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 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!
How to Make a Healthy Shamrock Shake
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
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!
IngredientsUS CustomaryMetric1x2x3x
- 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
More Recipes to Try
- Sweet Spinach Muffins
- Mint Matcha Cookies
- Pistachio Ice Cream
Healthy Shamrock Shake Recipe
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.
