It’s that time of year again when the Shamrock Shake is being downed all over the country. I have to confess, I’ve never tried one. Just the bright, unnatural green color of the shake turns me off big time. I decided to make a healthier version – enter a shamrock shake smoothie!

What is a Shamrock Shake?

If the color isn’t enough to make you say hmmmm – the ingredient list might convince you to try something healthier.

Are you curious what’s actually in that bright green “drink” they sell by the bucket full this time of year? According to the Huffington Post, the Shamrock Shake ingredient list includes:

“Milk, Sugar, Cream, Nonfat Milk Solids, Corn Syrup Solids, Mono- and Diglycerides, Guar Gum, Dextrose, Sodium Citrate, Artificial Vanilla Flavor, Sodium Phosphate, Carrageenan, Disodium Phosphate, Cellulose Gum, Vitamin A Palmitate, High Fructose Corn Syrup, Corn Syrup, More Water, More Sugar, Natural Flavor (Plant Source), Xanthan Gum, Citric Acid, Sodium Benzoate (Preservative), Yellow 5, Blue 1—

ARE YOU STILL WITH US? — More Cream, More Nonfat Milk, More Corn Syrup, More Sugar, More High Fructose Corn Syrup, Contains Less Than 1%: Mono-And Diglycerides, More Carrageenan, Polysorbate 80, Beta Carotene (Color), Natural (Dairy and Plant Sources) and Artificial Flavor, Mixed Tocopherols (Vitamin E) to Protect Flavor, Whipping Propellant (Nitrous Oxide), Cherries, More Water, More Corn Syrup, More High Fructose Corn Syrup, Sugar, Malic Acid, Citric Acid, Natural (Plant Source) and Artificial Flavors, More Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate (Preservative), Red 40, Sulfur Dioxide as Preservative (Contains Sulfites).”

Mmmmmmmm. Does anything in that list look like you should actually eat it??? UGH! It IS a popular seasonal drink from McDonald’s, but a shamrock shake smoothie is way better for you!

Ingredients for a Healthier Shamrock Shake

I based my recipe off one I found in the April 2011 edition of Midwest Living magazine. I’ve changed it up a tad, in my true style. This is not a copycat shamrock shake recipe as I’m sure it tastes nothing like a Shamrock Shake. I didn’t even put any mint flavor in it, and supposedly the real version tastes like mint. Who knew?

I do, know though, that this is one of my kids’ favorite smoothies and it’s healthy enough to drink every single day. How perfect for St. Patrick’s Day!! Or anytime of the year! Here’s what you’ll need:

• Orange: Peel the orange but otherwise it can go in whole. The citrus adds a little tang and flavor to the smoothie.
• Yogurt {preferably organic}: Feel free to play around with different flavors. We prefer key lime, plain, or honey pear. Whole fat yogurt makes smoothies so creamy!
• Honey: Add a bit of sweetness. If your fruit is really ripe or if you’re using flavoried yogurt, you can leave it out.
• Green grapes: Adds a bit of tang and sweetness to your smoothie.
• Kiwi: Get that beautiful shamrock green without the nasty fake dyes! Peel the kiwi and cut them in half before tossing in your blender.
• Banana: Peel it and add to the blender. Ripe bananas add sweetness and make smoothies thicker. Frozen bananas work just as well.
• Ice: Cold and creamy – need I say more?

How to Make a Shamrock Shake

Since one of my health goals is to drink more smoothies – my kids and I have been crazy around the Vitamix. I tell you what’s funny – encouraging my children to eat their veggies at dinner with the promise of more veggies in a smoothie for dessert after dinner! It really cracks me up.

I can get them to down a handful or two of spinach in a fresh smoothie after dinner, but don’t even get me started on them eating cooked carrots with their meals! We really love our vitamix and if you don’t have one, I highly recommend one because it simplifies the smoothie making process. It’s one of the most helpful appliances in my kitchen!

To make a healthy shamrock shake add the ingredients in the order listed above. Slowly turn your Vitamix or blender on full speed and then to high. Blend until smooth (about 2-3 minutes). Enjoy!

Make Smoothies for a Crowd

I double the recipe to feed my family of 6. It makes a full Vitamix pitcher full. If you want a smaller amount, follow the ingredients as they are listed in the recipe.

I don’t make super huge batches of smoothies because generally someone wants just slightly different ingredients. If I have leftovers, I freeze them for later.

I love these stainless steel straws! They help me reduce the trash at my house and makes us feel fancy drinking our smoothies. In fact, I think I need to order more.

Variations for a Healthy Shamrock Shake Recipe

If you’re a real shamrock shake fan and miss the minty flavor – add a couple of fresh mint leaves when blending everything up. Just remember a little mint goes a long way and it is easier to add more if needed rather than remove it if you get too much. 😉

Peppermint extract would also work if you don’t have fresh mint.

To keep the recipe healthy, but also a little indulgent, add a few pieces of dark chocolate crumbles and additional sliced fruit to the top of your shamrock shake.

If you don’t really care about having a copycat shamrock shake, feel free to add or substitute some of the fruit as well. Add in berries, cherries, apples, and other vegetables to really pack a healthy punch!

How to Store and Freeze Shamrock Shake Smoothies

Freezing smoothies is really easy! it’s also a great way to use up excess fruits and vegetables. Method 1 is to blend up the smoothie and directly freeze the leftovers.

Method 2 is to put all the ingredients together in a freezer-safe container EXCEPT the yogurt. When you’re craving a smoothie, put all the frozen ingredients in the blender, add the yogurt, and blend it up!

More Healthy Smoothie Recipes You’ll Love

• Pineapple Pomegranate 
• Quick & Easy Winter Smoothie
• Pineapple, Kiwi, Orange Smoothie
• It’s Easy Being Green Smoothie

 What do you think of the Shamrock Shake? Take it or dump it?