How Do You Make A Shamrock Shake?

What's more Irish than a green milkshake complete with gold at the end of the rainbow!?

What's Shakin'?

Ah, St Patrick's day, a day when everybody covers themselves in as much green as the spectrum will allow, parties on the streets and trips over their own feet as they attempt to re-enact Riverdance. It's also a big day for drinking, and dyeing foodstuffs green. Seriously, so much green grub everywhere, green beer, green yogurt, green eggs and ham...

If you're not quite into beer that's the same color as the sea after it's been peed in, and you're looking for a tasty tipple, then look no further; the St. Patrick's Day Shamrock Shake is here!!

Why Make a Shake?

You might be thinking to yourself, why make a milkshake when there are so many other choices available to you? Well, if you've ever gone into a McDonald's on St. Patrick's day then you will truly understand the amazing joy that is the Shamrock Shake.

Unfortunately, many have found the shake to be lacking a certain something; sure it's green, but it takes more than a pretty color to make a great milkshake. Vanilla is nice, but there is something so fabulous about mint chocolate ice cream that makes it the best.

Ingredients

• Mint Chocolate Ice-Cream
• Milk
• Green Food Dye (for extra oomph)
• Whipped Cream
• Rainbow Marshmallows (or leftover Lucky Charms)
• Edible Gold Confetti
• Optional: Cream Liqueur

Tools

• Blender/Food Processor
• Glass/Mason Jar/Tankard
• Ice Cream Scoop
• Wide Straws

Step One: Prep

Take your ice-cream out of the freezer about twenty minutes before you're ready to start, to let it thaw out a little. Alternatively, you can get your hands on some soft-serve ice-cream for your shake.

Step Two: Mix

Scoop some ice-cream into a blender, pour in the milk so that you have one part milk to two parts ice-cream.

Add a few drops of green food coloring.

Turn the blender on, on a low setting (I used the pulse mode) to mix it all together.

Step Three: Build

Pour the mixture into glass.

If you're feeling particularly cheeky, do what the Irish do to all dairy related beverages and add some cream liqueur. (Most people would go for Baileys, but Coole Swan is a white chocolate liqueur and it is amazing!)

Add as much whipped cream as physically possible.

Top the whipped cream with rainbow marshmallows (you can buy them or just pick some out of Lucky Charms cereal)

Sprinkle on the golden confetti for your pot of gold!

The Dairy Alternative

Sometimes even the mere thought of a milkshake can leave your stomach churning, whether you're lactose intolerant, vegan, diabetic or the taste of milk makes you yak. Never fear, you don't have to lose out on fun and flavor when I'm here.

Ice-Cream Alternatives

Lucky for you, most stores now stock dairy and lactose free ice-creams, in a huge variety of flavors. So you don't have to go searching for a Wholefoods store last minute.

Many brands are even offering a new ice cream alternative for diabetics, which is also great for anyone who has to watch their sugar intake.

If you like milk, but are a bit unsure of where it comes from, then why not try breast milk ice-cream. Yes, it's a real thing, and it is surprisingly popular. Plus, it's naturally sweet so....

Got Milk?

Just because you can't milk an almond doesn't mean it isn't delicious! In recent years there has been an abundance of dairy alternatives showing up in the grocery store. Almond milk, hazelnut milk, soy milk, breast milk, seriously it's a thing now, and coconut milk.

I Have a Cream

A cream alternative is impossible I hear you say! Oh but no. If you want the light fluffiness of cream but without the dairy, all you need to do is get a can of coconut milk. Yes, like the kind you use for curries.

Skim the coconut cream off of the coconut milk, then whisk it up until thick white peaks appear. Hey presto, your milkshake is saved!

Taste the Rainbow

It is no secret by now that marshmallows contain gelatin. However don't let that worry you, as there are many varieties of gelatin free candy around these days. If you can't get your hands on mallows in time, you can use any natural colored candy.

Vegan gelatin is readily available and you can even make your own marshmallows, so you know what's in them!

Enjoy!

See, now wasn't that the easiest Paddy's Day treat ever? Now that you have created the gloriousness that is the Shamrock Shake, go devour it, tell all of your friends, and don't forget to have a great St. Patrick's Day.