Copycat Shamrock Shake – Healthy, Paleo Version
March 03, 2013 
Primally Inspired 
We are all friends here, right? Okay, so please don’t judge me for what I’m about to tell you.
I, Kelly Winters, am an ex-shamrock shake lover.
I said it.
I know, I know, terrible right?!
You don’t have to tell me. I already know that the shamrock shake from the golden arches is filled with an obscene amount of artificial flavorings and probably loaded with sugar and dairy from unhealthy cows, and lastly that it’s…… green……from food dye.
Ack.
Regardless, I used to treat myself to one shamrock shake a year. I knew they were horrible for me, but I loved them anyway and looked forward to when March rolled around so I could partake in my annual green dye shamrock shake.
I honestly haven’t had one in years because the more I researched health and nutrition, the more I couldn’t bring myself to buy one even if it was only one time a year.
But ever since the first shamrock shake was spotted from the golden arches, my non-health fanatic, jokester friends have been texting me pictures of their shamrock shakes trying to make me jealous and get me to budge and buy one. I’ve been getting at least one picture a day. But nope, this chick will absolutely not cave in and buy a shamrock shake. It’s not happening. And do you want to know why I can without a doubt say that?
Because I created something even better! So nanny nanny boo boo to all my friends texting me pics of your shamrock shakes.
Yes, you heard right. I have something waaaaay better and I still get to have my shamrock shake! And it’s even green! I created a super healthy, super filling copycat version that I’ve been totally loving. Perfectly creamy, perfectly minty, perfectly wonderful.
Copycat Shamrock Shake – Healthy, Paleo Version
Makes about 4 cups
Ingredients:
1 can coconut milk (you can also sub 1 ¾ cups of any other type of milk)
1 avocado, peeled and seed removed
2 1/2 – 3 T pure raw honey, (or other sweetener of choice)
1 cup of ice
1 T pure vanilla extract
1 tsp pure peppermint extract
DIRECTIONS:
Put everything in the blender and blend. Enjoy!
Related posts:
Drinks, Featured, Recipes, Treats 
Tags: avocado, coconut milk, copycat recipe, paleo, shamrock shake, st. patrick's day 
Oh. My. God.
I am so glad you posted this. I have done all kinds of varieties of smoothies and I’m IN LOVE with avocadoes so many of my smoothies involve them. I had NOT yet thought to use an avocado with peppermint extract in the smoothie and coconut milk. THIS IS SO SIMPLE, Yet I know the combination will be amazing.
I JUST set up my own blog on Tumblr yesterday, and soon will be sharing some of my little smoothie concoctions and other Paleo recipes.
I’ll be sure you pay attention to your site now!
~Amanda~
lol, thanks Amanda! And I agree, I can’t get enough of avocados! I also can’t wait to check out your new blog
I came across this site by accident and am currently attempting to eat paleo style diets. I saw this recipe and it intrigued me to try it. OMG! FANTASTIK! So easy to make. It took me 5 minutes. I can see one overdueing on the peppermint so add slowly and keep tasting to get it to your liking…but awesome recipe!!! Love it!!!
Awesome, Kari!! So glad you liked it – hope you can find some other recipes on here that you like ,too
Nice!! I’ve never had a Shamrock Shake for reals, but now I never need to resort to that processed junk since I could just make this fabulous creation instead!
Thanks, Alex!! And I wish I could say I never had one. Unfortunately, we used to be BFF’s back in the day. Bleck.
OMG this was DELICIOUS! I didn’t tell my family it had avocado and they wolfed it down. Jokes on them because they never knew and don’t normally like avocado
This is so great!
LOL, that’s awesome, Rita! Love it!
Oh baby! Just made this – but with almond milk as I was out of coconut milk. What a winner!!! So excited that “Big Daddy”, my hubby liked it too! Sweet tasting and refreshing + so healthy – thank you!!!!
Jen, I’m so happy to hear that!!
Delish!
I made this today for breakfast. SO GOOD! I’ve been wanting a Shamrock shake, and I’m so glad that I didn’t go get one. This hit the spot. I made the whole amount and froze part of it. I’m glad I did. Just half of it was filling enough, and though I love avocado, I just couldn’t bring myself to eat, well, drink, an entire one. I’ll have the rest tonight when I’m craving something sweet.
Thanks for the recipe!
Thanks, Lynn! If you used coconut milk, it makes this shake extremely filling from all the good natural fats! I can only drink half at a time, too.
Thank you for this! It’s delicious!! I omitted the peppermint for my son (who detests all things mint), then added it in for my daughter and me. Both were fantastic!
I’ll have to try it without the peppermint! Someone on the facebook page also said it was really good without the peppermint so now I definitely have to try it. Thanks for the comment, Michelle!
This is so amazing!!! Delish! Love your recipes!
Makes me so happy to hear that! Thanks Teresa!
This is really good! I wasn’t sure how it would be with the avocado, but I was pleasantly surprised. It does taste just like a shamrock shake! I think I’ll make it again tomorrow, too!
Sweet, Christian! So glad you like it!
So delicious!!! Can’t wait to make this for my college daughter when she comes home this weekend! She will flip!
Yay!
Our Shamrock Shake actually burns calories … although we’re not minty fresh after all that shakin’. Just thought you’d enjoy a lil’ tune to accompany your sham-healthy shake.
Robble Robble
Delicious! I used frozen banana chunks as my sweetener to make it Whole 30 friendly and threw in some frozen spinach to boost the green! Thanks for helping me satisfy my SS craving!
Brilliant, Cari! Thanks for the great suggestion!
Ok so just to clarify, are you using canned coconut milk or carton? Thanks!!!!
Hi Sarah! I use canned coconut milk, but you could use either one.
I saw ladies walk into work with them about 2 weeks ago (Mcdonalds is right across the road from, go figure, the health care center that I work at) and couldn’t take my eyes off them as they walked in with them… haven’t gotten one yet, I too usually have at least 1 or 2 a year when they come out (and I usually don’t like many things mint, thats how good they are)…. but love those shakes, I will be trying this ASAP thanks!!!!
LOL Hope it satisfies your craving, Sarah! It did mine and I was a hardcore shamrock shake lover. haha
So…with the coconut milk, do you go with the full fat or lite? If I went with almond milk, should I use sweetened or unsweetened? Can’t wait to make this!
Brianna, it doesn’t really matter – use whatever you have! I use full fat coconut milk because it’s what I have and I love getting all those extra good fats and it makes it soooo filling. But either one would work and be equally as yummy. If you use sweetened almond milk, you won’t need as much honey. Just put a little honey in and taste and test and add more in if you need it. You’ll know it’s the perfect amount of honey when you can’t taste the avocado at all and it just tastes like a vanilla and peppermint milkshake
Hope you like it!
I haven’t tried avocado in a shake yet, but I am thinking you’ve got me convinced!
hahaha, I hope you get to try it and like it! It makes it so creamy!
Sounds very nice ! I must try it. Only if I can use walnut milk (made by self ) to replace the coconut milk?
Amy, that sounds really nice! I’ve never made walnut milk before – it sounds and I’m sure is delicious. Sounds like it would be great with this!
Thanks! This was excellent. I used raw milk instead of coconut, but I bet the coconut would add yet another flavor blend. Thanks again for sharing.
Dave
Yum I love raw milk!!
We love green smoothies in this family so I am def going to try this. I will probably add frozen spinach as we are always looking for ways to add more greens to all of our meals. I LOVE the mason jar with a straw idea (how simple and brilliant) and want to have one for everyone in my family. What was used to make the hole? I’d love to do it myself, but I might have to add it to my hubby’s Honeydew list.
Hi Lauren! Aren’t these cups adorable?! I love them so much. My hubby made them for me, but I could have definitely done it because it was so easy. You just drill a hole in the lid and then get a rubber grommet from Home Depot (or hardware store). Stick the grommet in the hole, add a straw and ta-dah! Done! It takes about 30 seconds and they are so fun to drink out of
Wowie wow wow! The only reason I waited so long to make these was because my avocados weren’t ripe. Whipped off these for “breakfast dessert” and everyone is happy – kids are happy, Mom is happy. Thanks for taking the guilt out of the shamrock shake!
Woo! Gotta love when everyone’s happy
It’s also great to know kids have been liking these. I wasn’t sure how mint flavored things would go over with kids, but it looks like a lot of kids have been giving it the thumbs up.
I have been doing this shake forever, my friends thought of it as unacceptable. They did not approve of making savory fruit like avocado into something of a sweet dessert. Where I came from (Philippines) this is the only way we use avocados. Slowly we are using them on savory dishes. Some parts of Asia (Indonesia) they put chocolate syrup ( now, that was an overkill).
Your friends are totally missing out, right?! Avocados are so good in all types of dishes – love em!
Sorry, it tasted like avocado pepto bismol. A least we tried something new…
oh man! That sounds horrible! lol. I’m sure you probably don’t want to try making these again, but for anyone else getting an avocado taste – you shouldn’t be able to taste the avocado at all – if you do, add more honey or sweetener!
I just found your website this weekend and this is the first thing I tried out. O.M.G! By FAR, the best Paleo dessert I’ve ever had/made. I followed the recipe exactly but added just a couple ground up dark chocolate chips at the end. Brilliant recipe!! For anyone worried it tastes like coconut milk or avocado (this was my husband’s worry)…it doesn’t – promise. Thanks!!!
TLO, I’m so glad you are here and I hope you get to try some more recipes out. I LOVE that you added choc chips – I’m going to have to do that now!!
Hey there…. I love this website and i am sooo looking forward to trying this out. I have all my stuff ready for breakfast tomorrow morning
Just a quick question, how long will this keep in the fridge as i dont want to waste it? Or is it better to freeze it and take out when needed?
Thanks! x
Hi Hayley! Yay, so glad you are trying this out – hope you love (or loved) it! I kept mine in the fridge for 4 days and it was fine, still green and tasted great. I was honestly surprised that it stayed green, but it did! You can either keep it in the fridge or freezer – doesn’t matter. If it’s in the freezer, it will turn solid-ish and you’ll need to reblend it to get it to a drinking consistency. Hope that helps!
Thanks so much !!!!! This was great. I couldn’t resist making it again the next day and I did a black forest version. 1 can coconut milk, 1 avocado, 1 spoonful of honey, 2 tab raw cacao, 1 tab vanilla, spoonful of almond butter, 150g frozen cherries, and 4 egg yolks (it was breakfast). So good! The idea of avocado in shakes is really clever, the texture does taste like a Maccas shake. Thanks so much for sharing such a great recipe.
ohmigosh – that sounds so good! I need to try it NOW!
Thanks for this amazing recipe! We’ve been dairy free for about 6 months, and are excited to try new recipes at each event and holiday turn. My 4 children are learning some great life lessons. Love it!
We changed up one piece for our family. We used doTerra Peppermint Oil (safe to ingest, healing, amazing) instead of the peppermint extract. We used 4-5 drops per recipe (we doubled the recipe, so 8-10 drops). It was perfect. Here’s the link to my oils: http://www.doterra.myvoffice.com/triciaouellette/
Thanks again for the amazing recipe! <3
Peace,
Tricia Ouellette
Thanks, Tricia! I will check out your oils – sounds great!
They are amazing! We’ve replaced almost all traditional medicines in our home with these. My family is thriving from the change.
Peace to you!
Thank you so much for sharing this decadent treat! I teach preschool, and have made this shake in the classroom the past two days! The children love it, and the parents love that it is a healthy treat! I am also sending the ingredients to school with my 4 and 5 yr old (they are both going to make it in their classrooms). Thank you so much for sharing this recipe. Additionally…Thank you for being a kind, and thoughtful person. I read this blog in it’s entirety and thought it was so wonderful that you took the time to reply to everyones post no matter the content. We need more people like you in the world. Thank you again for sharing this treat, and for your kindness. -K
Kimberly, thank you so much for such a sweet comment! And I am totally loving that you made this and the classroom kids like this healthy treat!! I try to post kid friendly and approved treats, but to be honest, I didn’t know how kids would react to the mint in this one. I thought it would be more of an adult treat, so it’s great to hear that they like it – makes me happy
Take care and thank you so much for your comment again!
Just made this!!! I love minty stuff-esp chocoloate mint! I added my vanilla protein powder and spinach and its sooooo yummy! Next time im gonna add some cocoa powder …. im anticipating extreme deliciousness lol
OOOOOH that sounds fabulous!!!! I love the cocoa powder idea – might have to whip one up right now
Thanks so much for a great dessert! My husband and I tried it last night and loved it. We used a Vanilla Coconut Milk Beverage instead of canned coconut milk, and I added in some Enjoy Life brand chocolate chips for texture (which I really liked). I may have used a tad too much mint extract since that was a little strong, but it was still an amazing shake that I could feel good about. I was glad to see the avocado did the perfect job of coloring it green too since the visual is also important.
Next time, I might have to make this an adult version and try peppermint liqueur instead of the extract… does that negate it’s healthfulness??
LOL, my husband tried the same thing with the peppermint liqueur last weekend – it is really good!! haha! And of course it’s still healthy, right?!
I’m going to try the choc chips next time I make it, too 
YUM
So glad you posted this, it was delish, thanks!
Do you happen to know the nutritional details? I know it’s a lot of good fat but I still try to keep an idea of a serving.
Hi Regan! I do not know the nutritional details, but I’ve heard http://www.myfitnesspal.com is a good one to plug in all the ingredients and it should tell you the nutritonal details.
It’s good! Not sure I’d say it tastes exactly like a Shamrock shake, but it’s still good. To my tastebuds, an extra tablespoon of honey and an extra splash of peppermint extract made the difference from “eh” to “mmm.”
Thanks for the feedback, Victor!
Pingback: License To Fit Food Find: St. Patrick’s Day Desserts | License To Fit
Hi. Can’t wait to try this. I was wondering if you could substitute the honey for dates?? Kelly
Maybe! I think it’d be worth a try!
I make something similar that I call my avocado mouse. I use plain almond or regular milk; no mint or vanilla.
flesh of one ripe avocado
1/2 cup milk
2 packets equal (but I think I’ll try the honey)
Whip all together in a blender/magic bullet. Very green and fluffy.
ooooo, that sounds good! Thanks for sharing!
Hi there. Sounds interesting. One question – am assuming you are using unsweetened coconut milk? You don’t specify…. Thanks!
Yes! Sorry about that!
Pingback: Almost Silent Sunday: My Pups and Links I Loved This Week | Healthy Green Kitchen
I have been eating paleo for 6 months, went on vacation, ordered a shake for a treat, our oldest daughter reading the ingredients and finding some plastic something on the bottom of glass I will welcome your version any day just made it and it is delicious!
Awesome! I just read an article from the Huffington post about all the ingredients in the Shamrock Shake and it was worse than I even expected. Yikes! So I agree – I’ll take this one any day
Thanks for the comment!
Wow, we made this morning and it was SO good!
Our two little boys really loved it as did we.
We used Almond milk as were out of coconut milk.
This will be a weekly treat for us. Thanks for
sharing all the great recipes!
Oh this makes me so happy!! So great to hear – thank you for writing in
Pingback: Happy St. Patrick’s Day | Berries and Champagne
Thanks for the recipe! I made this for the kids this morning as a St. Patrick’s Day treat… and they were super excited…as was I b/c it was actually good for them
So happy to hear this! So glad your kids liked it, too – always a good thing and the best compliments in my book
Thank you so much for this recipe!!
My family loved it… and my boys (8 & 6) were over the moon that they finally got to have a Shamrock Shake – “and ours isn’t poisonous!!” (oops! those subtle comments/brainwashing work!) We had just finished off our avocados so I used a giant handful of spinach instead. Next year I might try a handful of fresh mint leaves!
Thank you!
Oh this is great! I love your boys comment – hahaha!
AWESOME!! I had “mint” extract on-hand so used that instead. I think peppermint – if different, would’ve been even better. Couldn’t pass my 6-yr old’s test, tho. He didn’t like it. Froze what we had left for another day. Thanks for this awesome recipe!!
Your welcome, Anne! Thank you for your comment!!
Thank you for sharing this recipe! My son’s went with their grandmother today and came back with the other version. I have been primal for almost a year and really wanted this shake, but I know it’s so unhealthy. Made your copycat version today and it’s fabulous!! Really tasted great and is so healthy. I no longer have the urge to drive-thru a specific fast food establishment and ruin all my hard work for just empty calories and junk ingredients. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you again!!
Woohoo! I agree, it’s nice to be able to enjoy similar flavors without the guilt or other yucky ingredients that make you feel horrible. I was a huge shamrock shake lover and this definitely hit the spot for my shamrock shake replacement
So glad you like it, too!
I just tried this to celebrate St. Paddy’s day–I think I’m in love! So so great! I was skeptical about the avocado with the peppermint, but it just made it a lovely consistency, and the most beautiful, NATURAL shade of green. Thank you!!
OMG–So good! Thank you thank you thank you! The avocado made it the most beautiful, NATURAL color!!
Thanks, Katie! I agree – such a beautiful shade of mint green
It’s the “in” fashion color, too 
Just made this for some non paleo friends and they loved it. They even started talking about using the coconut and avocado for a base so they can add other flavors and make their own.
This makes me so happy to hear! I love when non paleoans are surprised at how good real food can be
Been saving this recipe aside for a special St. Patty’s Day “cheat” meal and…WOW! Exceeded all expectations.
Thank you for this not-so-guilty treat!!
Woo! So glad you like this as much as I do and thank you for the comment!
Anyone know approx how may calories?
Pingback: DIY Shamrock Shakes and Other Irish Dishes
Is mint extract alright to use instead of peppermint?
Yes! I haven’t personally tried it with mint extract, but some of my readers on here and facebook have said it was good with the mint extract
hope you like it!
I tried this about a week ago minus the mint, and it was delish! I already loved avocados, and this is a great way to use them. Thanks so much for your yummy recipes! I look forward to trying out many more of them very soon!
Thank you so much for the comment, Julie
Pingback: Shamrock shake paleo style | DestinMom
Yay, finally tried this and loved it. Next time I will add a wee bit more honey to sweeten just a tad more. My daughter had a sip and said it tasted like the inside of a peppermint patty (hmmmm,with the addition of the cocoa it could be a peppermint patty shake…lol). Thanks for all your great posts!
One reader above said added cocoa powder. I tried it and I agree – so yummy and definitely a peppermint patty shake is the perfect name
Pingback: Paleo Shamrock Shake | Omnomnomnivore
I just tried this, made it exactly as described, except I had no honey, so I used 4 packets of stevia. My first taste, I wasn’t too sure. I could really taste the avocado. I’m an avocado fan, buuuut I was hoping the other flavors would mask it this time..as I was looking for a decadent, sweet treat. A few more sips and I noticed the avocado less. So. I added a couple more stevia packets and dash more of vanilla & peppermint extract, and VOILA. It’s perfect. Even a good consistency. I’m happy to find a healthy alternative!
Thanks for sharing this with us!!
Awesome, thanks for the feedback, Amy!
I didn’t think any healthy recipe could taste exactly like a shamrock shake but OMG my taste buds are beyond satisfied. I recently have been trying alot of smoothie recipes with avocados and this is by far my favorite! My friends who only eat the processed version even thought this was delicious and most people in my age group (20-21) are so used to that artificial taste in food so I’m glad they enjoyed this. Thanks for the fabulous recipe!
That’s so awesome, Amanda!! So happy to hear this!
I just made these to the T of the recipe. Absolutely awful, tasted like listerine. They would have been great without 1/10th of the mint extract.
OH man, so sorry you didn’t like it!
Pingback: adventures in paradise
Pingback: Homemade Cadbury Eggs | Primally Inspired
Pingback: Low Fat Dieting Made Me Fat! #UsFatGirls | Us Fat Girls
Pingback: Avocado! Yum! | goawaycandida
Wow! I just made this and it’s really amazing! I also never had a “shamrock shake” before. I hadn’t even heard of them until a bunch started popping up on pinterest leading up to St. Patrick’s Day… I substituted 1 tbsp “vanilla sugar” (granulated sugar that I infused by leaving in a cut vanilla bean for several months) for the extract because I do not consume alcohol and the only natural vanilla extract I have been able to find has alcohol. Due to the extra sugar I used 2 tbsp honey, and the sweetness is just right. Also, I used a peppermint oil that is diluted peppermint essential oil in sunflower oil (I can’t tell the amounts because I bought it that way, but it is great). Mine is really creamy and doesn’t flow out of my glass easily… I used Thai Kitchen coconut milk and it was separated into a very thick top third and watery bottom third. I find sometimes this has happened to canned coconut milk and I don’t know if it’s what’s making my milkshake so thick…
Pingback: “shamrock shake”- redone! | beckieb: creating a healthier me
Thank you for your post I’ve been trying to switch to a more paleo diet (not all the way there yet do to we are not big meat eaters) and found milk shakes are a family favorite paleo approved breakfast but its hard to come up with good paleo approved shake combos every morning. We are working on milkshakes for breakfast, salads w/ very little meat for lunch, paleo muffins for snacks and then a meatty dinner. Your recipe is a great help…………………………… by the way I know we need more meat but oh well its an improvement at least lol
Okay…another day, another one of your recipes. I think you are my new best friend! This tastes just like the real thing! I was craving ice cream, and this did it for me! Thank you!!!!!!
I just love getting comments from you – they make my day!!
I’ve been adding a small handful of chocolate chips to this and ohmigosh – makes it even better – tastes like a mint chocolate chip milkshake!
When I was making this, I kept tasting to make sure I had enough honey. My thoughts were, “This stuff is bitter and nasty. I don’t know if I can swallow it down.” I discovered that the bitter taste was coming from my extract. I had mistakenly put in creme de menthe. Also, the ice made the honey form into glue-like clumps, rather than blending in. I kept working with it and it got better. Next time I will blend everything first, then add ice. And, of course, get the right flavoring. Even with my goofs, it tasted amazingly similar to the golden arches’. Thank you for the great recipe!
To crystal burgett-bratt; Try using Quinoa in your daily diet. You’ll get the amino acids of meat along with some other great benefits. You can use it in place of rice; eat it like oatmeal; add to salads, baked goods, and shakes; just to name a few. If you google it, you can find out the many benefits and ways to use it.
You should be able to find it in the spice/baking aisle at a well stocked grocery store. It should be near the vanilla extracts and other extracts.
Hope that helps! And hope you like it
I had a shamrock shake a few weeks ago and after I drank it I was sick for almost two days. I don’t think I will be having one of those again. Definitely trying this tonight
Hope you like this Francine! I just read an article about the ingredients in the original McDonalds Shamrock Shake from a few days ago and no wonder you were sick for almost 2 days. Hope this works for you