Homemade Copycat Shamrock Shake

My college roommate worked at a certain fast food chain and would smuggle home those seasonal shakes in March every year. We would sit on our apartment floor drinking them and wondering why something so simple tasted like pure happiness. Last year my kids caught me experimenting with food coloring and extract at 10pm, desperate to recreate that specific magic. Now we make these together and honestly, I think they taste better than the original.

The first time I made these for St. Patricks Day, I may have gone overboard with the green food coloring. My kids looked like aliens for the rest of the evening, green mustaches and all. Now we have a standing tradition of making these while watching Irish movies, and even my husband who claims to hate minty things asks for one every time.

Ingredients

• Vanilla ice cream: Full fat gives you that restaurant style creaminess that makes all the difference
• Whole milk: Creates the perfect pourable consistency, though 2% works if that is what you have
• Peppermint extract: Start with half a teaspoon because this stuff is surprisingly potent
• Vanilla extract: Just a quarter teaspoon rounds out the mint and adds depth
• Green food coloring: Four to six drops gets you that iconic shade without looking artificial
• Whipped cream: Definitely not optional in my house, the topping is half the fun

Instructions

Blend it all together:

Toss everything into the blender and let it run until completely smooth and that gorgeous green color is evenly distributed throughout

Check your consistency:

If it seems too thick for your liking, splash in a little more milk until it pours exactly how you like it

Taste and adjust:

Give it a quick taste test and add more peppermint extract if you want more mint, or more coloring if you want it greener

Pour and decorate:

Divide between two tall glasses and go wild with whipped cream, cherries, and any green sprinkles you have lurking in the pantry

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These became our snow day tradition last winter when school was cancelled and we needed something to brighten a gray afternoon. There is something about that bright green color that makes everyone smile, no matter what is happening outside.

Getting That Perfect Green

I have learned that liquid food coloring mixes more evenly than gel for milkshakes. Add it drop by drop while the blender is running and watch how beautifully it incorporates.

Making It Your Own

One friend mixes in crushed Thin Mint cookies for texture and swears it changed her life. Another adds a splash of chocolate syrup for a mint chocolate situation that her kids beg for constantly.

Serving Suggestions

Chill your glasses in the freezer for ten minutes before pouring, it keeps everything colder longer. Grab fun straws, paper umbrellas if you are feeling fancy, or just regular spoons because sometimes you need to get that last bit of whipped cream properly.

• These are best enjoyed immediately while still frosty cold
• Double the recipe for a crowd because one is never enough
• Keep extra whipped cream nearby for topping refills

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Hope these bring as much joy to your kitchen as they have to ours over the years. Happy shaking.

Recipe FAQs

→ What gives the shake its green color?

The green hue comes from a few drops of green food coloring added to the creamy base.

→ Can I make this shake dairy-free?

Yes, by using plant-based ice cream and milk substitutes, you can enjoy a dairy-free version.

→ How can I intensify the mint flavor?

Increasing the peppermint extract up to 3/4 teaspoon boosts the mintiness, but start with 1/2 teaspoon to avoid overpowering.

→ What tools are needed to prepare this shake?

A blender is essential for mixing all ingredients smoothly, along with measuring cups and tall glasses for serving.

→ Are there any optional toppings to enhance this shake?

Whipped cream, maraschino cherries, and green sprinkles can be added to elevate presentation and flavor.