Yesterday in CT it was 70 degrees outside – the most gorgeous spring weather. It’s supposed to be a little cooler today but I’m not complaining. Yesterday morning I was home at my parents’ house, and I was keeping my mom company in the garden, sipping a cup of coffee in shorts. I know, shorts in March!!! The dogs were outside with us, and my parent’s dog (Scout) was sprawled out on the deck in the sun like a cat. It was a very peaceful morning! My hometown is really an ideal place to be in the spring and summer months… we have a lovely garden and a big yard to play in with the dogs, and we’re lucky to live almost right next to the best farm stand in town. I just can’t wait for all the spring produce to be ready!!
I don’t do a whole ton of holiday-themed recipes here, but for some reason I was super inspired to make a healthified version of a Shamrock Shake in time for St. Patrick’s Day. The original Shamrock Shake is offered at McDonald’s, and has almost a cult-like following for some in America. It’s an artificially colored and flavored vanilla mint smoothie, which contains 820 calories for a large and 115 grams sugar (the recommended DV of sugar is 24-36 grams). Yikes!! I knew I could do better than that. This healthy, all-natural Shamrock Shake is authentically flavored with fresh mint, and is also naturally colored from the green avocado and mint. It’s super creamy and dreamy, and you definitely won’t miss its artificial counterpart.

Healthy Green Shamrock Shake
Ingredients
- 2 Avocados
- 1 Cup Almond Milk
- 1/4 Cup Fresh Mint packed
- 1/4 Cup Raw Agave Nectar
- 1 Tsp Vanilla Extract
- 5-6 Ice Cubes
Instructions
- Scoop out avocado into the blender. Add in all other ingredients, and blend on high until smooth.
- Serve and enjoy!
Quote of the Day:
May the road rise up to meet you,
May the wind be always at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
The rain fall soft upon your fields,
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of his hand.
– An Irish Blessing
P.S.
If you make this recipe and post it on Instagram, be sure to tag me @wellandfull and #wellandfull so I can see! I love seeing your takes on my recipes :)
29 Comments
Bethany @ athletic avocado
March 10, 2016 at 9:12 amI used to love shamrock shakes! I cant believe how terrible they are for your body, yuck! This version, however is a completely different story! Avocado for the win;)
Sarah
March 10, 2016 at 11:28 amThanks Bethany!! :D
Sofia | From the Land we Live on
March 10, 2016 at 10:01 amYummm! I’ve never had a shamrock shake but love this avocado + mint combo. It’s so pretty with the tiny flecks of mint :)
Sarah
March 10, 2016 at 11:29 amThank you Sofia!! :D
dixya | food, pleasure, and health
March 10, 2016 at 10:22 amnow that i have a tiny patio garden with mint..i can easily whip this smoothie!
Sarah
March 10, 2016 at 11:29 amI’m jealous of your garden!! I’ve got to get my seeds planted soon! :)
Evi @ greenevi
March 10, 2016 at 10:39 amMint smoothies are my favourites! I love that you used avocados for creaminess here, so yummy!
Sarah
March 10, 2016 at 11:29 amThanks Evi!! :D
Lane | Green Spirit Adventures
March 10, 2016 at 1:00 pmYumm!! This looks super delicious! I love mint, and that color is so fresh and bright!
Sarah
March 10, 2016 at 1:47 pmThanks Lane!! :D
Caitlin
March 10, 2016 at 1:26 pmI have been needing this recipe in my life! I love Shamrock Shakes but not the guilt that comes with them. Absolutely love the idea of a mint smoothie – it’s perfect to satisfy that craving and is packed full of nutrients! Perfection!
xx, Caitlin
http://www.wandererandwolf.com
Sarah
March 10, 2016 at 1:47 pmThank you Caitlin!! :D
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
March 10, 2016 at 2:43 pmMinty things and my favorite things!! I’ve never had a shamrock shake, real or otherwise! Haha! But it would be glorious to have right now in the AMAZING weather!
Sarah
March 10, 2016 at 4:35 pmThis IS perfect mylkshake weather!! :D
Jessie Snyder | Faring Well
March 10, 2016 at 6:51 pmAh, yes! It has been 70 here too and it is straight up magical. Love hearing about your hometown, and that farm stand (swoon!). This shamrock shake. All the YES. I was a big fan of the Mc version as a kid. Need to hop back on the bandwagon with this one! Happy (almost) spring girl! XO
Sarah
March 10, 2016 at 9:22 pmThanks girl!! And happy (almost) spring to you too!! ;)
Maya | Spice + Sprout
March 10, 2016 at 8:52 pmBelieve it or not, I’ve never had a shamrock shake! I feel like it is something I am going to have to try. Ah and shorts?? It is definitely getting warmer here in Montreal, but we are a long ways away from shorts weather ;)
Sarah
March 10, 2016 at 9:25 pmI went to Montreal in the springtime when I was a freshman in high school, and I remember it was chilly but beautiful :)
Amy | Lemon and Coconut
March 11, 2016 at 1:18 pmHey Sarah, yum that looks sooo good, I love mint! Sounds like you’ve definitely trumped the original, let’s get everyone hooked on these. I think it’ll happen (maybe not directly but here’s hoping!), more and more people are obsessed with avocados (in a really good way) it’s a green revolution! :)
Sarah
March 11, 2016 at 2:31 pmI completely agree! More and more people are nixing fake coloring and artificial coloring and going for natural treats. I love it!!
Aimee / Wallflower Girl's Kitchen
March 11, 2016 at 3:33 pmI wanna make this for st Patricks!
Sarah
March 12, 2016 at 8:36 amIt certainly would be festive!! :D
Natalie | Feasting on Fruit
March 12, 2016 at 10:04 pmYou have a real knack for photographing things in cups and glasses and making them just look stunning! Your food always pops and you have such a simple style, major inspiration for me. I love all of your photos, I’ll probably comment on how much I love them every single time so I apologize now lol. Can’t help it :D Now onto this creamy little number, this is all we need for St. Patty’s day right here! So unbelievably creamy, thank you plants! 820 calories–that is a scary number when we’re talking McDonalds “food” :/ I’d much rather eat or sip that many calories of plants please!
Sarah
March 13, 2016 at 1:21 pmAww thank you so much Natalie!! Sometimes I feel like my photography style is too simple, but whenever I try to use props it just comes out looking silly (in my eyes!!). So your compliment really means a lot to me. You’re the sweetest, girl <3 <3
Lisa Lin
March 13, 2016 at 12:26 pm70 degrees in CT?! Wow. It’s nothing but rain over here in California, but I can’t complain too much about that. I’ve never really tried shamrock shakes before, but I’ve been seeing them all over the internet lately. I have all the ingredients in my kitchen, so I’ll give this a try in the afternoon!!
Sarah
March 13, 2016 at 1:22 pmUnfortunately it didn’t last… it’s about 55 now and overcast :( And if you try out the Shamrock Shake let me know how it goes girl!! :D
Jennifer
March 14, 2016 at 11:18 pmLooks great! Thanks for sharing this recipe and for the link to my article, “Why You Should Never Drink A Shamrock Shake” (https://bamboocorefitness.com/this-is-why-you-should-never-drink-a-mcdonalds-shamrock-shake/) – I appreciate it! Keep up the great work!
Sarah
March 15, 2016 at 7:52 amThank YOU for having such a great article! I didn’t know just how bad McDonald’s shamrock shakes were until reading it! :)
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