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Every year, around this time, McDonald’s brings back their super popular Shamrock Shake. McDonald’s Shamrock Shake is made with creamy vanilla soft serve, blended with Shamrock Shake syrup, and topped with delicious whipped topping. We love it so much, we had to figure out how to make it at home so that we can have it all year long.
The shamrock shake is minty and refreshing. Its beautiful light green color makes it the perfect drink for St. Patrick’s Day but is so yummy, you’ll want to drink it all year long. You can make it with vanilla ice cream or chocolate. Either way, it’s sure to be a favorite in your home.
Before I share our McDonald’s shamrock shake copycat recipe, let me share a few tips about the ingredients.
What is the best vanilla ice cream to use?
You can use any vanilla ice cream, but we choose one that has no sugar added and is reduced fat. It really depends on your taste. Homestyle or French vanilla does taste closer to McDonald’s soft serve to us. Make sure that you leave it out of the freezer for 10-15 minutes so that it isn’t too hard to scoop.
Can I use peppermint extract?
No, you should not substitute mint extract for peppermint extract. You’ll want to buy a mint extract, not peppermint extract. The flavors are very different. Mint extract has more of a spearmint flavor.
Can I use green food dye instead of gel food coloring?
I prefer to use gel food coloring (it also happens to be all we had in the house), but you can definitely use food dye. You’ll probably only need a couple of drops of food dye since it’s much stronger.
What type of milk is best?
You can use your preferred milk for this recipe. I personally like to use whole milk.
What if my mixture is too thick or too thin?
If your McDonald’s shamrock shake copycat is too thick, just add a little bit more milk. If it’s too milky, just add a bit more ice cream. It’s easy to fix!
How much will this copycat recipe make?
The measurements I’ve provided in the recipe below will make around 12 oz (maybe a little more). I usually double the recipe and it’s enough for my three daughters.
Where did you get those cute cups and straws?
I got them on Amazon! The cups are 12 oz cups with dome lids. They also come in a 16oz size. I find that 12oz is the perfect size for the shamrock shake copycat. The reusable straws are BPA-free and come in a pack of 12 (six different colors). They also come with a cleaning brush which is extra convenient!
Have any additional questions I haven’t answered? Make sure to leave those in the comments below!
I’ve tried to show the steps in the photos above for you, to make it a bit easier to make your McDonald’s shamrock shake copycat recipe:
Step 1: Add milk, ice cream, mint extract, and green coloring gel into a blender.
Step 2: Blend until fully combined
Step 3: Pour into a cup.
Step 4: Top with whipped cream.
Step 5: Sprinkle green sanding sugar.
Step 6: Add a maraschino cherry.
shamrock shake copycat
PrintMcDonald’s Shamrock Shake Copycat
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 12 oz 1x
Description
McDonald’s Shamrock Shake is made with creamy vanilla soft serve, blended with Shamrock Shake syrup, and topped with delicious whipped topping. Now, you can make it at home with this copycat recipe!
Ingredients
- 2 cups vanilla ice cream
- 1/2 cup whole milk
- 1/4 tsp mint extract
- green food gel coloring
- whipped cream
- green sanding sugar
- maraschino cherry
Instructions
- Blend everything together in a blender until creamy and smooth.
- Top with whipped cream, sanding sugar and a cherry.
- Prep Time: 5 min
I’ve never tried Mc.D Shamrock shake! It looks so refreshing and good 😍 I’ll have to try your recipe this summer!
I don’t think I’ve tried Mcdonald’s Shamrock Shake before but that is looking quite tasty and interesting. Would love to try it out as well as this copycat recipe to see the difference.
Wow, what a great McDonald’s copycat! I can’t wait to try this on my own too!
This will be a great culinary surprise for my grandchildren when they will come to visit me again. Thanks!
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This is very nice that we can make it at home. Thank you for the recipe and we have everything. I will try to make it and see how I do haha.
I have not tried this drink! It does look very delicious! Love the minty green color,
Such a tasty looking recipe and I bet kids would love drinking this on St Patrick’s Day
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Just in time for St. Patrick’s Day! I love your recommendation to use ice cream with no sugar and reduced fat!
Believe it or not, I’ve never had a Shamrock shake! But this looks as good as the ones I see advertised! Such a fun and delicious treat for the holiday…so creamy!
★★★★★
I straight up cannot wait to make these. OMG. I’m so obsessed with Shamrock Shakes! LOL
It’s almost summer here in our country and this will be perfect for refreshment. Thanks for the recipe. I will try to make this.
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So simple yet just perfect!! I love these and would really try this very soon!
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That looks absolutely delicious and tasty! I would really love to try this recipe!
Did not know that Mcdonalds did this and I’m super impressed that you were able to do it on your own. Will definitely try out this recipe too!
Hmm our Mcdonalds doesn’t have the Shamrock Shake, so I’d love to try this one out! I think my kids will like it.
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This is exactly what I’m looking for. I cannot wait to try your recipe! Thank you so much
Homestyle or French vanilla is great to use in this recipe. I used both and the results was great!
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What a great recipe here. I love it. I think its my favorite of all your recipes.
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The shamrock shake is my daughter’s very best. I can’t wait to try this recipe.
Ooh, I love Shamrock Shakes so I definitely need to try this! 🙂
This is fun to make them at home. My kids all love the Shamrock Shakes.
I have been so disappointed in the shamrock shakes in the last couple of years that I stopped buying them. I think yours looks amazing, though.
This seems so easy to make. Thanks for the recipe.
I’m a huge fan of Shamrock shakes so I love the idea that we can make these right at home and know everything that is in them.
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It is true mint extract is much different than peppermint extract. I remember when I was much younger and I had saved up for a Shamrock shake. While I was in the bathroom a friend put salt in mine. I was so upset because 1- it totally made it taste terrible and 2- they wasted my money. Your recipe sounds like it would totally pass for McDonald’s Shamrock shake so I will have to try it.
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Author
That is awful Elizabeth! Why would anyone do that to a friend?
This recipe looks so yummy, I can’t wait to give it a try.
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We just bought Shamrock shakes and I would totally prefer to make them at home. I will have to try making these for my kids!
In italy we don’t have this so I’ll definitely need to try your version! It sounds amazing!
Oh wow, I love the sound of this. I’ve never tried one before. It sounds nice and refreshing and minty.
YES! Now I can have a Shamrock Shake any time I want. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve wanted one of these shakes outside of the St. Patrick’s Day season, and I was just so out of luck!
★★★★★
What a fun recipe and the perfect way to celebrate up coming St Patrick’s Day.
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I never ate at McDonald’s as a kid…EXCEPT for when the shamrock shake came out! That is so cool you have figured out a copycat!
Yum! What a beautiful shamrock shake! I love the color and I am even more intrigued with how easy it is to make. I showed it to my son and he’s now asking to make some!
I need to make this with my daughter, who also loves a shamrock shake. We always get excited when they come back to McDonalds but I bet these taste better!
I’ve never had Shamrock shake from Mcdonald’s, the shake seems super delicious! I can’t wait to make it.
I’ve never tried this shake (but I love the bright green color!) but this tutorial on how to make it seems so easy and fun. I think my younger cousins would really love whipping this up with me for the holiday ahead.