Shamrock Shake Green Smoothie
Shamrock Shake Green Smoothies allow you to have your St. Patrick’s Day favorite milkshake the healthy way. All of the mint flavor and creamy texture, but none of the guilt! They’re a fun part of a gluten free St. Patrick’s Day menu!
Originally published on March 17, 2012. Photos updated on March 3, 2016.
I have been dying to get myself a Shamrock Shake from McDonald’s. But then I remember that the last time I had one, I wasn’t thrilled. I rarely indulge in a McDonald’s milkshake, but I don’t think they have been the same since they started putting whipped cream and a cherry on top. I mean, this is McDonald’s, not an ice cream parlor, or even a diner. Their food isn’t supposed to come with garnish.
Then I saw someone post the list of what is in a Shamrock Shake. Not that I don’t ever consume those ingredients – I do loves me a McDonald’s Ice Cream Cone, and the ice cream is the main component of the shake. But it wasn’t worth the calories or chemicals for something I don’t really like.
But it is St. Patrick’s Day, and for some reason, I still thought a Shamrock Shake for breakfast was the way to celebrate, since the rest of my plans for the day are decidedly NOT Irish. I’ve seem a lot of versions posted on various blogs this week, but most involved ice cream. So I decided to make one that was breakfast-worthy, but definitely still yummy enough for dessert. And it does not involve any green food coloring. Or added sugar. I think I will be making one for The Bug for snack.
Throw a banana in your freezer in chunks, and it’ll be ready to make this Shamrock shake smoothie for an after dinner treat.
I am not a huge mint person. I regularly think to myself that I wish they made peanut butter-flavored toothpaste. So this is admittedly a little light on the mint. If you like things really minty, go ahead and add more mint extract. And no, you can’t taste the kale, and if you blend it up, you don’t even know it is there, other than the lovely green color it gives the smoothie.
What are you doing for St. Patrick’s Day? Eating or drinking anything green? Or Irish?
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Enjoy your Shamrock shake green smoothie!
- 1 frozen really ripe banana
- 1 cup milk of choice
- 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt or cottage cheese
- 1/2 cup baby spinach kale or other dark, leafy green of your choice)
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon mint extract
- 4 ice cubes I used 4 regular-sized ones. This was probably about 3/4 cup. Adjust accordingly based on the size of your ice cubes and how icy you want it.
- sweetener Optional, honey, stevia, etc., if needed, depending on how ripe and sweet your banana is
- Put all ingredients into a blender, and blend until smooth.
- Pour into a glass to serve.
If you love that Shamrock shake smoothie, here are some more minty recipes to try:
- Mint Chocolate Chip Glazed Popcorn
- Chocolate Mint Smoothie
- No-Churn Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream Cake
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Em (Wine and Butter) says
OMG – my St Paddys day post is exactly the same!! Well… slight variation on the green smoothie (coconut milk!!) but same basic theme. How funny!!! (although I have yet to post SO please please know there was no copying involved 🙂 ).
Happy ST Paddys day to you and Bug!
Brianne @ Cupcakes & Kale Chips says
No worries! There seem to be a million variations on this theme floating around out there this week 🙂 Hope you have something fun planned!
Lisa says
This shamrock shake version is definitely more my speed than McD’s…..not to say I wouldn’t probably enjoy the “real” (but really artificial!) thing, but that ingredient list does burn me a little….
I had one 3 years ago and was disappointed, so since then, I’ve just made my own versions (some gross…especially the more health I try to make it)… Yours looks pretty and delish–thanks for sharing 🙂
Brianne @ Cupcakes & Kale Chips says
It was really good. I made another one for Tyler and I for a snack later in the day 🙂
Katherine Martinelli says
This looks way better than anything at McDonald’s! Thanks for linking up at my blog hop 🙂 Pinned!
Brianne @ Cupcakes & Kale Chips says
Thanks. So happy I found your blog and blog hop.
Brianne @ Cupcakes & Kale Chips says
Thank you, and thanks for checking it out. I am in the midst of a big re-design, so hopefully you’ll check back and see lots of good changes.
Are says
Would substituting the mint extract for mint leaves yield the same results?
Brianne Izzo says
I would think so, though I haven’t tried it, so you might have to experiment with the amount.
Quinn says
If I’m doing a low-carb, very low-sugar meal plan, would you suggest an alternative to the banana? I know that helps with the consistency, but I am only eating berries, lemons, and limes for fruit. Thanks! It looks delicious!
Brianne Izzo says
Hmmm, the banana gives the texture and sweetness. Perhaps avocado and some stevia or other sweetener?
Becca from It's Yummi! says
I have a couple of similar recipes on my blog, Brianne, but I love the shamrock shake take on yours! PINNED 🙂
Brianne Izzo says
Thanks Becca! Green smoothies passing themselves off as shakes is never a bad thing!
Lydia says
I made this smoothie for breakfast this morning, and it is sooo good! I was a little skeptical at first, because I wasn’t sure how all those ingredients could taste remotely like a shamrock shake, but I was pleasantly surprised! I didn’t have any mint extract on hand, but I did have peppermint coffee syrup. I used about 2-3 TB of that, it was delectable! I also upped the banana to 1 1/2 to make it a little creamier and used spinach for the green and vanilla almond milk. This is definitely a smoothie I will be making again! Thank you for the delicious recipe!
Brianne Izzo says
So glad you tweaked it to make it your own!
Adelina Priddis says
I really need to keep some mint extract in the house.. I want if just a couple mint leaves though would give it the same flavor? hmmm, must go experiment, since I don’t feel like shopping today, lol.
Brianne Izzo says
I bet it would work!!
Abby (@ No Fail recipes) says
I have a hard time getting my family to eat enough greens but I’m pretty sure this recipe will help solve that.
Kayle (The Cooking Actress) says
SO MUCH BETTER than all that gunk that’s in the Mickey D’s shake! This looks much tastier!
Nishan Parikh says
This tastes nothing like shamrock shake. Booo
Nishan Parikh says
And my mom is making me drink it
Lauren Deegan says
This was a great idea to get the kids in my family to eat their greens without them knowing.
Taylor M says
I’m not sure what exactly I did wrong but mine tasted like banana flavored tooth paste????
Roshani Khanna says
Oh my gosh this looks so good! I am over here drooling over this dish right now. I am all over this. I can’t even stop starring.
Brianne Cupcakes & Kale Chips says
Thank you so much!
Nikita Arora says
My mouth is watering just reading this and looking at the pics, this sounds like perfect comfort drink after a long day.
Brianne Cupcakes & Kale Chips says
Thank you, Nikita!
Donna | Healthy Food Tribe says
This is a very interesting recipe indeed, thanks for sharing Brianna! One thing I’ve been doing lately is blending avocado seeds, they’re a great source of antioxidants and fiber. So whenever I eat an avocado, I keep the seed for later and just add it as an extra ingredient to my next green smoothie. If there’s enough fresh fruit in there, you can hardly taste the avocado seed. Worth a try!
Brianne Cupcakes & Kale Chips says
What a great tip, Donna! Thank you for sharing that. I’ll have to start saving up avocado pits now. 🙂