Homemade Shamrock Shake

A Homemade Shamrock Shake is a delicious, nostalgic treat that is so much more awesome when you make it at home. Thick and creamy with gorgeous mint flavor, it's a fun way to connect to your inner child.

I've lived in Scotland now for 8 years, and haven't lived in the mainland U.S. for over 15 years. It's surprising sometimes what I miss from home. There are simple little traditions that I took for granted, things it never occured to me that the rest of the world wouldn't have, especially as a child growing up in small town Washington state.

It's odd how St. Patrick's Day, which is so ubiquitous that even McDonald's has a seasonal offering to honor it, isn't even really noticed here in Scotland. But of course, the history between Ireland and the UK is so full of pain and complexity that I'm sure it would all be much more complicated than drinking a green milkshake and pinching people who don't wear green.

So when I want to reconnect with my childhood, sometimes I have to take matters into my own hands.

What makes a Homemade Shamrock Shake so awesome?

This is, of course, a homemade version of the McDonald's seasonal treat. The main difference being that this one is made with real ice cream and real milk, not the powdered mixture they put into the machines at the fast food joint. Making it at home means you can have it as thick as you like, and exactly as minty as you like.

You could also make it extra awesome by adding whipped cream and chocolate shavings. Or create an adult version by subbing out the peppermint extract for a splash of creme de menthe liqueur. And while you technically don't need to dye it green, you also don't need to drink a milkshake. So if you're going to go to the (admittedly not very much) trouble of making this, you might as well give it that Irish flare.

Magical Properties of Mint

Mint is a powerhouse in the metaphysical world. Known for its endurance and tenacity, mint is the perfect herb to help you call in abundance. This plant carries fire energy and is ruled by the planet Mars. You can also use it in spells for success, motivation, purification, and love. There's not much that mint can't do. Consider keeping a mint plant on your window sill so you always have access to its power.

For more on the magical properties of the ingredients in this recipe, check the Kitchen Magick page.

Ingredients

Here's everything you'll need to make this milkshake. All the details are in the recipe card below.

• Vanilla ice cream - use your favorite
• Milk - whole milk is awesome, but use whatever you have in your fridge
• Peppermint extract
• Green food coloring
• Whipped cream - optional but awesome

Tips for making a Homemade Shamrock Shake

Look, there's not really much of a science to making a milkshake. You add some ice cream to a blender, then keep adding milk until it's smooth enough to drink. You can make it as thick or thin as you like.

I don't really recommend actually measuring anything in this milkshake. Just experiment. Start with just a little bit of the mint extract, then taste and add more if you think it needs it. The flavor is very strong, so go easy.

As for dying your milkshake green, again, start with just a bit of the food coloring, then add more until it's a color you like. Every food dye is different, so some will be brighter than others.

Go on, have some fun and relive a moment from your childhood with a Homemade Shamrock Shake. And if you didn't drink these as a kid, now is a great time to start.

Looking for more awesome milkshake ideas? Try this White Russian Milkshake or a sweet Buttery Nipple Milkshake.

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