This Shamrock Shake recipe is the homemade version of McDonald’s Shamrock Shake. It’s made with 1% milk, vanilla bean ice cream, vanilla extract, mint extract, spinach, and fresh spearmint leaves. Skip the mysterious green food coloring and DIY this kid-fav St Patrick’s day recipe!
Shamrock Shake Recipe
Kids love the shamrock shake…and parents love healthier ingredients.
This St. Patrick’s Day recipe is colored green with a super healthy food hack…fresh produce. What are we using? Mint leaves and spinach, baby! Using green produce in place of food dye is always an appealing choice.
The spinach and mint leaves add green color and minty flavor. Fresh spearmint is believed to improve digestion, as well as remedy nausea or headaches, and it makes everything tasty minty fresh!
I use full-fat ice cream for this recipe, but I’ve also used frozen yogurt with great results.
This shamrock shake recipe is also made with 1% milk. Let’s just keep that our skinny secret.
Shamrock Shake Tips
Tip #1: Purée the mint leaves and spinach leaves with the milk and vanilla before adding ice cream. These ingredients require more blending than ice cream. If you add everything all at once, you’ll end up cooking the ice cream.
Tip #2: If you want more minty flavor or more green, add more mint or spinach. You probably can’t overdo this one.
Tip #3: You can use a classic kitchen blender for this milkshake, but a high-speed blender will purée the leaves into a finer texture.
I use either my NutriBullet 900 or my Vitamix for the shamrock shake and all smoothies. It really depends on the batch size of the shake.
How to make a Shamrock Shake
- Blend mint leaves, spinach, milk, and vanilla until leaves are puréed.
- Add ice cream and blend until creamy.
- Add tiny drops of mint extract.
- Pour into serving glass and top with whipped cream and a sprig of mint.
* grab the full recipe instructions below
Shamrock Shake Ingredients
- spearmint leaves
- fresh spinach leaves
- 1% milk
- vanilla extract
- vanilla bean ice cream or vanilla frozen yogurt
- spearmint extract (or peppermint)
- (optional) whipped cream
Recommended tools
- high-speed blender (NutriBullet or Vitamix)
- milk bottle serving glasses
- printed paper straws
More natural dessert recipes
Chocolate No-Bake Energy Bites
Blueberry Crisp [Vegan & Gluten Free]
Shamrock Shake Recipe [No Food Dye]
Ingredients
- 10 Mint Leaves
- 1/4 cup Fresh Spinach Leaves
- 1 cup 1% Milk or any milk
- 1/2 tsp Vanilla Extract
- 2 cups Vanilla Bean Ice Cream
- 1/2 tsp Spearmint Extract or Peppermint
- optional Whipped Cream
Instructions
- In a high-speed blender, blend MINT LEAVES, SPINACH, MILK, and VANILLA until leaves are fully pureed; add ICE CREAM and pulse until creamy; (optional) add MINT FLAVORING.
- Serve chilled; garnish with fresh spearmint leaves and (optional) whipped cream.
RECIPE NOTES
Nutrition
I originally published this recipe to Amanda’s Cookin in January, 2017.
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Great way to enjoy this great in a healthier way! I’m going to use peppermint essential oil in place of extract. Thanks! 🍀
Awesome, Dana…So glad you’re trying this one 🙂 Thanks!
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.
Thanks Renee! I’m right there with you…and I esp love cutting into it. Such an aromatic treat 🙂
Love that you made such a pretty green drink without food coloring!
Thanks Sarah! I love this shake with the mint instead of dye 🙂
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?
Haha thanks Lisa…the answer is always ‘yes’ lol 😉
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!
Awesome Natalie! Love hearing it…hope you get to try it out! 🙂
Love that there isn’t any food dye in this! I love a good minty treat!
Thanks Jessica! Right there with you 🙂
Sounds delicious! Can’t wait to give it a try
Thanks so much Amy! Hope you get to try it out 🙂
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!
Thanks Darlene! It’s super tasty too! 🙂
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!
Thanks Monica! Hope you get to try it…and hope you love it 🙂
Yum! This easy shamrock shake sounds so good!
Thanks Rebecca! It’s easily a favorite 🙂
Shamrock shakes are my favorite! I can’t wait to try yours, so much more natural than the chain version!
Yay Pamela! Hope you love it 🙂