Everyone knows the best tradition for St. Patty’s Day is the Shamrock Shake! We’ve got 10 (healthier) plant-based versions you can enjoy this March without all that added sugar and dairy. Don’t worry-- these are just as delicious as the classic version but made better with the addition of nutrient dense ingredients. Cheers!
The Classic (Remix)
Source: I Love Vegan
The Shamrock Shake you know and love with a vegan twist. Recipe by the I Love Vegan crew, a fantastic blog that has vegan recipes for every occasion. Rather than green food coloring, this shake gets its gorgeous green hue from spinach. A study published in the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition found that increased consumption of fresh vegetables that are high in polyphenols (this experiment used spinach) has been associated with a reduced risk of oxidative stress-induced disease.
Mint Matcha Shamrock Shake
Source: The Minimalist Baker
The Minimalist Baker has done it again with this delicious Vegan Mint Matcha Shamrock Shake recipe. Matcha has a host of health benefits including the prevention of cancer and cardiovascular diseases, anti-inflammatory properties, antiarthritic, antibacterial, antiangiogenic, antioxidative, antiviral, neuroprotective, and cholesterol-lowering effects that make this treat one you can feel good about indulging in. Coconut milk and coconut cream give this shake a luscious feel without dairy or sugar.
Avocado Shamrock Shake
Source: Wellness Mama
Wellness Mama created this creamy, healthy Shamrock Shake-inspired delight featuring avocado, spinach and healthier sugar alternatives like raw honey and maple syrup. We know avocados are great on toast and the foundation of guacamole, but had you thought to use them in desserts? Their texture and mellow flavor lend themselves perfectly to forming the base in ice creams and shakes!
Healthy Mint Chocolate Chip Smoothie
Source: Celebrating Sweets
Like some of the other shakes on our list, this one features nutrient-dense ingredients such as spinach and avocado to give it the green St. Patty’s Day color we know and love. This recipe created by the Celebrating Sweets blog, throws in an extra healthful boost by adding high-grade vanilla protein powder and cacao nibs. Protein powder is an excellent way to make your desserts more satisfying without added sugars or dairy. Cacao nibs are nutrient dense as they are a good source of fiber, protein, and healthy fats as well as rich in minerals including iron, magnesium, phosphorus, zinc, manganese, and copper.
Berry Good Mint Shake
There are few desserts that aren’t helped with the addition of strawberries, and this Shamrock Shake alternative by Healthy Smoothie HQ is no exception. Strawberry and mint are a powerful, delicious flavor combination that you are sure to love. One study recently reviewed the potential health benefits strawberries and other fruits and vegetables high in polyphenols can have as they help us fight against the most common diseases related to oxidative stress driven pathologies, such as cancer, cardiovascular diseases, type II diabetes, obesity and neurodegenerative diseases, and inflammation.
Click here for the recipe! (please link recipe here)
Lemon Mint Detox Smoothie
Source: Blender Babe
It’s green and it’s minty, and while it is true that you won’t find lemon in a traditional Shamrock Shake, it is worth trying out this recipe for the many nutritional benefits lemon and leafy greens contribute to our diet. Lemon is well-known as a significant source of vitamin C and according to Medical News Today, has also been linked to lowering stroke risk and blood pressure, cancer prevention, maintaining a health complexion, increasing iron absorption and boosting the immune system. Check out Blender Babe’s delicious smoothie recipe and see if you prefer this over a traditional Shamrock Shake.
Healthy Shamrock Shake with Dates
Source: Detox Insta
Detox Insta offers a delightful take on the classic Shamrock Shake except this recipe is sweetened by medjool dates! Dates are naturally sweet and able to provide a velvety texture. According to one study published by the International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, dates are linked to therapeutic implications in disease control through the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-tumour and anti-diabetic effects on the body.
Shamrock Mint Shake with Sea Salt
Source: The Faux Martha
A pinch of salt can go a long way-- especially in your smoothie. The Faux Martha blog has a decadent, vegan Mint Chip Green Smoothie recipe that is enhanced by just a dash of salt. Try substituting the kosher salt used in the recipe for sea salt for added minerals such as magnesium, potassium and calcium.
Mint Chocolate Chip Smoothie with Cashews
Source: Darn Good Veggies
Darn Good Veggies uses a bunch of nutrient-dense ingredients in this Shamrock Shake-esque recipe including spinach, bananas, raw cocoa powder and cashews. Cashews give this smoothie a luscious, creamy feel minus the dairy. MDPI released a study that concluded cashews and other nuts are healthful additions to the diet due to being rich in unsaturated fat and other bioactive compounds: high-quality vegetable protein, fiber, minerals, tocopherols, phytosterols, and phenolic compounds.
Vegan Thin Mint Smoothie
Source: Eat Love Namaste
The Speckled Palate offers up a delicious, rich chocolate mint smoothie with a healthful, satisfying twist by adding chocolate protein powder to their recipe. Although this recipe was initially inspired by the infamous Girl Scouts cookie, you’ll find it will fit the bill for your Shamrock Shake cravings. If you are looking for other ways to utilize protein powder in healthier sweet treats, check out this article from the Daily Burn to get your creative juices flowing.