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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

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.

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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.
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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!
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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

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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.

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Comments

  1. 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?

    Reply

  2. I didn’t find any mint leaves in our market, can i just substitute it with basil instead?

    Reply

    1. 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 🙂

  3. 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!

    Reply

    1. Melissa,

      That’s awesome! Thank you so much for sharing the green smoothie love with your class + teachers!

  4. 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

    Reply

  5. I’d love a good coconut milk whipped cream recipe also, my
    daughter can’t have lactose.

    Reply

    1. Awesome! We will have a post about it soon. 🙂

    2. 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.

    3. 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 🙂