This post contains affiliate links.

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

Side image of a vegan shamrock shake in a wine glass, garnished with coconut whipped cream, fresh mint, and a cherry.

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.

Save this Recipe

Enter your info & I’ll send it to your inbox.

Close-up of a vegan Shamrock Shake topped with coconut whipped cream, cherry, and fresh mint.

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.

  1. Add liquids first. Pour the chilled coconut milk into your blender to help everything blend smoothly.
  2. Layer the greens and herbs. Add spinach and fresh mint so they break down fully.
  3. Add fruit and sweeteners. Toss in the banana, pitted dates, and vanilla extract.
  4. Blend until creamy. Start on low, then increase to high for 30–60 seconds.
  5. Taste and adjust. Add more mint for freshness or a splash of coconut milk if it’s too thick.
  6. 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.
Vegan shamrock shake in a glass.

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 in a wine glass, topped with coconut whipped cream, fresh mint, and a cherry.
4.63 (96)

Vegan Shamrock Shake

Jen Hansard
This vegan shamrock shake is creamy, refreshing, and naturally green. Made with coconut milk, fresh mint, spinach, and dates, it delivers classic minty flavor without dairy or artificial coloring. A fun, plant-based dessert smoothie you can feel good about.
Review Save Print Pin
Serves: 1
Prep Time: 3 minutes
Blend: 2 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes

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!
Save this Recipe
Drop your email & I’ll send it to you.

Recipe 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.

Nutrition

Serving: 16 oz | Calories: 423 kcal | Carbohydrates: 72 g | Protein: 3 g | Fat: 14 g | Saturated Fat: 13 g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1 g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1 g | Sodium: 190 mg | Potassium: 949 mg | Fiber: 8 g | Sugar: 47 g | Vitamin A: 2735 IU | Vitamin C: 20 mg | Calcium: 86 mg | Iron: 2 mg

Equipment

high-speed blender
smoothie blender

Related Posts

About the Author

Jen Hansard

I’m the mom who swapped Lucky Charms for green smoothies— and never looked back. Here you’ll find smoothie recipes and plant-based recipes made simple and tasty.

Say hello
4.63 from 96 votes (1 rating without comment)

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Rate it




Comments

    1. To make coconut whipped cream you need to put the coconut cream and a sweetener (maple syrup or honey work well) into a mixer (or use a hand mixer) then let it mix for 5 to 10 minutes or until peaks begin to form. Hope this helps yall!

    2. Hey Denise,

      Thanks for the comment. Our recipe team is working on a DIY coconut whipped cream blog post. It should be coming out very soon. 🙂

  2. I, too, love St. Paddy’s Day, although, I am not a bit Irish. 100% Portuguese. In fact, it’s my favorite holiday! And, yes, I will definitely be celebrating with this green smoothie. Since Jan 1st, I have only missed two or three days without a green smoothie. I even made a point of drinking one a day in my 5th period class (I am a teacher) to tide me over until my very late lunch. They’re so used to it now that if I don’t have one, they remind me. I halve your recipe and drink half of that on my drive to school and the other half either during 5th period or after school, when my energy is waning. Love, love, love this amazing improvement in my heath (as I tell my students and my teacher friends who think it looks “disgusting” – oh those poor wayward souls – it gives me vim, vigor, and vitality!)

    Thanks!

    Diane

    Reply

    1. Hey Diane,

      You totally rawk! Thank so much for sharing how green smoothies have helped you as a teacher! The colors can be crazy sometimes, but I am sure if your students + teacher friends tried them, they would love them as much as you do! Cheers to health + energy! 🙂

  3. Hi I was wondering if there’s any substitute for the coconut milk? I’m not a big fan of it.

    Reply

    1. I don’t see why you couldn’t use unsweetened almond milk (I prefer vanilla) instead.

  4. Sounds yummylicious! Although it appears to have a high sugar content with 2 bananas, and 4 dates. I’m giving it try but will definitely dial down the bananas and a dates.

    Cheers!

    Reply

    1. Hey Carla,

      Our recipes are here to inspire you — you don’t have to follow them to a T. Yet we do think they are mighty tasty! Feel free to use other green smoothie recipes and even make some up yourself. The key to making green smoothies your lifestyle is making it easy and part of your daily routine. So we recommend using fruits and veggies that work well for your body.

    2. Their recipes serve 2. So it would only be 1 banana and 2 dates per serving.