If you’re like me and love a festive treat that’s as fun to make as it is to drink, you’re going to adore this Homemade Peppermint Shamrock Shake Recipe. It’s creamy, minty, and perfectly green — a little nostalgic and a lot delicious. I’ve been whipping these up every St. Patrick’s Day (and honestly whenever I crave a cool peppermint twist), and I’m so excited to share my go-to method with you. Trust me, this homemade version beats any fast-food shake you’ve tried before — plus, you can customize it exactly how you like!

💛

Why This Recipe Works

Simple Ingredients: Uses just a handful of everyday items so you can whip it up anytime without a trip to the store.
Perfectly Balanced Mint Flavor: Peppermint extract adds just the right minty zing without overpowering the creaminess.
Customizable Texture & Color: Easily adjust milk amount for thickness and food coloring to get that classic shamrock green shade you love.
Fun & Festive Presentation: Whipped cream and a cherry on top make it feel extra special, perfect for celebrating or anytime treat.

Homemade Peppermint Shamrock Shake, festive mint shake, St. Patrick's Day dessert, DIY mint milkshake, green peppermint shake - Two clear glasses are filled with a light green creamy drink. Each glass has a thick white straw. On top of the drink is a swirl of white whipped cream with a bright red cherry placed in the center, its dark stem standing up. The glasses sit on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient in this Homemade Peppermint Shamrock Shake Recipe brings something delicious to the party. The balance between creamy vanilla ice cream and fresh milk creates that silky texture, while peppermint extract makes it taste like St. Patrick’s Day in a glass. Here are my tips for picking the best ingredients.

Homemade Peppermint Shamrock Shake, festive mint shake, St. Patrick's Day dessert, DIY mint milkshake, green peppermint shake - Flat lay of a small scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream, a small white ceramic bowl filled with whole milk, a tiny white bowl with clear peppermint extract, a tiny white bowl containing a few drops of vibrant green liquid, a dollop of fresh whipped cream on a simple white plate, a single glossy red maraschino cherry on a small white dish, all arranged symmetrically and balanced, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Vanilla Ice Cream: Choose a high-quality, creamy vanilla ice cream for the smoothest, richest base. Lower-quality ice creams can be icy or grainy.
Whole Milk: Whole milk adds the perfect creaminess without thinning the shake too much. You can tweak the amount to get the thickness you like.
Pure Peppermint Extract: Make sure you use pure peppermint extract (not mint flavoring) for a fresher, more authentic taste.
Green Food Coloring: Just a drop or two helps you get that iconic shamrock green — add slowly to control the shade.
Whipped Cream (Optional): Adds a light, airy finish and looks perfect when topped with a maraschino cherry.
Maraschino Cherry (Optional): A classic garnish that adds a pop of color and sweetness on top.

📝

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Tweak to Your Taste

I love that this Homemade Peppermint Shamrock Shake Recipe is super easy to tweak depending on what mood I’m in or what’s in my pantry. Whether you want it thinner, sweeter, or dairy-free, there’s a way to make it your own and keep it delicious.

For a Thicker Shake: I usually cut back on the milk to about ⅓ cup — this makes the shake almost like a soft serve consistency, which is dreamy on a warm day.
Dairy-Free Option: Use coconut or almond milk and swap the vanilla ice cream for a plant-based alternative. I tried this for a friend’s St. Patty’s party and no one missed the dairy!
Extra Minty: If you really love peppermint, add an extra ¼ teaspoon of extract — but don’t overdo it, or it gets too sharp.
Sweeten It Up: Drizzle a little honey or agave into the blender if your ice cream isn’t super sweet or you’re feeling indulgent.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Homemade Peppermint Shamrock Shake Recipe

Step 1: Gather and Chill Your Ingredients

I always start by grabbing all my ingredients and giving them a quick chill in the fridge before blending. The colder everything is, the thicker and more refreshing your shake will be. It takes just a few minutes, but it makes a huge difference — you don’t want a runny shake that can’t hold up the whipped cream topping!

Step 2: Blend the Base

Pop the vanilla ice cream, whole milk, peppermint extract, and a couple drops of green food coloring into your blender. Pulse it a few times first to combine, then blend on high until smooth and creamy. Keep an eye on the color and texture — you can add a drop more food coloring or a splash more milk to get it just right. It usually only takes about 30 seconds.

Step 3: Serve and Garnish

Pour your perfect peppermint shamrock shake into a tall glass and get ready for the fun part — topping it with a swirl of whipped cream and the classic maraschino cherry. I like to add a little extra green food coloring on the whipped cream for the full festive vibe. And don’t forget a big straw for sipping!

💡

Pro Tips for Making Homemade Peppermint Shamrock Shake Recipe

Cold Ingredients Matter: I learned the hard way that warm milk or ice cream leads to a watery shake—keep everything chilled for the best texture.
Start with Less Food Coloring: A little goes a long way, so drop one or two drops at a time to avoid that neon green that looks artificial.
Use Quality Peppermint Extract: Cheap flavorings can taste artificial or overpowering—splurge on pure extract for smooth mint flavor.
Don’t Overblend: Blend just until smooth—too long and the shake will warm up and thin out faster.

How to Serve Homemade Peppermint Shamrock Shake Recipe

Homemade Peppermint Shamrock Shake, festive mint shake, St. Patrick's Day dessert, DIY mint milkshake, green peppermint shake - A tall clear glass filled with a light green creamy drink that has a smooth texture with some small bubbles near the top. On top of the drink is a layer of white whipped cream with soft peaks, crowned by one bright red cherry with a long stem. A thick white straw is placed inside the glass, standing upright. The glass is set on a white marbled surface with a soft cream-colored cloth in the blurred background. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Garnishes

I always go classic with homemade whipped cream and a bright red maraschino cherry on top — it just wouldn’t feel like a shamrock shake without it! Sometimes I sprinkle a little crushed peppermint candy or even some green sugar sprinkles for extra sparkle. These little extras make your shake stand out and bring a festive flair that guests love.

Side Dishes

This shake is indulgent enough to stand on its own, but if you want a snack alongside, I recommend something salty and simple – like buttery popcorn or lightly salted pretzels. For a full St. Patrick’s Day spread, pair it with classic corned beef sandwiches or green-tinted cookies to keep that festive theme going.

Creative Ways to Present

I’ve had fun serving these shakes in mason jars tied with green ribbon for parties. For St. Patty’s brunches, I’ll add a little umbrella or a cute shamrock stirrer. If you’re feeling extra festive, try rimming the glass with crushed peppermint candy or green sanding sugar before pouring the shake in.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Since this shake is freshest right after making, I usually don’t keep leftovers — it tends to separate and lose its creamy texture. But if you have some left, store it in an airtight container in the fridge and give it a good stir before drinking. It won’t be as magical as fresh, but still tasty.

Freezing

I haven’t found freezing the shake itself to work well because the texture gets grainy when thawed. However, you can freeze any extra vanilla ice cream or peppermint extract to be ready for your next batch. This way, you always have the key ingredients on hand.

Reheating

This shake is best served cold so reheating isn’t really an option. If you want to loosen up a refrigerated leftover, just let it sit at room temp for a few minutes and give it a good stir to bring back some creaminess.

FAQs

Can I make this Homemade Peppermint Shamrock Shake Recipe without food coloring?

Absolutely! The food coloring is purely for that classic green look, but the shake will taste just as amazing without it. You’ll enjoy a more natural pale minty color, which some folks actually prefer.
How strong is the peppermint flavor in this shake?

The peppermint flavor is refreshing but not overpowering with the recommended ½ teaspoon extract. You can always add more for a stronger mint punch, but start small — peppermint can quickly become intense!
Can I use low-fat milk or a milk substitute?

Yes, low-fat milk or plant-based milks like almond, oat, or coconut work fine, though the shake might be thinner and less creamy. Adjust the ice cream quantity or reduce the milk for thicker consistency.
What’s the best way to get the perfect green color?

Add green food coloring one drop at a time, blending in between, until you reach your desired shade. This helps avoid going too dark or bright, keeping your shake looking as festive as it tastes.

Final Thoughts

This Homemade Peppermint Shamrock Shake Recipe has become my go-to treat whenever I want an instant burst of festive fun and creamy minty goodness. Making it yourself means you get to control every ingredient and adjust it exactly how you like, which is so much better than the drive-thru version. I hope you have as much fun making and sipping it as I do sharing it with friends — this little shake always brings a smile to the table, no matter the season!