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This vegan shamrock shake is my plant-based spin on the classic minty treat—no artificial dyes, no dairy, and no weird ingredients. It’s creamy, lightly sweet, and refreshing, with real mint flavor and a naturally green glow thanks to spinach. Balance is green smoothies and fun desserts, right?
Table of Contents
What is a Vegan Shamrock Shake?
A traditional shamrock shake relies on dairy milk, ice cream, and artificial green coloring. This version skips all of that. Instead, we use creamy coconut milk, frozen banana for thickness, dates for natural sweetness, and fresh mint for that cool, nostalgic flavor. Spinach is a mild leafy green vegetable that adds the green color without changing the taste. Plants for the win.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Coconut milk (chilled): Adds rich, milkshake-like creaminess. Check out my recommend coconut milk brands to use in smoothies.
- Spinach: Creates a natural green color without food coloring
- Fresh mint leaves: Gives that classic shamrock shake flavor profile. If you’re new to adding fresh herbs to smoothies, I recommend removing the stems before blending and just use the leaves.
- Banana: Thickens the shake and is a great natural sweetener in smoothies. I like to freeze bananas to have on hand to use in smoothies like this— it’s a great way to chill them down without needing ice (which can dull your blender blade overtime)
- Medjool dates: Balances the banana taste by provide caramel-like sweetness with fiber
- Pure vanilla extract: Rounds out the flavor and adds warmth
Topping Ideas
If you’re like me, and pick food based on looks as well as taste, then you definitely need some fun toppings for this vegan shamrock shake. Top with coconut whipped cream, then sprinkle with cacao nibs, and finish with a fresh cherry.
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How to Make a Shamrock Shake
If you’re using one of my recommended blenders for smoothies, follow the steps below. If you have a low powdered blender, I recommend blending after step 2 and then again in step 4.
- Add liquids first. Pour the chilled coconut milk into your blender to help everything blend smoothly.
- Layer the greens and herbs. Add spinach and fresh mint so they break down fully.
- Add fruit and sweeteners. Toss in the banana, pitted dates, and vanilla extract.
- Blend until creamy. Start on low, then increase to high for 30–60 seconds.
- Taste and adjust. Add more mint for freshness or a splash of coconut milk if it’s too thick.
- Serve immediately. Pour into a glass and add toppings if desired.
Ingredient Swaps
- Want more protein? Add a scoop of plant-based protein powder.
- No coconut milk? Use cashew milk or make oat milk for a lighter texture.
- No dates on hand? Swap with 1–2 tablespoons maple syrup.
- Mint too strong? Start with 4–5 leaves and build from there.
More Dessert Smoothies
If this shamrock shake sparked your interest in more dessert smoothies, then try these other dessert smoothie recipes:
- Coconut joy smoothie bowl: Chocolatey, creamy, and topped with coconut for a dessert-inspired smoothie bowl made with real ingredients.
- Banana chocolate protein shake: Indulge in a velvety smooth, banana chocolate protein shake that’s not only delicious but also a powerhouse of nutrition.
- Skinny mint smoothie: Cool, refreshing, and lightly sweet, this minty smoothie satisfies dessert cravings the lighter way.
- Chocolate smoothie bowl: Rich, fudgy, and ultra-creamy, this chocolate smoothie bowl feels indulgent but is made with just plants.
If you make this vegan shamrock shake recipe, I’d love to hear how it turned out in the comment box below. Your feedback helps me and all the readers in this community. And if you’re interested in more plant-based recipes (and exclusive content), sign up for my weekly recipe newsletter.
Vegan Shamrock Shake
Ingredients
- 1 cup coconut milk chilled
- ¾ cup spinach
- 8 fresh mint leaves
- 1 banana
- 2 medjool dates pitted
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
Toppings
- 1 tbsp whipped coconut cream optional
- 1 tsp cacao nibs optional
- 1 sweet cherry optional
Instructions
- Blend spinach, mint, and coconut milk until smooth.
- Add remaining ingredients, and blend until smooth. Enjoy!
Helpful Tools
Notes
- Pour over ice or freeze banana first if you prefer a colder smoothie.
- If you can’t find fresh mint then up the spinach to 1 cup and add a few drops of mint extract.
- Use full-fat coconut milk for a more shake-like texture, or carton coconut milk for less healthy fat and a thinner consistency.
- Soak Medjool dates in water for 20 minutes before blending if your blender has a hard time blending certain ingredients.
What can I use to substitute for medjool dates?
Hi Maria!
Thanks so much for reaching out! One of my favorite substitutes for Medjool dates are figs, which still provide a dose of fiber and nutrients while sweetening things up. You can also try tossing in another banana in place of the dates, or blendin’ in a little raw honey or 100% maple syrup. Feel free to play mini-chef with your blender to find what tastes best to you!
-Rawkstar Tessa
Superdelicious! This is one of my favorite smoothie. I make it often & enjoy the fresh mint flavor. Yum! I’ll have to try it with almond milk, as well.
Hi Ardis,
Yay! We love hearing your love for our Shamrock Green Smoothie! You’ll have to check out our book coming out November 3rd!! W e’ve included a delicious coconut whipped cream recipe, which makes the perfect topping for this recipe (with a cherry too)!
https://simplegreensmoothies.com/shop
Never mind on my last question. 🙂 I see where it says serves two now 🙂
Hi Katelin,
Rawesome! We hope you enjoy our Shamrock Green Smoothie!
Cheers 🙂
OMG!!! This is by far the BEST smoothie I have had yet!! I didn’t have coconut milk on hand so I substituted unsweetened vanilla almond milk and it was wonderful. I will for sure make this my go to smoothie of choice. Thank you thank you!!!!!
Hi Kim,
Yay! This is one of our favorite recipes too + we love the idea of swapping in almond milk!
Cheers + Happy Blendin’
No Vanilla. What can I use instead?
Hi Ann,
Thanks for reaching out! Unfortunately, we can’t think of a substitute for vanilla, but don’t worry about leaving it out, we promise this smoothie will still be delicious!! All of the herbs, fruits, + leafy greens makes sure for that!!
When a recipe calls for coconut milk, do you mean the newer coconut Milk beverages that come in the Tetrapaks (like soy milk), or do you mean coconut milk in a can?
Hi Kelly,
Great question! The container doesn’t matter as much as being sure you’re reaching for coconut milk + not coconut creme. We love making our coconut milk, find our recipe here…
https://simplegreensmoothies.com/how-to-make-coconut-milk
I have the same question as Kelly.
There is the beverage form of coconut milk then there is that canned thick coconut milk stuff. Two different things but same name.
Hi Katelin,
It can be tough finding the right option! Coconut milk has the liquid consistency of cow’s milk and is made from simmering one part shredded coconut in one part water. Coconut cream is much thicker and richer. It is made from simmering four parts shredded coconut in one part water.
We also love making our own coconut milk…
https://simplegreensmoothies.com/how-to-make-coconut-milk
Hope this helps!
This is fantastic!! Like a mint milkshake! Definitely one we will do over. ( i have a ton of mint growing in my garden)
Hi Lisa!
Thanks so much for reaching out! We’re are so happy that you loved this recipe, we are so excited about it too! I have mint growing in my garden too, I can’t wait to use it! 🙂
I see a lot of these recipes call for mint. What is a good sub for that if you don’t have it on hand or can it just be left off all together?
Hi Allison,
Here are some of our favorite herbs to blend with! You can use them in place of mint, or replace the herbs in the recipe with more leafy greens! 🙂
https://simplegreensmoothies.com/fresh-herbs
I didn’t find any mint leaves in our market, can i just substitute it with basil instead?
Hi Melissa,
Basil will create a very different flavor, but we love to experiment and try new recipes! If you substitute basil, let us know how it turns out!
Cheers 🙂
I am kindergarten teacher who had a successful and tasty St. Patrick’s Day thanks to the shamrock green smoothie recipe. I made 2 blenders and served smoothies to 23 morning kindergarten students, 24 afternoon kindergarten students, and the two teachers (me & my team teacher).Thank you!
Melissa,
That’s awesome! Thank you so much for sharing the green smoothie love with your class + teachers!
It’s St Patrick day here in Australia, so I thought I’ll celebrate with having a shamrock smoothie for lunch. Well WOW it’s beauitful yummy just fantastic best smoothie ever love it.
17th of March 2015.
Thanks
Joy xx
Happy St. Paddy’s Day. Glad you enjoyed it!
I’d love a good coconut milk whipped cream recipe also, my
daughter can’t have lactose.
Awesome! We will have a post about it soon. 🙂
Like Barbbaker58, I too would like to have the recipe for coconut cream whipped cream. I love the Shamrock Green Smoothie, as is, but I’d really like to try both it with the whipped coconut cream topping.
Hi Bahbi,
Our team is hard at work ensuring that our coconut whipped cream is both delicious + simple to make! We’ll have it to you as soon as we can! Cheers 🙂
What if instead of coconut cream whipped cream, regular whipped cream with shaved coconut mixed into it? Would that work?
Hey Rosario,
Great question! It’s definitely a personal choice, and you just have to decide what works best for you and your family. We’ve talked with a lot of nutritionists and milk isn’t all that it’s been hyped up to be. Dairy is one of the highest diet allergies (and often goes undiagnosed). And if you aren’t buying organic milk, you’re also getting doses of antibiotics, hormones, etc that can tip your own body out of whack. So we just avoid milk for our family (and opt for almond milk). We get our calcium from plant-based sources mainly— broccoli, spinach and kale.
Love IT! I’m definetly going to try this and My kids Love my greensmoothies
Cheers to you and your kiddos!
I would love to try it, but sadly I’m allergic to fresh/’raw’ bananas and not a fan of coconut substances due to the sweetness. Though I bet it tastes really well
So funny to get this email. I’m a kindergarten teacher and I have plans to make a green smoothie for my class of 24 students on Tuesday. I’ve been thinking about doing it all year since they see me drink my afternoon smoothie every day. They are always asking what it is and can they smell. They’re too cute. I can’t wait until Tuesday. Bring on the GREEN SMOOTHIES!
I love the idea of a teacher introducing a wonderfully healthy shake, however as a parent of a child with food allergies, this would leave my child out. In kindergarten she had not completely grown out of her coconut allergy and is also allergic to all other nuts. If you have a child in your class with allergies, please be sure to make something extra special just for them! 😉 They will remember it for a long time. My daughter still remembers the special things her first grade teacher did for her!
Great point, Heather. Would oat milk be a good sub for any nut milks?
Hey Melissa,
Thanks for the comment, that is so amazing that you are sharing the green smoothie love with your little ones! Cheers + best wishes!
To Melissa!
YOU must be a great teacher! I am excited for you and ALL 24 of your students who get this great smoothie! I work at Whole Foods and tell the kids everyday not to forget to drink your Shrek smoothie! xo
Keep up the good work and Thanks Rawkstars for these wonderful recipes! I love your site! Happy ST. Patrick’s to all!
Hey Cindy,
Thanks so much for the encouraging words. 🙂