Vegan Shamrock Shake – Nora Cooks

This 4-Ingredient Vegan Shamrock Shake is a minty and creamy treat that’s perfect for St. Patrick’s Day! Ready in 5 minutes.

St. Patrick’s Day isn’t complete without a Vegan Shamrock Shake! Creamy, minty, and topped with whipped cream, it’s the ultimate treat to wash down a hearty vegetarian stew. Best of all, you only need 4 simple ingredients and a blender to make it.

And just like my pumpkin milkshake, this vegan St. Patrick’s Day dessert isn’t trying to be healthy or anything. The silky smooth texture and mint flavor will remind you of McDonald’s classic Shamrock Milkshake thanks to rich non-dairy ice cream, oat milk, mint extract and food coloring. No leafy greens or bananas needed!

What is Shamrock Shake?

McDonald’s was the first to produce and sell the Shamrock Shake in the 1970s. It’s a milkshake made with vanilla soft serve, green shamrock syrup and whipped cream.

The original milkshake is dairy-based, obviously, but that doesn’t mean it’s hard to make a dairy-free version. All you need is your favorite vegan vanilla ice cream and three simple ingredients.

Required components (including substitutions)

• Vegan vanilla ice cream – There are so many great dairy-free ice cream brands to choose from! I like to make it with a very delicious cashew-based vanilla ice cream, but Trader Joe’s soy-based ice cream is also great. Use what you already like or go all out with my homemade vegan ice cream!
• Dairy free milk – Oat milk is my favorite but you can use any dairy free milk you like.
• Peppermint extract – It must have mint flavor. Peppermint extract will work just as well.
• Green food coloring – I used liquid food coloring but vegan gel food coloring would also work. For a more natural option, replace food coloring with a pinch of matcha powder, spirulina or fresh mint leaves.

How to make a vegan shamrock shake?

Find the full recipe with measurements below on the recipe card.

Add ice cream, milk, mint extract and food coloring to a blender.

Blend until it is creamy, smooth and a light mint green color.

Either pour it into a large glass or two small glasses and finish with your favorite toppings. Enjoy!

top ideas

This festival is not complete without milkshake toppings! Use these ideas for inspiration:

• Vegan whipped cream (made from coconut milk, aquafaba or plant milk)
• mint leaves
• Maraschino cherries
• Sprinkle with four-leaf clover
• Green and orange sprinkles
• Mini Dairy Free Chocolate Chips
• Dark chocolate curls
• Crushed Oreo Cookies

strategy

• Make sure your ice cream is frozen solid before blending so you get the most frozen milkshake possible. It will be difficult to scoop this way, so you can always pre-scoop it into a container. Let it set overnight, then mix the next day. Or just use a whole pint of vanilla ice cream and put it straight into the blender.
• Start with 7 or 8 drops of food coloring, mix the ingredients, then add more until you find that light mint green color.
• Want a little texture? After blending you can fold crushed Oreo cookies or mini chocolate chips into the milkshake. Just don’t mix chocolate with milkshakes, as this will give an unpleasant green-brown color.
• In the spirit of the Irish holiday, 1 or 1.5 ounces of alcohol can be added if you want an adult-friendly boozy milkshake. I recommend using vodka, whiskey, vegan Baileys or vegan Irish cream.

Make it ahead of time

Want to make it for a crowd? You can save time and prevent it from melting by mixing the ingredients, then pour the milkshake into the ice cube tray. Freeze the cubes until firm, then transfer to an airtight container or Ziploc bag.

Mix in as many cubes as you need for individual or crowd-sized portions (thin it out with a splash of oat milk if needed). Pour, decorate, and enjoy!

Want more vegan St. Patrick’s Day recipes?

You can technically add green food coloring to pancakes, frosting, and cupcakes to make them festive, but these recipes are especially great for celebrating St. Patrick’s Day: