Starting in high school and then in college, people would declare themselves obsessed with Shamrock shakes – they had to be the first to get their hands on one when they were released in February, and whined when they disappeared around Easter time.
I had some really troubled friends who decided mix them with vodka on St. Patrick’s day. Eww. By the way – you can now report your first sighting of the shakes.
I thought I’d beat them to the punch this year – and save them about 400 calories, 16 grams of sugar, and 9 grams of fat. You’re welcome.
I made two versions: one with ingredients that almost anyone could find at their supermarket, and one with more “blogger friendly” ingredients. I hate when you have to go order something online to try a recipe – but they both taste pretty accurate. No green food coloring needed (but you knew that already, right?).
I bought the mint extract around Christmas time and then accidentally poured it in a batch of muffins. That was a bad morning.
Lightened Up Shamrock Shake (version 1)
- 1/2 frozen banana
- 2 handfuls of spinach (about 1 cup, packed)
- 5-6 almonds or cashews (I think salted cashews are best)
- 1/4 of a single avocado (or 2 heaping Tbsp) * key to a creamy shake
- 1 cup milk of choice (will change nutrition info)
- artificial sweetener as desired (I used 5 drops stevia – you can sub 1 Tbsp powdered sugar)
- 1/4 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/8 tsp mint extract (I don’t like them super-minty)
- 3-4 ice cubes
Approximate nutrition info: 175 calories, 9 grams fat, 11 grams sugar, 5 grams protein
Food Blogger Shamrock Shake (version 2)
- 1/2 frozen banana
- 2 handfuls of spinach (about 1 cup, packed)
- 1.5 tsp nutritional yeast (I think salted cashews are best)
- 1/4 of a single avocado (or 2 heaping Tbsp) * key to a creamy shake
- 1 cup almond milk
- artificial sweetener as desired (I used 5 drops stevia)
- 1/4 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/8 tsp mint extract (I don’t like them super-minty)
- 3-4 ice cubes
- optional: pinch of xanthan gum to maintain creaminess
Approximate nutrition: 160 calories, 6g fat, 11 g sugar, 6 g protein
You could definitely make this a meal with a scoop of vanilla protein powder.
Are you obsessed with these green milkshakes? Maybe we can use them to help introduce green monsters into the diets of the average American! 😉
