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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.
I’m not a big mint fan, so I didn’t add that (even though that’s the point of a shamrock shake). I subbed almond milk for coconut milk (allergy). It tasted like a regular green smoothie. Not bad!
This was the best one.of the 7
Happy St. Patricks day!
What a way to end the challenge:)
Nice and minty:)
Thanks for having this fun challenge!
This one was quite a bit sweeter than I expected. Almost too sweet for my taste. But I loved the creaminess of it and I feel super-full now after drinking it!
I used almond milk as I had some to use up. And I added coconut whip cream and a cherry. It was delicious!
Fun way to celebrate St Patrick’s Day. I cut back coconut milk by half and replaced with water. Really like the creamy, fresh taste. Different from McDonald’s but so tasty
This smoothie was the first with coconut milk for me. I am hooked. Also using mint in a couple of the challenge smoothies was a delightful surprise. I love the creaminess in this one. I am ready to continue next week and plan to add salads once a day. Thanks for getting me back on track.
Love this smoothie! It’s different from what I normally put in a smoothie and so refreshing and tastes great. I only used 1/2 a frozen banana, left out the vanilla since I have a sensitivity to it, and added Chlorophyll drops (to make it extra green for St. Paddy’s Day) and vegetarian protein powder. I also added a 1/4 cup of frozen organic wild blueberries to get more fruit and to make the drink colder. Love that as I’ve done smoothie challenges with Jen, I’m getting more comfortable making swaps and putting my own spin on her recipes without modifying too much. Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
Amazing
Nourishing smoothies ! Loved this Smoothie Challenge.
I Loved all the smoothies this week but making and tasting day 7s was fantastic creamy tasteful I will say it’s a good party smoothie the challenge as been good
Perfect for St.Patty’s day. Sweet and lightly minty shamrock shake.
I have to say that all the smoothies was delicious and I will keep making these smoothies afterwards. I also got a lot of tips on becoming more outdoor friendly and healthier. Thanks
This smoothie was good! Next time I’ll add frozen banana to make it more cold. I also added matcha to mine. Happy St. Patrick’s ☘️ Day! Day 7 complete!
So much fun!!! I loved this one and feeling like I was drinking something “special ” to join in the shenanigans for this fun day! Thanks for the challenge and opening my eyes to all of the possibilities in a smoothie!
Delicious, quick and easy. Didn’t refrigerate my coconut cream to make the whipping cream but it was still great.