Nothing quite says festive and fresh like a minty, dreamy shake on a cozy afternoon. This Vegan Shamrock Mint Shake Recipe brings all the creamy, refreshing mint vibes without any dairy—perfect for a quick indulgence or celebrating St. Patrick’s Day with a twist.
Jump to:
Why You'll Love This Recipe
I’ve made my fair share of shamrock shakes over the years, but this vegan version stole my heart. It’s quick, so creamy, and has that perfect crisp minty flavor without any dairy fuss. Trust me, you’ll want to keep this recipe handy year-round.
- Simple & Quick: It takes just about 5 minutes to pull together with minimal ingredients.
- Completely Dairy-Free: Perfect for anyone avoiding dairy or looking to try a plant-based treat.
- Customizable Color & Flavor: You control how green and minty it gets—add more or less!
- Fun & Festive Presentation: The whipped cream, sprinkles, and cherry toppings make it feel like a special indulgence.
Ingredients & Why They Work
Every ingredient in this Vegan Shamrock Mint Shake Recipe comes together for a smooth, minty blast of flavor. Choosing quality dairy-free ice cream and milk is key to making it that creamy dream you expect from a shamrock shake.
- Dairy-Free Vanilla Ice Cream: This is your creamy base—go for a brand with rich vanilla flavor and a soft but firm texture.
- Dairy-Free Milk: I personally like oat milk for its natural creaminess, but almond or soy milk work great too.
- Mint Extract: Just a little goes a long way, so start small and add more if you want it punchier.
- Green Food Coloring: You can use traditional drops or opt for natural alternatives like spirulina or matcha powder for a healthier vibe.
- Vegan Whipped Cream: It adds the perfect fluffy topping and balances the mint chill with a touch of sweetness.
- Sprinkles: Adds a fun visual pop and a tiny bit of crunch.
- Maraschino Cherries: The classic finishing touch that brings a nostalgic feel.
Make It Your Way
One of the best things about this Vegan Shamrock Mint Shake Recipe is how flexible it is. I love experimenting with different dairy-free ice creams to switch the flavor up or reduce the sugar content with a homemade alternative.
- Variation: I sometimes swap out the mint extract for fresh mint leaves blended right into the shake—it gives a fresher, slightly herbal note I adore.
- Natural Color: If you prefer to skip artificial food coloring, try a pinch of matcha powder; it also adds a subtle earthy flavor.
- Extra Creamy: For an ultra-rich shake, add a spoonful of coconut cream along with your milk.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Vegan Shamrock Mint Shake Recipe
Step 1: Blend Your Ingredients
Start by scooping your dairy-free vanilla ice cream into a blender. Add the dairy-free milk, usually oat milk for extra creaminess, and then the mint extract. Finally, drop in your green food coloring—start with 8 drops and adjust as you go. Blend it all together until it’s silky smooth. The key here is not to over-blend; just enough to combine the ingredients well without melting the ice cream too much.
Step 2: Pour & Top
Pour the shake into two tall glasses. Top each serving generously with vegan whipped cream. Then sprinkle on a few colorful sprinkles and crown each glass with a maraschino cherry. This final step makes it feel like a true retro diner treat.
Top Tip
The first time I made this Vegan Shamrock Mint Shake Recipe, I almost added too much mint extract and it got a bit overpowering. Here are some tips I’ve picked up to balance the flavors perfectly:
- Start Small: Begin with a quarter teaspoon of mint extract; it’s potent and you can always add more if you want a stronger mint taste.
- Use Quality Ice Cream: The creaminess comes from the ice cream, so choose a brand that’s rich and smooth for the best texture.
- Blend Just Right: Don’t blend so long that the shake gets runny—aim for thick and creamy consistency.
- Balance Sweetness & Mint: If the shake tastes too minty or bitter, add a splash more dairy-free milk to mellow it out.
How to Serve Vegan Shamrock Mint Shake Recipe
Garnishes
I always stick with the classic vegan whipped cream, sprinkle combination, and a maraschino cherry on top—it's cheerful and instantly elevates the mood. For a fun twist, sometimes I toss on crushed vegan peppermint candies or even a fresh mint leaf for a pop of color and flavor.
Side Dishes
This shake pairs wonderfully with light finger foods. My go-to has been crispy roasted chickpeas or a small bowl of vegan cookies, like shortbread or sugar cookies, to keep the minty sweetness the star of the show.
Creative Ways to Present
For St. Patrick’s Day parties, I like serving this shake in clear mason jars decorated with a green striped paper straw and a tiny shamrock paper clip on the rim. It makes the drink feel extra special and festive without any fancy fuss.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
This shake is best enjoyed fresh, but if you do have leftovers, pour them into an airtight container and keep them in the fridge for up to 24 hours. The texture might be a little thinner as it melts, so give it a quick stir or blend before drinking.
Freezing
I’ve frozen leftover vegan shamrock shake in small ice cube trays for smoothies later. Just pop a few cubes in the blender with a splash of dairy-free milk for a minty twist on your morning smoothie.
Reheating
Since this is a cold shake, reheating isn’t usually needed. If the texture changes after storage, blend it again with a little fresh oat milk to bring it back to that perfect creamy consistency.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Yes! Fresh mint can be a lovely substitute. Blend a handful of fresh mint leaves with your other ingredients for a fresher, more herbal mint flavor. You might want to adjust the amount depending on your preference.
I recommend choosing a dairy-free vanilla ice cream that’s creamy and not too icy. Brands made from coconut milk or cashew milk often have the richest textures. My personal favorites are coconut-based vanilla ice creams because they blend smoothly for a shake consistency.
You can skip artificial food dyes by adding natural green coloring options like spirulina powder, matcha green tea powder, or even a few drops of chlorophyll liquid. These additions not only color your shake but can add a subtle earthy flavor complementing the mint.
Absolutely! Use nut-free dairy alternatives such as oat milk and coconut milk-based ice cream to keep the recipe nut-free. Just double-check that your chosen brand of dairy-free ice cream doesn’t contain any nut ingredients if allergies are a concern.
Final Thoughts
Honestly, this Vegan Shamrock Mint Shake Recipe feels like a mini celebration in a glass every time I make it. It’s quick, fuss-free, and just the right balance of mint and creamy vanilla magic. I bet you’ll find yourself reaching for this recipe not just on St. Patrick’s Day but anytime you want a little fresh, minty joy.
Print
Vegan Shamrock Mint Shake Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings
- Category: Beverage
- Method: Blending
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegan
Description
This Vegan Shamrock Shake is a minty, creamy, and refreshing plant-based treat perfect for celebrating St. Patrick’s Day. Made with dairy-free vanilla ice cream, oat milk, mint extract, and natural green food coloring, it’s easy to whip up in just 5 minutes. Topped with vegan whipped cream, sprinkles, and maraschino cherries, this shake is both festive and delicious.
Ingredients
Shake Ingredients
- 1 pint dairy free vanilla ice cream
- ½ cup dairy free milk (preferably oat milk)
- ¼ teaspoon mint extract
- 8-10 drops green food coloring
Toppings
- vegan whipped cream
- sprinkles
- maraschino cherries
Instructions
- Combine Ingredients. Add the dairy free vanilla ice cream, dairy free milk, mint extract, and green food coloring into a blender.
- Blend Smooth. Blend the mixture until smooth and creamy, ensuring all ingredients are well combined.
- Serve. Pour the shake evenly into two glasses.
- Add Toppings. Top each glass with vegan whipped cream, sprinkles, and a maraschino cherry if desired.
- Enjoy. Serve immediately and enjoy your festive vegan shamrock shake.
Notes
- Use your favorite brands of dairy free vanilla ice cream for best results; almond, oat, or coconut milk-based options work well.
- For a natural green color, use spirulina powder or matcha green tea powder instead of artificial food coloring.
- This recipe makes 2 servings and is ready in 5 minutes, making it a quick and easy St. Patrick’s Day treat.
- If you prefer a stronger mint flavor, you can add more mint extract incrementally to taste.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 454 kcal
- Sugar: 54 g
- Sodium: 205 mg
- Fat: 13 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 72 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 13 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
Leave a Reply