Sweet and minty with a cool refreshing finish—that’s a Shamrock Shake!
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My sweet tooth is the most powerful tooth in my mouth. I love sweets, desserts, candy, and, as I have said before, milkshakes. As a child, every time I went with my grandfather to a diner, I would order a milkshake, be it vanilla, chocolate, strawberry, or banana. Thick, creamy, and delicious, there is so much to love about a milkshake.
I remember the first time I had a shamrock shake. My family did not frequent McDonald’s growing up. My mother would prefer we not eat fast food, but on long road trips it became a necessity. I remember, on a road trip to San Francisco, seeing the shamrock shake on the menu and knowing I needed to try it. I was in love—so much so, that when I found this recipe for a shamrock shake, I had to try it. Believe me when I say that this is a near-perfect replication of what I tried that day.
The shamrock shake dates back to 1967 when a McDonald’s franchise in Connecticut first served the “green St. Patrick’s Day milkshake.” It grew in popularity in the 1970s, reaching more locations. It was initially just a green vanilla milkshake until 1983 when mint syrup was added. This is the shamrock shake I fell in love with and what we replicate with this recipe.
Is A Shamrock Shake Healthy?
I know the assumption is that McDonald’s foods can’t be healthy, but that is not always the case. This recipe is going to be healthier than the McDonald’s original due to your ability to use natural ingredients. A shamrock shake has milk and ice cream, which contain fats and sugars. You can easily make a vegan shamrock shake by substituting your ice cream with a plant-based ice cream, your whole milk for full-fat almond or soy milk (yes, the taste of your shake will change), and your whipped cream with a dairy-free whipped cream alternative. The recipe is also gluten-free, making it a safe treat for people with a gluten intolerance or celiac disease.
Are mint and peppermint flavoring the same thing?
It is a common misunderstanding that mint and peppermint are interchangeable. Mint is more of an umbrella term for plants in the Mentha family. Peppermint, however, is a mint plant with a high level of menthol. Consequently, the cool flavor and aroma of peppermint can easily be overpowering and render your shake unapproachable. So be sure you use mint extract and not peppermint extract.
INGREDIENTS
- 2 cups vanilla ice cream
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1/4 teaspoon mint extract
- 8 drops green food coloring
- Whipped cream for topping
- Maraschino cherries for garnish
INSTRUCTIONS
Blend
Mix ice cream, milk, mint, and coloring.
Serve
Top with whipped cream and cherry.
Devour!
FAQs & Tips
A shake of any kind should be enjoyed right away to have the best possible quality. If you have leftover shamrock shake, you can store it in an airtight container in the freezer. When you are ready to enjoy it again, let it thaw slightly in the fridge until its creamy texture has returned, and enjoy.
Yep! I have enjoyed occasionally putting mini chocolate chips into my shamrock shake to enjoy the delicious blend of chocolate and mint.
Making your shamrock shake into an adult treat is easy. I recommend adding a shot of Bailey’s Mint Irish Cream liquor to the blender before you mix to get a little grown-up goodness.
Serving Suggestions
Your shamrock shake can easily be enjoyed as a dessert on its own, topped with whipped cream and maraschino cherries, but it also makes a great drink to enjoy with a meal. I would highly recommend adding a little minty freshness to a hearty dish like Vegetarian Red Lentil Curry and Sweet Potato Noodle Bowls {Vegan, GF + Super Simple}. You can also enjoy it as a sweet treat paired with a spicy main dish like Mini Meatloaf Recipe with Spicy Pineapple BBQ Sauce {GF, Low fat, High Protein + Super Simple}. However you decide to enjoy it, the shamrock shake will become a staple of your treats and, unlike the original, it won’t be for a limited time only.
Ingredients
- 2 cups vanilla ice cream
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1/4 teaspoon mint extract
- 8 drops green food coloring
- whipped cream for topping
- maraschino cherries for garnish
Instructions
- In a blender, combine vanilla ice cream, whole milk, mint extract, and green food coloring.
- Blend on high speed until smooth and creamy.
- Pour the shake into two glasses and top with whipped cream and a maraschino cherry.
Nutrition Info:
Recipes written and produced on Food Faith Fitness are for informational purposes only.
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