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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.
Very, very good smoothie. Totally enjoyed it. Good was to end this challenge.
This was delightfully light and refreshing! I used Almond milk that I had made in my almond cow, thanks to you Jen. It was a pretty green, minty and yummy. Great way to end the cleanse❣️
I really liked this smoothie and would definitely make it again! The mint was not overpowering and I used the smaller leaves hoping that would be the result. I would try it with 1/2 banana and 1 date to reduce the sweetness.
This was definitely not a favorite for me. Too minty.
Yum!! Will make again with the whipped coconut cream.
This was ok. I think there was too much mint for my taste. No worries. In the last 7 days I’ve found 4 new smoothie recipes to add to my smoothie recipe book! Will def add these to my rotation. Happy smoothie making!
This was very good! I’m not really a fan of mint or dates, but this still tasted good! Especially with a little coconut whip cream on top! Definitely more of a dessert smoothie
This one didn’t quite hit the spot for me but both my husband and my daughter gave it a 5/5.
I loved the smoothie, but did not use the toppings since I did not have those ingredients. Will definitely make this again and include the toppings,
Delicious! Just a little too sweet for me, but I blame the added vanilla Protein Powder. Perhaps will leave that out next time, for add another ingredient to help minimize the sweetness.
This was great! I loved this shamrock ☘️ smoothie, especially for today’s holiday. I did add a few more mint leaves to up the minty flavor. Fantastic! This one will be on repeat.
Such a fun way to get your greens in! Celebrate the day and treat yourself!
I absolutely LOVE this Vegan Shamrock Shake!!! The mint, and the dates work perfectly together in this. Okay, maybe this will be my daily green smoothie
Very festive for St Patrick’s day! But way too rich for a morning smoothie. Great as a dessert at the end of the day though! Agree with other comments that even with more mint, I could barely detect the taste.
I love all of the substitution options (cauliflower, oat milk, extra dates) and tip to soak the dates. Delicious and lower in sugar!
I don’t do coconut anything, so didn’t use any of it. I subbed nonfat milk, increased the mint leaves to 10, used the remaining ingredients, and added half a serving of my usual chocolate protein powder. I couldn’t find cacao nibs in my usual stores. I was going to add a cherry, but I was multitasking and forgot. I didn’t even get a hint of mint, which was disappointing–I was hoping for a chocolate mint flavor. The chocolate protein powder made it tasty.