This minty, green seasonal treat can now be enjoyed year-round! Shamrock Shakes are so fun to make and an easy St. Patrick’s Day dessert – although they shouldn’t be limited to the holiday. They're an evergreen favorite! (Pun intended!)Be sure to use extracts labeled as “Mint” and not “Peppermint”. Peppermint extract is sharp and unlike the mint flavor used in Shamrock Shakes. Also, be a label-reader, and pay attention to the ingredients. Some mint flavorings labeled as ‘extract’ are oil based, and will be stronger than water-based extracts. If your ice cream is frozen rock-solid, let it stand at room temperature for 10 minutes before using, or until it is easily scoopable.
Aerosol whipped creamsee recipe notes for homemade
4maraschino cherries with stemspatted dry
2tablespoonssprinkles, gold or greenoptional
Instructions
In a blender pitcher, combine the vanilla ice cream, half of the milk, 1/4 teaspoon mint extract, and 10 drops of liquid green food color. Blend to combine; mixture should be very thick.
While the blender is running, add additional milk through the hole in the blender lid to achieve a thick, pourable consistency (you may not have to use all of the milk, depending on the ice cream temperature and brand).
Taste-test the milkshake mixture, and add more mint extract, 1/8 teaspoon at a time. My milkshake batch took exactly 1/2 teaspoon of mint extract.
When the mint flavor is just right, add additional green food color if needed for a bright, festive hue. Blend until completely smooth.
Immediately divide the shake between 4 glasses (about 12 oz. capacity, each) and top each glass with a large swirl of whipped cream.
Add cherries on top of the whipped cream, then add sprinkles, if using. Serve immediately.
Notes
Homemade Whipped Cream: Place one cup of heavy cream in the bowl of an electric mixer with a whip attachment. Beat until slightly thickened, and add 2 tablespoons fine granulated sugar. Beat until stiff peaks form. Transfer to a piping bag fitted with a large closed star top (Ateco 856). Pipe swirls of whipped cream on top of the milk shakes. Or, just dollop whipped cream on top of the shakes with a spoon.Boozy Variation: Omit the mint extract, and add 1/4 cup of crème de menthe liqueur to the milkshake mixture. Add more to taste.Vegan/Dairy-Free Shamrock Shake: Replace the ice cream in this recipe with plant-based vanilla ice cream in equal portions (oat milk, cashew, or coconut milk to name a few). Also use plant-based milk. Use plant-based frozen whipped topping (thawed), such as So Delicious brand coconut whipped cream.Copycat Oreo Shamrock McFlurry®: Crush 8 Oreo cookies and add them to the blender pitcher with the mint milkshake mixture. Blend in bursts to disperse cookie pieces throughout the shake. Don’t blend too much, or the cookies will turn the milkshake grey.*Shamrock Shakeis a registered trademark and brand of McDonald's Corporation.