Mint To Be – Shamrock Shake & Ice Cream Recipes For St. Patrick’s Day

Create the perfect Homemade Shamrock Shake Ice Cream for St. Patrick’s Day! Easy recipes, vegan options, & tips to avoid the dreaded McFlurry Machine fail! – It’s Mint to be!

The luck of the Irish is upon us, and St. Patrick’s Day is here! For many, this means parades, shamrocks, and of course, the iconic Shamrock Shake.

This minty-green treat has become a beloved tradition for many, but what if you could enjoy an even better ice cream version, made right in your own kitchen?

In this article, we’ll give you a little history of the St Patrick’s Day celebrations, we’ll ditch the queues and potential McFlurry machine disappointments and show you how to create the perfect homemade Shamrock Shake Ice Cream. From classic recipes to vegan options and creative twists, we’ve got everything you need to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in delicious Shamrock Shake Ice Cream style.

If you’d prefer, you can head straight to our recipe by using the following link, or read along to find out more.

The Story Behind St. Patrick’s Day

St. Patrick’s Day, celebrated on 17th March, honours Ireland’s patron saint, St. Patrick. Legend has it that St. Patrick used shamrocks to explain the concept of the Holy Trinity, and over time, they became a key emblem of the celebrations. The day has become a global celebration of Irish culture, marked by parades, music, and festive green-themed treats.

Beyond the parades and festivities, St. Patrick’s Day has also inspired some delicious traditions. One of the most iconic? The Shamrock Shake—a minty, green-hued delight that’s become synonymous with the holiday. But did you know you can easily make your own at home?

What is a Shamrock Shake?

The Shamrock Shake is a seasonal mint-vanilla milkshake sold at McDonald’s during the St. Patrick’s Day period. First introduced in 1970, this vibrant green treat quickly became a festive favourite.

But why mint, and why green? The colour is a nod to Ireland’s lush landscape and the iconic shamrock, a symbol of luck and prosperity in Irish culture.

While the McDonald’s version remains popular, the Shamrock Shake has evolved beyond fast food, inspiring countless homemade variations that capture its refreshing, creamy goodness – without the long queues or the risk of a broken McFlurry machine!

Exciting news for UK Shamrock Shake fans! For the first time ever, McDonald’s has officially launched the Shamrock Shake in the UK in 2025. But be quick—it’s only available for two weeks from March 12 to March 25. If you want to try the real deal, now’s your chance!

👉🏽 Read more here – McDonald’s fans in the UK can finally try the ‘legendary’ Shamrock Shake from the US

Why Make Your Own Shamrock Shake?

Avoid the McFlurry Machine Mayhem!

Let’s be honest, the biggest risk with getting a McDonald’s Shamrock Shake is the infamous McFlurry machine breakdown! Skip the disappointment – make your own!

And if you don’t manage to grab one before they disappear from UK McDonald’s menus, don’t worry—we’ve got you covered with the best homemade versions!

Plus the added bonus with homemade is you can customise the flavour, control the ingredients, and enjoy it whenever the craving strikes.

Making soft serve ice cream is far easier than you might think, with or without an ice cream maker, however, the Cuisinart Soft Serve Ice Cream Maker is perfect for creating soft serve ice cream that resembles anything you’d get from the ice cream van.

👉🏽 Head on over to our article – Cuisinart Soft Serve Ice Cream Maker – A Detailed Review– to learn more.

Homemade Shamrock Shake Recipes

So now we have some background on the history of the Shamrock Shake, let us take you through the process of creating your own.

Classic Shamrock Shake Recipe

Ingredients:

• 250ml vanilla ice cream
• 120ml whole milk
• 1/4 tsp mint extract (adjust to taste)
• 2-3 drops of green food colouring (gel food colouring recommended)
• Whipped cream (for topping)
• Green sprinkles or a maraschino cherry (optional)

Instructions:

1. Combine the ice cream, milk, and mint extract in a blender.
2. Blend until smooth and creamy.
3. Add the green food colouring and blend until the desired shade of green is achieved.
4. Pour into a glass and top with whipped cream, sprinkles, or a cherry.
5. Enjoy immediately!

Nutritional Values:

• Calories: ~320 kcal | Fat: 14g | Carbohydrates: 42g | Sugars: 38g | Protein: 6g

🔹 Ways to reduce calories: Use low-fat milk or light ice cream.
🔹 Ways to boost protein: Swap whole milk for high-protein milk like Fairlife or add protein powder.

Vegan Shamrock Shake Recipe

Ingredients:

• 250ml vegan vanilla ice cream (coconut-based or oat-based recommended)
• 120ml almond milk (or other plant-based milk)
• 1/4 tsp mint extract (adjust to taste)
• 2-3 drops green food colouring (natural food colouring optional)
• Vegan whipped cream (for topping)
• Green sprinkles (vegan-friendly)

Instructions:

1. Combine the vegan ice cream, almond milk, and mint extract in a blender.
2. Blend until smooth and creamy.
3. Add the green food colouring and blend until the desired shade of green is achieved.
4. Pour into a glass and top with vegan whipped cream and sprinkles.
5. Enjoy immediately!

Nutritional Values:

• Calories: ~290 kcal | Fat: 12g | Carbohydrates: 40g | Sugars: 30g | Protein: 3g

🔹 Ways to reduce sugars: Use unsweetened almond or oat milk.
🔹 Ways to add protein: Blend in some silken tofu or plant-based protein powder.

Shamrock Shake Mint Ice Cream Recipe

Take your Shamrock Shake up a notch or two with our Shamrock Shake Ice Cream recipe and method.

Here’s how to make yours;

Ingredients:

• 500ml double cream
• 397g tin condensed milk
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/2 tsp mint extract
• Green food colouring (gel recommended)
• (Optional) Chocolate chips or Oreo crumbles

Instructions:

1. Whip the double cream until soft peaks form.
2. Gently fold in the condensed milk, vanilla extract, and mint extract.
3. Add the green food colouring and fold until the desired shade of green is achieved.
4. (Optional) Gently fold in chocolate chips or Oreo crumbles.
5. Pour into a freezer-safe container and freeze for at least 6 hours, or preferably overnight.

Nutritional Values (Per Serving – 100g)

• Calories: ~380 kcal | Fat: 25g | Carbohydrates: 35g | Sugars: 33g | Protein: 5g

🔹 Ways to lighten it up: Swap double cream for Greek yoghurt or coconut cream.
🔹 Ways to make it richer: Stir in white chocolate chips or crushed biscuits.

Creative Shamrock Shake Add-ons

As always, the great thing about homemade is you get to customise your ice cream exactly as you want it.

Suggested add-ons;

• Shamrock Oreo Shake: Blend in a few Oreo biscuits for a cookies-and-cream twist.
• Chocolate Mint Shamrock Shake: Add a tablespoon of cocoa powder for a chocolatey indulgence.
• Salted Caramel Shamrock Shake: Drizzle salted caramel sauce over the whipped cream for a sweet and salty treat.
• Shamrock Coffee Shake: Add a shot of espresso for a caffeinated kick.

Topping Ideas – Go Green or Go Home!

• Whipped Cream: A classic topping for any milkshake.
• Green Sprinkles: Add a festive touch with green sprinkles.
• Chocolate Shavings: A decadent addition for chocolate lovers.
• Maraschino Cherries: A traditional milkshake garnish.
• Mint Leaves: Fresh mint leaves add a refreshing aroma.

Tips and Tricks – Shamrock Shake Success

• Mint Extract: Start with a small amount of mint extract and add more to taste. Too much can be overpowering.
• Consistency: Adjust the amount of milk to achieve your desired milkshake consistency.
  

  

• Food Colouring: Use gel food colouring for a more vibrant green colour. Start with a small amount and add more gradually.
• Chilling: For an extra-thick shake, chill the glasses in the freezer before pouring.

👉🏽 Click on the following link for – A Selection of Green Food Colouring Gels

The Final Lucky Scoop

With our recipes and tips, you can create the perfect homemade Shamrock Shake Ice Cream for St. Patrick’s Day, and save yourself the disappointment of a broken McFlurry machine!

Whether you prefer a classic milkshake version, a vegan alternative, or a creative ice cream twist, the possibilities are endless. So, why not gather your ingredients, put on some festive Irish music, and get ready to shamrock-shake things up?

👉🏽 What’s your favourite way to customise a Shamrock Shake? Share your ideas in the comments below!

We hope that you have enjoyed our article – Mint To Be – Shamrock Shake Ice Cream Recipes For St. Patrick’s Day – and that we have inspired you to give this fantastic St Patrick’s Day-inspired recipe a go. If you have any questions, please drop us a comment below and we will be happy to get back to you.

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