Every year around St. Patrick’s Day, minty green shakes start popping up everywhere. And I’ll be honest, shakes are in my top three favorite frozen desserts. Give me a thick peppermint milkshake with whipped cream on top and I’m a happy person.
That’s exactly why I wanted a vegan shamrock shake I could make at home. One that skips the dairy milk, artificial coloring, and hard to pronounce ingredients but still tastes creamy, minty, and fun.
This Vegan copycat shamrock shake is made with simple plant-based ingredients like coconut milk, vegan ice cream, and just enough peppermint extract to give it classic shamrock shake flavor.
In our house, we love recreating seasonal favorites so they fit our plant-based lifestyle. It feels good knowing exactly what’s going into your glass. And the best part? This peppermint milkshake comes together in about five minutes with a high-speed blender.
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What Makes This Vegan Shamrock Shake Recipe Special
This vegan shamrock shake hits all the nostalgic notes of the original, but it’s made with non-dairy milk and vegan ice cream instead of dairy milk and vanilla soft serve.
You still get the smooth texture and mint flavor. You still get the fun green color. And yes, you still get the whipped cream and Maraschino cherry on top.
Here’s why this one stands out
- it uses full-fat coconut milk or oat milk for extra creaminess
- you can skip artificial coloring and use natural green food coloring or even spirulina powder or matcha powder
- it’s easy to make refined sugar-free by choosing the right vegan ice cream and sweetener like maple syrup or medjool dates
- you can adjust the peppermint flavoring to your liking, from subtle to bold
If you’ve tried our Summer Spirulina Smoothie, you already know we’re big fans of simple green drinks that taste amazing
Shopping List
- vegan vanilla ice cream
- full-fat coconut milk or other plant-based milk such as oat milk or almond milk
- peppermint extract or mint extract
- maple syrupgreen food coloring
- vanilla extract
- ice cubes
- coconut whipped cream or vegan whipped cream, for topping
- Maraschino cherry, for garnish
- mini chocolate chips, optional
How to Make a Vegan Shamrock Shake
Blend the Base
Add the vegan ice cream, coconut milk, peppermint extract, vanilla extract, maple syrup, and ice cubes to a high-speed
If you like a thicker shamrock shake, add a little more vegan ice cream. If you prefer it thinner, add a little more non-dairy milk.
Add the Green Color
Add green food coloring, a pinch of matcha green tea powder, or a tiny bit of spirulina powder. Blend briefly until the color is evenly distributed. Start small. You can always add more, but you can’t take it out.
Taste and Adjust
Taste your vegan shamrock shake and adjust the sweetness or peppermint flavoring as needed. If you want it sweeter, add a bit more maple syrup. If you want a stronger minty syrup flavor, add a drop more peppermint extract.
Serve and Top
Pour into chilled glasses. Top with coconut whipped cream or your favorite vegan whipped cream. Add a Maraschino cherry and a sprinkle of mini chocolate chips or a drizzle of vegan chocolate syrup if you’d like.
Serve immediately for the best smooth texture.
Why This Vegan Shamrock Shake Recipe Works
The combination of vegan ice cream and full-fat coconut milk gives this peppermint milkshake the rich, creamy consistency people expect from a classic shamrock shake.
Peppermint extract brings the signature mint flavor without needing Creme de Menthe. And using plant-based milk keeps everything dairy-free while still tasting indulgent.
Because you’re blending everything fresh, you avoid the artificial coloring and additives often found in fast-food versions. You also have the flexibility to make it refined sugar-free or add a scoop of protein powder if you want to boost the nutritional benefits.
It’s simple, customizable, and perfect for St. Patrick’s Day or anytime you’re in the mood for a minty fresh shake.
Variations to Try
Make it a vegan
Use frozen bananas Swap part of the vegan ice cream for frozen bananas to create a green
Add chocolate Blend in a tablespoon of vegan chocolate syrup or a handful of chocolate chips for a mint chocolate twist.
Go refined sugar-free Use a cashew-based vanilla ice cream sweetened naturally and skip the maple syrup.
Turn it into popsicles Pour the mixture into a popsicle mold and freeze for a fun frozen treat.
Tips to Keep It Fresh
Use cold ingredients so your vegan shamrock shake stays thick and frosty.
If you want an even creamier texture, freeze some coconut milk in an ice cube tray ahead of time and use these instead of regular ice cubes.
Store leftovers in the freezer and re-blend before serving. It may firm up like instant vanilla ice cream, but a quick spin in the
Vegan Shamrock Shake
Ingredients
- 2 cups vegan vanilla ice cream
- 1 cup full-fat coconut milk or oat milk
- 1/4 teaspoon peppermint extract
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 to 2 tablespoons maple syrup optional
- 2 to 3 drops green food coloring
- 1/2 cup ice cubes
- coconut Whipped Cream for topping
- 1 Maraschino cherry for garnish
- mini chocolate chips optional
Instructions
- Add the vegan ice cream, coconut milk, peppermint extract, vanilla extract, maple syrup, and ice cubes to a high-speed blender.
- Blend until smooth and creamy.
- Add green food coloring and blend briefly until evenly combined.
- Taste and adjust sweetness or peppermint flavor as needed.
- Pour into glasses, top with vegan whipped cream, a Maraschino cherry, and mini chocolate chips if desired. Serve immediately.
This vegan shamrock shake is proof that you don’t need dairy milk or artificial ingredients to enjoy a festive treat. It’s quick, customizable, and made with simple plant-based ingredients you can feel good about.
Love this recipe? Check out our full collection of vegetarian and vegan recipes for more delicious ideas! And if you’re looking to share your creations (or get inspired by someone else’s), join our closed Facebook Group, The Peas and Carrots Society, a group of non-judgy folks who welcome all! Nothing but good food, good friends, and good fun!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a shamrock shake made of?
A traditional shamrock shake is made with vanilla soft serve, dairy milk, peppermint flavoring, and green food coloring. This vegan version uses non-dairy ice cream and plant-based milk instead.
Can I make a vegan shamrock shake without coconut milk?
Yes, you can use oat milk, almond milk, cashew cream, or any dairy free milk you prefer. Just choose one that’s creamy for the best texture.
What can I use instead of green food coloring?
You can use spirulina powder, matcha powder, or natural green food coloring. These give a green hue without artificial coloring.
Is peppermint extract the same as mint extract?
Peppermint extract has a stronger, more classic peppermint flavor. Mint extract can be milder and sometimes slightly sweeter. Both work in this recipe.
How do I make my vegan shamrock shake thicker?
Use more vegan ice cream, reduce the plant-based milk slightly, or add frozen bananas. You can also skip the ice cubes for a richer consistency.
