories | Protein | Carbs | Fat | Fiber | Sodium |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 420 | 6g | 38g | 26g | 1g | 150mg |
Final Thoughts
This Easy Homemade Shamrock Shake Copycat proves that you don’t need a drive-thru to enjoy a creamy, minty classic. With simple ingredients and just a few minutes, you can recreate that iconic March flavor anytime you’re craving something cool, sweet, and nostalgic. It’s a treat that brings smiles to both kids and adults—one sip at a time.