Shamrock Shake (No Food Dye!)

This healthy Shamrock Shake tastes better than the kind you’d buy at a drive-thru. It’s a nutritious, mint-flavored milkshake that is naturally green– no food dye required!

shamrock shakes topped with mint leaves and chocolate.

Why You’ll Love It

It’s naturally green. Instead of relying on green food coloring like the McDonald’s version, this copycat recipe gets its green hue from simple ingredients, like spinach and avocado. You can’t taste it at all, so it’s the perfect treat for St. Patrick’s Day! (No gel food coloring required.)

It’s easy to make. Just toss a few ingredients into a blender, and blend until smooth. Then you’ll add the ice and blend again until it has a slushy texture, just like a milkshake! Unlike the version that is available only for a limited time, you can make this one anytime a craving strikes.

It’s a delicious treat. This smoothie recipe tastes like a sweet, mint-flavored dessert, without using refined sugar or vanilla ice cream.

It’s easy to customize. If you’re not a fan of avocado, you can skip that and use a frozen banana for creaminess, or add a spoonful of almond butter, instead. Either will add a dairy-free creaminess, without relying on ice cream.

Ingredients You’ll Need

shamrock shake ingredients labeled in glass bowls.

The spinach will add a green color, but you can’t taste it at all! The peppermint extract will add a minty flavor, but you can also use a few fresh mint leaves, if you prefer. (Any other mint extract available at your grocery store should work here, too.)

You can use any milk as the base of this recipe, including whole milk, almond milk, or coconut milk, if you need a dairy-free option.

How to Make a Healthy Shamrock Shake

1. Blend.

In a high-speed blender, combine the almond milk, avocado, spinach, pitted Medjool dates (or maple syrup), and peppermint extract. Blend until the dates are totally pulverized, and the mixture has a creamy texture, almost like a green pudding.

Note: If you don’t have a high-speed blender, omit the dates and use 2 tablespoons of maple syrup, instead. This will be much easier to blend!

shamrock shake ingredients blended in a blender pitcher.

2. Add the ice.

Once the mixture is smooth, add the ice and blend again to achieve a slushy texture, or your desired consistency. Keep in mind that the more ice you add, the more diluted the flavor will become.

Taste the smoothie and make any adjustments, as needed. You can add more mint extract for a minty flavor, or a little more maple syrup for extra sweetness.

ice added to smoothie and blended together.

3. Enjoy!

Pour the smoothie into a glass and serve it right away for the best taste and texture. To make it look like McDonald’s shamrock shake recipe, garnish it with whipped cream and a cherry, or a few green sprinkles, if you keep them on hand.

Storage Tip: Smoothies don’t always store well in the fridge overnight, so if you have leftovers, pour them into a popsicle mold and freeze them for a treat later!

shamrock shake poured into a glass with a slushy texture.

Variations & Frequently Asked Questions

How long are Shamrock Shakes available for?

This seasonal milkshake is usually available starting in late February through March, but you can make this homemade version anytime!

Can I make a mint chocolate chip flavor?

Yes, you can add a few chocolate chips to this recipe in the final step (when you add the ice) to distribute bits of chocolate throughout the smoothie. Or, try drizzling some chocolate syrup on top, for an easy mint chocolate flavor.

Why is the smoothie so thick?

This recipe calls for minimal liquid, since the ice added later might dilute the flavor slightly. You can always add a little extra milk or water to help thin out the consistency, if you need to!

Looking for more St. Patrick’s Day ideas? Try Sweet Spinach Muffins, Mint Matcha Cookies, or Pistachio Ice Cream for more delicious recipes.