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I grew up eating McDonald’s almost every day, so it shouldn’t surprise you to hear that the Shamrock Shake was a highlight for me each year. I’ve always loved that sweet, minty flavor!

Now that I’ve studied nutrition for years, I prefer to make recipes with more wholesome ingredients. That’s why I’ve tested this milkshake multiple times (yum!) to make it both nourishing and delicious.

I think it tastes better than the kind you’d buy at a drive-thru, and as a bonus, there’s no food dye required!

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Featured Review

“My son and I love this recipe! It tastes like mint ice cream. I use dairy milk for his as he prefers it and can pick up the taste of my nut milk in everything. He’s having a second serving now. We will make this a few times this week as we get ready to celebrate St. Pat’s Day. We’ve tried a different recipe from another site that uses banana instead of the avocado and all we could taste was the banana. This one is the one to use!” – Christy

shamrock shakes topped with mint leaves and chocolate.

Shamrock Shake Ingredients

This healthier milkshake requires just five simple ingredients.

  • Spinach. This provides a rich green hue, without artificial food dyes. You can’t taste it at all! (Frozen might be a different story; I always use fresh.)
  • Medjool dates. Bananas usually sweeten healthy smoothies, but I don’t think banana and mint are a flavor match. Medjool dates are a superior sweetener in this case, while adding fiber and minerals to your drink! Shop for dates that look soft and squishy for the best results, and don’t forget to remove the pits before blending.
  • Almond Milk. I prefer to use this dairy-free milk, but any other liquid will work as well. (Even water!) Choose soy milk or regular milk for more protein.
  • Avocado. This ingredient adds creaminess, healthy fats, and a little more green color. If you’re not an avocado fan, use a tablespoon of almond butter instead.
  • Peppermint Extract. This is key for the minty flavor! It’s potent, so don’t add more than the recipe calls for until after you taste it.

Just like other smoothie recipes, this one is easy to customize. If you want to add protein powder or a tablespoon of chia seeds, go for it!

shamrock shake ingredients labeled in glass bowls.

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 two tablespoons of maple syrup instead. This will blend much more easily.

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 necessary adjustments. You can add more mint extract for a stronger mint flavor, or a little more maple syrup for added 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 mimic the McDonald’s Shamrock Shake recipe, garnish it with whipped cream and a cherry, or a few green sprinkles, if you keep them on hand. 

shamrock shake poured into a glass with a slushy texture.

Storage TipS

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 FAQs

How long are Shamrock Shakes available for?

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 requires minimal liquid, as the added ice may slightly dilute the flavor. You can always add a little extra milk or water to help thin out the consistency if needed.

shamrock shake with green straw and mint leaves.

Healthy Shamrock Shake Recipe

4.97 from 26 votes
This Shamrock Shake is a delicious alternative to the McDonald's version. It gets its naturally green hue from spinach, but you can't taste it at all. (No banana required!)
prep5 mins cook0 mins total5 mins
Servings:1

Ingredients
 
 

  • ¾ cup almond milk (or water)
  • ¼ avocado , pitted
  • 1 cup fresh baby spinach
  • ¼ teaspoon peppermint extract
  • 5 Medjool dates , pitted (or 2 T maple syrup)
  • 1 to 2 large handfuls of ice

Instructions

  • Combine the almond milk, avocado, spinach, peppermint extract, and dates and blend until smooth. Taste and adjust the any flavoring as needed, but keep in mind that the flavor will be diluted slightly when you add the ice in the next step.
  • Add the ice and blend again, until the smoothie is as thick as you’d like. Serve right away.

Video

Notes

Nutrition information is for the whole batch. This information is automatically calculated and is just an estimate, not a guarantee.

Nutrition

Calories: 412kcal | Carbohydrates: 94g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 14mg | Potassium: 1078mg | Fiber: 11g | Sugar: 80g | Vitamin A: 250IU | Vitamin C: 5mg | Calcium: 77mg | Iron: 1.4mg
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: shamrock shake

More Recipes to Try

If you try this copycat Shamrock Shake recipe, please leave a comment and star rating below letting me know how you like it.

Megan Gilmore leaning on her white countertop.

Megan Gilmore

Hi, I’m Megan. A former fast food junkie turned best-selling cookbook author. As a Certified Nutritionist Consultant (CNC), I love to make healthier food using simple ingredients. I test these recipes multiple times in my kitchen to make sure they will turn out perfectly for you.

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Comments

  1. My kids love this shake so much and request it often! Sometimes I use kale if that’s what I have on hand. I also sometimes add in half a frozen banana and some Greek yogurt and hemp hearts for extra protein and make a meal out of it for myself. My kids often request a handful of chocolate chips thrown in at the end to make it a mint chocolate chip shake. So good. Tastes like an unhealthy dessert but I feel great making it for my kids.

  2. My son and I love this recipe! It tastes like mint ice cream. I use dairy milk for his as he prefers it and can pick up the taste of my nut milk in everything. He’s having a second serving now. We will make this a few times this week as we get ready to celebrate St. Pat’s Day. We’ve tried a different recipe from another site that uses banana instead of the avocado and all we could taste was the banana. This one is the one to use!

  3. This was SO GOOOD! Made it with dates that i soaked first and added half cup plain yogurt. It was Awesome! Thank you

  4. I’ve never had the original, but my husband loves it, so I made him this and he said it was yummy. I did have to make some adjustments, because I didn’t have enough spinach, so I used a little bit of Romaine and I went a bit lighter on the peppermint, which he said could have been stronger, so if you have all the ingredients, I definitely recommend following the recipe😊. I thought it tasted like mint chip Ice cream, so I sprinkled some cacao nibs on mine.

  5. One of my kids’ favorite shakes/smoothies. I usually throw in some carob chips or chocolate chips at the end of blending. It’s so creamy and delicious and tasted like a dessert! I also added flax to make it a meal.

  6. I’m not a fan of “flavorings” or extracts. I used a couple handfuls of fresh mint leaves instead. Yummy!