Copycat McDonald's Shamrock Shake

Up there with the best-of-the-best fast food icons, McDonald’s Shamrock Shake is so beloved that it feels harsh that it’s only available during the month of March. So harsh, in fact, that I decided to solve this problem with this easy four-ingredient copycat recipe. If your St. Patrick’s Day tradition involves a stop at the nearest drive-through for a cold minty drink, this is your lucky year: You can now whip up your favorite fast-food order right at home. So get out the blender, and enjoy as many Shamrock Shakes as your heart desires.

What People Are Saying:"These were perfect for an after dinner treat. Everyone wanted more! We used mint extract (what I had on hand) instead of peppermint and found it to be a suitable substitute." - MLH428

How To Make A Shamrock Shake

INGREDIENTS

• Vanilla Ice Cream: I recommend going for a high-quality pint for the best flavor, but use your favorite brand.
• Whole Milk: I prefer whole milk for a richer, thicker texture, but can use any kind of milk you have on hand. You can even use an equal amount of cream for a richer shake if you like.
• Peppermint Extract: This is what adds that signature minty flavor. I recommend not adding more than the recommended amount, though—you don’t want this veering into toothpaste territory.
• Food Coloring: Both gel and liquid food coloring will work just fine, and feel free to adjust to reach your desired hue of Irish green.

STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS

This shake couldn’t be easier to create. Simply toss all of your ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth and combined. Take a look and give it a taste once smooth, and add more food coloring or extract as needed.

Once you’ve blitzed your shake to the perfect creamy and pourable texture, pour it into a chilled glass and top with a blast of whipped cream (bonus points if you make that from scratch too!) and a maraschino cherry.

The full list of ingredients and instructions can be found in the recipe below.

Recipe Tips

• Can I make it in batches? Yes, if you’d like to throw a shamrock party, this recipe can easily be scaled up to make a big batch of minty goodness. Simply double, triple, or quadruple the ingredients to feed your crowd.
• Make it boozy. Want to add an extra kick to this drink? Make our boozy Shamrock Shakes to spike this decadent shake.