This recipe was originally shared over at Tasty Yummies for St. Patrick’s Day, but what I originally called a Shamrock Shake, can very easily be called a Summer Green Frozen Smoothie or Minty Coconut Shake. The name is completely up to you, but the important thing to know is that this one is just too good to reserve for only one day of the year.
A little background … I used to be one of those folks who would go to a certain fast food place during the St. Patrick’s Day season and order the Shamrock Shake. When I went gluten free and started reading labels and actually realized what was in my “food,” I quickly gave up Shamrock Shakes. You can see the specifics on that fast food Shamrock Shake here, but a heads up, there are 52 ingredients in the other Shamrock Shake. Many are ones we can’t pronounce or even have any idea what they are. Others we’d rather not know or have in our food. Blech! But who doesn’t like festive holiday beverages, including indulging in green food and drink on St. Patrick’s Day? And who doesn’t love refreshing cooling beverages? Okay, maybe not so much in the dead of winter here, but with temps reaching the 90s here in Virginia this weekend, this cooling concoction is more than welcome. In fact, it might just be a necessity! Oh, and one more thing—a very important thing—my recipe has just four ingredients … four real food ingredients.
I had made delicious and healthy Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream before, so it didn’t take much effort to turn that recipe into this drinkable potion. The pale green coloring in this recipe does not come from mint or food coloring; it comes from a small amount of baby spinach. It seems hard to believe, but there is no spinach taste. This fact won’t come as a surprise to those who add baby spinach to their green smoothies all the time. Baby spinach is very, very mild in taste. And the mint flavor in this shake doesn’t come from mint leaves, but rather peppermint extract or peppermint schnapps. The version made with the latter is my personal favorite, but I think you’ll really enjoy this one made either way!
Summer Green Frozen Smoothie/Minty Coconut Shake/Shamrock Shake

Ingredients
- 2 3/4 cups full-fat coconut milk, chilled
- 2/3 cup maple syrup (more or less, to taste)
- 1/4 cup fresh baby spinach (be sure to discard the stems)
- 2 tsp peppermint extract (or 1 tbsp peppermint schnapps for a still "mild," but adult version)
Instructions
- Mix ingredients in blender until there are no visible particles from the spinach leaves. Pour mixture into the pre-frozen tub of your ice cream maker. Set blender pitcher aside.
- Churn for about 10 to 15 minutes. Check consistency at 10 minutes; churn additional minutes if needed.
- If you accidentally freeze too much and don’t get enough of a shake consistency, spoon mixture back into blender and blend on high for about 30 seconds. Pour into desired size glasses and serve, with spoon or straw.
- Makes one massive shake (worthy of two straws!), about two 2-cup servings, or about 4 smaller servings.
Notes
I’ve learned from my fellow bloggers and my own experimentation that adding alcohol to ice cream ensures creaminess and less crystallization. The beauty of making ice cream without eggs is that you can keep sampling your mix until you get a taste you like, before you add the mixture to the ice cream maker. If you don’t have an ice cream maker, you might try this method for making ice cream from David Lebovitz. This recipe makes a shake that’s a perfect green color—a natural green color, I might add. Unfortunately, the lovely shade of green doesn’t really come through in the photos.
This post is linked to Wellness Weekend, Allergy-Free Wednesdays, Gluten-Free Wednesdays, and 5-Ingredient Mondays.
Laura @ Gluten Free Pantry says
I love putting peppermint into a green smoothie. I’m part Irish so I’ll call it a Shamrock Shake still 🙂 Great recipe Shirley!
Shirley says
Hi Laura–It’s kind of a shame that shamrocks are only celebrated one day a year, right? Well, at least that’s pretty much the case here in the U.S. So I like that you want to call this concoction a Shamrock Shake, even though it’s June. 😉 This is such a refreshing beverage … I hope you enjoy it. 🙂
Shirley
Terry says
Shirley, Love this recipe! I’m guessing that I can do this in a Vitamix, right?
Shirley says
Hi Terry–Thanks! While you can’t certainly mix blend the ingredients in a Vitamix, you’ll need an ice cream maker or will need to follow the instructions for making ice cream without an ice cream maker to get a true shake. Without the ice cream factor, you’ll get a light smoothie vs a nice thick shake. Still good either way though. 😉
Shirley
Caralyn @ glutenfreehappytummy says
oh wow, that looks fabulous! i could definitely go for one of those right now! thanks for sharing!
Shirley says
Hi Caralyn–Thanks! 🙂 I need to make this shake again very soon. Hope you will, too. 😉
Shirley
Lydia (The Perfect Pantry) says
What an irresistible idea! I’m putting this on my list of things to try this weekend.
Shirley says
Hi Lydia–I hope you gave this shake a try and enjoyed it! It’s one of my very favorites. 🙂
Shirley
Debbi Does Dinner Healthy says
Oh this looks awesome! I love minty shakes! I’ll have to try this for sure!
Shirley says
Hey Debbi–This recipe is right up your alley then! Enjoy! 🙂
Shirley
InTolerant Chef says
I’ll bookmark this for summer, its minus 6c this morning! It certainly sounds so much better than anything with 50ish ingredients 🙂
Shirley says
InTolerant Chef–Oh, dear … you need some minty hot cocoa instead then! 😉 Don’t you love making your own real food recipes with just a few ingredients? We know exactly what’s in our recipes, and it’s all good. 🙂
Shirley
Maggie says
So refreshing for a hot summer party! I used to frequent a certain restaurant too, but I was after the Hot Caramel Sundaes. I gave them up too – looking back, I never felt well after one of these treats! I love that we can still have delicious treats AND happy tummies – ie your minty coconut shake!
Shirley says
Okay, Maggie, we need to make a healthy vegan version of the Hot Caramel Sundaes … it should be pretty easy. 😉 It’s wonderful to feel happy and pretty “light” and carefree in comparison after consuming the homemade healthy versions. 🙂
Shirley
Sarah @ Celiac in the City says
This just went on my “list” to make in the very near future — love anything mint, and it’s supposed to be HOT here this weekend. Thanks for sharing, Shirley! Have a great weekend. 🙂
Shirley says
Thanks, Sarah! I did have a great weekend. 🙂 Hope you did, too! It’s cooling down a tad here tomorrow, but I think this recipe will still be timely and tasty for the near future. 😉
Shirley
Alta says
Sounds so good right about now. I think I need one of these.
Shirley says
Alta–You do need one of these! Plan on sharing with at least one other or you might get carried away … just sayin’. 😉
Shirley
Alisa says
I’ll take four ingredients any day over 52!
Shirley says
Alisa–No kidding, huh? 😉 And bonus … the four ingredients are favorites of most who are dairy free. 🙂
Shirley
Sharon M. says
Hi Shirley,
You know I like mint flavored ice cream! This looks yummy. I’m sure you remember the Jamocha shakes that could be gotten at said fast food restaurant. Those were always a favorite. Funny how I don’t even miss them these days!
Hope to see you Sunday at Biota!
Shirley says
Hi Sharon–It was wonderful to see you and your daughter on Sunday! I hope you both have been enjoying Eat Like A Dinosaur. 🙂
Yes, I do remember your love of the mint ice cream and know that you will love this recipe. 😉 Ah, Jamocha shakes … sounds like another one we have re-make!
Shirley
cheryl says
that looks amazing! I love mint ice cream.
Shirley says
Cheryl–There’s no doubt you will love this shake then! 😉
Thanks!
Shirley
amber says
Hello! Wow Shirley. What a great combination of flavors. Love, love!!!
Shirley says
Amber–It’s so simple, yet so good! 🙂 Enjoy!
Shirley
Sophie says
MMMMM,..What a refreshing & tasty looking smoothy,…all green & fresh!
Shirley says
Hey Sophie–I have to concur … MMMMM. Thanks, dear!
Shirley
Kim (Cook IT Allergy Free) says
So perfect for right now!! What a perfect treat to sip out by the pool! And I think I told you in my comment the last time you shared this that my MIL is guilty of getting one of the McD ones and trying to feed it to my boys. Blek!! I love this recipe though~ such a healthy treat!
xoxo
Shirley says
Kim–Now that you’re back home, I think you have to make this recipe and share it with the boys. With your temps and sun beating down, you guys “need” this treat! By the pools sounds perfect to me. 🙂 And yes, I do remember about the other one and the boys turning it down. Smart cookies, they are!
Shirley
Casey says
This sounds cool and refreshing, perfect for the summer months.
Shirley says
Hi Casey–It looks like you are new here–welcome! 🙂 You’re right … this recipe really is perfect for summer. 😉
Shirley
Deanna says
Oh man, I am drooling. Yum!
Shirley says
Deanna–I think you’d love this one! 🙂 Thanks so much for sharing on FB earlier.
Shirley
Josie Dovidio, DDS says
Thought I’d let you know that I featured this recipe on the following blog post. Thanks for posting such a great recipe!
5 dairy-free, gluten-free, FOOD DYE FREE. Shamrock Shake Recipes
http://sharingmom.com/5-dairy-free-food-dye-free-shamrock-shake-recipes/
Shirley says
Hi Josie–Welcome to gfe! 🙂 I already saw your post via the link back and had started to comment on your post, but got distracted. 😉 I really appreciate you including me in your terrific roundup! I’ll share it later on my gfe FB page. I know my readers will love your roundup!
Thanks again!
Shirley