Name: Copycat Shamrock Shake
Prep time: 5 min
Total time: 25 min
Ingredients: 3 cups whole milk or full fat milk alternative like coconut milk (See Notes); 25 Noor Dates (pitted (If using Medjool dates, use half the amount since they are bigger)); 2 tsp mint extract; 2 tsp vanilla extract; 1/4 tsp sea salt; Optional taste-free add-in's for added nutrients; 1/2 cup baby spinach for natural green color; Optional whipped cream or coconut whipped cream topping for garnish

Jump to Recipe

Skip the gobs of sugar and artificial dyes and make your own easy and delicious copycat Shamrock Shake using real food ingredients!

Product links in this post are affiliate links. It does not cost you anything and helps maintain the free information on this site, as well as answer the questions of “what brand do you use?” Please know I never personally recommend any product I wouldn’t use on my own family.

She was just shy of 6 years old…

One of those mom things that no one prepares you for is when your tiny human starts to read…the entire world surrounding them. My oldest started reading in preschool. It kind of blew us away. Just short sight words at first, but she walked into kindergarten reading actual books. I remember her tiny little voice in the car reading signs as we drove past. There was a lot of “Momma what does (insert large word) mean?” We were on our usual trip to school one morning in March, and she sounds out…“Momma what does Shamrock Shake mean?” off the McDonald’s sign. Ugh. Just GREAT, I thought…

Let’s make it!

We ended up making our own green smoothies at home that week, and my little people were thrilled. Not knowing any differently, they really did think it was the bees knees that their momma could make a McDonald’s Shamrock Shake! Over the years, not only have I perfected the yummiest Shamrock Shake, but because real food ingredients and natural dyes have only improved, we can really knock it out of the park making our own copycat.

Sugar and Dyes…

Let’s just start here, because as far as a McDonald’s Shamrock Shake goes, the gobs of sugar and green food dye are the number one and number two things we were trying to avoid. FIFTY-FOUR grams of sugar. 54! That is how much added sugar is in a medium Shamrock Shake. To give you a little perspective, that is just over 1/4 CUP of sugar. I literally cannot imagine what that would feel like in my body, let alone a little kid. And of course, the blue and yellow dyes to make that electric green color are not on my list of ingredients I want in my small child!

Ok, so how do we sweeten our Shamrock Shake then?

There are so many options! I happen to love date-sweetening food where ever I can. It adds fiber so the carb spike is not intense, as well as minerals and vitamins from the fruit itself. I have served date-sweetened ice creams and this Shamrock Shake to people outside of our home without anyone batting an eye, so I can tell you it will not change the flavor! But, if you do not have access to dates, you can use honey, maple syrup, date sugar, turbinado sugar, or maple sugar to naturally sweeten.

Natural green food coloring options

As far as the pretty green color for your copycat Shamrock Shake, you have a couple options. I have always used a small handful of baby spinach. You don’t need much for the minty green color to shine! In fact, that is what is used in the photos of this post, because I wanted you to see how pretty it actually can be! You could also use a natural green food coloring. Unlike when my girls were little, you can find great natural green food coloring anywhere these days! Check your local grocery store, or hop over to this LINK and check out all the different brands that have natural dyes these days.

Let’s talk about how to get the sweet minty flavor

Using a combination of mint or peppermint extract along with an equal amount of vanilla extract gives the milkshake a vanilla ice cream with mint flavor profile. I like 2 teaspoons of each, but you can start with 1 teaspoon and add to your taste preference. If you have a kitchen herb garden, or it is summer, feel free to use real, fresh mint leaves to your taste! This also adds green color like the baby spinach, so add the mint leaves in to your taste, and then add the green coloring if you need it.

Optional Nutrient Add-In’s!

You really can boost the nutrients if you want make this Shamrock Shake more often than just a once a year treat. Frozen riced cauliflower is my favorite smoothie add-in that does not change the color, texture, or taste at all. In fact, it will make it creamier, and because it is frozen, it will keep the shake cold – kind of like ice does. I also like to add in collagen because it does not have a taste. If you prefer to add more protein, you could take out some of the sweetener and add vanilla protein powder. THIS is my favorite vanilla protein powder.

Let’s make a Copycat Shamrock Shake!

To get your Shamrock Shake started, blend your choice of milk or milk alternative with the dates. This allows extra blending time for your high speed blender to take care of blending down those date pieces. Your “date milk” will seem light tan in color at first, but don’t worry! The green spinach leaves or natural green food coloring really does work to change that! Once you make the date milk, add the rest of the ingredients and blend until smooth and creamy.

An Optional Ice Cream Churn!

The Shamrock Shake is delicious and creamy as is right out of the blender. But, if you like a thick and creamy milkshake, give it 10-15 minutes of churning in your ice cream maker to get a melty soft serve ice cream like texture. It is to die for, and really takes this Shamrock Shake to the next level! (This is the ice cream maker I have had for over a decade. It is a middle of the road churner and works so great! We make ice cream all summer long, so it has been such a great investment! Put it on your gift wish list!)

TELL ME about those CUTE Shamrock Straws (and other garnishes!)

Ok…so truth be told, I literally blogged this Shamrock Shake just so that I had a reason to buy these glass shamrock straws! Of course, my girls were in love with them too. If you prefer something less breakable, try any of the festive shamrock paper straws here. We also added CocoWhip to the top of our shakes, but you can use whipped cream (or homemade whipped cream!). I also think naturally dyed green sprinkles would be fun! You can find naturally dyed green sprinkles and naturally dyed green sanding sugar HERE.