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This homemade Shamrock Shake recipe is a copycat of the minty St. Pat's Day ice cream shake. It's made with fresh greens for color, volume, and nutrition!
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Why you'll love this recipe
- It's so easy to make a Shamrock Shake at home.
- Only 4 simple ingredients needed + topping.
- No food coloring – a healthy, undetectable substitute is used.
- Recipe can be made with most blender styles.
Now you can make the homemade version of the popular fast food chain Shamrock Shake with just a few ingredients. Green food coloring isn't one of them.
That's right! This St. Patrick's Day themed ice cream shake gets that bright green color from fresh spinach. The flavor is undetectable, yet adds so much color, volume, and nutrients. This one is not for kids only!
Key ingredients
Get ingredient amounts in the printable recipe card below.
- ice cream - Use vanilla bean ice cream or preferred variety.
- 1% milk - Any milk percentage will work with this recipe.
- fresh spinach - Or fresh kale can be use. I don't recommend packaged frozen spinach because the flavor will be detectable in this dessert.
- mint flavoring - Use mint extract (as in spearmint extract) or peppermint extract. *It is not safe to use essential oils in food recipes!
- (optional) garnish ingredients - Whipped cream and fresh mint leaves.
How to make this recipe
Step 1. Place ice cream, spinach, and mint extract in a high speed blender. I'm using a Vitamix in these photos but a standard blender or food processor can be used.
Step 2. Blend ingredients and add splashes of milk while mixing until the shake becomes thick and creamy. If needed, increase the amount of extract to adjust the minty flavor.
Step 3. Transfer shake to a glass and top with (optional) whipped cream and fresh mint garnish. Serve immediately.
Recipe notes
- Blenders tend to warm ingredients, so if the shake liquefies in the blender, place it in the freezer long enough to solidify to your liking.
- Using partially melted ice cream also results in a milky shake instead of a thick and creamy milkshake. Refer to the solution above, if needed.
- Less powerful blenders may leave tiny flecks of spinach in the shake. Just a heads up if your people are finicky detectives.
Recipe variations
- Substitute kale or other greens for spinach in equal amounts.
- Use any variety of vanilla ice cream or frozen yogurt for this recipe.
- Any milk fat percentage can be used for this Shamrock Shake.
- Use mint extract OR peppermint extract for this recipe. Peppermint has a stronger flavor of the two.
- Fresh mint leaves can be substituted for extract in this recipe. Start with a few leaves and add as needed.
More St. Pat's Day Recipes
- Pressure Cooker Corned Beef
- Slow Cooker Corned Beef
- Reuben Sandwich
- Corned Beef Hash
- Easy Coleslaw Recipe
- Smashed Potato Recipe
More dessert recipes
📖 Recipe
Shamrock Shake Recipe
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When scaling the recipe 2x or 3x, the gray ingredient note stays the same. Adjust quantities accordingly.
Ingredients
- 4 cups Vanilla Ice Cream, about 8 scoops
- 2 cups Fresh Spinach or Kale, about 2 ounces
- ⅛ teaspoon Spearmint Extract or Peppermint Extract, *Do NOT use essential oils!
- ½ cup 1% Milk, as needed
Garnish (optional)
- Whipped Cream
- Fresh Mint
Instructions
- Place ICE CREAM, SPINACH, and MINT EXTRACT in blender.
- Blend ingredients, adding splashes of MILK until the shake reaches a thick and creamy texture.Note: You might not need to use the entire milk amount.
- Taste the shake and adjust the flavor by adding tiny amounts of extract, if needed.
- Add desired toppings, serve and enjoy!
Recipe Notes
- Blenders tend to warm ingredients, so if the shake liquefies in the blender, place it in the freezer long enough to solidify to your liking.
- Using partially melted ice cream also results in a milky shake instead of a thick and creamy milkshake. Refer to the solution above, if needed.
- Less powerful blenders may leave tiny flecks of spinach in the shake. Just a heads up if your people are finicky detectives.
Equipment
- ice cream scoop or portion scoop
- high speed blender or food processor
- serving glass
Jeff says
So good! I would have never guessed there's spinach in this - you can't taste it! It's a classic minty milkshake with benefits lol. It's even delicious without the mint flavoring. Thanks for sharing another great recipe!
The Kitchen Girl says
Awesome, Dana...So glad you're trying this one 🙂 Thanks!
Renee says
Your Shamrock Shake sounds absolutely heavenly! I love that you are using fresh spearmint leaves, too. I love the way they make my kitchen smell when I have a bunch waiting in the window.
Traci Antonovich says
Thanks Renee! I'm right there with you...and I esp love cutting into it. Such an aromatic treat 🙂
Sarah says
Love that you made such a pretty green drink without food coloring!
Traci Antonovich says
Thanks Sarah! I love this shake with the mint instead of dye 🙂
Lisa L Bynum says
One of my favorite St. Patrick's Day treats and you just made day by making in healthier! Does that mean I can drink two?
Traci Antonovich says
Haha thanks Lisa...the answer is always 'yes' lol 😉
Natalie says
This shake looks and sounds so refreshing and delicious! I love how easy it is to make it and will definitely try this recipe soon!
Traci Antonovich says
Awesome Natalie! Love hearing it...hope you get to try it out! 🙂
Jessica says
Love that there isn't any food dye in this! I love a good minty treat!
Traci Antonovich says
Thanks Jessica! Right there with you 🙂
Amy says
Sounds delicious! Can't wait to give it a try
Traci Antonovich says
Thanks so much Amy! Hope you get to try it out 🙂
Darlene says
I really love how you got the green color with the mint leaves instead of food color! This looks fabulous and perfect for St. Patty's Day!
Traci Antonovich says
Thanks Darlene! It's super tasty too! 🙂
Monica says
I love that this is minty without relying on a bunch of food coloring, etc.! It sounds like such a delicious flavor - pinning to try next week for a holiday treat!
Traci Antonovich says
Thanks Monica! Hope you get to try it...and hope you love it 🙂
Rebecca says
Yum! This easy shamrock shake sounds so good!
Traci Antonovich says
Thanks Rebecca! It's easily a favorite 🙂
Pamela says
Shamrock shakes are my favorite! I can't wait to try yours, so much more natural than the chain version!
Traci Antonovich says
Yay Pamela! Hope you love it 🙂