No Food Dye Mint Shamrock Shake is a homemade version of the green, fast food milkshake we see every year around St. Patrick’s Day. This natural beauty is made with 1% milk, vanilla bean ice cream, vanilla extract, mint extract, and fresh spearmint leaves. Skip the funky, green dye and DIY this holiday treat!
No Food Dye Mint Shamrock Shake
The title says it all. There is no food dye in this St. Pat’s Day recipe.
What are we using? Mint leaves, baby!
Using natural ingredients in place of food dye is always an appealing choice.
The mint leaves add light green color and minty flavor.
What’s great about a homemade Shamrock Shake
Kids love Shamrock Shakes…and you love healthier ingredients.
It’s made with 1% milk, and we can let that be our skinny secret.
Fresh spearmint is believed to improve digestion, as well as remedy nausea or headaches.
You can substitute frozen yogurt for the ice cream and make it healthy.
Shamrock Shake Tips
Purée the mint leaves with the milk and vanilla before adding ice cream because it requires more blending action than what’s necessary to soften the ice cream to the right consistency.
If you add everything all at once, you’ll end up cooking the ice cream.
You can always add more mint for more color and flavor, especially if you like your mint milkshake extra minty.
If you want the color to be a brighter green, add a handful of fresh spinach to the recipe.
Use any blender for this milkshake, but a high-speed blender will purée the leaves into a finer texture.
I love my NutriBullet 900 for this job.
It’s one of my favorite kitchen appliances!
Here are the steps to make Natural Green Mint Leaf Shamrock Shake:
1. Blend mint leaves, milk, and vanilla until leaves are puréed.
2. Add ice cream and blend until creamy.
3. Add tiny drops of mint extract.
4. Pour into serving glass and top with whipped cream and a sprig of mint.
* grab the recipe instructions below
Ingredients needed for No Food Dye Mint Shamrock Shake:
- 10 (or more) spearmint leaves
- 1% milk
- vanilla extract
- vanilla bean ice cream
- spearmint extract (or peppermint)
- (optional) whipped cream
Kitchen tools I want on hand for this recipe:
- high-speed blender (NutriBullet or Vitamix)
- milk bottle serving glasses
- printed paper straws
Want a few more natural dessert recipes from my collection?
Chocolate No Bake Energy Bites
Blueberry Crisp [Vegan & Gluten Free]
No Food Dye Mint Shamrock Shake
Ingredients
- 10 Mint 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, 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.
Traci Antonovich
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Renee @ The Good Hearted Woman says
02/26/2018 at 7:41 amYour 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
02/26/2018 at 8:17 amThanks Renee! I’m right there with you…and I esp love cutting into it. Such an aromatic treat 🙂
Sarah says
02/26/2018 at 7:21 amLove that you made such a pretty green drink without food coloring!
Traci Antonovich says
02/26/2018 at 8:17 amThanks Sarah! I love this shake with the mint instead of dye 🙂
Lisa L Bynum says
02/26/2018 at 7:19 amOne 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
02/26/2018 at 8:16 amHaha thanks Lisa…the answer is always ‘yes’ lol 😉
Natalie says
02/26/2018 at 7:08 amThis 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
02/26/2018 at 8:15 amAwesome Natalie! Love hearing it…hope you get to try it out! 🙂
Jessica Fasano Formicola says
02/26/2018 at 6:53 amLove that there isn’t any food dye in this! I love a good minty treat!
Traci Antonovich says
02/26/2018 at 8:15 amThanks Jessica! Right there with you 🙂
Amy | The Cook Report says
02/25/2018 at 3:29 pmSounds delicious! Can’t wait to give it a try
Traci Antonovich says
02/25/2018 at 10:07 pmThanks so much Amy! Hope you get to try it out 🙂
Darlene @ Dip Recipe Creations says
02/25/2018 at 2:11 pmI 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
02/25/2018 at 10:06 pmThanks Darlene! It’s super tasty too! 🙂
Monica | Nourish & Fete says
02/25/2018 at 2:10 pmI 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
02/25/2018 at 10:03 pmThanks Monica! Hope you get to try it…and hope you love it 🙂
Rebecca | Let's Eat Cake says
02/25/2018 at 12:07 pmYum! This easy shamrock shake sounds so good!
Traci Antonovich says
02/25/2018 at 1:53 pmThanks Rebecca! It’s easily a favorite 🙂
Pamela @ Brooklyn Farm Girl says
02/25/2018 at 11:26 amShamrock shakes are my favorite! I can’t wait to try yours, so much more natural than the chain version!
Traci Antonovich says
02/25/2018 at 1:52 pmYay Pamela! Hope you love it 🙂