A creamy, minty Shamrock Mint Milkshake perfect for St. Patrick’s Day! This refreshing treat is easy to make and customizable with fun toppings.
Prep Time:5 minutes
Cook Time:1 minute
Total Time:6 minutes
Yield:2 servings 1x
Ingredients
Scale
2 cups vanilla ice cream, softened slightly
1 cup whole milk
1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract
1/4 teaspoon green food coloring (gel or liquid)
2 tablespoons crème de menthe liqueur (optional, for adults only)
Whipped cream, for topping
Chocolate shavings or sprinkles, for garnish
Maraschino cherries, for garnish (optional)
Fresh mint sprigs, for garnish (optional)
Chocolate syrup, for drizzling (optional)
Instructions
Soften the Ice Cream: Take your vanilla ice cream out of the freezer about 10-15 minutes before you plan to make the milkshake. You want it to be softened enough to blend easily, but not completely melted.
Combine Ingredients: In a blender, combine the softened vanilla ice cream, whole milk, peppermint extract, and green food coloring. If you’re adding crème de menthe liqueur, pour it in now. Start with a smaller amount of peppermint extract and add more to taste.
Blend Until Smooth: Secure the lid on your blender and blend on medium speed until the mixture is smooth and creamy (about 30-60 seconds). Be careful not to over-blend. If the milkshake is too thick, add a splash more milk. If it’s too thin, add a scoop of ice cream and blend again.
Adjust Flavor and Color: Taste the milkshake and adjust the flavor as needed. If you want a stronger mint flavor, add a few more drops of peppermint extract. If you want a deeper green color, add a tiny bit more food coloring.
Pour into Glasses: Pour the Shamrock Mint Milkshake into chilled glasses.
Add Whipped Cream: Top each milkshake with a generous dollop of whipped cream.
Garnish: Sprinkle chocolate shavings or sprinkles over the whipped cream. Add a maraschino cherry on top. For an extra touch of freshness, add a sprig of fresh mint. Drizzle some chocolate syrup around the inside of the glass before pouring in the milkshake.
Serve Immediately: Serve the Shamrock Mint Milkshake immediately and enjoy!
Notes
For a Thicker Milkshake: Use less milk or add more ice cream. You can also add a few ice cubes to the blender for an extra-thick milkshake.
For a Thinner Milkshake: Use more milk or let the ice cream soften for a longer period of time.
Dairy-Free Option: Use dairy-free vanilla ice cream and almond milk or soy milk to make a dairy-free version of this milkshake.
Chocolate Mint Milkshake: Add 1-2 tablespoons of chocolate syrup or cocoa powder to the blender for a chocolate mint milkshake.
Oreo Mint Milkshake: Add a few crushed Oreo cookies to the blender for an Oreo mint milkshake.
Peppermint Patty Milkshake: Add a few chopped Peppermint Patty candies to the blender for a Peppermint Patty milkshake.
Adult Version: For an extra kick, add a shot of Irish cream liqueur or peppermint schnapps to the blender.
Make it Ahead: While best served immediately, you can prepare the milkshake base ahead of time. Blend the ice cream, milk, peppermint extract, and food coloring, then store it in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. When ready to serve, give it a quick blend to re-emulsify and pour into glasses.
Presentation Matters: Use fun straws, festive glasses, and creative garnishes to make your Shamrock Mint Milkshake extra special. Consider rimming the glasses with green sugar sprinkles for a festive touch.
Adjust Sweetness: If you prefer a less sweet milkshake, reduce the amount of ice cream or add a pinch of salt to balance the flavors.
Experiment with Extracts: While peppermint extract is the classic choice, you can experiment with other extracts like spearmint or vanilla extract for a slightly different flavor profile.
Consider the Food Coloring: Gel food coloring is more concentrated than liquid food coloring, so use it sparingly. Start with a very small amount and add more until you reach your desired color. Natural food coloring options are also available if you prefer to avoid artificial colors.
Blending Tips: Start blending on low speed and gradually increase to medium speed to avoid splattering. If the blender gets stuck, stop and use a spatula to push the ingredients down towards the blades.
Clean Up: Clean your blender immediately after making the milkshake to prevent the ice cream from hardening and becoming difficult to remove.