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Home | Make Your Own Version of the Famous "Shamrock Shake"

Make Your Own Version of the Famous "Shamrock Shake"

Shamrock ShakeWhen I was a kid, I used to love the time around St. Patrick's Day, mainly because that's when McDonald's came out with their famous limited-time-only Shamrock Shakes. I thought I would try to replicate this seasonal treat at home, and it ended up being not all that difficult to do, and tastes remarkably like the real thing. (It's probably healthier, too, since you control the ingredients that go into it.)

OK, I realize that the Shamrock Shake is not exactly a traditional Irish drink, but I always associate it with St. Patty's day, in the spirit of childhood nostalgia. Its basically a peppermint flavored vanilla milkshake with some green food coloring added to it. Not that difficult, right? You might even have the ingredients in your kitchen for whipping up one of these treats for your kids today. The following recipe serves 2 to 3, and can be doubled to make more.

The green food coloring is entirely optional. We all know artificial food coloring isn't very good for you, so use the natural kind (available at Whole Foods) or leave it out altogether—it won't make it taste any different, but your nostalgia quotient will be lower.

Ingredients

  • 2 1/4 cups vanilla ice cream
  • 3/4 cup cold milk
  • 1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract (or to taste)
  • 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
  • a few drops green food coloring

Directions

Shamrock Shake ingredientsCombine ice cream, milk, salt, and peppermint extract in a blender jar (an immersion blender works really well for making milkshakes, too). Blend together, adding food coloring a few drops at a time until it's green enough for your liking. Taste and add more peppermint extract it necessary.

Serve in tall glasses with whipped cream, if desired.